The beginning of the salmon season in Iceland is normally marked by the opening of the Nordura River in mid-June. Nordura is one of the first rivers to open and as it is one of the most prolific natural rivers in Iceland, its opening is often a good indicator of the season to come. The fish seem to run the river system earlier than most on the west coast, and the tail end of June can prove immensely productive. It is also the time of year in the higher water that that the larger fish run the river system and will push through the Laxfoss without faltering and trickling into the upper beats. I have fished many rivers in Iceland, but the Nordura has a magic all of its own. For the discerning fishermen it has a huge variety of different water to fish, from the upper section flowing through intimate rock pools and flows to the wide bends in the lower canyon. 2022 saw the river under new management and I am pleased to report it was a huge success with many clients commenting on the improvements to the fishing, lodge and service.
With over 100 named pools on over 60 km of water the river winds its way out of the northern canyon before meandering across the valley. It eventually arrives at my favourite area, the Lava Pockets. At some point in the distant past a lava field headed across the valley floor and the river has now cut a path through this. The result is some extraordinary topography that creates some of the most interesting pocket fishing I have ever experienced. I have whiled away countless hours flicking flies into riffles with a single handed rod, watching in fascination as fish charged from cuts at the waking fly.
Below Laxfoss the river carves into the area known as the Canyon, one of the most beautiful spots I have fished in Iceland. It is quite a steep climb down the wooden walkways, but the river empties through some deep pools punctuated with hard rock bands and here I have landed the largest salmon I have encountered in the river. Often fish can be spotted in the crystal clear water from high up and targeted individually which can put your heart in your mouth. This magical area is a fisherman’s playground and fish will hit a hitched fly as it wakes through the current.
Nordurá is renowned for its consistency and the runs of salmon appear almost to the day every year. The river normally produces anything from 1,100 – 3,300 fish in a season. This season water conditions were stable through the early part of the season, a little low mid-July as there was very little rain and then topped up nicely at the end of the month when the rain came. We had some fantastic fishing at the end of July as the water cleared and then experienced one of the coldest August in memory. This sadly slowed things down a bit with fish not as willing to take as we would have hoped. The river landed 1,352 salmon and 58 sea trout with an average weight of 6 lbs across the board. The biggest fish of the season was a 23 lber, but the river landed a number of fish over 90cm this season which was encouraging. There is still some prime space available for next season:
15 – 18 June: SOLD
18 – 21 June: 4 rods – £5,450 per rod (reduced rate due to cancellation)
21 – 24 June: 1 rod – £5,930 per rod
24 – 27 June: SOLD – £6,160 per rod
27 – 30 June: 3 rods – £6,890 per rod
30 June – 3 July: SOLD – £7,250 per rod
12 – 15 July: SOLD
15 – 18 July: 1 rod £7,930 per rod
18 – 21 July: 1 rods £7,930 per rod
21 – 24 July: 4 rods – £7,485 per rod
24 – 27 July: 5 rods – £7,365 per rod
27 – 30 July: SOLD – £5,210 per rod
4 – 7 August: 6 rods – £4,880 per rod
The cost includes scheduled transfers from Reykjavik, full board single room accommodation and shared guide.
For more details on fishing the Nordura or any other rivers in Iceland, please do not hesitate to contact Peter McLeod or Alex Jardine or call our office on +44(0)1980 847389.