Brown Trout – and sea-run brown trout Brown Trout (Salmo Trutta) are the most abundant species of fish in Iceland, and they inhabit most rivers and lakes across the island. Their migrating cousins, the sea-run brown trout, are present in most rivers, and – especially in rivers, where there are few salmon – the sea-run brown trout prosper. And while few people recognize Iceland for its sea-run brown trout fishing, there are a handful of rivers that will outcompete many of the famous Patagonian rivers both when it comes to the numbers and size of the fish. The sea-run brown trout in Iceland typically start running in March and April – and as a result, one can encounter both post-spawn and pre-spawn fish in the rivers, when the season opens on April 1st. The numbers intensify through July and August – especially when heavy precipitation coincides with high tides. September is – by many – considered the prime time, but fishing can last well into October, when more and more coloured fish are encountered. (The season closes on October 10th). Some of the best Icelandic sea-run brown trout rivers include the Húseyjarkvisl, the Tungulaekur, and Varmá I Thorleifslækur. They’re fished like any other sea-run brown trout river in the world, swinging streamers and nymphs, and each year several 10kg+ fish are caught - despite the relatively few rods in action. For more information about these rivers, please check out: http://www.icelandangling.com/index.php https://anglers.is http://www.fishpal.com/Norse/Iceland/Huseyjarkvisl/?dom=Pal When it comes to resident brown trout, they are scattered all over – and a lot of times, a big water fall will mark the section between a sea-run brown trout or salmon river, and a brown trout river. Since the season is fairly short and hectic – and the Winters are long and bitterly cold, Icelandic brown trout keep themselves busy throughout the Spring, Summer and Fall-months feeding on anything from small midges, scuds and caddis to sticklebacks and even char-, salmon- and trout fry. Their omnivorous and opportunistic demeanour shouldn’t be mistaken, however. Because although some of the fish might seem gullible, they’ll sometimes be super-finicky, selective and shy. So always be prepared to switch from streamers or nymphs
to dries and emergers, and be sure to keep a selection of #20-26 midge- black fly- and chronomid imitations close to your heart along with a few spare spools of 5 – 6.5X tippet material. You’ll be amazed to see the size of trout that will gulp down even the most minute flies. Breaking the 2kg-mark is realistic in most well-established Icelandic trout rivers, and in rivers such as the Svarta i Skagafirdi, Kaldakvisl, Varmá, Minnivallalaekur, Litlaá, Brunná, Lonsa, Tungufljot, and Vatnsá there’s even the possibility of cracking the 3kg-mark. However, if you’re looking for the real giants, you should focus your efforts on some of the big lakes in Iceland. You probably already know about Lake Thingvallavatn, home to Iceage brown trout of mind-boggling proportions, but there are other big-fish lakes too – for instance Heidarvatn, Vilingavatn, Apavatn, Laugarvatn, Grænavatn, Hraunvotn, Skorradalsvatn, Fellsendavatn, Thorisvatn, Myvatn, Arnarvatn, Ljoasavatn, and Langavatn.
Lake Thingvallavatn’s brown trout are truly massive, and they fight like there’s no tomorrow.
Sight-fishing for salmon is extremely exciting and it’s a phenomenon that is fairly common in Iceland. FLYFISH EUROPE - SPRING 2018
173