salmon and trout fishing 2012

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T e l + 3 5 4 5 6 8 6 0 5 0 e - m a i l s v f r @ s v f r . i s w w w . s v f r . i s ReykjaVIk anglIng club

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The Reykjavík Angling Club has a variety of trout and salmon fishing permits available in all price catagories for many of the most prominent fishing spots in Iceland.

We have both self-catering lodges and lodges where full service is provided. We are a non profit organization with the goal of supplying high quality sustainable fishing at minimal cost for our club members and other clients. The club was founded in 1939 around a salmon river in the middle of Reykjavík, Elliðaár, a river that still is one of the best salmon rivers in the country. Today, we offer 62 possibilities of salmon, trout and arctic char fishing in rivers and lakes in Iceland.

Iceland is a Mecca for salmon and trout fishermen. Every summer the salmons run in huge numbers to spawn in the country's numerous rivers. The season is short in these northern climes, but the sport can be fast and furious. There is a wide variety of waters, calling for a range of techniques from the visiting angler and promising a healthy and vigorous catch as reward. The scenery in Iceland is bleak and often haunting, nearly bereft of trees and littered in parts with volcanic lava. Iceland provides a unique setting for the sportsman. Most overseas fishermen return regularly year after year.

The salmon season starts on June 1st and runs until 30th of September. If you are interested in

Rivers and availability 2012

Leirvogsá: 8/7 - 11/8

Norðurá I: 21/6 - 8/8

Norðurá II: 6/7 - 8/8

Hítará I: 8/7 - 5/8

Langá: 3/7 - 24/8

Laxá í Aðaldal Nes: 1/7 - 20/9

Laxá - Mývatnssveit: 28/5 - 31/8

Laxá - Laxárdal: 28/5 - 31/8

Straumar: 23/6 - 4/8

Laxá í Dölum: 21/7 - 23/8

Reykjavík angling club since 1939

other fishing than salmon, we can also offer splendid brown trout fishing, seatrout and artic char.

Please contact us for further information by e-mail at [email protected] call us at +354 568 6050 and we’ll be glad to plan the perfect fishing trip for you in one of our famous salmon, trout or seatrout rivers and lakes. Or visit us at www.svfr.is

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The Hítará-river is one of the country’s best-known salmon rivers. Though an average-sized river, it has a long and remarkable fishing history, dating back to when British gentry started fishing here. The variety of pools are great, and the placement of the lodge, built by Jóhannes ofHotel Borg fame, in the magical setting on

Hítará

Perfect for intact partieswho enjoy fishing with singlehanded rods and hitching

the rocky banks of the waterfall Brúarfoss is unmatched.The nearness of the pools to the lodge offers a unique atmosphere for a close-knit group, and the Hítará-river is certainly one of the gems of Icelandic salmon fishing.The Hítará-river is much like a typical Icelandic

river, complex currents, clear pools, small flies and technical fishing over its 29 kilometres. The river accommodates six rods on the main salmon section and is ideal for intact parties. The lodge for the main section of the Hítará river, is the house called Lundur. It has a uniqueatmosphere and houses a famous collection of


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available 2012

Hítará: 8/7 - 5/8

mounted wildfowl. From the sitting room you can gaze out over “Breiðina”, one of the river’s best sites. Rooms are fully furnished, including linen and towels, and it is possible for fishermen to stay at the lodge and rod share. This is one of Iceland’s most popular salmon streams, andnot everyone is lucky enough to get time on it. Recent catches have been 7-900 salmon pr. season.

Destination: Hítará-riverFreshwater: River and stream fishingCapacity: 6 per weekSeason: Early June to late SeptemberSpecies: Atlantic salmon

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lang á á Mýr um

available 2012

langá á Mýrum: 3/7 - 24/8

The Langá-river á Mýrum, as it is known is 36 kmlong with 93 named pools. Located in the same area as Norðurá-river it is a typical Icelandic salmon river offering technical fishing with small flies - and boasts outstanding beauty. This river has been fished by the British since the early 1900’s, and has had a huge amount of work done to it, in terms of fish ladders and other devices to improve its course for salmon to run.

