Leirvogsá
An angler steers the worms towards the salmonholding in fast water. Photo AnglingIceland Heimir Óskarsson
Leirvogsá is a small volume river originating from the lake Leirvogsvatn and finishing in the small bay of Leirvogur just north of the capital Reykjavík and actually in the outskirts of the small town of Mosfellsbær. It is fished with two rods and has for years been in the top three as Icelands best river according to catch per rod.
The river has some good looking fly water as well. Photo AnglingIceland Heimir Óskarsson.
Leirvogsá is very picturesque, twice passing through scenic canyons and in between it meanders along the bottom of a secluded valley at the base of Reykjavík‘s very own scenic mountain Esja. Its passable part is about 8 kilometers, from the eastuary upto Tröllafoss falls, a lovely attraction for day hikers. The canyon pools below Tröllafoss usually fill up with fish about midseason. Some of the pools up there are difficult to fish due to sheer cliff walls while others may be accessed and fished . As Leirvogsá is a river were worms are allowed, these pools are frequently fished with worms as fly fishing is difficult, the pools mostly being short, deep and fast.
Many Icelandic rivers are healthy enough to allow substantial killing but it is mostly the grilse that are taken out nowdays. Photo Heimir Óskarsson
Once out of the canyon the complexion changes and fly fishing turns into a very inviting option. It stays that way until the river is forded by the road bridge on the main highway, the second canyon being far wider and easily negotiated. The road bridge is very close to the estuary and salmon pile up in small pools undir white water and low falls below the bridge. These potholes are most often fished with worms as well and the fishing down there is often very hectic while the runs endure.
AnglingIceland photo by Heimir Óskarsson.
Leirvogsá is very fertile and probably has its lake origin to thank for that. As a result it is run by large numbers of salmon and sea trout runs are very substantial as well, the trout for the most part rivaling the predominant griles for size. As we say, the Leirvogsá salmon are predominantly grilse weighing from 3 to 6 pounds, the same as the bulk of the sea trout run. A few larger fish do though turn up every season and the river has been known to produce 18 to 20 pound specimens.
Leirvogsá is fished by a day by day basis, from morning to evening. It has a small lodge which may be used for sleeping the night before the days fishing. Most Leirvogsá clients though make the short drive from nearby Reykjavík. It is a mere 20 minute drive from the city center.
Leirvogsá is run by the Angling Club of Reykjavík and is usually a sell out to its members. Every now and then availabilities will turn up.
