Fly Fish Iceland

publication date: Jun 19, 2008

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author/source: Fly Fisher Group

In partnership with Gisli Asgeirson and Jon Tor Juliusson, Fly Fish Iceland is the managing agent for many of Iceland’s most famous and prolific salmon rivers. If you have ever dreamed of fishing the phenomenally clear waters of Laxa in Kjos, Grimsa, Svalbardsa, Vesturdalsa, Langa and Hafralonsa look no further than Fly Fish Iceland. With years of management and guiding experience on prime Icelandic rivers we can offer you an detailed and specific insight into the travel, accommodation, fishing techniques and other aspects of interest including how to build a fishing trip into a broader look at Icelandic culture and the spectacular geothermal entity that Iceland is.

Iceland’s prime salmon season last only a few short, wonderful weeks. Therefore contact us to register you interest for the 2009 season as prime rods on the best rivers are not easy to secure.

Special Offer:
For those who cannot wait until the 2009 season we have a rare opportunity for a few rods to fish prime July dates on rivers such as Laxa in Kjos and Langa. Please contact enquiries@flyfishiceland.com for details.

Laxa in Kjos (& Bugda Tributary) :

Introduction:
Laxa in Kjos is one of the true legends of Icelandic salmon fishing. Located in the south west, just 40 minutes from Reykjavik, Kjos has a five year average of 1188 salmon to 10 rods. Kjos also maintains an enviable reputation as perhaps the best mixed fish fishery in the country with several hundred sea trout landed each season, many to upstream dry fly and nymph, in the 3-10lbs range.

Fishing:
The Laxa (main river) flows from lake Stíflisdalsvatn and, close to the sea, is joined by the short but prolific Bugda tributary, itself flowing from lake Medalfellsvatn. Laxa in Kjos is a medium volume river by Icelandic standards and is fished by 8 rods, the Bugda tributary being small by the same standards and fished by 2 rods, the full 10 rods rotating over five beats and sharing the lodge. The Salmon run begins to strengthen in mid June and is bolstered by Kjos’ famous run of specimen Sea Trout. The Sea Trout tend to fill the cut-bank meadow pools in huge numbers and provide a sight fishing opportunity that has to be seen to be believed! 

The rivers are ideal for “light” line fishing, 5# to 8# weight rods, small flies, notably hitched tubes on floating lines and even dry flies have been known to get results here. Bugda in particular, with pools such as Foss, Moeyri, Bakkahylur and Einbuin lends itself to extremely close quarters combat with light line and the most delicate presentation. Kjos, whilst intimate and visual, invites a longer cast in pools such as Kotahylur, Spegill (the “Mirror” Pool) and Laxfoss and guests might be well advised to bring a small double handed rod (12ft 8wt is ideal), some larger flies and a sink tip line, in case the river is hit by a spate.

Lodge: 
A new fisherman’s lodge was completed just prior to the 2007 season. Overlooking Klingenberg Pool, gazing downriver to the legendary Laxfoss, the Kjos lodge was immediately recognised as one of the finest fishing lodges in Iceland. It is a large, attractive, wooden lodge with a central gathering area conducive to regaling fishing stories and relaxing in style. Each fisher has their own spacious, quiet and well-appointed en-suite bedroom with a river view and a second bed should they choose to rod-share as is often common in Iceland. The Kjos Lodge also boasts a large wader/drying room and the convenience of being able to provide rods, reels and other loan equipment.