The Langá-river fishes 12 rods in July and Augustand is best tackled with a single handed rod. In true Icelandic style, small hitched flies such as mini Sunray Shadows, Langa Fancy and Arndilly Fancy are the most popular. As the Langá-river originates in Lake Langavatn it always has a

Easily accessible Atlantic salmon fishing, with impressive numbers and ideal for light rods and small flies.

dependable flow of water and is one of the few Icelandic rivers that is truly consistent in adry summer. The Langá-river remains one of the most naturally productive rivers in Iceland.

The Langá Syndicate built its new magnificent lodge in 1998 with 8 double rooms containing twin beds and en-suite bathrooms. The new lodge Langárbyrgi (Langá shelter) was built on a cliff 6 km from the ocean, overlookingthe river. Guests are thoroughly pampered, andthe food is simply outstanding.

Recent catches have been 2.200 - 3.000 salmons pr.season, making the Langá-river a constant top-tenriver in Iceland.

Destination: Langá-riverFreshwater: River and stream fishingCapacity: 12 per weekSeason: Early June to late SeptemberSpecies: Atlantic salmon, sea trout


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Langá á Mýrum er ein af helstu laxveiðiám landsins og á sér fjölmarga aðdáendur. Langá er fjölbreytt veiðiá með um eitt hundrað skráða veiðistaði en áin á upptök sín í Langavatni 36 kílómetrum frá sjó.

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laxá í aðaldal

The Laxá-river in Aðaldal or “big” Laxá-river, as it is also known, is located in the North of Iceland, approximately a 40 minute drive from Akureyri airport. It has a reputation as being THE big fish river of Iceland.Historically it was one of the first rivers in Iceland ever fished by foreigners, and although its catch statistics are not as impressive as they once were, it still has a fantasitc average size of fish. In the 2010 season, over 100 fish over 20 lbs where caught on this productive river.

The river is large and wide as the name dictates. 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, in turn creating some excellent lies. The river is deceptively clear as the bottom in most areasis black laval sand, giving the impression

The largest Atlantic salmon in Iceland and ideal for for double handed rods

of depth and murkiness which is extremely misleading. Therefore small flies are often extremely effective, and caution should be employed when approaching pools.

The Laxá-river in Aðaldal is an extraordinary river with huge character and is an excellent option for those looking for bigger fish in Iceland, while at the same time enjoying luxurious accommodation and fantastic food.

The river is not only a home to the Atlantic salmon, but also to a vast variety of birds, especially ducks.So, be sure to bring your camera to this unique natural treasure.

Destination: Laxá-river in AðaldalFreshwater: River and stream fishingCapacity: 8 per weekSeason: Early July to late AugustSpecies: Atlantic salmon


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available 2012

laxá í aðaldal nes: 1/7 - 20/9

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lax á in Mý vatns sveit and lax ár dalur

Above the famous salmon beats of the Laxá-river in Aðaldal on the North coast of Iceland are two beats called Laxárdalur and Mývatnssveit. These two areas combined have over 20 miles of fishing and are divided into 15 beats, each accommodating between one and three rods. Each year numerous fish between 5 - 7 lbsare caught, with the occasional 8 - 9 lbs fish making an appearance. The river has also produced three fish of over 12 lbs - staggering

Possibly the finest trout fishing in Europe with fish reaching double figures

for wild brown trout.

The lower beat, Laxárdalur, is wide and shallow and is a little like bonefishing for trout. The upper section at Mývatnssveit 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,in turn creating some excellent lies. As these fish live in fast and powerful water they are extremely strong, and hooking one will test your tackle and skill. Some Icelanders fish with


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available 2012

laxá - Mývatnssveit: 28/5 - 31/8

available 2012

laxá - laxárdal: 28/5 - 31/8

streamers, but upstream dry fly and nymph tactics are considerably more effective. Althoughthere is none of our normal variety of biting mosquitoes in Iceland, they do have a number of other chronomids that the trout feed on readily. The brown trout in the Laxá-river in Aðaldal have only a few short months of the Icelandic summer to feed as much as possible, so they really feed hard below or above the surface.

