Laxa I Dolum

Laxa I Dolum is an attractive river with good variety of pools over its length.  The fishing is typically split into 3 beats with a pair of anglers and a guide fishing each beat.   The style of fishing is classic light-rod Icelandic fishing.  Hitched flies, long leaders, clear water, rocky pools with impressive surroundings.  Spotting a salmon, rising it by one means or another, and then working to get it on the hook is all part of the game.  You might spend half a fishing session working on a single good fish, changing flies, presentation and tactics to catch it.  The huge sense of achievement should outweigh any anxiety over the time spent doing so.

For the most part a single-handed rod will allow you to cover all the pools although a light switch rod can be an advantage on the days when it is windy or where back casts are awkward due to high banks and cliffs.   The fishing is fly only and although anglers are welcome to take salmon, catch and release is encouraged and widely practiced.

All the pools have excellent vehicle access and in the relatively few areas where wading is required it is typically very straightforward.

The fishing lodge has been very recently refurbished.  The lodge has a warm but stylish décor, lit in the evening by scented candles giving it a sumptuous spa like feeling.   There are 6 twin en-suite bedrooms giving a capacity for a group of up to 12 anglers when rod sharing.  The main living area consists of a comfortable area to relax with grand leather Chesterfield sofas, bar area for guests drinks and a spacious dining table.  A very talented chef ensures the cuisine is of an exceptional standard, catering for all tastes and diets.   An outdoor sauna alongside a cold water plunge from a mountain stream waterfall provides the finishing touchb to a very upmarket experience.

This is commonly practiced in Iceland and is a good way to not just keep the costs down but also to get the most out of the fishing.   Having your partner spot the fish, guide your cast until it is covering the fish and then watching the salmon reacts and hopefully take the fly is an experience every angler should experience.  Fishing hours in Iceland are long with 12 hrs of guiding each day, should youn want to do so.   A shared rod need not be an agonising wait until your turn!

Guests of the lodge fish with a guide shared between two rods.   The guides are knowledgeable and all speak fluent English.   They will happily coach, spot or assist as required with all the special techniques particular to Icelandic salmon fishing.   Transport is provided using the guide’s 4wd vehicle and good access is provided to almost every pool.

Icelandic Salmon flies are typically much smaller than those used elsewhere on account of the clarity of the water requiring much smaller sizes than would normally be used with sizes from 10-14 being standard although size 16-18 may be used in low-water conditions or with an especially tricky fish. A wide range of Icelandic Flies patterns are and can be found on Salar Flies.

Typical patterns might include any of the following, using doubles, singles, micro trebles, plastic tubes for hitching, coneheads and small tungsten tubes.

Black Francis, Red Francis, Langa Fancy, Sun Ray Shadow, Hairy Mairy, Silver Sheep, Collie Dog, Haugur, Arndilly Fancy