Useful Information

About us

Iceland Fishing Guide – Iceland Hunting Guide

 

Iceland Fishing Guide is a family-run business that was formed in 2009. We pride ourselves on providing high-quality service as a fly fishing outfitter and angling service in Iceland. Our team is dedicated to ensuring that our customers have an unforgettable fishing experience.

Services
At Iceland Fishing Guide, we not only sell fishing licenses but also operate lodges for our customers to stay in during their fishing trips. Our skilled team of guides are passionate about fishing and are able to provide expert advice and assistance to our customers.

Experience
With over a decade of experience in the fishing industry, Iceland Fishing Guide has established itself as a leader in the field. Our team is committed to providing the best possible fishing experience for our customers, whether they are seasoned anglers or beginners.

Customer Satisfaction
Customer satisfaction is our top priority at Iceland Fishing Guide. We strive to exceed our customers’ expectations by providing exceptional service and ensuring that every aspect of their fishing trip is taken care of.

Contact Us
If you are interested in booking a fishing trip with Iceland Fishing Guide, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Our team is always happy to answer any questions you may have and help you plan the perfect fishing adventure in Iceland.

 

Travel information & Commonly asked questions

WELCOME

Arrival at Keflavik International Airport. On arrival you will enter the main reception area of Keflavik International Airport and continue downstairs to the Baggage Reclaim and Duty Free area. Having collected your bags and fishing equipment, you will pass through the customs zone and will be asked to disinfect any visible fishing gear you might have.

Transfer to Reykjavik/Reykjavik Domestic Airport:

Having passed through customs you will be met by your transfer driver (if you have requested one to be arranged for you by Iceland Fishing Guide), they will take you either to Reykjavik to overnight (less than one hour drive) or directly to Reykjavik Domestic Airport to catch a connecting flight to Akureyri.
Complimentary pickup from Akureyri airport is provided for arrivals at both 11:50 and 12:50. Should you need a custom pickup time on your arrival day, please note that a fee may apply.

Pre-Travel information for Iceland Fishing Guide:

When booking your transfers between Keflavik International Airport and Reykjavik with Iceland Fishing Guide please remember to supply your flight details in full as early as possible.

Flying or driving to Akureyri:

With multiple daily flights offered by Air Iceland to Akureyri, there’s a chance you can continue your journey on the same day of arrival; otherwise, an overnight stay will be necessary. Feel free to reach out to us for hotel recommendations. Akureyri boasts numerous excellent restaurants and a comprehensive range of amenities, including Vinbudin, the sole alcoholic beverage vendor in Iceland. If you arrive before closing time, you may want to visit and purchase wine, beer, or spirits, noting the limited opening hours. Another option is to rent a car in Reykjavík and drive to Akureyri independently. You can either drive directly to our lodges or return the car in Akureyri and arrange for your guide to pick you up.

Departure day:

Transfer back to Akureyri is complimentary on departure day for the afternoon flight out of Akureyri, departing from the lodge at 13:00. Should you require a custom departure time, please note that there may be an associated charge.

Useful information for travel planning and other recommendations:

Icelandair, Iceland’s largest airline. Go to: www.icelandair.com To see their schedule from European or US cities. Air Iceland www.airiceland.is Is the domestic carrier from Reykjavik’s domestic airport to other major destinations in Iceland. Chartered Flight. Upon request, a chartered flight can be arranged to Akureyri from Reykjavik. Please contact Iceland Fishing Guide for details.

Icelandair operates both the international flights and domestic flights so if you are booking your flight with Iceland air then you can choose Akureyri as your destination and you can book the flights with the same baggage allowance. Their website is https://www.icelandair.com/.

Iceland Fishing guide Contact Details:

Emergency Numbers If you experience problems during travel, please feel free to call: Iceland Fishing Guide: +354-4499905. The number to dial for Icelandic emergency services is: Police & Ambulance: 112
Insurance:
Iceland Fishing Guide recommends that guests take out travel insurance and trip cancellation insurance. Please contact your insurance company for assistance. Thank you. We wish you safe travels, a fantastic visit to Iceland and tight lines. Have a great time at the river.

