Breiddalsa
The season finished with a total of 782 salmon and grilse, compared to 910 in 2008. We were hoping to make 1,000 fish this season and I think the lower than expected total was due to fewer grilse this year and a smaller autumn run, which was hampered by very low water throughout September – the lowest levels seen since 1998. September usually produces as many, or more, fish as August.
July began with a strong run comprising mostly 2SW fish. For the last two years July has been very good with increasing catches, and we hope that this trend continues. The Breiddalsa produced some of the biggest fish caught in Iceland during July. The only other river to produce bigger fish was the Laxa i Adaldal. July was helped by very good water conditions throughout the month, including a spate at the end of the month.
August was good with bulk of the season’s fish being caught in this month. Three massive spates spoilt things though as it took the river a few days to recover after the biggest one. We still managed to catch fish at these times, thanks to the tributaries still running clear, but fishing was obviously difficult.
The Indian Summer conditions throughout September were delightful on the eye, but not so good for fishing. This was the longest period without rain seen for a decade. Although we did have the first snowfall in the surrounding mountains on the 22nd. Even this didn’t help water levels! As the month went on the river dropped and the fish became ever wary and increasingly uninterested in anglers’ offerings.
Indian summer conditions on the upper Breiddalsa
Fishing for char and trout produced around 600 fish, the same as the previous season. Most of the char fishing is done in the spring (May) and up to mid summer. One noticeable fact was the increase in size of the char, the best we’ve seen in some years. These delightful and very sporting fish never fail to please clients from overseas.
There is a lot of pressure on bookings for next season, which is very pleasing. It goes to show that Breiddalsa is gaining a reputation for providing good value for money amongst Iceland’s salmon rivers.
Jokla River System
This exciting new fishery lived up to expectations as the programme to develop the system continues. It produced 322 salmon and a mixed bag of 500 sea-run char, sea trout and brown trout. Some of the char were exceptional with many in the 4 to 6 lb range. Most of the fishing was done in the three tributaries on the lower Jokla. With good water conditions for most of the season the fish came up and ran straight into the tributaries. Some fish were caught on the lower main river. The overflow from the dam came in September but had little effect on the fishing as by then the fish were already in the clearwater tributaries. Had an earlier overflow occurred it wouldn’t have had a too negative effect on the fishing in the tributaries.
A typical sea-run char from the Jokla system
The overflows happen because of glacial meltwater flowing over the top of the dam that was recently built at the head of the river. This is expected to happen in the late summer most years, but is controlled wholly by the forces of nature. When the overflow takes place it just means we can’t fish the main Jokla because of the coloured water. Clients need not worry though as the tributaries have enough water to keep six rods busy each day.
Jokla was lightly fished this season and we’re sure the catch would have been much higher with more rods out. With increased fishing pressure next year we expect to see the Jokla system’s catch double.
The Jokla is only 25 minutes drive to the north of Egilsstadir airport and makes and ideal combination with the Brieddalsa.
For further details go to www.strengir.is
