Fishing In Iceland

[TheTallFisherman]

Good Morning,

My Girlfriend and I have planned a trip to Iceland for the end of September and I am just wondering if anyone from here has any experience with this trip in the past?

I will be there for 7 days and will bring my minimum fishing gear and stopping where ever I can along our trek across the nation.

Ideally, Id like to catch an Artic Char but I dont know how common or easy they are to catch. I also would like to target brown trout and any other species found in the Rivers. My road trip will be along the entire south coast so we can plan stops accordingly.

I am hoping to find out what are essential things I should bring, fishing wise, what is required from peoples past experiences and any tips or insight would be gladly appreciated.

I am not against hiring a guide but if anyone has been to Iceland before, they know just how expensive this place can get so I would try to do it without.

Hope to hear from you!

 

[Paul1913]

The only fishing my friends did was at the local bars. There were plenty of beautiful blond mermaids. And their tip. Leave the gf at home haha.

I've seen videos of monster browns but nothing on char.

0 value in my responses to your actual question.

 

[fisgfreek]

Nice, just in time for the Trout Sea run. I hear the weather could be tricky in Iceland that time of year, one day 20c and the next day snow. Take Paul's advice and ditch the girlfriend and make it a 7 day fishing and drinking trip LOL.

 

[TheTallFisherman]

The only fishing my friends did was at the local bars. There were plenty of beautiful blond mermaids. And their tip. Leave the gf at home haha.

I've seen videos of monster browns but nothing on char.

0 value in my responses to your actual question.

Id love to get into Browns if I cant catch a Char! Something is better than nothing! Lol

 

[TheTallFisherman]

Nice, just in time for the Trout Sea run. I hear the weather could be tricky in Iceland that time of year, one day 20c and the next day snow. Take Paul's advice and ditch the girlfriend and make it a 7 day fishing and drinking trip LOL.

Lmao, I wish! I may be able to ditch her at a local hot spring and fish in the meantime but it would be hard to leave her at home if shes paying the flight :mrgreen:

 

[fisgfreek]

I think you got a keeper there brother.

 

[TheTallFisherman]

Now I need to learn how to Fly fish! Anyone want to teach me?

 

[Symmetre]

Arctic char are like chinooks once they are in the river, they don't hit much and most of them are snagged. Sorry to burst your bubble, but it's the truth.

Fish for atlantics, Iceland has some of the best salmon fishing in the world. But yeah, you need to learn to fly fish. Start now.

 

[TheTallFisherman]

I have fly fished in the past but nothing large scale.

I have a few fly setups and do it casually - not nearly enough as I should so I think I need a guide or teacher lol.

What would be the ideal setup to use?

I have a 7 weight rod, 10 ft and a cheap 8 weight rod with a 7000 Hardy Size reel with 3 spools - I only have 1 line spooled up currently (7 wt WF line), what should I be using on my other spools?

 

[NADO]

I was in Iceland last year and figuring out the fishing was pretty tough. I was only interested in Atlantic Salmon and even if you don't hire a guide you still have to pay for the "rod" to fish a certain section of river. All of the decent spots are booked months in advance so you need to plan ahead but I think September is a bit late for the Atlantics anyways. I think you still need to pay to fish rivers for sea run trout but i'm sure the prices are way down compared to the Atlantic season. I ended up paying $100 for a stretch of river that was available for booking the day before I fished it so needless to say it wasn't a very coveted stretch.

 

[TheTallFisherman]

I was in Iceland last year and figuring out the fishing was pretty tough. I was only interested in Atlantic Salmon and even if you don't hire a guide you still have to pay for the "rod" to fish a certain section of river. All of the decent spots are booked months in advance so you need to plan ahead but I think September is a bit late for the Atlantics anyways. I think you still need to pay to fish rivers for sea run trout but i'm sure the prices are way down compared to the Atlantic season. I ended up paying $100 for a stretch of river that was available for booking the day before I fished it so needless to say it wasn't a very coveted stretch.

That's interesting and good to know! I will be hoping from the rod every here and there so I will need to map out these areas a bit better!

In all honesty, I am too excited to be going to iceland and havent looked at the fishing regs yet!

 

[Huronfly]

I'm also going to be there in September, but a bit earlier. My wife and I have a guide booked and will also be targeting char and browns! I was planning on doing some salmon fishing until I realized how expensive it was... We are bringing only backpacks so it's nice the guides can provide all the gear if needed.

Definitely look into the regs. Many places only allow so many rods per river. But that time of year generally isn't as busy. Best of luck to ya!

 

[TheTallFisherman]

I'm also going to be there in September, but a bit earlier. My wife and I have a guide booked and will also be targeting char and browns! I was planning on doing some salmon fishing until I realized how expensive it was... We are bringing only backpacks so it's nice the guides can provide all the gear if needed.

Definitely look into the regs. Many places only allow so many rods per river. But that time of year generally isn't as busy. Best of luck to ya!

You'll have to let me know how it goes for you and what you did to catch fish! LOL

I am looking into guides now because of how crazy expensive it is.... Daily lisence to fish is anywhere (without a guide) is anywhere from $200-1000...I'm considering bringing my fly rod and possibly using their equipment if possible!

If you are bringing your own equipment you have to get it "disinfected" and get a certificate of disinfection - http://www.mast.is/english/frontpage/import-export/import/fishingequipment/ (From what I saw, the airport can do it for you, but it will cost $50 for the first 4 items and then $3 for each additional item) Including boots, waders, rod, lines, and all hooks!

If you dont mind me asking, how did you book your guide and how much? My girlfriend is interested in trying to fish but if its too expensive ill send her to the nearest hot spring.

 

[Huronfly]

Will do! Guide says we will be using different techniques depending on conditions and pools. Mostly nymphing and stripping streamers.

You're absolutely right, even to fish on your own is expensive! A combination of license fees, carrying rods and gear, and disinfecting all that gear are why I opted for the guide. Plus, guides are worth their weight in gold in an unfamiliar location in my experience.

We booked with Kristinn from anglers.is - The price is 690 euros per person if you are alone, but if you bring your girlfriend along, it ends up being 375 euros per person or 750 euros all together. Definitely worth bringing your girlfriend, really it's almost free! well only 60 euros extra... you get the point.