Introduction

Lónsá is one of Northeast Iceland’s most exciting and intimate fly fishing rivers, known for its clear water, sea-run char, and strong stock of brown trout. Located on the Langanes Peninsula near the village of Þórshöfn, the river offers world-class sight fishing from April through September. In this guide, we highlight the Best flies for Lónsá, including recommended patterns, sizes, and seasonal tactics to help you match the conditions and fish the river effectively.

Read more about Laxá trout beats here

Character of the River

Lónsá is a small but dynamic river system flowing through open tundra and farmland before reaching its estuary and lagoon. With only four rods allowed per day and several rest days between each fishing group, the river remains lightly pressured and highly productive.

Lower River & Estuary – Char and Sea-Run Trout Territory

The lower river is where the first big events of the season unfold. Sea-run brown trout and Arctic char push in and out with the tides, often feeding aggressively on tiny scuds and gammarus in shallow, glass-clear water. When conditions align, you can sight-fish to schools of char moving upstream in waves—an experience many anglers describe as unlike anything else in Iceland.

Upper River – Classic Trout & Char Water

Above the estuary influence, Lónsá becomes a more traditional trout stream with riffles, small pools, and delicate holding water. Here, accurate presentations and stealth are essential, as the trout and char spook easily in the crystal-clear water.

Lagoon (Sauðaneslón)

The lagoon connected to the river holds large numbers of Arctic char in spring. These fish can be picky, feeding on specific micro-organisms. Once you identify what they want, the action becomes fast and unforgettable.

Species

Brown Trout (Resident & Sea-Run)

Lónsá holds both resident brown trout and sea-run browns that move in and out with the tides. Sea-run fish are the primary target  and are very powerful in the clear, shallow water.

Arctic Char (Resident & Sea-Run)

Sea-run Arctic char begin entering the river around mid-May and run strongly through August and September. These fish are a major highlight of Lónsá, especially during peak runs. Resident char are also present in the lagoon and upper river.

Atlantic Salmon (Occasional)

A few Atlantic salmon enter the system later in summer and into autumn. They are not abundant but are caught as bycatch each season.

Recommended Flies for Lónsá on Langenes peninsula

Below are the patterns that consistently perform on river Lónsá and Lónsá estuary

Nymphs for Lónsá (#12–20)

• Pheasant Tail – #12–20

• Beykir – #12–18 (classic Icelandic pattern)

• Zebra Midge – #16–22

• Blow Torch – #12–16

• Krókurinn – #12–16 (classic Icelandic pattern)

• Squirmy Wormy – #12

• Bloodworm – #12–18

• Micro Mop – #14

• Hrafna – #12 – 16 (classic Icelandic pattern)

• Perdigons – #12–16

• Sexy walts – #12 – 16
• Orange, Olive and Brown Scuds – #12 -16

Sea-run char and sea-run browns crush bright, flashy nymphs early in the season. As summer progresses, char become selective and smaller, more natural patterns dominate.

Dry Flies for Lónsá (Size Range: #10–20)

• Elk Hair Caddis (Tan) – #14–10

• Griffiths Gnat – #20–14

• Parachute Adams – #18–14

• Klinkhammer – #18–12

• Galdralöpp – #14–10 (classic Icelandic pattern)

• F-Fly – #20–14

• Black Gnat – #12–18

• Cahill Dark  – #18 – 14
• Various midge patterns – #22 – 16

Dry fly action is best in mid-summer when trout and char hold high in the water

• Black Ghost – #10–6

• Rektor – #10–6 (classic Icelandic pattern)

• Dentist – #10–8

• Grettir – #10–6 (classic Icelandic pattern)

• Gray Ghost – #10–6

• Nobbler (white/pink/orange) – #12–6

• Dýrbítur (classic Icelandic pattern)

• Strympa – #10 – 6 (classic Icelandic pattern)

• Small Gamechangers / Sex Dungeon / Circus Peanut

• Wooly Bugger (various colours) – #10–6

Streamers work extremely well in the estuary, baitfish patterns for trout and small colorful streamers for char. Streamers also become the main tool later in September when brown trout migrate upriver from the estuary.

Wet flies/Soft hackles

• • Partridge & Orange – #14–18

  • Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail – #12–18

  • Hot Spot Spider – #14–18

  • Soft Hackle Hare’s Ear – #14–18

  • Teal and Black – #14–18

  • Partridge & Yellow – #14–18

  • Starling & Herl – #14–18

• Perfect for spooky midsummer trout—swing them across glassy stretches or fish them upstream with a long leader.

Seasonal conditions and fly choice for Lónsá

Mid-May – July (Prime Char Runs)

This is when Lónsá becomes magical.

• silver char and sea run browns entering daily

• Larger char in the early runs

• Bright attractor nymphs → most effective in the upper rive

Late July -August  

• Stable feeding periods. transition to smaller natural nymphs (#16–20) as they become selective

• Good dry fly action

• Char still present but more selective

• Nymphing with delicate setups is crucial

September – End of Season

• Brown trout begin migrating upriver

• Streamers become highly effective

• Trout hit aggressively and chase flies long distances

• A big portion of the char will have moved way up stream.

Starter Pack – Essential Flies for Lónsá

A simple but effective fly box should include:

Nymphs

PT’s, sexy walts, Blowtorch (#12–18)

Dries

Elk Hair Caddis, Adams, F-Fly, Klinkhammer (#12–20)

Streamers

Black Ghost, Rektor, Wooly Bugger, small pink streamer (#6–10)

Fly Boxes

We do have a small fly shop, stocked with all of our favorite and most reliable patterns for both trout and salmon. If you would like a ready made selection tailored to the exact conditions of your trip, we can prepare a fly box in advance and have it waiting for you upon arrival.

Small Fly Box – 40–50 flies
Price: 35,000 ISK

Large Fly Box – 80–100 flies
Price: 60,000 ISK

For avid fly tyers

Here is a playlist with fly tying instructions that include many of the patterns mentioned above.

Trout flies: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLg9oZg6t-hmWXf8SXHic_MvNfp8Qe-6bS

Not the Only Flies That Work

While these are the flies we regularly recommend for Lónsá, they are by no means the only patterns that catch fish and each spring, summer, autumn is different, so its always best to be prepared for everything. We strongly encourage anglers to bring their own favorites and “secret weapons,” as many of the successful trout flies used worldwide also perform extremely well here. Sea run trout and char respond to a wide variety of patterns, so having a diverse selection is always an advantage.