Hrútafjarðará
Fish on for local angler Ketill Björnsson at Rettarstrengur, one of the top pools. Photo by Skarphéðinn Þráinsson. Other photos from Strengir outfitter.
Hrútafjarðará is a medium volume north coast river originating in the highland moors connecting the western part of the north coast to the region of Borgarfjörður in the central west. On its way from the interior Hrúta adds to its volume, most notably from the substantial tributary Miklagil which springs up in the snowfields of Tröllakirkja, translated Troll church.
There are some seriously big sea char in the river. This is angling author Adrian Latimer with one of almost 7 lbs.
Hrútafjarðará has a wild tinge to it as the vegetation in this region is a bit threadbare and the river tumbles through several low canyons with typical cliff pools fished from facing gravel bars. From the old road bridge of the main highway and seaward Hrúta changes faces and we find a string of the typical cut bank pools fished from lower gravel banks.
Anglers relax by the fireside in the comfortable lodge.
This part of the river is changing all the time according to how much damage the annual winter flooding wreaks upon the river. But if one pool disappears or is filled by sand and gravel, invariable another pool will take its place, either a formerly dormant one or a brand new one dug out by the same floods that wrecked the old one.
A lovely pool, Raudamelshylur.
Hrúta is fished with three rods only and offers a lot of space for its clients. The self catering lodge is close to the estuary and is very charming. It has recently been refurbished as well, a room being added as well as the living room being enlarged.
Hrúta is known for producing large salmon and for years it had an excellent ratio og mws’;s versus grilse. The mws’;s declined over the years just as in many rivers, not only in Iceland. However they have come back to a certain extent and there is always the chance of a twenty pounder from this river.
MWS salmon are pretty strong in Hruta.
The rivers manager has enhanced the wild runs with a smolt releasing program which has added to the runs and the quality of the fishing. Add to this, Hrúta has good runs of sea char that are mostly caught in the bottom pools. They are some of Iceland's biggest sea char and specimens up to 9 and 10 pounds have been caught in Hrúta.
Hrúta is a vastly popular river and mostly fished by groups of local anglers who go to pains to get “their” days every season. However, there is always the chance of a cancellation so please stay tuned!
