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FISHPAL JOURNAL

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One of the hardest decisions to make when planning your trout fishing trip to the land of fire and ice is choosing where to go to find the best angling experiences amidst this 40,000-square-mile wilderness.


Grand Slam fishing on rivers Vatnsa and Kerlingadalsa along with Lake Heidarvatn which are close to Vik town on the south coast of Iceland. This angling paradise, only two hours from the capital Reykjavik, offers a wealth of world-class fishing for wild brown trout, sea trout and Arctic char.

The hypnotic meandering flow of the Vatnsa from the eastern shore of Lake Heidarvatn collaborates with the rugged mountain crags and lush green vegetation to create a breathtaking landscape in which to seek out that perfect fish.

Lake Heidarvatn with 2-4 rods measures 2km in length and is 1km at its widest point. It is a haven for trout in which a myriad of fish will rise ever so gullibly towards the surface, break the water and take a fly with superior elegance. Hard-fighting brown trout and brightly-coloured Arctic char abound with the real possibility of catching sea trout when they are also in residence.

The river Vatnsa is small but perfectly formed and flows from the lake for just under two miles (3km) before it joins the glacial river Kerlingadalsa. It has been likened to a work of art carved out by the elements which results in diverse rock formations and pools which hold astonishing numbers of fish seemingly disproportionate to the size of their lairs.

River Vatnsa is fished by 2-3 rods and it is fair to say that few anglers hardly ever fish its entire length in the space of a single day when the fish are in. If you take your time and stop at lunchtime you might easily walk to the end but at times you may have to drag yourself out of several pools along the way; it is often all too tempting to stay a little longer and try another fly over the shoals of salmon below.

The permitted fishing area on the river begins at the Fruarhylur pool, a few hundred yards from the lake, near the self catering lodge. Historically this pool is a magnet for fish and anglers alike, although you’ll soon discover that brown trout, Arctic char and Sea Trout hold in almost every pool, run, mirror and eddy downstream.

River Kerlingadalsa (glacial milky water) with 2 rods is a very underestimated river. There are big sea trout that come in with the tide twice a day and it is very good to be in the estuary 2 hours before the high tide.

There is a newly built self catering lodge that sleeps 4-5 people which has a fully equipped kitchen, bed-linen & towels, dining & sitting rooms and wc & bath.

Fishing starts in May and ends in October with a lot of availability in all of these months. For more information please use our enquiry page