Jokla and tributaries sea char and brown trout

Beautiful scenery, great trout fishing.

Jökla is a thrilling and complex blend between an experiment and reality. Here in the northeast outpost of the bay Heradsfloi, Throstur Ellidason and his company Strengir, have set up a smolt releasing scheme aimed at turning a former huge muddy glacial river and its tributaries into salmon fishing luminaries. It is all going according to plan but there is more to this area than it being an up and coming salmon fishery. From June 1 to July 20 it is a very promising and prolific trout fishery with the main attraction being the sea char.

Jokla is a nickname for the massive river Jokulsa a Bru and Jokulsa a Dal. The river changes names according to location. This is the river that over the centuries dug out the awesome Dimmugljúfur canyon that split the nation in its outlook to the hydroelectric process in the wilderness highlands that at least half the nation if not more felt should have been turned into a national park instead of a provider of power for a new aluminum smelter in nearby Reydarfjordur. But that’s history now, the dam was built and the muddy part of Jokla taken through underground tunnels to spill into its neighbouring Lagarfljot in the next valley due south!

What’s left of Jokla is clear of color, although late in the season a muddy spill from the dam will color the river up again temporarily. Jokla is a very beautiful river without the mud although not quite what it used to be, obviously.

A sea char is released.

It has also several noteworthy tributaries such as Laxa, Bruara and Kalda who all have a history of salmon and char runs. Even some sea trout from time to time. Close by there is also Fogruhlidara, a lovely river noted for strong sea char runs in the estuary lagoon and some salmon running to the falls at the top of the river.

There is some excellent brown trout water in the area, most notably in the Fogruhlidara.

During the early season trout fishing, focus is mostly on sea char runs into the lagoon at the estuary of Fogruhlidara as well as char movement to Kalda. Along with the sea char, there is excellent brown trout water on Fogruhlidara as well as in the main Jokla tributaries. Anglers taking the early season trout fishing have access to the same outstanding lodge as the salmon anglers arriving later. They can either self cater or get the full package.