Laxa I Adaldal – Trout Fishing

The Upper Laxá I Adaldal River in Iceland has some of the finest wild brown trout fly fishing in Europe. Split into two series of beats, Laxardal and Myvatnssveit, with over 20 miles of river, anglers can fish for large fish with small flies.

Large wild brown trout on dry flies

The lower beat, Laxardal, is wide and shallow, and reminded me of flats fishing as I waded out and cast at rises. The upper section at Myvatnssveit is wonderfully braided with fast runs, pocket water and crystal clear water. Pools for the most part are grass banked, wide, and with a relatively even bottom. There are the intermittent lava shelves that drop away, hidden from someone reading the surface and creating some excellent lies. The river is deceptively clear as the bottom in most areas is black laval sand giving the impression of depth and murkiness which is extremely misleading. Therefore small flies are often extremely effective, and caution should be employed when approaching pools. As these fish live in fast, powerful water they are extremely strong, and hooking one will test your tackle and skill. Some Icelanders fish with streamers, but upstream dry fly and nymph tactics are considerably more effective. Although there are none of our normal variety of biting mosquitoes in Iceland there are a number of other chronomids that the trout feed on readily. The brown trout in the Laxá I Adaldal have only a few short months of the Icelandic summer to feed as much as possible, so they really feed hard above and below the surface. I would hasten to add this does not make them stupid, but by matching the hatch, you have a good chance of experiencing some of the best trout fishing in Europe.

Full service lodging

These beats are serviced from two lodges, Hof and Raudholar, both of which are simple and comfortable. Hof has 16 rooms and although fairly basic is right in the midst of the beats at Myvatnssveit thus providing easy access. Raudholar is a modern Scandinavian style lodge over looking the broad Myvatnssveit River. The lodge comprises ten rooms and provides full board and lodging for those fishing the lower beats.

discover over 20 miles of fishing

Above the famous salmon beats of the Laxá I Adaldal on the north coast of Iceland. The lodge is situated an hour east of Akureyri and 30 minutes’ drive south of Húsavík.

Day trips are possible to the whale watching town of Húsavík, Lake Myvatn and Godafoss waterfalls.