MIDFJARDARA

The biggest from Midfjardara 2008, a monster of 104 cm from the tributary Austura.

One of Iceland’s leading salmon rivers and the one most name foremost for its remarkable variety. That should not come as a surprise as the river consists of three major tributaries, all of whom are prolific salmon rivers. Together they make up Midfjardara.

All the tributaries stem from the fertile moorlands that connect the north with the central west. This wilderness is so full of untouched trout lakes and streams that you could go farther and find less. But as a result the rivers are all very fertile and up to the task of fostering salmon stocks.

Into a fish on the Vestura.

Austura originates in the lake Arnarvatn stora, which is one of Iceland’s most famous trout lakes. In the highlands Austura is an excellent trout river. Further down comes Valsfoss and that stops the salmon. Following a short but picturesque canyon the river meanders along a broad uninhabited valley until narrowing down and plummeting into a dramatic canyon, the Austurargljufur. At the head of it; Kambsfoss which until a decade ago was as far as the salmon could get. The canyon is full of beautiful enticing pools but it is challenging water and requires walking, wading and climbing.

Beautiful mws from Midfjardara.

Eventually Austura mingles with Nupsa, the smallest of the tributaries. The pair hold on to the Austura name until Vestura enters from the west and from then on it is Mifjardara. Vestura has very long beats reaching into the interior wilderness and the solitude is total. There are some canyons lower down the river and they have some picturesque pools and runs. A few of the Vestura pools offer some of the best visual fishing available, notably on Tunhylur, Hlidarfoss and Hlidarfossbreida, where you can pick out which salmon you are going to try to psych out, and if they stay calm, pick on some other salmon, there are plenty of them.

Fine grilse from Midfjardara.

Midfjardara itself is rather slow and undramatic as far as the surroundings are concerned. The quality of the pools weight it up however. They are for the most part, long cut bank pools with holding water everywhere and anywhere. One famous pool, Grjothylur, is enough to hold your attention for several hours so many are the possibilities.

Midfjardara is fished with ten daily rods. It has a two rod sea char beat close to the sea and several salmon usually pop up there as well. Tne main beats have the excellent Laxahvammur lodge which is in the process of being refurbished and overhauled. The trout beat has a separate self catering lodge.

Miðfjarðará has recently changed hands and is now run by Rafn Valur Alfreðsson who’s website is: www.fhdestinations.com