Mýrarkvísl in Reykjahverfi
The summer of 2024 marked a significant year in the history of Mýrarkvísl, with a total of 406 salmon caught, making it the second-best salmon fishing season in the river’s history. This is only the sixth time since 1985 that the catch has exceeded 300 salmon. In comparison, the average catch since 1985 has been 190 salmon, with only the years 1985 (388 salmon), 1986 (490 salmon, a record year), 1992 (390 salmon), 2004 (357 salmon), 2005 (385 salmon), and 2006 (306 salmon) seeing similar heights.
After 2006, the catch declined significantly, with only 49 salmon caught in 2007. The salmon fishing did not recover until 2022 when more than 200 salmon were caught. Between 2007 and 2022, the catch was below 100 salmon most years, and the average catch over the past 10 years has been only 145 salmon. This trend highlights how important the success of the past three years has been for Mýrarkvísl, with the average catch for the last three years now at 320 salmon.
Fishing by Location
Mýrarkvísl offers diverse fishing spots, and several of them were especially productive during the summer of 2024. Here is a breakdown of the number of salmon caught at the top fishing locations:
| Location | Number of Salmon |
|---|---|
| Gæsahólmi | 51 |
| Garðspollur | 49 |
| Krókhylur | 48 |
| Nafarhylur | 30 |
| Langalygna | 25 |
| Gljúfrapollur | 22 |
| Skurðendi | 20 |
| Brúarhylur | 15 |
| Borgarhúsapollur | 12 |
While some locations contributed significantly to the total catch, the fishing was spread across the river. Locations like Gæsahólmi, Garðspollur, Krókhylur, and Nafarhylur yielded a high number of salmon, but many other spots also proved fruitful during the summer.
Catch Spread Across Many Locations
The fishing in 2024 was varied, with many of Mýrarkvísl’s popular fishing spots contributing to the total. Here is an overview of locations that made a contribution to the catch, though with lower numbers than those mentioned previously:
| Location | Number of Salmon |
|---|---|
| Hólmapollur | 7 |
| Trölladyr | 6 |
| Seláspollur | 6 |
| Stokkhylur | 8 |
| Straumbrot | 6 |
| Túnapollur | 6 |
| Kletthylur | 6 |
| Táarhylur | 5 |
| Voðhylur | 2 |
| Ármót-Syðri | 4 |
| Heimahylur | 3 |
| Víðihólmar | 3 |
| Höfðaflúð | 5 |
| Höfðaflúð neðri | 2 |
| Keldupollur | 1 |
| Írland | 1 |
Though these locations didn’t yield as many fish as the top spots, they still provided good catches for anglers.
Healthy Grilse and Large Salmon in Mýrarkvísl 2024
The summer of 2024 was remarkable for many reasons, not least of which was the condition of the grilse (young salmon). The grilse were particularly well-nourished this year, indicating that both sea and river conditions were favorable for the young salmon’s growth. This well-nourished grilse is a clear sign that the stock is in good health. This bodes well for the future, as healthy grilse suggest good conditions in the sea.
Average Size and Largest Salmon
Looking at the larger salmon caught this summer, it is clear that this was also a season for big fish. The average size of salmon was 66.7 cm, which is quite impressive and indicates that both grilse and larger two-year-old salmon were caught. While the average size is noteworthy, several large fish stood out.
A total of 13 salmon over 90 cm were caught in Mýrarkvísl this summer. The largest fish of the season was a stunning 100 cm female, one of the largest females caught in the river in recent years, and it was caught using a hitch fly.
Thanks to the Anglers of Mýrarkvísl 2024
At Iceland Fishing Guide, we would like to extend our deepest thanks to all the anglers who visited Mýrarkvísl this summer. The success this summer was outstanding, with the second-best salmon season in the river’s history, and you anglers played a large role in achieving this.
Whether you caught a big salmon or more grilse, we hope you enjoyed your fishing trip and experienced the unique natural beauty and joy of fishing that Mýrarkvísl has to offer. It’s always a pleasure to see anglers return year after year, and we are grateful for the trust you have placed in us and the river.
We look forward to seeing you again next summer, with even more fishing excitement and new memories awaiting you along the banks of Mýrarkvísl.
Best regards,
The Iceland Fishing Guide Team