Highlands July 2025 – Trout & Char Adventure
Iceland’s desolately beautiful southern Highlands offer an outstanding destination for brown trout and Arctic char. It is home to fascinating rivers that flow through the Icelandic central plateau which are a haven for big aggressive brown trout along with a huge population of large char. Pete Buckey is excited to again be leading a hosted group to this wonderful fishery over these prime dates.
Highlands 4 – 8 July
This package based from one lodge offers fishing on two rivers, the Kaldakvísl and the Tungnaá. Both rivers offer fantastic trout and Arctic char fishing. The river Kaldakvísl is truly a hidden gem. Fished only by a select few each season, this valley offers an exclusive experience. The beautiful valley offers a river full of character and an array of pools, riffles, pockets and runs. On the 12km (16 mile) beat, one can find beautiful waterfalls, great canyons, fast water, slow water, rocks, sand and so much more. The lower half of the river is full of Arctic char, their size averaging at 3-4lbs, although char weighing up to 7lbs can be found there as can big brown trout. The upper part of the river flows through an inaccessible deep canyons, and it is in these canyons where the brown trout live and flourish in isolation. The river has a four-rod limit. It’s hard not to fall in love with Kaldakvísl once you’ve had the chance to get to know it.
Tungnaá is a formerly milky glacial river that became gin clear in 2013 as a consequence of a newly opened hydro-electric power plant. The new plant transformed this formerly rough, dark river into a fascinating crystal-clear stream, flowing into beautiful miniature canyons as well as more traditional pools filled with both Ice Age brown trout and big Arctic char. This Highland stream is probably one of the best kept trout fishing secrets in the world. The river offers a more technical challenge, where stealth, among other attributes, is essential. The native brown trout and arctic char average 3-5lbs, with some monsters reaching up to 12lbs.
The hosted trip will be based from the comfortable Thoristungur Highland Lodge. Completely renovated for the 2019 season the lodge offers a quiet and secluded stay in the highlands. It has six double/twin bedrooms and can accommodate up to 12 people. The bedrooms are not big but each has a sink and a large wardrobe. There is a shared bathroom with two toilets and three showers in the lodge. The cozy living room and a dining room are perfect to relax in after a long day of fishing and enjoying a good meal and a drink. You can see a short video on the river here.
Why Pete wants to return to this destination:
Pete is a fanatical trout and grayling angler and guides for us on the chalkstreams. Currently a member of the England Rivers Team, he is passionate about finessing different methods and tactics in different river environs. It is the pull of a location where he can adapt and learn new methods for trout that has caught Pete’s attention, along with the fantastic fish he and his group caught last year.
TRIP ITINERARY:
Friday 4th July: Arrive in Iceland and transfer directly to the Highlands Lodge and start fishing.
Saturday 5th to Monday 7th July: Three full days fishing the Tungnaá and Kaldakvisl rivers.
Tuesday 8th July: Depart the lodge in the morning and transfer back to Reykjavik.
Cost: US$4,790 per rod based on full board and accommodation, shared room and shared guide.
This is a great trip for all trout anglers looking for a little adventure without sacrificing too much in the way of comfort. For more details on fishing in Iceland please do not hesitate to contact Peter McLeod or call our office on +44(0)1980 847389.