A superb combination of fishing both Skoga and Vatnsa with a total of 6 rods for 6 days is a very interesting option for a group of friends or family to consider.
Skoga
Location
Skogafoss Waterfall, 150km east of Reykjavik
Summary
Season: 19 July - 30 September
Extent: 7km
Catches: 1,000+ char, 1560 salmon in 2008, 910 in 2009, 130 in 2010
Rods: 4
Guides: Available
Lodge: Self catering, sleeps 8
Notes: Fly & worm bait
Application form for 2011
Extent: 7km
Catches: 1,000+ char, 1560 salmon in 2008, 910 in 2009, 130 in 2010
Rods: 4
Guides: Available
Lodge: Self catering, sleeps 8
Notes: Fly & worm bait
Application form for 2011
Description
Skoga is medium volume river that empties into the Atlantic on the central south coast. Until in recent years it was mainly known for Skogafoss, an iconic tourist attraction in clear view from the Highway no.1. An imposing and beautiful falls, it now represents the final hurdle that the Atlantic salmon cannot outmanoeuver.
The topmost pool on the river is the deep pothole under the falls but it is a poor pool and anglers are beset there by tourists anyway.
However, below the foss pool one inviting looking pool takes over from another. They are primarily cut bank pools fished from gravel banks on the opposing banks. Just below the village of Skogar, the small tributary Kverna enters the main river. Kverna is an important river and many of the salmon hold in the junction pool.
Formerly Skoga was not a salmon river. It had a stock of sea trout and sea-run char, but there were no salmon except perhaps the odd lost fish looking for home. That all changed when the rivers manager, Mr Asgeir Asmundsson, started a smolt releasing scheme very much the same as rivers, particularly in the south, have been operating. The rivers in the south are generally colder than those in the west and north, yet the sea is warmer, thus providing a favorable place for smolts to eat and grow.
Asgeir has since been operating a growing smolt program and the returns and fishing in Skoga have been escalating to the point that a huge record catch was established during the 2008 season. A massive 1,560 salmon for four daily rods and the five year average around 600 salmon.
Skoga is one of Iceland's main late season rivers. It does not open up until early July and the fishing picks up gradually as the season goes on. Prime time would usually be from mid August until mid September but rainfalls and draughts can make these points of the season vary.
Skoga is a very popular river and has many regulars. The lodge is situated on the outskirts of the tiny village of Skogar, which sits just east of the river, above the main highway.
The comfortable self catering lodge includes a spacious living and dining room with TV, 2 WCs, seperate shower room, 4 double bedrooms sleeping 8 people + 2 portable rooms and has a fully equipped kitchen. On the veranda there are chairs, table and warm jacuzzi to relax in. Although it has a self catering facility the manager can arrange full service if required for a fixed price.
A superb combination of fishing both Skoga and Vatnsa with a total of 6 rods for 6 days is a very interesting option for a group of friends or family to consider.
The topmost pool on the river is the deep pothole under the falls but it is a poor pool and anglers are beset there by tourists anyway.
However, below the foss pool one inviting looking pool takes over from another. They are primarily cut bank pools fished from gravel banks on the opposing banks. Just below the village of Skogar, the small tributary Kverna enters the main river. Kverna is an important river and many of the salmon hold in the junction pool.
Formerly Skoga was not a salmon river. It had a stock of sea trout and sea-run char, but there were no salmon except perhaps the odd lost fish looking for home. That all changed when the rivers manager, Mr Asgeir Asmundsson, started a smolt releasing scheme very much the same as rivers, particularly in the south, have been operating. The rivers in the south are generally colder than those in the west and north, yet the sea is warmer, thus providing a favorable place for smolts to eat and grow.
Asgeir has since been operating a growing smolt program and the returns and fishing in Skoga have been escalating to the point that a huge record catch was established during the 2008 season. A massive 1,560 salmon for four daily rods and the five year average around 600 salmon.
Skoga is one of Iceland's main late season rivers. It does not open up until early July and the fishing picks up gradually as the season goes on. Prime time would usually be from mid August until mid September but rainfalls and draughts can make these points of the season vary.
Skoga is a very popular river and has many regulars. The lodge is situated on the outskirts of the tiny village of Skogar, which sits just east of the river, above the main highway.
The comfortable self catering lodge includes a spacious living and dining room with TV, 2 WCs, seperate shower room, 4 double bedrooms sleeping 8 people + 2 portable rooms and has a fully equipped kitchen. On the veranda there are chairs, table and warm jacuzzi to relax in. Although it has a self catering facility the manager can arrange full service if required for a fixed price.
A superb combination of fishing both Skoga and Vatnsa with a total of 6 rods for 6 days is a very interesting option for a group of friends or family to consider.
Vatnsa
Location
192km east of Reykjavik, 10km from Vik
Summary
Season: 25 July - 10 October
Extent: 3km
Catch: 5-1200 salmon, 1,000 trout and char
Rods: 2-3
Guides: Available
Lodge: Self catering lodge sleeps 6
Notes: Fly only with barbless hooks
Application form for 2011
Extent: 3km
Catch: 5-1200 salmon, 1,000 trout and char
Rods: 2-3
Guides: Available
Lodge: Self catering lodge sleeps 6
Notes: Fly only with barbless hooks
Application form for 2011
Description
Vatnsa is a work of art chiseled by nature's powers which consistently surprise people with their eternal diversities. It is a small river by volume although late season and autumn rains often bolster it. But the landscape looks like something out of an elfish adventure. And with pools full of salmon and sea trout it is easy to get lost in its solitude.Vatnsa is a mere three kilometers and has been fished with two daily rods recently. Yet it is fair to say that they hardly ever get the chance to cover the length of the river over the space of a single day when the fish are in. If you take the day and pack a lunch you may easily though walk the length of the river but at times you'll have to kick yourself out of some of the pools to keep going as it is simply too inviting to stay a little longer and try yet another fly over the pack of salmon at hand!
The first few hundred yards from the Lake Heidarvatn are even closed to anglers as the owner keeps the stretch to himself. That part mostly holds good size brown trout plus some salmon. But the main fishing area starts just off the small comfortable self catering lodge with the pool Fruarhylur. A pool that is historically stacked with fish. From then on, there are salmon and sea trout holding in every pool, every run, mirror and eddy. And in some places you can hardly see the bottom due to the massive carpet of salmon.
Vatnsa has always been a popular river with a modest stock of salmon and a run of sea trout that used to drive fast into the lake only to come back down close to the spawning season. It is a fertile river. Huge sea trout were a feature but they were seldom caught in the river as they tended to drive through to the lake Heidarvatn by night. They have often fallen to anglers on the lake, some weighing 15 to 20 pounds.
Several years ago a Swiss fish farmer, Rudy Lamprecht, purchased key properties and took control of the river. He has since enhanced the river hugely with a smolt releasing scheme that has taken the river from producing 150 salmon at best to yielding close to a 1,200 salmon in the 2010 season.
There are some strict rules for Vatnsa. It is Iceland's only river to ban barbed hooks. All female salmon must be released as must all male salmon over 70cm. And as you are only allowed to kill two cock fish under 70cm you might well find yourself releasing a lot of grilse cocks as well.
The lodge is good and comfortable. It has three bedrooms and is self catering. It is also within walking distance of several of the river's best pool, such as Fruarhylur, Karabolshylur, Horn, Svortuloft and Slagbjorn.
A superb combination of fishing both Skoga and Vatnsa with a total of 6 rods for 6 days is a very interesting option for a group of friends or family to consider.
Lake Heidarvatn
In addition there is also fishing to be had on Lake Heidarvatn.About us
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