Imagine a lake that regularly produces wild brown trout from 7 – 9 lbs with fish over 20 lbs are not uncommon. We are now pleased to offer full service fishing packages to this incredible fishery on the private beat area of Nesjavellir, a long kept secret within the Icelandic fishing community. As Iceland‘s largest lake Thingvallavatn is 83.7 km² and is considered to be 12,000 years old. Lava dams, canyons and fissures criss cross the national park’s landscape scarring the lake bottom in many places. In some places the lake reaches depths of 115 metres although the average depth of the lake is 34 metres.
As a national park and UNESCO heritage site it is an area of outstanding natural beauty. The lake is surrounded with lava formations from the volcano Hengill, which has erupted several times since the Ice Age. The lava is covered with brilliant green moss, lending the area a unique beauty. In Lake Thingvallavatn and the Nesjavellir area there are numerous hot springs maintaining a constant 3 – 4 degrees centigrade. Here life flourishes and the brown trout have a huge quantity of naturally occurring food from midge to stickleback. Stories of extraordinary battles have gone down in folklore with the largest fish landed this season being 36 lbs.
As if the monster brown trout were not enough Lake Thingvallavatn also supports four varieties of arctic char making it unique in the world. Many cases of lakes with two char varieties exist throughout Iceland, but this quartet is not found in any other lake in the world and reflects the variety of habitats within Thingvallavatn. The arctic char in Thingvallavatn is a clear example of how species evolve and adapt to their surroundings, each with its own ecological niche, as these four varieties have evolved from one species in only 10,000 years.
The Nesjavellir beats will be fished by a maximum of six rods on a rotating schedule from both boat and the bank, and will be based on one experienced guide between two rods. Prime time is from the beginning of May until mid June when these large fish emerge from the depths to feed on the baitfish migration. The silver slabs will give you the fight of your life.
Our clients will stay at the luxury ION hotel only 50 minutes from Reykjavik. This boutique hotel offers a bar, swimming pool and spa in some of the most incredible scenery in the heart of the national park. Room options include standard double, standard single or luxury rooms and the restaurant produces some of the most exquisite cuisine in Iceland.
We are currently finalising the prices, but if you would like more information on this incredible fishery please contact Peter McLeod or Alex Jardine, alternatively call our office on +44(0) 1980 847389.