The 90 day season produces from 6-8.000 wild brown trout. This is truly one of the places to visit to experience spectacular nature and some of the best trout fishing in Europe.

Destination: Upper Laxá-river in AðaldalFreshwater: River and stream fishingCapacity: 14 per week on the upper beat and

10 on the lower beatSeason: Early June to late AugustSpecies: Brown trout

brown trout fishing

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laxá í Dölum

Ideal for intact parties looking for technical salmon fishing with a sprinkling of multi seawinter fish

The Laxá-river in Dölum is a delicate river in the Central West and ranks among the best in the country with an average catch of nearly three salmons per rod per day. The Laxá-river in Dölum is a medium sized river with a fair volume of water, flowing down a rocky bedwith alternate pools and runs. This river is famed for its large stock of fish and numerous multi-winter salmons are caught every year. Many pools are deep and very clear like many Icelandic rivers. All the pools are easily accessible by car


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available 2012laxá í Dölum: 21/7 - 23/8

and there is no difficulty for the angler to reach the water, or to fish it.

The Laxá-river in Dölum offers 26 km of productivewater. It has a nice mix of one and two winter salmon throughout the season, making it a very popular river with both local and visiting anglers. In fact, few rivers in the West and Southwest of Iceland have a better ratio of multi-winter salmon and most years salmon exceeding 20 pounds are caught.

Destination: Laxá-river in DölumFreshwater: River and stream fishingCapacity: 6 per weekSeason: Early July to late SeptemberSpecies: Atlantic salmon

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leirvogsáa true gem on the outskirts of Reykjavík

available 2012

leirvogsá: 8/7 - 11/8

Leirvogsa is more of a stream than a river. While being small of volume, it has consistently rivalled Iceland‘s famed Laxa on Asum for the title of „the best Icelandic salmon river“. This is due to the rivers often outstanding average catch per rod. A mere two daily rods have at times produced up to over 1.000 salmon in a single season of ninety days!

Leirvogsa is actually within the Reykjavík city limits, only about a 20 to 30 minute drive from the city center, according to the traffic. Yet most of the fishing area is secluded and set in beautiful surroundings at the base of Reykjavík‘s picturesque mount Esja. The river originates in the lake Leirvogsvatn and is hardy more than a trickle at the start. Tributaries from Esja turn

up the volume and it is a sizeable stream when in falls into the canyon of the scenic Trollafoss. As the canyon fritters away at the road bridge at the farmstead of Hrafnhólar, the river mainly winds down the valley with cut bank pools before entering another far shorter, yet very scenic canyon just below the fishing lodge. At the end of the canyon, the river turns fast and rocky and stays that way‚ till it finds its estuary. The final fast rocky stretch is an amazing fishery. Fished usually with worms, the pools are often brimming with salmon fresh from the sea and the fishing is often hectic. Further up the river has many dream pools for fly fishing.

Leirvogsa is fished from morning until evening and it is very popular among the local anglers. The lodge is a small hut that may be used for overnight use, but most anglers fishing Leirvogsa commute from Reykjavík and only use the lodge for mid day resting and lunch. Plus hopefully adding some fish to the catch book.

Leivogsa had a stunning season in 2008, registering an all time record catch of 1173 salmon. Plus some 200 sizeable sea trout. 2009 was also outstanding although the record was never in danger. Still the river produced a catch of 877 salmon on its two daily rods.


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Straumar in borgarfjörðurSmall beat, big catch

available 2012

Straumar: 23/6 - 4/8

This is the junction were Nordura spills into the glacial mother river Hvita.

