SALMON ALL ROUND

If you compare the ‘headline’ East Ranga catches year on year to 2020, you might think that 2021 is very, very slow fishing! However the quality and size of the fish being landed in 2021 is truly outstanding and certainly makes up in many respects for the sheer volume experienced in 2020.

The week of 18-24 July 2021 was testament to just that. A friends and family group of 26 took the river and lodge privately, including the nearby Affall (4 rod river) and the lower river below Beat 1, called Holsa “Eystribakki” (means “East Bank”).

Having such a big group was a real test for the lodge and guide teams, all of which rose to meet the challenge with a smile and efficiency that ensured maximum fun was had by the guests. 

This group included about 40% experienced fishers, 30% relatively inexperienced fishers, and 30% who had never fished before / or never for salmon. There were lots of non fishing activities organised each day – not least of all the chance to witness a live volcano - and a fair bit of revelry besides that resulted in an average rod effort of around 15 rods per day.

Despite wind, rain and extremely cold water for 4 of the 6 days (…welcome to summer in Iceland…), every single person landed salmon, and at the week’s end more than 260 salmon had been landed, including just over 100 multi sea winter salmon. The largest half dozen tipping the scales at either side of 20lbs, and dozens in the 12-18lb range. The outstanding quality of the fish has to be seen to be believed – deep, broad-shouldered fish, that fight like crazy without exception.

Notes from what was a very fun week:

First salmon landed (Marialax): Masha, Harriet, Catherine, Beka, Paddy, Max, Jeremy

Best Lunch: Pizza & Claret in Jonas’ riverside “Lupin Bar” (tent survived 5 days!)

Best Dinner: Marialax Ceremony on the final evening

Best Joke: (Sean’s – of course unrepeatable)

Best all round performance: Poppy (efficient salmon catcher & activity explorer)

Most punctual fisher: Chris

Most tardy fisher: Jason 

Largest fish: Reade (98cm / 9.5kgs.)

As I write this we are now seeing the first meaningful runs of grilse (big grilse in the 2.7– 3.5kg range), so in effect the season is running around 3 weeks later than the norm. It will be incredibly interesting to see how the rest of the summer fares. Our fingers are crossed for all those venturing to the East Ranga!