Laxá í Nesjum
Beautiful scenery, beautiful river.
Laxá í Nesjum is a lovely little river just west of the village settlement of Höfn in Hornafjörður on the southeast coast of Iceland. The salmon mostly run up to a small falls some 9 kilometers from the sea and there is said to be little point in pursuing the matter further upstream although the falls is no major obstacle.
The rivers origins are in the mountain regions inland and it is a very impressive plateau indeed, looming very close to the fertile farmland the river winds its way through. This is a mere two rod river so anglers have ample room and space and this is an excellent river for families or a small band of friends to take the river for themselves and have everything exclusive for two to three days.
Small falls complex at the top of the beat.
You can either hit a low water or a spate and the days after the spate. If you get the spate you hope that it is a short one and it probably will be and the river will clear up very quickly. Salmon use the spate water to move upriver and change pools. Great fishing is then to be had all over the river. If the summer is beset by draughts the salmon tend to pile up in the Junction pool at the bottom of the river were it mingles with the Hoffellsá before the two of them together spill into the huge glacial Hornafjarðarfljót. When there is a pileup in the Junction things can be very dramatic as the salmon tend to leap all over the pool, from the top of the run and way downstream, all of some 2-300 feat. Anywhere and everywhere you might coax a strike and during the dry periods both rods tend to fish the Junction, rotating along its lengthy gravel bank. It is a pleasant way to spend your fishing, switching flies and continually casting over moving fish that show themselves at regular short intervals. In between you simply sit down, chat with your friend and take in the wonderful surroundings. But you always hope to get the good water levels and move around among the many excellent fly fishing pools.
Happy angler puts 12 pound female into a holding box.
Laxá í Nesjum is rather cold so its home stock is not very big. Formerly sea trout did better in this river. However smolt releasing has greatly enhanced the runs and upgraded the fishing. The record catch for this river is 204 salmon in 2004.. And it consistently goes close to the record. Over the years when costs for salmon fishing has skyrocketed, Laxá í Nesjum has become known as one of the best value for money rivers in Iceland.
Laxá has á fine self catering lodge in the tiny village of Nesjar, just west of the river. The outfitter will though arrange full service if required.
