reports

This week so far

See each day's largest fish and individual beat catches on our Latest Catches which is updated page each time a ghillie uses the automatic reporting system.

Last week

(Last updated: Thursday 2nd May)

Trout Anglers Pick Up Where They Left Off

The 2013 season is now well and truly underway as the trout season here in Iceland had a very strong and encouraging start, picking up where it left off last year. In fact early April gave rise to some of the best openings catches for several years as anglers enjoying warmer than average temperatures in southern parts of the country during the first week.

The conditions in the north of Iceland have been less favourable to anglers as the freezing weather which arrived when the first snow fell on 10th September continued. In contrast the south of Iceland has been spared the bad weather until more recently since the trout season opened!

News of three rods landing bags of 100+ trout and sea trout in a day on the Tungulaekur, 92 from the Litla on the 1st April, and specimen sea trout in excess of 20-pounds on the Geirlandsa and Tungufljot rivers have all helped to elicit great excitement.

Four rods fishing the Tungufljot landed 37 sea trout on the first day, up to 80cm in length. On the 9th April 19 sea trout were reported by the anglers who braved the cold conditions, including one caught by Sindri Thor Kristjansson measuring 92cm in length.

FishIceland's director Jon Sigurdsson fished with Richard Boothby from Australian on a four-day trip on the Litla and despite enduring snow and freezing temperatures hovering around -2degC, their efforts were rewarded with a good selection of char, sea trout and brown trout.

Reports from Minnivallalaekur suggest that it has produced over 400 fish to date, mainly during the weekends when rod effort is at its greatest, so this is a great result so far.

The Ones to Watch

Trout beats above the salmon water on the Laxa in Adaldalur ('Big Laxa') near in the north open on 20th May. Given its reputation as one of the most sought after salmon rivers, the Big Laxa is unlikely to disappoint trout anglers either and offers some of the very best brown trout fishing across Iceland.

The Svarta river boasts a high percentage of brown trout in the 3-6 pound category and several larger ones put up a fight every year, breaking leaders and bending hooks in the process.

Bruara at Selfoss shares a confluence with the glacial river Hvita or 'White River', which in turn joins the Sog just north of Selfoss. The Bruara is renowned for its magnificent wild brown trout and Arctic char, both landlocked and sea-running.

The Litla river is considered to be one of Iceland's top trout rivers for both sea run and brown trout. The river holds the Icelandic record for biggest fly-caught sea trout: a 23 pound hen fish caught on 1st May 2004, caught on a streamer. Who knows, perhaps a lucky angler might just top this in the coming months?

Salmon on the Horizon

Beyond May, FishIceland also looks forward to welcoming salmon anglers from all over the world to this magical land of fire and ice for what we hope will be another spectacular year. There is some limited availability remaining so if you are considering a trip FishIceland urge you to get in touch as soon as possible.

Beat catches
Last week was in the salmon close season so no catches to report

Season so far

Here is the list of the top twenty-five Icelandic salmon rivers in 2012, with the current catch total (in bold) and totals for 2011 (in brackets). Please note that this does not take into account rod effort.

West Ranga 4312 (4961)
East Ranga 2927 (4387)
Midfjardara 1610 (2364) CLOSED
Sela 1507 (2021) CLOSED
Haffjardara 1146 (1526) CLOSED
Langa 1098 (1934) CLOSED
Hofsa 962 (956) CLOSED
Nordura 953 (2134) CLOSED
Blanda 832 (2032) CLOSED
Ellidaarnar 830 (1150) CLOSED
Thvera-Kjarra 738 (1825) CLOSED
Stora Laxa 673 (766) CLOSED
Hitara 529 (900) CLOSED
Laxa in Kjos 528 (1112)
Haukadalsa 501 (667) CLOSED
Grimsa & Tungua 481 (1344)
Laxa in Leirarsveit 474 (907) CLOSED
Affall in Landeyjum 469 (476)
Breiddalsa 464 (1430) CLOSED
Laxa in Adaldal 428 (1067) CLOSED
Laxa in Dolum 369 (568) CLOSED
Mida in Dolum 358 (215) CLOSED
Jokla 335 (507) CLOSED
Vatnsdalsa in Hunathingi 327 (743) CLOSED
Vididalsa 325 (747) CLOSED

Iceland, the land of fire and ice, is home to some of the best Atlantic salmon and game fishing in the world. With crystal-clear well managed rivers and breathtaking scenery, it is no surprise that anglers have for generations come to, and fallen in love with, Iceland. There are around 100 sustainable salmon rivers in Iceland and most of those allowing between 4 and 20 rods to fish per day, there is a lot of fishing to be had in Iceland, but without the feeling of ever being cramped for space. Atlantic salmon catches have been improving in Iceland in recent years. 2011 was the fourth best salmon season reported ever with a total of 75,500 salmon being caught.