Midfjardará River
Flyfishing for Salmon in Iceland’s Finest Natural River
The Midfjardará system offers the quintessential experience in Atlantic salmon fishing in Iceland. Located in north-western Iceland, this wonderful river runs 115 km from its source to its mouth. Four rivers make up the river system including the main river the Miðfjarðará, the Austurá, the Vesturá and the smaller more intimate Núpsá. Together they provide some of the finest fly fishing for Atlantic salmon in the world. Of all of the rivers in Iceland which are completely wild (having no smolt release program), the Midfjardará is the most productive. Year after year it leads the statistics for all wild salmon rivers in Iceland for in most salmon caught and in the overall ranking it usually is third behind the two much larger East and West Rangá Rivers which count on mass smolt release programs to maintain their stocks. The Midfjardará also happens to be one of Iceland’s best rivers for larger multi sea winter salmon.
The four rivers in the Midfjardará River system provides extremely varied fly fishing in a total of 220 named pools. The emphasis of the management is on providing the best quality experience possible for visiting fishermen. Depending on the moment of the season fishing is limited to a maximum of 6 to 10 rods providing for a more intimate salmon fishing experience. The large amount of water included in the rotations assures that fishing pressure is limited and pools may be properly rested between fishermen. As a result, Midfjardará salmon tend to be surprisingly aggressive throughout the season. Skating a hitched flies on the surface tends to produce fantastic results throughout most of the season. Most of the system’s pools are ideally fished with a one hand rod. Although the lower part of the river is quite wide and is best fished with a two hand rod.
Midfjardará guests are accomodated at the Laxahvammur Lodge. Each rod is assigned a comfortable room with on suite bathroom. Shared rods also share a room. Gourmet meals are served in a large dining.
Rods: We recommend 7 to 8 weight one hand or switch rods with floating lines. A a light spey rod or a switch rod can be useful especially on the part of the main river. For smaller water in the system such as the Nupsá a one hand 7 wieght is ideal.
Flies: red y black francis, sun ray shadow, collie dog, hairy mary, blue charm, undertaker, green y red butt on hook sizes nº 6 a 14 depending on the moment of the season and the waters fished, also a variety of hitch tubes
Guests are accomodated in the newly renovated Laxahvammur lodge in 10 rooms with on suite bathrooms. Guests may relax in a large lounge and dining area. The facilities include a good dry room for changing and drying out waders and equipment. Guests can also enjoy the views from the veranda of the lodge or relax in the outdoor jacuzzi. Should you need to purchase some flies there is always a large selection of proven Icelandic salmon flies and tubes on hand. For guests who are also golf enthusiasts there are even a couple of holes just outside the lodge.
GUests should fly into Kefavik International Airport. The lodge provides scheduled transportation by van from the airport and Reykajvik to the lodge. The Midfjardará River is located 195 kilometers to the north of Reykjavik just off of Highway 1, “the Ring Road” near Stadur.
Location: The Midfjardará River is located a few kilometers north of Stadur in North Western Iceland 195 km norht of Reykjavík.
Season: 15 June to 19 September
Best Dates: 15 July – 31 August
Nº of Rods Allowed: 6 to 10
Fishing Methods Permitted: Fly
Species present: Atlantic salmon, sea- run brown trout, resident brown trout
Note: Please be aware that Icelandic authorities require a veterinary certificate certifying that any fishing equipment brought into the country has been properly sterilized. This service is also provided at a modest cost upo arrival at the airport. In order to travel to Iceland, EU citizens need only presnt a valid EU id. Citizens from other countries shpould present a passport valid for at least 6 months from the return date.
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It is said that any fly fisherman who learns to fish all Laxá in Kjos proficiently will be able to fish any river in Iceland with success. This is a river which can be very technical at times and often requires a delicate touch with light one hand rods, floating lines, small hitch tubes and sometimes other flies as small as number 18!
Laxá í Dölum, Iceland
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Pescatravel, tu agencia de viajes de pesca de confianza.