FLY FISHING – ICELAND, VATNSDALSA
Fly fishing for salmon on Vatnsdalsa River in Iceland. Fishmaster will arrange a hosted salmon fly fishing trip to Vatnsdalsá on 10.-13. September 2024. Vatnsdalsa river is located in the northwest part of Iceland. This area is in the middle of the Vatnsfjords nature reserve and is famous for its beauty and special wildlife.
VATNSDALSA
Vatnsdalsa offers good salmon fishing and excellent char fishing. During it’s best year it has produced a catch of over 200 salmon. Average catch per season is between 80-120 salmon and 400-500 char. It winds it‘s way down through spectacular landscape, with breathtaking scenery wherever you look. The variety of pools are great, you will find calm pools as well as fast flowing ones. Compared to other rivers in Iceland salmon in Vatnsdalsa are quite big. There is a good run of bigger multi winter salmon and grilse is normally in good condition. The average size is just over 70 cm.
FLY FISHING
Vatnsdalsa is a 2 rod river. It is divided in to a upper river of about 4 km and lower river of about 800 meters. The Vatnsdalsa is divided by a lake Vatnsdalsvatn between the upper and lower river. Rod sharing is permitted, so two anglers can share one rod, but only one can fish at any one time. Rod sharing is an excellent way of reducing costs and making the trip even more cost-effective. You need a 4wd suv car to move to upper river, the roads are in bad condition.
Daily fishing hours in September are from 7.00 until 13.00 and again from 15.00 to 21.00 or from 16-22. The fishing season is from July 1. until September 16. All caught salmon must be released and only fly fishing is allowed. Anglers can retain 3 arctic char per rod per day.
FLIES
Good salmon flies for the Vatnsdalsa River are for example Blue & Black, Black Sheep, Silver Sheep, Frances, Snaelda, Blue Charm, Sunray Shadow. We use many different kind of nymphs and streamers for arctic char on the river. Peacock, Pheasant tail, Copper John, Nobbler and other classic char flies. The most used fly size for char is from 12 to 18.
FLY FISHING TACKLE
For fly fishing for salmon on the Vatnsdalsa we recommend 12-13′ feet double handed fly rods for lines 7-9 or alternatively 9-10′ single handed fly rods for lines 7-8 and suitable fly reels with good quality brakes. For arctic char fly fishing we recommend 9-10′ feet single hand fly rods for lines 6-7. Floating, sink tip or intermediate shooting heads are most used fly lines. It is mandatory to have your fishing gear disinfected on arrival at Keflavík international airport.
ACCOMODATION
Accomodation will be in well equipped Tvera Lodge by Nordic Lodges. Tvera Lodge is located in a stunning place by the sea about 5 km from the Vatnsdalsa. There is wc, shower, living room, well equipped kitchen and 5 bedrooms. Anglers can arrive to Tvera Lodge after 14:00 on the first day of fishing and need to leave the lodge before 13:00 on the last day.
TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS
Guests will take an interational flight to Reykjavik, Keflavik airport and continue with rental car to the Vatnsdalsa River. It’s 370 km/about 4 hours 45 minutes driving from Keflavik airport to the Vatnsdalsa. Nearest cities. Bíldudalur: 47 km, Patreksfjörður: 66 km, Ísafjörður: 93 km, Borgarnes: 254 km and Reykjavík: 330 km.
- Dates 10.-13.9.2024
- Price: 2580 eur/ person
- Trip length: 3 fishing days/3 nights
- Group size: 1 host + 2 persons = 3 persons fishing with 2 rods
- Bookings: 1 open spot
- Fly Fishing trip includes: Accomodation in Tvera Lodge in single room, Fishing license, Introduction of beats
- Fly Fishing trip excludes: Flights to Reykjavik, Disinfection, Meals, Rental car
- Species: Salmon, Arctic Char
- Season: July 1. to September 16.