There are several junctions in the region and all of them are outstanding for salmon and sea trout. Straumar is a short stretch and one pool carrying two names, Bugt and Strenghorn, is the primary hot spot. Bugt and Strenghorn are several dozen feet below the actual junction which is not a very good spot. When Nordura is low, its affect on coloring on Bugt and Strenghorn is minimal thus anglers are often fishing discolored glacial water. However fear not, when the fish are running these spots are alive with fresh run silver from the sea and they address anglers flies with greed. Hitching is a great favorite tactic here as access to the salmon is easy and the flow of the river excellent for hitching. The last few years have been beset with long draught periods making the junction pools very prolific. Straumar is fished with two daily rods and the fishing has exceeded 500 fish over a single season. That is nothing less than furious fishing from what is in truth a single pool, albeit a big one.

Straumar has a well equipped self catering lodge situated so close to the junction that when you have finished breakfast you simply pull on your waders, grab your rod and make the one minute walk to the pool. You never need to touch your car while fishing Straumar. To add to the charm the Straumar lodge is the second oldest lodge in the country, and old white and red sheet iron wooden hut complete with creaking floors. It was built by British anglers early in the 20th century. It has been refurbished to an extent and an extra lodge with sleeping facilities has been raised close by to


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add to the family possibility factor. The fishing on the junction beat Straumar was outstanding in 2008, all in all 422 salmon were landed plus just over a hundred sea trout. All this on two rods. Last year was outstanding as well, finishing with a total of 367 and a fine haul of sea trout adding to the quality. Straumar is predominantly a grilse fishery as the mws don’t seem as keen on stopping in the junction as do the grilse. No matter, every salmon caught in Straumar is fresh from the sea and they have a lot of room for their speedy lung busting runs.

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norð ur áThe highest producing natural river in Iceland and ideal for small two handed or single handed rods

Norðurá-river is located on the west coast, only anhour’s drive from Reykjavík, the capital of Iceland,and about one hour and forty five minutes drive from Keflavík International airport. The Norðurá-river is one of the finest salmon rivers in Iceland with recent annual catch well over 2.000 salmons. The Reykjavík Angling Club has held the lease here for 60 years, and the 55 km provide plenty of fishing for its 12 rods.

The Norðurá-river has over 150 named fishingpools, and offers an incredibly diverse fishing experience, along with some of the most dramatic scenery.It is often called “the most beautiful river” in Iceland.The upper part is rather flat, the river bottom being mostly gravel. The middle section, up

and down from the beautiful waterfall Glanni, is predominated by rocks and lava mixed with bushes and trees and green grass flats. In the lowest part, below the Laxfoss waterfall, the river runs through wide canyons and there you canfind many of the most magnificent fishing pools in the river - that are perfect fly pools. It is easily fished with a two handed rod in early season, but as the water drops in July and the fish numbers start increasing dramatically it is perfect for a single hander and the hitch.

The Rjúpnahæð Lodge on Norðurá-river accommodates twelve fishermen in twin-bedded rooms with private shower and toilet facilities. The fishing lodge is one of the best in Iceland, beautifully located with good view over the river. The view from the lodge to the north,


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available 2012

norðurá I: 21/6 - 8/8

to Laxfoss and the mountains on the horizon, is renowned. The lodge is equipped with asauna bath, drying room for your waders and fishing jackets and cooling area for the fish. The service and food at the lodge are of top quality.

Destination: Norðurá-riverFreshwater: River and stream fishingCapacity: 12 per weekSeason: Early June to early SeptemberSpecies: Atlantic salmon

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norð ur á II

a small piece of the heavenNorðurá II is ideal for smaller groups that are interested in visiting one of the best salmon rivers in Iceland, and want to be on their own in a smaller lodge.

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This is the most upper beat of the river where the scenery becomes extraordinary with small waterfalls, fast streams and calm pools. The birdlife is extremely rich and don’t be surprised by the occasional sheep. The beat offers two rods and between them the catch has been around 300 salmons per the 90 day season. The

lodge is small and cosy, and offers beautiful view over the Norðurá Valley. It containes three bedrooms with two beds each, a small kitchen, living room, dining room and one bathroom. This is a fly only river.


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wavailable 2012

norðurá II: 6/7 - 8/8