Alcoholic Beverages:

Alcoholic and soft drinks are not included as part of the fishing package. Alcoholic drinks are available at the lodge at reasonable prices. You can also purchase your alcoholic drinks in the “Vinbudin” Reykjavik, Akureyri, Egilsstadir, Vopnafjordur or Thorshofn.

Internet & Telephone:

The signal on all of our rivers is fairly good and there is free wifi in the lodges.

Gratuities & Currency:

Gratuity should be done in cash. It is normal for each fisherman to tip approximately $100 per day to their guide if they have a single guide while $50 for each angler if two people are sharing a guide. Gratuity to the house staff is $25 per person per day.
Please remember that the staff rely on tips as part of their income for the hard work and long days they work during our short season. Please do not feel obliged to tip unless you feel you have received an excellent level of service.

Self Drive Itinerary:

Many of our clients would like to spend a few days before or after the fishing trip exploring Iceland’s natural wonders. If you are planning to do this we can help out with all your planning, book a rental car, hotels and build the whole itinerary with recommended places to see and explore.

Travel Insurance:

It is strongly advised by Iceland Fishing Guide for all anglers to acquire Medical Evacuation Insurance. Global Rescue is the recommended provider for this service.
Additionally, it is highly encouraged to obtain Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance. For more details, please visit global rescue’s site and get a quote by clicking the logo below.

 

Fly Fishing in Iceland and Conservation Efforts:

Pristine Rivers: Iceland is renowned for its pristine rivers, offering some of the best fly fishing opportunities in the world. These rivers are home to abundant populations of Atlantic salmon, brown trout, Arctic char, and sea trout.

Catch and Release: Conservation efforts in Iceland prioritize catch and release practices to ensure the sustainability of fish populations. Anglers are encouraged to release their catches unharmed, contributing to the preservation of the ecosystem and maintaining healthy fish stocks.

Seasonal Regulations: Iceland implements seasonal regulations to protect spawning fish and sensitive habitats. Certain rivers may have specific fishing seasons and restrictions to minimize disturbances during critical periods of fish reproduction.

Habitat Protection: Conservation initiatives focus on preserving the natural habitats of fish species by safeguarding river ecosystems from pollution, habitat degradation, and invasive species. Efforts are made to maintain water quality and restore degraded habitats to support thriving fish populations.

Voluntary Contributions: Anglers visiting Iceland often contribute to conservation efforts through voluntary donations or fees associated with fishing permits. These funds are allocated towards research, habitat restoration projects, and educational programs aimed at promoting sustainable fishing practices.

Environmental Awareness: Fly fishing outfitters, guides, and local communities play a crucial role in raising awareness about environmental conservation among anglers. Education initiatives emphasize the importance of respecting natural ecosystems, minimizing environmental impact, and practicing responsible angling techniques.

Collaborative Partnerships: Conservation efforts in Iceland involve collaboration between government agencies, non-profit organizations, fisheries management authorities, and the angling community. These partnerships work towards implementing effective conservation strategies, monitoring fish populations, and enforcing regulations to ensure the long-term viability of fly fishing in Iceland.

Overall, fly fishing in Iceland is not only a rewarding recreational activity but also an opportunity to engage in conservation efforts aimed at preserving the country’s pristine rivers and valuable fish populations for future generations.

Catch & Release:

All salmon in our rivers must be released but we take trout and char here and there for the chef to prepare in the lodge. Iceland is seeing a huge effort being put into researching and preserving the fish stocks in these beautiful and sensitive rivers by leaseholders, farmers and fishermen alike. The leaseholders of many of Iceland’s prime rivers work throughout the year with the Fisheries Institute and other regulatory and research bodies of water to assess fish stocks and spawning success rates and are constantly striving to improve the welfare of the Icelandic salmon and trout population and provide information about the Icelandic success story for the benefit of other Atlantic salmon systems.

