News

Strengir Season Review

20. October 2009

Breiddalsa
The season finished with a total of 782 salmon and grilse, compared to 910 in 2008. We were hoping to make 1,000 fish this season and I think the lower than expected total was due to fewer grilse this year and a smaller autumn run, which was hampered by very low water throughout September - the lowest levels then seen since 1998. September usually produces as many, or more, fish as August.

July began with a strong run comprising mostly 2SW fish. For the last two years July has been very good with increasing catches, and we hope that this trend continues. The Breiddalsa produced some of the biggest fish caught in Iceland during July. The only other river to produce bigger fish was the Laxa i Adaldal. July was helped by very good water conditions throughout the month, including a spate at the end of the month. 
August was good with bulk of the season’s fish being caught in this month. Three  massive spates spoilt things though as it took the river a few days to  recover after the biggest one. We still managed to catch fish at these times, thanks to the tributaries still running clear, but fishing was obviously difficult. The Indian Summer conditions throughout September were delightful on the eye, but not so good for fishing.

Breiddalsa

Hooked into the last salmon caught in Breiðdalsá river of the season on 30 September. Clear sky and low water!

Although we did have the first snowfall in the surrounding mountains on the 22nd. Even this didn’t help water levels! As the month went on the river dropped and the fish became ever wary and increasingly uninterested in anglers’ offerings.

Fishing for char and trout produced around 600 fish, the same as the previous season. Most of the char fishing is done in the spring and up to mid summer. One noticeable fact was the increase in size of the char, the best we've seen in some years. These delightful and very sporting fish never fail to please clients from overseas.

There is a  lot of pressure on bookings for next season, which is very pleasing. It goes to show that Breiddalsa is gaining a reputation for providing good value for money amongst Iceland’s salmon rivers.

Hrutafjardara
A record season with 647 fish.  The whole north west produced record catches in 2009 and this old traditional river, which fishes just three rods, kept pace with its neighbours. The previous best year was in 2004 with 631. Fish were present throughout the season, but after mid-July it really got into gear. Even the periods of low water didn't disrupt sport.
Our most productive river regards fish-to-rod ratio.

 

 

 

 


 

Hrutafjardara

One of our guide´s Julius with a nice salmon from Hrútafjarðará river in midd August 2009. His group had 52 salmon in just two days!

Jokla River System
This exciting new fishery lived up to expectations as the programme to develop the system continues. It produced 322 salmon and a 500 mixed bag of sea-run char, sea trout and brown trout. Some of the char were exceptional with many in the 4 to 6 lb range. Most of the fishing was done in the three tributaries on the lower Jokla. With good water conditions for most of the season the fish came up and ran straight into the tributaries. Some fish were caught on the lower main river. The overflow from the dam came in September but had little effect on the fishing as by then the fish were already in the clearwater tributaries. Had an earlier overflow occurred it wouldn't have had a too negative effect on the fishing in the tributaries. The overflows happen because of glacial meltwater flowing over the top of the dam that was recently built at the head of the river. This is expected to happen in the late summer or fall most years, but is controlled wholly by the forces of nature. When the overflow takes place it just means we can't fish the main Jokla because of the coloured water. Clients need not worry though as the tributaries have enough water to keep our rods busy each day.

Jokla

Nice salmon from the upper part of Jökla river

Jokla was lightly fished this season and we're sure the catch would have been much higher with more rods out. With increased fishing pressure next year we expect to see the Jokla system’s catch double.

The Jokla is only 25 minutes drive to the north of Egilsstadir airport and makes ideal combination with the Breiddalsa.

To see short video of this fishery click here.

 

Laxa in Nesjum
This little two-rod river produced 140 this season. It remains our most reasonably priced river to fish but as yet we're undecided whether to continue with it next season.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Laxa in Nesjum

Nice fish just to be released in Laxá in Nesjum

Minnivallalaekur
This river produced just under 400 brown trout, which was a little more than last year. More big fish though with the best at12 lb.
The river is becoming very well known to foreign anglers now. It is an excellent choice for those looking to fish for some of the largest wild brown trout in Europe.

Minnivallalaekur

Good size trout are in "Minni"

Tungulaekur
Best sea trout river in Iceland by a long way. Lightly fished, and by two rods only, it produces over 1,000 sea-trout a year. There’s also a by-catch of a couple of hundred salmon. A comfortable new lodge is now available to anglers. Ideal to combine with Minni, which is between capital Reykjavik and Tungulækur river.

Iceland seems to be in demand at the moment as enquiries for fishing are very high at the moment. Of course the currency exchange rate is making Iceland a cheaper option. Early bookings are advisable to secure a rod. Please get in touch to discuss your requirements.

Tungulaekur

New Tungulækur lodge and the northern lights!

 

PS: Keep abreast of all the best salmon fishing availability at:
www.silverrunpublishing.wordpress.com


Yours sincerely,
Þröstur Elliðason
Director

Smárarimi 30, P.O Box 12024 – 132 Reykjavík
Tel/Fax: 354 567 5204 – mobile. 354 660 6890

E-mail: ellidason@strengir.is - Web-page: www.strengir.is

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