THE QUEST FOR ATLANTIC SALMON

Far flung in the northeastern expanses of Iceland, Eleven Hölkná Cabins exist for one reason and one reason only—to guide anglers on eight miles of remote water in pursuit of the most highly sought after fish in the world: Atlantic salmon.

ATLANTIC SALMON ARE ALSO KNOWN TO THE SCIENTIFIC COMMUNITY AS SALMO SALAR, MEANING THE LEAPER. WHETHER THE ORIGINAL DEFINITION WAS MEANT TO GIVE CREDIT TO THEIR LEAPING ABILITY OVER WATERFALLS OR AS A GREAT JUMPER ON THE END OF A LINE, IT ALL BODES WELL FOR THE LUCKY FEW IN THE HÖLKNÁ CABINS. FOR THEY WILL EXPERIENCE A RARE OPPORTUNITY TO BE ONE WITH THE SALMON, ON UNFISHED WATERS, IN FANTASTIC SCENERY, WITH A GUIDE WHO WILL INSTRUCT, EXPLAIN GENTLY, AND IN THE EVENING, ASSIST WITH THE MAKING OF A PERFECT MEDIUM RARE STEAK OR LEG OF LAMB OR MANHATTAN.”

THE HÖLKNÁ, EVEN BY SPARSELY POPULATED ICELANDIC STANDARDS, IS FAR OFF THE BEATEN PATH.

YOU FEEL LIKE THE ONLY PERSON TO EVER CAST EYES

ON THIS BEAUTIFUL ATLANTIC SALMON RIVER— AND YOU BASICALLY ARE.

Cameron’s first cast gets a serious boil right against the rocks.

The second cast has another playful boil on the swung fly. Same fish or new fish?

This time the salmon commits, and a heavy strike ensues. One second later, the hook pulls out, but he lands a big salmon minutes later.

THE TAKE HAS NOT CHANGED IN 150 YEARS, AND FROM COUNTRY FARMERS FEEDING THEIR FAMILY TO PRINCES, KNIGHTS AND EARLS, THE SPORT IS QUINTESSENTIAL STORYBOOK MATERIAL.”

The Perks

Eat up, drink up, and soak in that you’re only about 100 miles from the Arctic Circle, 150 yards from the river, and have seasoned pro guides who have seen your salmon’s great, great, great grandparents.

The Food

A quick pit stop at the grocery store will equip your time on the Hölkná. It’s not just peanut butter and beer either—Icelandic goods are as uncommon (and phenomenal) as the scenery.

The Cabins

The two cabins are remote, but not rudimentary. Think hot showers, cozy beds, heated floors, warm fires, and Icelandic wool blankets—which are as iconic as they are functional, especially for taking in views from the porch.

BELOW

Sunrise on the Hölkná, which is frequently accompanied by coffee, eggs, and reindeer sausage.

2022 WAS A RECORD YEAR…MORE THAN 150 ATLANTIC SALMON WERE LANDED.”

OH, AND THE NORTHERN LIGHTS

COULD INVITE THEMSELVES INTO YOUR WORLD AND SURROUND YOU WITH A COSMIC ART SHOW THAT IS SPELLBINDING.

A COLLECTION OF THIS SEASON’S HIGHLIGHTS FROM AROUND THE WORLD