This group designs immersive journeys across Iceland that go far beyond the expected, blending world-class fly fishing with the country’s raw beauty, culture, and sense of adventure.
From the moment you arrive, every detail is thoughtfully arranged to create a seamless and memorable experience. Their private lodges offer comfort in remote, breathtaking settings, while our team ensures each day flows effortlessly—whether you’re on the water, exploring the landscape, or simply taking it all in.
The itineraries are built around more than just fishing. Venture into the Highlands, walk along black sand beaches, explore volcanic terrain, or unwind in natural geothermal hot springs. Each trip is tailored to strike the perfect balance between adventure and relaxation, shaped entirely by your interests.
With deep local knowledge and trusted partnerships throughout the country, we open doors to places and experiences few travelers ever reach. The result is a journey that feels both personal and unforgettable.
Whether you’re traveling for the solitude, the scenery, or the sense of discovery, we create experiences that capture the true spirit of Iceland—where every day offers something remarkable, both on and off the water.
With multiple lodges located throughout the region, this trip can be entirely customized to fit your desires.
Sea Run Brown Trout
Sea-run brown trout in Iceland are the migratory form of brown trout, spending years feeding in the North Atlantic before returning to freshwater. This ocean phase produces thick, chrome-bright fish that commonly range from 5–10 pounds, with many larger.
How they’re fished:
Fishing is aggressive and methodical, focused on covering water and triggering predatory strikes:
• Streamers are key—baitfish patterns, often weighted, fished on floating, sink-tip, or full-sink lines depending on depth and flow
• Swinging flies through runs and tailouts, similar to light salmon or steelhead tactics
• Stripping retrieves across current seams, undercut banks, and slow pools
• Targeting structure and soft water where fish hold during migration
Spring fish (post-spawn) are especially aggressive and responsive to streamers, while fall fish (fresh from the ocean) are powerful and often hold in lower river systems.
Atlantic Salmon
Atlantic salmon in Iceland are prized for their strength, beauty, and the classic style of fishing they demand. These migratory fish—Atlantic salmon—return from the North Atlantic each summer, running clear, structured rivers where they hold in defined pools and runs.
How to catch them:
• Swinging flies is the standard—presenting small, often lightly dressed salmon flies across current using single-hand or two-hand (Spey) rods
• Fish are targeted in named pools, working methodically from top to bottom with controlled casts and mends
• Floating or intermediate lines are most common due to Iceland’s clear, shallow rivers
• Flies are typically small and subtle (hairwings, tube flies), adjusted for light, water level, and conditions
• Success comes from presentation and repetition, not feeding behavior—salmon strike out of instinct or aggression
Trout and Char
Resident Brown Trout – brown trout
Fishing for resident browns in Iceland is often technical and highly visual, especially in clear rivers and lakes:
• Dry fly fishing to rising fish during hatches—precise casts and drag-free drifts are critical
• Nymphing with light rigs in riffles and runs, often sight-casting to individual fish
• Streamer fishing for larger trout, stripping or swinging patterns along drop-offs and structure
• Stealth matters—long leaders, careful wading, and accurate presentations in ultra-clear water
Arctic Char – Arctic char
Char are aggressive and versatile, making them ideal for a range of techniques in both rivers and lakes:
• Streamer fishing is highly effective—fast strips often trigger aggressive takes
• Nymphing in current seams and deeper runs when fish are holding
• Dry flies during surface activity, though takes can be quick and less selective than trout
• In lakes, sight-fishing and stripping flies along shorelines or drop-offs is common
Both species reward adaptability—switching between dries, nymphs, and streamers based on light, weather, and water conditions is key to success in Iceland.
With limited rods and rested water, anglers can move deliberately through productive runs without pressure. The result is a highly visual, high-impact style of fishing—where eats are decisive and the fights are strong, fast, and often unpredictable. The outfitter has spent many years developing relationships that allow the guests to have access to water that many other travelling anglers could only imagine.
Fishing Season in Iceland
The Icelandic fishing season runs from April 1 to October 31, but each river and lake has its own specific open dates. Waters are strictly closed during the off-season to protect fish populations.
Prime Times by Location and Species:
• Lake Thingvallavatn: Best for large “ice age” brown trout from April to June and September.
• Highland rivers (Kaldakvísl, Tungnaá): Peak fishing occurs from June to August for trout and Arctic char.
This variation ensures anglers experience each fishery at its most productive while respecting local conservation practices.
Shuttle Service to the Lodge
Travel from your home to The Lodge is seamless. After your flight into either Keflavik or Reykjavik, a shuttle is available to take you from the airport or your Reykjavík hotel directly to the lodge. You can also choose a drop-off location along the route for convenience.
Departure from Keflavík Airport
Departure from Reykjavík
The Rates of these trips very Based on the you select the number of days and the lodge that best fits the species and timing of your visit
Please reach out and get in touch with us so that together we can determine the best season and lodge to match the target species that you would most like to catch while visiting Iceland.
TRIP INSURANCE
Travel Insurance Fish Nation strongly recommends that you protect yourself and the cost of your next adventure by learning more about Redpoint Travel Insurance.
Please visit: https://redpointtravelprotection.com/partner/huntnation/