The 2016 season in Iceland saw great runs of multi-sea wintered salmon returning to rivers across Iceland. Fish in excess of 20 lbs were reported all season long. The 2017 season we are hoping for similar reports, we also expect to see a strong return of grilse to the West Coast rivers.

Below is a list of various rivers and availability, if you would like any further information please do not hesitate to contact us or call our office on +44(0)1980 847389.

Langá
A river that can be fished with relative ease with good access to the pools and is fished well with single handed rods. It is much less susceptible to poor rainfall, unlike some of the other Icelandic salmon rivers, as it is lake fed. It has been extremely consistent even during very poor years and is the nearest you will get to a “Safe Bet”. The runs are predominantly grilse and larger fish are seen occasionally through the season. The lodge is approximately 1 hour 20 minutes from Reykjavik and caters for 12 anglers.

9 – 12 July: £5,990 per person – prime grilse runs
17 – 20 July: £6,150 per person – prime grilse runs
26 – 29 July: £6,390 per person – prime grilse runs
29 July – 1 August: £5,950 per person – prime grilse runs
1 – 4 August: £5,450 per person – last of the prime grilse runs
7 – 12 August (5 days): £  per person

Laxa I Kjos
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.

24 – 27 June: £3,950 per rod – multi-sea winter salmon
2 – 5 July: £4,510 per rod – multi-sea winter salmon and first of the grilse runs
14 – 17 July: £5,950 per rod – prime grilse runs
26 – 29 July: £5,890 per rod – prime grilse runs and start of the big sea trout
30 July – 2 August: £5,890 per rod – prime grilse runs and start of the big sea trout
17 – 20 August: £3,590 per rod – prime sea trout and good salmon

Laxá I Dölum
This river is famed for its mix of grilse and multi-sea winter salmon. The river generally runs very clear like many Icelandic rivers, often allowing anglers to see salmon holding and targeting specific fish. All the pools are easily accessible by car and present little difficulty to fish. Some of the strong holding pools are formed by a bend in the river, having fast broken water at the head, a turbulent middle section and a smooth tail. Throughout the season the river offers a chance to catch salmon from 4 lbs to 30 lbs on both single handed or small double-handed rods.

11 – 14 August: £5,650 per rod – prime salmon runs

Grímsá
The lodge at Grímsá is very comfortable, it overlooks one of the best pools on the river where you will often see fresh fish jumping. The fishing itself is limited to just eight. The fish here also tend to be slightly bigger and the river is certainly larger than the other rivers on the West Coast, although it is still best fished with a single handed rod it is certainly worth carrying a double hander for the larger pools. The Grímsá is definitely an option if you are looking for a more exclusive river with slightly larger fish.

20-23 July: £8,350 – prime grilse runs
2 – 6 August (4 days): £8,190 per rod – last of the prime grilse runs

Laxa I Kjos / Grímsá
This is a great combination of little and large, Laxa I Kjos offers some wonderful technical small river fishing for both salmon and sea trout, whilst Grímsá offers a bigger river and often bigger salmon and some sea trout. Both lodges are extremely comfortable and are suitable for rod sharing and non-fishers.

10 – 16 September – £5,300 per rod

Miðfjarðará
One of Iceland’s top fly fishing rivers, it offers amazing sight fishing opportunities in gin clear water. The river is perfect for those that 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 10 to 18 lb range. Maximum 10 rods per week, each enjoying single, en-suite rooms as standard in the newly renovated and comfortable lodge but early season weeks can be limited to 6 and 8 rods. Prime time is mid-July to early August.

Various availability in 2017, enquire for more details.

Hofsá
One of the two major Vopnafjordur rivers, the other being the famous Selá. The river has a long canyon on the top beats, a dramatic impassable falls and a string of challenging pools as the river thunders down the canyon. But once the canyon ends, the river turns into an almost endless string of long slow flowing pools, each one seeming more enticing and inviting than the last one. Hofsá is one of the best multi sea-winter fish rivers in Iceland and the average weight is excellent with good numbers over 20 lbs.

Various availability in 2017, enquire for more details.

Mýrarkvísl
A very interesting river offering traditional pool and riffle water in the upper section, a canyon through the middle and meandering slow flows at the bottom. You can target good numbers of trout averaging 2 lbs with a few between 4-6 lbs. Dry flies and traditional nymphs work well and as the season progresses the chances of encountering salmon increase. Along with the river you also have access to a lake that has a good head of Arctic char (delicious eating if you want to take one or two for dinner). The river is limited to just four anglers, and a new lodge is being built for the 2017 season to offer very comfortable accommodation with full service possible.

Various availability in 2017, enquire for more details.

For more details on fishing in Iceland please do not hesitate to contact Peter McLeod or Alex Jardine or call our office on +44(0)1980 847389.