When you’ve hooked a salmon or a large trout:

Learn to fight salmon and trout aggressively. Most fishermen play salmon too timidly, this causes people to lose more fish than when putting the heat on them. Remember, however, to ‘bow’ to a fish when it jumps. Learn to anticipate jumps as the line is running out and surfacing at the same time. Be prepared and drop your rod forward and down when the fish jumps, rather than keeping tight line tension on him at that moment which can lead to breakage of the tippet.
Learn to fight a salmon aggressively. Most fishermen play salmon too timidly, this causes people to lose more fish than when putting the heat on them. Remember, however, to ‘bow’ to a salmon when he jumps. Learn to anticipate jumps as the line is running out and surfacing at the same time. Be prepared and drop your rod forward and down when the fish jumps, rather than keeping tight line tension on him at that moment which can lead to breakage of the tippet.

 

Disinfecting Your Gear

 It is mandatory to disinfect all fishing gear that has been in contact with water in other countries before traveling to Iceland. This includes rods, reels, flies, fly lines, waders, and boots. We offer our guests a disinfection service for $50 per person, which will be conducted in Akureyri before heading to the lodge. This precaution is essential to safeguard the pristine Icelandic rivers from any potential risk of infection from bacteria or diseases that may be present on foreign equipment.

If you prefer to travel light, no worries! We can supply all the fishing gear, waders, boots, rods and reels with lines. The price for this is $50 per day.

Another way to disinfect and the choice of more and more anglers is to disinfect the gear at home before travel. You can order the material used for this beforehand and disinfect your gear in the comfort of your own home. 

Recommended Tackle for Fishing in Our Rivers

Rods:

For trout and char, single-handed rods are most effective. We suggest 9 or 10 ft fly single-hand rods with floating lines, ranging from 4 to 6wt. Short to medium length casts are typically employed in trout fishing. Ensure you have a quality fly reel that can accommodate the appropriate line for your rod, along with quality backing.

For sea trout fishing, we recommend 7wt single-hand rods with floating lines, and for Atlantic salmon, opt for 7 or 8wt rods. Keep in mind that salmon and sea trout can weigh up to 20lbs+, so ensure your drag and backing are in good condition.

Reels:

You will need a reel with a sturdy brake system and plenty of backing. The fish in Iceland can be sizable, so it’s crucial to have a reel that can assist you in battling these formidable creatures.

Flies:

We have a fly shop at the lodge where you can secure a box of flies for your trip. Typically, we offer two sizes of boxes with the most popular patterns. The smaller box is priced at $200 (40-50 flies), and the larger box at $400 (80-100 flies).

Waders:

Wearing waders is essential for fishing in all our rivers. They allow you to cross the river safely and sit on damp banks during rainy periods without getting wet and cold. Be sure to test your waders beforehand to ensure they are watertight. We recommend Gore-Tex/breathable waders of good quality for comfort and ease of movement. Consider bringing a collapsible wading staff for added stability, especially if you’re unsure of your footing. If you prefer not to wade, please inform your guide so adjustments can be made accordingly.

Lines:

Floating lines are used in our rivers 98% of the time. However, having a sink tip in your pocket can be useful in case of high or colored water conditions.

Leaders & Tippet Material:

Trout in Iceland are not particularly leader shy, so you can generally use 3x tippet for nymphs and dry flies, and 1x for streamers. However, for challenging dry fly conditions, it’s advisable to have 4x and 5x tippet. For sea-run brown trout and salmon fishing, ensure you have spare spools of quality tippet ranging from 25 lbs down to a minimum of 15 lbs.

Recommended Clothing & Outerwear:

• Chest waders (preferably Gore- Tex/ breathable for comfort and mobility)
  • Waterproof wading or fishing jacket or wading vest with hood
  • Fleece type windproof jacket
  • Waterproof hood or hat
  • Peaked cap or hat to assist vision into the water • Fishing shirts – ideally cotton or brushed cotton/wool
  • Warm sweater or fleeces
  • Warm, comfortable wading socks
  • Thermal/microfiber long underwear
  • Warm fishing trousers
  • Light fishing gloves (open mitt is excellent for improved line control)
  • Light windbreaker jacket
  • Life vest, pack or inflation belt
  • Wading staff (ideally folding)
  • Polaroid glasses (one spare pair is ideal) with amber or light brown lenses.
  • Comfortable, casual clothing for travel and for wearing at the lodge
  • Suitable transformer for electric shaver or other appliance (Iceland has 220 240 volt, 50 cycle current)

