Fly fishing for salmon in Iceland is perfectly set up for those looking travel as a group. Whether you are a group of friends, corporate team or looking for a family getaway with fishing, there are a range of lodges that offer great comfort and some of the best chances to catch Atlantic salmon. If you are looking to try something different to Scotland or trout fishing then Iceland may well be the perfect destination for you.
We have identified some of the best salmon fishing options in Iceland to take as a private group below. Should you like further ideas you can view our online brochure HERE or contact us by EMAIL.
Laxa I Kjos
Target Species: Salmon, sea trout & brown trout
Number of Rods: 10 rods
Number of Rooms: 12 twin rooms
Level of service: Fully catered, guiding available
The river has one of the prettiest and most comfortable lodges in Iceland and sits overlooking the lower section of the river. The river itself is intimate and the fishing is more akin to trout fishing for salmon, a true hitchers’ dream. Small rock pockets, canyons and open meadows are perfect for single handed fishing with tiny flies. The river also has some huge sea trout which run throughout August and add to the excitement, a small tributary called Bugda boasts good numbers of brown trout. Laxá I Kjos offers some very exciting sight fishing and hitch fishing opportunities for salmon.
Hafralonsá
Target Species: Salmon, sea trout & Arctic char
Number of Rods: 4-6 rods
Number of Rooms: 6 twin rooms
Level of service: catering available, guiding available
Situated in the northeast of Iceland, it is best suited to the fit and able because it has some stunning but deep canyons and can require strong wading. It presents a lot of water for the number of rods (4-6) with the lower reaches being more open pools and less severe canyons but as one reaches the middle so the canyons get deeper and tougher to access. It’s appeal is the number of rods on the river, its beauty and the size of fish with a high percentage in the teens and even over 20lbs. The upper reaches are almost entirely canyon and the salmon’s journey ends with the top waterfall or the waterfall on the stunning tributary, the Kverka. The lodge has six double rooms each with a bathroom. There is an open-plan sitting/dining area with views up the valley and a nice deck from which guests can look up and down river.
Svalbarðsá
Target Species: Salmon
Number of Rods: 3 rods
Number of Rooms: 4 twin rooms
Level of service: catering available, guiding available
A three rod river that can be taken privately for groups of 2 to 4. The river operates a strict catch and release policy which has seen the average catches increase, the current average is in the region of 400 fish per year. The river begins to fish well in late July with the first good runs of extremely aggressive fresh salmon averaging approximately 10 lbs. The river then fishes extremely well throughout August. The lodge on Svalbarðsá is a traditional but modern Icelandic lodge overlooking the river. It has four bedrooms each with its own ensuite bathroom and shower plus a spacious living and dining room.
Straumfjarðará
Target Species: Salmon, sea trout & Arctic char
Number of Rods: 4 rods
Number of Rooms: 5 twin rooms
Level of service: catering available, guiding available
Straumfjarðará is a small and exclusive salmon river located on the Snaefellsnes peninsula in the West Iceland. It is a short river offering 12 km of salmon holding water, as well as char and sea trout in the lower part. There are 27 named pools producing an annual average catch of 420 fish to just 4 rods. All of the pools are easily accessible with four wheeled drive vehicles being able to get within 5 minutes’ walk of each fishing spot. The comfortable lodge sits looking over the middle reaches of the river, it is a modern building offering single rooms as standard and all the modern comforts one needs.
Haukadalsá
Target Species: Salmon
Number of Rods: 5 rods
Number of Rooms: 5 twin rooms
Level of service: catering available, guiding available
A short west coast river, Haukadalsá, is limited to just 5 rods and perfect for intact parties. There are 40 named pools on the stretch, most of which have long runs and are perfect for fishing with fly. The average salmon is around 6 lbs with larger fish entering the river early in the season (late June).
Mýrarkvísl
Target Species: Salmon, brown trout & Arctic char
Number of Rods: 4 rods
Number of Rooms: 5 twin rooms
Level of service: catering available, guiding available
It is the lowest tributary of the Laxa I Adaldal and offers the opportunity to combine brown trout, salmon and arctic char. It is an intimate river that holds a large head of brown trout along with a reasonable run of good sized salmon through the summer (mid-July onwards). Mýrarkvísl flows across the Reykjaheiði plateau for the first 15 km making it perfect for dry fly fishing for trout. It is not unusual to catch 15-20 browns a day with a 2-3 lbs average size. The river has a unique character with such diversity of fishing there will always be something to entertain from casting a nymph or a dry fly on the upper section to a rising trout, or trying to winkle out a large salmon in the canyon pools. The river is similar to those found on the English moorlands. Fishing on the Langavatn lake is also included, the lake holds a large stock of small arctic char along with good sized brown trout. Along with the lake is the little river Geitafellsá that runs through meadows just by the lodge before ending up in the Langavatn lake. The little river is small and not dissimilar to a small chalkstream, perfect for dry fly fishing. A new lodge was constructed in 2017 with single bedrooms and ensuite bathrooms and limited to just 4 anglers at one time.
Deildará
Target Species: Salmon, sea trout & Arctic char
Number of Rods: 3 rods
Number of Rooms: 4 twin rooms
Level of service: catering available, guiding available
It is a delightful three rod river situated in the north eastern part of Iceland. It may be just 7 km long but the 19 named pools offer the chance to catch large multi-sea wintered salmon, brown trout and Arctic char. It is a perfect lodge and river for a small group of friends or family. It offers great fishing from a comfortable lodge and is also in a great location to explore northern or eastern Iceland as part of a combination itinerary. The salmon prime time on the river runs from late July through August, with every chance of finding a salmon in excess of 15 lbs on light tackle and surface flies.
If you would more details on the lodges above or any other fishing in Iceland please do not hesitate to contact Peter McLeod or Alex Jardine or call our office on +44(0)1980 847389.