Lax-a Iceland fishing news letter summer 2009

Salmon are here - book so so you can join them!

Photo taken on East Rangá

The eagerly awaited Icelandic salmon season is now in full swing, and people are already talking about this season competing well with the record breaking 2008 season!

The fish seem eager to start the season, as the first salmon entered some rivers at the beginning of June, some two weeks before expected, including the famous Blanda and Vididalsá. The water levels are looking very good, thanks to a lot of snow over the winter which has only just melted and heavy rainfall over the last few weeks.

We have limited availability on some of our rivers, which cater for a varying budget, from full service luxury lodges to self catering accommodation. If your river of choice has a self catering lodge and you would prefer full service, it is usually no problem change to a full service lodge close by.

For this news letter we have just chosen a few rivers to wet your appetite. So please do be in touch with us if you would like check out other options as well as availability and prices. Alex Dean alexander@lax-a.is

West Rangá – The record breaker

West Rangá broke the Icelandic record for most salmon caught as 14315 salmon were landed last season. Almost every angler last season went home with an impressive catch. This entirely spring-fed river provides both consistent water temperature and flow. It is seldom, if ever, coloured due to flooding or heavy rains.

Totally amazing salmon fishing - huge amount and huge weights!

West Rangá is located just 95km from The capital, Reykjavik and it is divided between 14-18 rods, depending on the time of season. Most rods a have a shared guide between two.

The lodge on West Rangá is arguably the best in the country, offerings 18 double ensuite bedrooms and a recently refurbished lounge bar and dining room. The views of the river from the hot tubs are really something the write home about.

East Rangá - the best long term average in Iceland

In 2008 East Rangá had an amazing season, finishing number two after West Rangá with 7013 salmon caught.  East Rangá is located only 100 km from Reykjavik and is divided into two 9 two rod beats spread over 22 kilometres.  This allows plenty of space per rod and a nice variety of pools.  The fishing is spectacular with the average size of fish is 8 pounds.

Just wonderful water

The lodge on East Rangá  is new and very well equipped.  Guests are accommodated in 18 tastefully furnished double rooms with ensuite bathrooms.  The lounge, bar and dining room are in the main building.  Jacuzzis and sauna provide every angler a relaxing end to the day.

Just wonderful salmon

Blanda - BIG FISH

Blanda is the longest and most powerful salmon river in Iceland.  Due to the heavy currents and long journeys up difficult waterfalls, the salmon in Blanda are known to be extremely powerful and strong fighters.  Blanda has also gained a reputation for being Iceland’s most consistent early season river.  The beat is fished by only four rods with an annual catch of from between 600-1000 salmon year.  Last season was very good with some 1,000 salmon landed.

Don't say size doesnt matter - it does!

The lodge is of the highest full service standard, with 12 double ensuite bedrooms, lounge, bar, dining room, sauna and Jacuzzis.

Arbot – Laxá í Adaldal is the perfect family retreat

Árbót is the middle beat at the Laxá í Adaldal river, sandwiched between the Árnes beat upriver and the club water beats below. The Árbót beat is 3 km long and for two rods and offers truly world class trout fishing as well as monster sized salmon. The salmon are not plentiful, but they are big.

Trout and Salmon paradise

The self catering lodge is perfect for the family, set on the hillside high above the beautiful river, with a spectacular panorama of snowcapped mountains famous Adaldalur valley.  The lodge has three double bedrooms and is only for private use.

Laxá á Asum - huge volume on only 2 rods

This wonderful river is surely one of the best Atlantic Salmon rivers in the world.  Laxá á Asum is known for producing the highest average number of salmon per rod per day in Iceland.  The fishing is so good that a quota is in place limiting the catch to 20 salmon per rod per day.  With the river fished for just 90 days each season and with only two rods there is always a fresh pool available for the angler.

The king of light tackle rivers

The river is perfectly suited for light single-handed rods, floating lines and very small flies.  We also recommend one guide per rod.  The Laxá á Asum lodge is a cosy and comfortable cabin, with 3 double bedrooms, a good kitchen, sitting room, bathroom and Jacuzzi.  The lodge is self catering, however we can always arrange for a private cook, or other accommodation at a nearby full service lodge or hotel. 

Svartá - The best kept secret in Iceland

Svartá is a beautiful river located in the northern highlands, not far from Blanda and Laxá á Asum.  The river is often referred to as “ the best kept secret in Iceland”.

Only a couple of days left- good for a combo with other rivers

The average catch for the river is very good for so few rods, with around 400 salmon a year, including several very large salmon.   The average weight is impressive at 8 pounds.  Svartá is also a top class brown trout and arctic char river weighing from 3-9 pounds.

Svartá is fished with only three rods and is fly only.  These rods share some 25 kilometres of water so there is plenty of space for all.  This really is total salmon fishing luxury, such a long river to so few rods.  You won’t be disappointed.

Hvannadalsá - Intimate fishing

Hvannadalsá shares the it´s river mouth with that of Langadalsá, but it usually has significantly more water.  Last season was fantastic with some 360 salmon landed on only two rods.  A new and improved lodge with four double rooms is open for this season.

Large fish in a small river - perfect fishing

The salmon in Hvannadalsá are known to be husky, broad shouldered and great fighters.  The average fish is 9 pounds.  The sea trout fishing is also very good in the river mouth during high tides.

Hitching and line 4-6

The river is located in the western fjords approximately 350 kilometres from the capital.  You can either chose to take the journey by plane to the local airport, but many chose the road as the journey takes one though the incredible scenery of the west fjords.   It is very popular to combine Hvannadalsá with other rivers with such rivers as Laugardalsá and Langadalsá depending on availability.

Tungufljot - 2800 salmon on 4 rods! 

With 2400 salmon landed in 2008, on only four rods, Tungufljot entered the elite class of Icelandic salmon rivers.  A good number of fish were over 20 pounds with the largest being 26 pounds.  A rebuilt salmon ladder along the edge of the waterfall Faxi, has worked very well, and a large number of salmon headed up stream last season.

A great combo with either Rangá rivers

The accommodation is self catering, in 3 private lodges, two double bedrooms in each lodge, fully equipped kitchens and of course Jacuzzis.

Full of fish

The river is only 100 kilometres away from Reykjavik, and combines very well with either of the Rangá rivers.

If you feel tempted, please just give me a call and I will try to create a fishing break that will exceed all expectations at the best possible price.

Hope to see you this summer.

Tight lines

Alex Dean alexander@lax-a.is

+354 8409153