As we thought last week started with an absolute deluge of rain. I know it was forecast, but it very rarely actually happens! The heavens opened and we saw some rivers blow out for a period of time as the runoff hit the systems. But not for long. One of the true joys of Icelandic rivers is they drop out their colour every quickly and this large lift in water coincided with a huge influx of fresh fish into most of the river systems. The majority of the week was very wet and quite cold, but the last few days have welcomed clear skies and warmer temperatures and some extraordinary fishing. As we hit the peak of the season on many rivers the fishing has been on fire. The great news is those going to Iceland over the next ten days are going to have fantastic water levels which can so often be the Achilles heel moving into August. As I myself get ready to depart next week with my team I am certainly feeling the excitement.
Laxa I Kjos had a big rise in water after all the rain between the 11th and the 14th July, but now has cleared and is dropping. It is now absolutely on fire and our group have landed 52 fish in the last three sessions. The river last week landed 95 salmon taking their total to 215 fish. We have also seen a good number of sea trout being landed taking that total to 15. Water levels are high right now, but the river has cleared and this combined with a big run of fish coming in on the tide. Air temperatures have risen to 15°C and water temperature is hovering at 12°C. The sea trout are also coming into their own in the meadows with a stunning 75 cm fish of 10lb landed yesterday. Top flies have been Black Frances, Red Frances, Valbeinn, Collie Dog & Haugur. There are still a couple of rods towards the end of August for those keen to get amongst the big sea trout in the meadows.
The Nordurá had a massive amount of water between the 10th and 11th July and went from a gentle 6 m3/s to a whopping 198 m3/s and become unfishable for a day or so. continued to perform with big runs entering the river, but they too have had the catch stats impacted by the lovely weather. The river landed 93 fish taking their total to 626. Water levels remain consistent although air temperatures have warmed back up again between 11 – 12°C. They landed 15 this morning though as the reiver clears so we are expecting great fishing for the next week. The best patterns remain Sunray shadow, Silver sheep, Haugur and the Collie Dog. We still have rods in 21 – 24, 24 – 27 July for anyone looking to participate in Nordura’s fantastic season.
The Midfjardara had a fantastic week and have landed between 20 – 30 fish a day with an average weight of 8lb. The river landed an amazing 213 fish taking their total to 422 fish. They landed 38 fish only yesterday as the big runs of fish continue to pile into the river. Conditions have changed and the fishing has been fabulous with many pools holding between 30 – 100 salmon. Best flies so far have continued to be Sunray Shadow, Hitch tubes, Skuggi Skaskorinn and Collie Dog. We still have rods available in 5 – 8 and 11 – 14 August for those that want to get in on the action.
The Stora Laxa had a great week and has flourished under the high-water conditions and has landed 50 fish in the last three days alone. The river landed 85 fish over the course of the week taking the total to 210. There are still some good sized multi sea wintered fish being landed, but their numbers are being supplemented by a really good run of large grilse entering the system. The average is currently 10lb and the largest fish so far has been a stunning 97 cm fish weighing 23 lb. Top flies so far have been Valbeinn, Sunray Shadow, Collie Dog, Cone Red Frances and Red Frances. (We still have some excellent space and discounts on Stora Laxa, click HERE)
The Hitara has had a tough week due to the high water conditions and landed 19 fish last week with an average weight of 7 lb to the six rods taking their total to 87. Again the grilse have shown up in good numbers. Largest fish remains a 92cm fish weighing 18 ½ lbs from Langidrattur on a Sunray. When the water drops out and clears we are expecting some really fantastic fishing. Top flies this week have been Red Frances, Collie dog Sunray Shadow and the Skuggi.
The Langa had another solid week landing 80 salmon averaging 6 lb taking their total to 223 fish. Largest fish was a 92cm fish weighing 18lb caught in Langidrattur on a Sunray shadow. Top flies this week have been Red Frances, Sunray Shadow, Green Butt, and Micro hitch.
We still have some last minute availability in Iceland if you dont want to miss out, click HERE or please do not hesitate to contact Peter McLeod or Alex Jardine or call our office on +44(0)1980 847389.