Fishery
The fishery operates the
'morning to evening' fishing
policy which means the fishing
starts in the morning at 7:00
on the first day purchased and
must terminate by 22:00 on the
last day purchased.
Arrival at the lodge is
expected around 22:45 the
evening before your first
fishing day and departure from
the lodge should be at 22:30
on the evening of the last
fishing day.
Fishing hours are maximum 6
hours in the afternoon and 6
hours in the morning (during
June & July the midnight sun
gives 24 hours of daylight).
The outfitter's name, emails
and telephone numbers will be
included in the joining
instructions which are
immediately sent by e-mail
after purchasing the fishing
permits.
River/Area
SEASON: The rod fishing season for salmon in Iceland extends from 01 June until the 30 September. Only the most early rivers, like the Nordura and the Thvera, (both in the Borgarfjurdur district) actually open on the first days of June. Many open up in the middle of June and almost all salmon rivers are opened by the end of June. No river is allowed to have a longer season than three-and-a-half-months, so the earliest ones must close in the middle of September eg Nordur and Thver. There are only a few rivers that actually keep open for more than three months like the farmed rivers of East and West Ranga which extend fishing into early October.
FISHING HOURS: Rod fishing is legal from 07:00 in the morning until sundown, but never more than 12 hours in any given day. River associations make their own rules regarding fishing hours but wiithin the aforementioned restrictions.
Fishing in Iceland is either sold as 'whole day' permits or the permits are sold using the term 'afternoon to noon' (sometimes called 'noon to noon', but meaning the same).
With 'whole day' permits, fishing simply starts in the morning of the first day purchased and terminates in the evening of the last day purchased. However, with 'afternoon to noon' permits the fishing starts in the afternoon of the first day purchased and terminates at 12:00 noon on the day after the last day purchased.
BAIT: In Iceland it is legal to use every kind of bait that the fish do chase and take willingly. It is forbidden to use any kind of tackle that hooks into the fish unawares or without the fish chasing it. Notwithstanding many river associations put additional constraints on baits allowed, and an increasing number of rivers only allow fly-fishing throughout the season.
Traditionally, worm fishing used to be the main method used. On most rivers spinners may be allowed but are not encouraged. Fishing for salmon with other natural bait, such as shrimp or prawn, is not allowed anywhere.
Many rivers restrict all or part of the season to fly-fishing. Nearly all of the bigger rivers market the prime time of the season to international anglers and restrict this fishing to fly-only and this is strictly enforced during that period.
ICELANDIC LAW decrees the following:
Salmon fishing in salt water is forbidden.
All fishing rights belong to the riparian owners.
Net fishing for salmon is illegal from Friday night until Tuesday morning.
Rod fishing is only legal for 12 hours each day.
Net fishing and rod fishing for salmon may never be carried out on the same stretch of water at the same time.
A fishery association (river association) must be established for every fishing water in Iceland. Its main purpose is to enhance the fishing stocks in its waters and to maximize the profit of the fishing. In most cases, these associations manage its rivers or lakes as a unit, often leasing the fishing rights to clubs or individuals.
BIOSECURITY: If you have used your fishing tackle, shoes and/or waders in other countries before bringing it to Iceland, it must be sterilized before you use it in Icelandic waters.
BIOSECURITY: If you have used your fishing tackle, shoes and/or waders in other countries before bringing it to Iceland, it must be sterilized before you use it in Icelandic waters.
Further information can be seen at www.mast.is - the Icelandic Food & Veterinary Authorty's website.
A pdf of the form which needs to be authorised by a veterinarian and is required by Icelandic customs offiers can be found atwww.mast.is/Uploads/document/Veterinary%20Certificate.pdf.
FishPal
1. Once you have booked you cannot change your dates or number of rods (the only exception is when you book through the help desk, have notified us of any mistakes within 7 days of the date of making the booking, and provided proper evidence that the mistake is the help desk's and not your own).
2. If you need to change your rod or days, they can be booked separately if you need extra ones and they are available. If you need less rods or days, or decide not to come after all, then we can try to relet them for you, but cannot guarantee to do so. There is a £10 + VAT charge for trying and if successful a further 10% letting fee + VAT.
3. You cannot sublet the fishings you book without our permission and then only by private arrangement and at the same prices and conditions as for this booking. No agent other than ourselves or the fishery manager may be used to help obtain a sublet.
4. Rods may not be shared on any one day without prior permission of the ghillie or fishery manager, which is often refused and should never be relied upon.
5. In Scotland it is illegal to fish without written permission, so you must bring this confirmation, or a copy of it, with you when you fish.
6. Charges: All bookings are subject to a booking charge which will vary according to the amount being booked. The exact charge will be clearly displayed on the very first booking page once you have set what you are wishing to book. There are no charges for processing debit cards. Credit cards can not be used unless you confirm that you are a non EU angler and will be surcharged by 2.5%.
7. Please note that in line with general practice, we cannot give refunds for fishing spoilt by inclement weather or poor water conditions.
8. You must ring the ghillie, or other contact set by the fishery, at least two days before you come, so he knows that you are coming and that you know where and when to meet him. Please remember that for salmon fishing it is customary to give any ghillie a tip at the end of your fishing.
9. You must report full details of any fish caught to the ghillie or other contact provided by the fishery promptly.
10. We have asked fisheries to provide lifejackets or buoyancy aids of a design that will not impair your ability to fish in comfort. We strongly advise you to wear one when using a boat or when wading in strong or deep water. If you don't, you are doing so at your own risk. If you are not happy with the equipment provided, or any other safety issue, please ring us immediately, so that we can arrange for the situation to be rectified. A general guide to safety can be seen by going to this page
11. If you have any problems with the standard of service provided on the fishery, please tell the ghillie or fishery manager straightaway and if you don't get a satisfactory response, please contact the office immediately, so we have time to act before you leave. Failure to do so will severely hamper any chances of us obtaining fair redress for you.
12. To help prevent an outbreak of Gyrodactylus Salaris which has had catastrophic effects on some foreign rivers, all rods fishing must complete a Gyrodactylus declaration on arrival at the fishery. This states that either you have not used your fishing tackle abroad in the last three months, or you have done so and had it properly sterilised, or you have done so and NOT had it sterilised. In the latter case, you must agree to sterilisation taking place before you start fishing, and accept that there may be some delay in getting this organised. A copy of the declaration form can be seen by going to this page and more information on Gyrodactylus by going to this page
13. All bookings are also subject to the conditions set by the relevant fishery.
14. The booking system and its management are at all times acting only as an agent for the fishery. All letting contracts are therefore between the fishery and the person taking the fishing.
15. The system management and/or the fisheries reserve the right to immediately withdraw fishing without compensation from anyone who breaks these or associated conditions, or flouts normal standards of behaviour or fishing etiquette.
16. You need to bring your own fishing equipment (rods, reels, lines, flies etc) unless you have specifically agreed with the fishery well in advance that they supply this for you.
17. You need to be reasonably healthy and mobile to access most fishings. If you are not, you must notify the fishery or ourselves before you book, to ensure that you can be looked after safely and properly.
18. Anglers are reminded that parking of cars should be in designated parking areas and is always at the anglers own risk.