Iceland is a wonderful country famous for its volcanoes, glaciers, hot springs, Ponies and of course, salmon fishing.

I have travelled extensively over Iceland over the past 12 years and been privileged enough to fish on a number of its famous rivers from the Ranga in the south right up to the Big Laxa in the North.

Most of Iceland’s rivers are small, easy to cover, clear streams and they can be very productive provided you are there at the right time. A lot of the fish are wild but many of Iceland’s rivers are also boosted by hatcheries and smolt releasing programs. The other joy of fishing in Iceland apart from the Scenery which is spectacular, is that there are no mosquitos at all.

On the caution side, the wind in Iceland can be pretty strong and on some of the Rivers weed can be a serious nuisance at certain times of year.

But if you want safe, reliable fishing in a beautiful country with charming people to guide you, Iceland has to be near the top of your to do list.

But it all comes at a price. Iceland is one of the most expensive countries in the World and because the fishing is so reliable and it does not necessitate dangerous wading, being eaten alive, or flying out in helicopters to remote locations, you must expect to pay for it!

This year (2008) I am leading a group to the North East of the Country to the rivers Jokla and Breiddalsa

Jökla

Jökla is a very large river by Icelandic standards. It is located in the North East, only 25 min drive north from Egilsstaðir airport and not far from the Breiddalsa. It was formerly a very coloured glacial river until quite recently when a new hydro electric dam was built. The lake behind the dam now filters much of the sediment out before it reaches the river below, but in times of heavy rainfall it can still go milky much like East Ranga in the south where we fished for a number of years. But there are also two large tributaries that provide good fishing when the main river goes out, Fögruhlíðará and Kaldá.

The man in charge of these two rivers is my long time friend Throstur Ellidason. Throstur was one of the pioneers of hatchery reared smolts back in theearly 90s when he took over the Ranga. Since that time he has moved his operation up to the Breiddalsa and now the Jokla.

With the returns increasing each year one might expect between 1 – 5 fish per day per rod on the Jokla system and we are asked to keep all the hen fish for the hatchery but we will get sides of wild smoked salmon in lieu. Worthy of note also are the numbers of Arctic Char that run this system and they can provide additional sport and superb eating if the Salmon fishing is a little slow.

With regards accommodation, Jökla lodge has six comfortable double bedrooms (two beds), good size and each with private bathroom. The food on any of Throsturs rivers is always exceptional.

Breiddalsa

Breiddalsa is smaller than the Jökla River made up of the Breiddalsa itself, meandering slowly through a peaceful valley surrounded by high mountains, until it is joined by the swifter and more rocky Tinnudulsa, its main tributary. From the junction down it becomes a more serious stream, similar in size to the upper Tweed.

Breiddalsa is now well into Throsturs smolt releasing program and one can expect 5-15 fish per rod per day during the peak time of late August when we go.

Breiddalsa lodge has eight double bedrooms, (two beds) all with private bathrooms, a hot jazzussi, and sauna.

TYPICAL ITINERARY

Fishing 6 days, 3 days on Jökla, 3 days on Breiddalsa

Day 1 fly out either by Icelandair from Heathrow or Iceland express from Stanstead. We will then be transferred to the domestic airport to take the internal flight up over the glaciers to Egilstaddir in the north east where we will be transferred by road to Jökla lodge. Lunch on arrival followed by the afternoon session fishing.

Day 2, 3 & 4, Fishing on Jökla until 12 noon. Pm on day 4, transferred by road to Breiddalsa Lodge. Then fishing pm.

Day 6 & 7 Fishing on the Breiddalsa then Pm transfer to Egilstaddir for the domestic flight back to Reykjavic. Overnight in Reykjavic – cost not included

Day 8. Early morning transfer to Keflavic 0740 or 0750 International flights home - cost not included.

The 2009 price: £4,500/ Rod. Rod-sharing/non-fishers £2,900 additional per person

Included: Fishing, guides, and all ground transfers Domestic flights Full board and lodging on the rivers.

Not included: International flights est £130 - £250 Drinks (Alcohol in Iceland is VERY expensive) Tips est £200 for the guides £100 per person for the lodges. One overnight in Reykjavic one outbound and one inbound.