East Rangá River, Iceland

Thanks to it’s program of massive smolt releases, the East Rangá has become one of the top two most productive salmon rivers in Iceland each year vying for first place with its sister river the West Rangá. It is large salmon river by Icelandic standards ideally fished with 14 to 15 foot two hand rods. It is large river characterized by large meanders, smooth currents and a mostly sandy bottom which makes for easy wading. The part of the river that is fishable totals 22 kiometers which are divided into 9 beats fished by a total of 18 rods in rotation. All of the beats offer good access by 4 wheel drive vehicles. During the first part of the season it is strictly for fly fishing, but from September on worming and spinning are also allowed. 

The average annual rod catch for the East Rangá is around 4000 salmon over the 120 day season, but there have been years in which the total annual catch has been much greater. As recent as 2020 the total came to 9070 salmon for the season.  Happily, fish sizes have also increased over the years with surprising numbers of 2 and 3 sea winter salmon weighing 4 to 7 kilos. One of the big advantages that both of the Rangas have over most of the salmon rivers on the west coast is that even during extended periods of drought, that ofter occur during the summer in Iceland, they maintain good flows.  The best dates to fish the East Ranga are usually from mid-July until the end of August. September fishing can also be spectacular, but fishermen should be aware that the chances of heavy rains muddying up the river increase during those dates.  

In order to insure good catch numbers the East Rangá has maintained one of the most extensive smolt release programs in all of Iceland. Like many other rivers in Iceland, the river management operates a hatchery porogram in which alevins are released into small protected river branches where the are fed and raised until they smolt and are released to go out directly to the sea. Fishermen are instructed to place any large females caught into live boxes in the river where the East Ranga river management can later collect them for use in their artificial spawning program.  

Fishermen have the option of staying at an excellent lodge overlooking the river. The East Rangá Lodge is a complex of 10 buildings connected by an elevated wooden walkway. Guests stay in comfortable single and double rooms, each with their own on suite bathrooms. During moments of relax, guests may enjoy a sauna or one of two jacuzzis situated on the back deck of the lodge with a fantastic view of the river. There is also a a large lounge and dining room where guests can chat and have a drink before or after dinner.