The Beat System In Iceland

 

Iceland is home to a unique river system known as the beat system, where each river is divided into multiple beats. Each beat typically allows a limited number of rods, usually between 1 to 3 rods per beat. This setup makes fishing in Iceland a highly exclusive experience, considered one of the best in the world. The beat system not only ensures anglers’ privacy while fishing but also helps protect fish stocks from excessive pressure. For instance, one of Iceland’s rivers spans 37 kilometers but only permits 4 rods per day, creating a truly wild and unpressured fishing environment.

Terms & conditions

Booking & Deposits

 To confirm your booking, payment must be made in full in advance via bank transfer or credit card. A minimum deposit of 50% is required upon confirmation, with flexibility for the remaining payment. Bookings made well in advance must be settled in full before the trip. If you have specific payment requests, please let us know, and we will do our best to accommodate them.

Refunds & Cancellations

Refunds for fishing permits will only be issued in the event of a cancellation by us due to unsafe conditions or other determining factors, unless the permits can be resold. Refunds for guiding and accommodations are available for cancellations made more than 90 days prior to the trip. It is your responsibility to ensure the accuracy of your booking dates, though we will strive to be flexible in case of any misunderstandings.

Newsletter

By booking with us, you consent to receiving our newsletter, which you can opt out of after the initial communication.

Photos from the trip

All photos taken during the trip are the property of Iceland Fishing Guide and may be used for promotional purposes. If you wish, we can provide you with an album of the trip photos.

Sustainable Fishing Policies

You are required to adhere to the fishing regulations in Iceland, as well as any specific rules set by individual river managers. These rules may include catch limits, catch-and-release practices, tackle restrictions, and fishing times. Familiarize yourself with the rules of the lake or river you plan to visit on our website before booking. If you have any questions about the rules, please ask your guide for clarification.

Terms & Conditions

You must pay for any damage you cause to any rods and reels that you damage or lose, even if accidentally.

You are not liable for any normal wear and tear or gear failures, such as reels jamming or rods breaking when the rod to line angle is greater than 90 degrees. Rods do occasionally break when used improperly, and we can advise you on this if you are unsure, so please just ask.

You enter every river on your own responsibility and we can not be held liable for injuries sustained while on the trip so at any point if you feel unsure about doing something please tell your guide and he will take you to another spot. We are insured for injuries in car accidents or other vehicles that might come up during your trip.

Limitation of liability

Iceland Fishing Guide shall not be held liable for any injuries or property damage, whether direct or indirect, arising from your trip with us. By booking with us, you acknowledge and accept these terms, conditions, and policies. Iceland Fishing Guide reserves the right to amend these terms at any time.

About us

Iceland Fishing Guide – Iceland Hunting Guide

Iceland Fishing Guide is a family-run business that was formed in 2009. We pride ourselves on providing high-quality service as a fly fishing outfitter and angling service in Iceland. Our team is dedicated to ensuring that our customers have an unforgettable fishing experience.

Services
At Iceland Fishing Guide, we not only sell fishing licenses but also operate lodges for our customers to stay in during their fishing trips. Our skilled team of guides are passionate about fishing and are able to provide expert advice and assistance to our customers.

Experience
With over a decade of experience in the fishing industry, Iceland Fishing Guide has established itself as a leader in the field. Our team is committed to providing the best possible fishing experience for our customers, whether they are seasoned anglers or beginners.

Customer Satisfaction
Customer satisfaction is our top priority at Iceland Fishing Guide. We strive to exceed our customers’ expectations by providing exceptional service and ensuring that every aspect of their fishing trip is taken care of.

Contact Us
If you are interested in booking a fishing trip with Iceland Fishing Guide, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Our team is always happy to answer any questions you may have and help you plan the perfect fishing adventure in Iceland.