Tungulaekur full of fish as usual in 2008
A huge springer. Photo Þröstur Elliðason.
Tungulaekur was typically full of fish in 2008. At the start of the season in April the river was low as longstanding frost draughts had dominated the weather in March. It didn’t start to thaw out until late in April so the retreating sea trout stayed in the river further into the spring than usual. They are usually starting to retreat in late April and most are gone by the middle of May. This year they stayed until the start of June.
Some 7-800 sea trout were caught in the river in 2008 and that is not a bad figure for a river that is hardly ever fished over the working days of the week. They ranged to an estimated 18 pounds although the usual “whales” were in place as usual. A typical tale we heard was of this fellow who was allowed one day in early May. Over the space of just under three hours (during which he dropped off his wife to a nearby lodge as the weather was pretty bad) he hooked and landed 13 sea trout, half of them spawners from 2007 in excellent condition weighing up to an estimated 10 pounds. The other half where “crazy” juveniles weighing from 3 to 5 pounds. All were taken on small streamer flies on light gear. Two huge fish snapped the 12 pound leader and there were at least as many sea trout lost as landed while not even counting the strikes and boils. It was hardly evening when fish number thirteen had been landed and released. A 10 pounder. Still this fellow had had enough, took one last cast and plucked out a silvery 4 pounder he took with him for the barbecue.
We fully expect not only more of the same from Tungulaekur over the coming seasons but more, as some nets from Skafta have been taken out following some skirmishes. These nets took a handsome toll but their days are now numbered.
