FISHING EXPERIENCE
The East Ranga is often referred to as being the “perfect size”. This means large enough to be interesting and keep some of its secrets, but small enough to cover most holding spots well with a 12-14ft double handed rod or indeed a switch or single handed rod in many cases.
EAST RANGA AN extraordinary SALMON RIVER IN ICELAND.
The river is characterised by a very consistent flow, and consequently the fly swings well over ledges, rocks, channels and other holding areas that proliferate each beat. Despite a good current, the smooth volcanic sand riverbed means wading can be made as easy as desired and indeed many pools can be fished from the dry bank.
The water temperature remains cold throughout the summer, and therefore ideal tackle would include a sink tip line or sinking leader and small copper / brass tube flies. Having said this, fishers should not forget their Sunray Shadow or Collie Dog tube flies or other attractor patterns that can cause explosive sport in certain pools and conditions.
A reasonable expectation might be for fishers to average 3-6 fish landed per day with many more lost on the way, of course this varies according to conditions, individual skills and experience.
The East Ranga guides are friendly, attentive and eager for you to succeed. They are patient with beginners (and most of them can offer excellent casting tuition) but also very good with experienced rods (being accomplished fishermen themselves) and understand what people are looking for in a day.
TACKLE & CLOTHING.
Rods, lines & reels
Rods: 12 - 14’ double handed rods for 7 - 9wt lines (14’ outfits – Loop - are available to hire at the lodge), 9 - 11’ single handed or switch rods for 8 – 9wt lines
Reels: 8 – 10wt reel, with good drag system and 150-200m of 30lb+ backing
Lines: Multi-head lines (float, int., slow and fast sink tips) Shooting head lines for switch and single handed
Leader / Tippet: Range of 7-10ft polyleaders (slow and fast sink), Tapered Leaders: 9’ tapered to 15lbs and 20lbs, Spools of tippet material 12lb / 15lb / 20lb
Flies
Range of tube flies such as: Fish Skull ¾ - 1” tube (pink, green, blue), Frances ¼ - ½” tungsten or copper (black, red, orange), Snaelda ¼ - ½” tungsten or copper (German, Franken’), Friggi ½ - 1” (claret, black, purple, chartreuse), Monkey tube(black, yellow, pink) overall 7-9cm, Hot-head Sunray Shadow / Collie Dog overall 5-9cm
Surface flies: Larger Hitch Tubes ¾ - 1½ “ tube, Bomber hook size single hook size 4 - 6, Green Machine hook size 6 - 10
Hooks / Tube Hooks: Single sizes 4 - 10 Double / treble sizes 6 – 12
Clothing & Useful Gear
Wading: Waders (breathable or neoprene as water cold), Wading boots (rubber with / without studs), Wading jacket, Wading Belt, Wading Stick (ideally collapsible)
Clothing: Cap / hat, Sun Gloves, Polarised Sunglasses, Buff, Multiple thin layers of underclothing, Fleece / “Puffer” jacket, Warm socks, Casual clothing for mealtimes / evenings
Useful Extras: Forceps / Pliers / Fishing ‘Tool’, Measuring Tape, Waterproof Bag / Backpack / Fishing Bag, Camera (water resistant / waterproof), SPF lotion
The east ranga.
The East Ranga is one of the most productive Atlantic salmon rivers in the world. The season runs for just 120 days, from mid June to early October, but with an average annual catch of over 4,000 salmon the river is quite extraordinary, even by high Icelandic standards.
The Lodge.
The lodge complex is comprised of 10 buildings, all linked by a wooden walkway and veranda, pair of hot tubs and a small sauna. Guests are accommodated in fully furnished rooms each with either twin or double bed and private bathroom.
