Skoga
A magnificent backdrop at Skoga, the Skogafoss, one of Iceland's iconic tourist attractions. The salmon fishing is a tourist attraction as well!! Photo by Rafn Hafnfjord.
Skoga is medium of volume that empties into the Atlantic on the central south coast. Until in recent years it was mainly known for Skogafoss, an iconic tourist attraction in clear view from the number one main highway. An imposing and beautiful falls, it now represents the final hurdle that the Atlantic salmon cannot outmaneuver.
Skoga consists of one beautiful pool after another! Photo by Rafn Hafnfjord.
So the top pool on the river is the deep pothole under the falls but it is a poor pool and anglers are beset there by tourists anyway. But below the fosspool one inviting looking pool takes over from another. They are primarily cut bank pools fished from gravel banks on the opposing banks. Just below the village of Skogar, the small tributary Kverna enters the main river. Kverna is an important river and many of the salmon hold in the junction pool.
The local fly, Skoga.is nestling in the jaw of a nice Skoga grilse.
Formerly Skoga was not a salmon river. It had a stock of sea trout and some sea going char, but there were no salmon except perhaps the odd lost fish looking for home. That all changed when the rivers manager Ásgeir Ásmundsson started a smolt releasing scheme very much the same as others have been operating on other rivers in the country, especially on the south coast were many of the rivers are for some reason colder than on the west and north coasts, yet the sea is warmer, thus providing a favorable place for smolts to eat and grow.
Large mws's contribute tremendously to the hatchery and spawning as is obvious by these standards!
Ásgeir has since been operating a growing smolt program and the returns and fishing in Skoga have been escalating to the point that a huge record catch was established during the 2008 season. A massive 1.560 salmon for four daily rods.
The Kverna tributary is blocked off, keeping the salmon in Skoga over the length of the season.
Skoga is one of Iceland’s main late season rivers. It does not open up until early July and the fishing picks up gradually as the season goes on. Prime time would usually be from mid August ‘til mid September but rainfalls and draughts can make these points of the season vary a bit. It is something never foreseen.
This mws is destined for the hatchery.
Skoga is a very popular river and has many regulars. The lodge is situated on the outskirts of the tiny village of Skogar, which sits just east of the river, above the main highway. It is a comfortable lodge with all one could ask and hope for, including a sauna and outdoor hot tub. It is a self catering facility but the manager can arrange full service if required.
