Not to late to book a spring fishing trip to Iceland
A local sea trout fisherman shows a typical spring "fly", a weighed, burly tube. Photo by Heimir Óskarsson.
Our season starts in just a few weeks, more precisely it starts on April the 1rst. It is not to late to book a dream fishing trip to Iceland that is unlike anything you have heard about our country as a a fly fishing haven. Some of our listed outfitters have outstanding spring fishing possibilities.
Spring fishing in Iceland is not for the feint hearted, so to speak, the weather tends to be volatile and anglers do tend to encounter cold snaps and fearce hailstorms along with matching flooding to the rivers. They swell up fast, become formidable but recede just as quickly. Some anglers really love to face the elements in this manner, while others will be quite content to stay inside the lodge while things calm down. But this is not always the trend, other anglers on other days will have tranquil beautiful days in the everpresent stunning scenery.
Spring fishing in Iceland is sometimes a cold passtime. Photo by Heimir Óskarsson.
Most of the spring fishing is for retreating sea trout in several rivers in the eastern part of Iceland's central south, close to the village of Kirkjubaejarklaustur. There are spawners from the preceeding autumn, most of them in great shape despite their wintering in the rivers, this probably due to the cold water and environment tuning down their biological activity. Quite a few of these fish are very big, fish that would be ranging from 10 to 20 pounds while in prime condition. They are mostly caught on large weighed tube flies fished slowly close to the bottom. During these conditions you will not sea the sea trout move very much to connect with the fly. So you need to put it as close to them as possible. There are also smaller juvenile sea trout, most ranging from 2 to 4 pounds. They are silvery and fat and they in fact are entering the river all winter long. They are great sport as well. Among our listed rivers that are outstanding for spring sea trout are Tungulaekur, Varma and Tungufljot. As best we know they all have availabilities.
A huge sea trout is released on Tungufljot. This size is in fact not out of the ordinary at all, although most of them are a bit smaller. Photo by Valli Ragnars.
Other than the sea trout, some of the April fishing is in fact for non migratory trout, brown trout and char. Of our listed rivers you will hold in good stead in the memory bank a trip to Minnivallalaekur, a world renowned brown trout river. Rather small, delicate with clear pristine water. On it, you are going for quality rather than quantity, as the average weight of the resident browns is outstanding, over 3 pounds, and this river produces several browns in double figures every season. During the spring season, the Minni browns are mostly caught on streamer flies, while later in the season the river goes very technical and even the most delicate dry fly fishing will give the best results.
There is a chance to go for large non migratory char. One of our listed rivers has a good stock of very big char. This is the Sogid and its fishing opens up in April. Char fishing so early in the season however is very touch and go. If you'r in luck you'll have the day of your life. If not, then not.
