Midfjardara

Located on the north-west coast of Iceland, the Miðfjarðará is a small, gin clear river offering world class and classic Icelandic salmon fishing. It is a true Icelandic gem that keeps producing the goods even in low water years. It offers fantastic visual fishing with many fish being brought to the surface by small hitched flies. Three and six day stays are open to you at the lodge, in addition to rod share options, which makes the Miðfjarðará great value for money for the fishing on offer.

Sight-fishing for Atlantic salmon

Midfjardara with its gin clear water has over 200 named pools and with only six to ten rods that rotate over five beats it is hard not to feel that you have this cracking river to yourself.

The main river also has three tributaries, the Núpsá which is perfect for finding pots and pools, the Vesturá and the Austurá that feature the famous canyon section which, although a hike, is well worth it as it is a beautiful part of the river. The joy of the Midfjardara is that there is so much water to fish that even if one opts out of the canyon section on the Austurá there are numerous different pools to enjoy.

Beat 1 is lowest part of the river. It starts at the junction pool of the Austurá and the Vesturá and offers almost 15km of water for the two rods to share. Beat 2 is the lower part of the Austurá. All the way from the junction of the Núpsá and down to the junction of the Vesturá. It is the shortest beat but can be really productive when fish are running. When the water levels are right the whole Núpsá will be fished as well on beat 2 adding 15km to it.

Beat 3 is the upper part of the Austurá. The whole canyon sections plus the whole river above the waterfall Kollafoss and the fish ladder. Many anglers think that the canyon section of the Austurá is one of the most beautiful places in the world to fish for salmon. Beat 4 is the lower part of the Vesturá. All the way from the waterfall Kollafoss down to the junction of the Austurá and Vesturá. Here there are small waterfalls around every bend that the salmon tend to stop on their way up river. The beat is a mix of deep slow flowing pools below waterfalls and shallow fast running pools that are made for skating hitch tubes. Beat 5 is the upper most part of the Vesturá. It begins at the waterfall of Rjúkandi and goes all the way down to the famous bridge pool Túnhylur where you can often see salmon in their hundreds.

The Midfjardara is perfect for those who like to use single or small double-handed rods with floating line and small flies or hitch tubes. The main run of the river is predominantly made up of grilse but in the early season the majority of fish tend to be multi-sea winter fish in the ten to 18 pound range. Professional English speaking guides will take the anglers in a 4WD vehicle to the river every day for a new experience.

Riverside comfort

The lodge, located on the lower reaches of the Midfjardara, was recently refurbished and offers single, en-suite rooms as standard for full rods, shared if taking the fishing on a rod-share basis.

There is a large dining room adjoining a comfortable lounge area, bar, wader room and outside Jacuzzi for those wanting to relax after a day on the river. The lodge plays host to some of the best chefs in  Iceland, ensuring that the food compliments the fantastic fishing.

Discover this Gin Clear River

Located on the north west coast of Iceland, the Midfjardara is a three hour drive from the capital city, Reykjavik, it is easily accessed and makes for an easy short trip with daily flights to and from the UK.