Huseyjarkvisl river - Salmon beat

- Salmon, brown trout and sea trout -

A nice salmon caught on in early August 2011

Season: 25. June - 25. September

Species: Salmon - Brown trout - Sea trout. Fly only, catch & release

Lodge: 3 double bed rooms, hot tub.

Location: Skagafjordur district. 296 km from Reykjavik

Rods: 2-3

Average catch rates: 5 year average (2006 - 2010): 208 salmon

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See videos from the Huseyjarkvisl river

About the river

Salmon from Klapparhylur pool July 2011

The salmon fishing beats in Huseyjarkvisl river is divided in two or three with beats one rod in each beat. The top beat consists of the falls pool at Reykjafoss waterfall and several other very nice pools that each hold a lot of salmon. The lower salmon beats consist of a few more pools all the way down to where the lodge is located and the trout beat starts. The very best pools in the river include the Gullhylur, Laxhylur, Laugarhylur, Laugarstrengur, Laufashylur, Toggi, Klapparhylur and Rettarhylur. Fish can be found in other pools but those are the pools that always hold fish in numbers. The river is perfect for fly fishing and only the Reykjafoss pool and Gullhylur present any real casting challenges since those are in the gorge in the top part. The river temperature is normally quite high but usually the perfect temp for salmon activity. Therefore surface flies and small flies on floating lines work very well in this river.

The salmon beats are approx 9 kilometers long so there is plenty of space for each angler. The pools are also quite long with holding spots that cover a large area. Take for example the Rettarhylur pool. It starts in a turn where the water hits the bank and turns almost 90°, gets deeper and then flows straight in a long run. At the end of the run there is a large rock just before some shallows. The bank we fish from is low with a high bank on the other side. There the river is deeper and there the salmon rest against rocks, turf and anything else they can hug up against. At the end of the run salmon hang around in front of the rock, right next to it and behind it. If there is fish by the rock at the end of the run, that's usually fish that's relatively fresh in the pool and a likely taker.

An 80 cm hen fish from the Laugarhylur pool in July 2011

It will take you a long time to fish the Rettarhylur properly and that applies to all of the best pools in the river. I'll give you an example of how I'd normally have my clients fish the Rettarhylur pool in what we'd call "normal" conditions (of course we'd base our tactics on any given conditions). As I am a "hitch" addict (example video below), I'd always have you starting with that techique. That is also a bit selfish of me 'cause that is most exciting for me as well but my clients forgive me when they raise a fish on the Hitch method of salmon fishing.

Depending on what happens in the pool with the hitch we'd move on to the next fly. If the hitch raised a fish, we'd concentrate on that one and 9 times out of 10 we catch it eventually. Either on the hitch or using a smaller fly, or even a smaller hitch. If however we'd not get a reaction with the hitch we'd move on to a small fly, either a double or treble and then work our way up in sizes. As a last resort we'd cast a tube fly in there and let it bounce off the bottom. However that can sometimes do more harm than good and we don't do it in the morning with your fishing buddy following you in the pool in the afternoon.

Fishing in Iceland - Hitching for Atlantic salmon

Tackle for Huseyjarkvisl

Fishing in Iceland - A 97 cm salmon caught on the Huseyjarkvisl River

The river is not very wide so two handed rods are not necessary but if preferred that is alright. Recommended are single handed rods weight #6 - #9. Sometimes conditions call for sink tip lines and/or weighted tubes so they should be brought. However during prime time we recommend small flies and floating lines for that surface action and excitement.

A 14 pound leader should be OK but I'm reluctant to go any lower. We expect much bigger fish, the thing is just these small flies are easier to tie on a smaller leader. Also we don't want ropes in the water with such clear water.

My ideal set up for this river is a 6wt or 7wt rod, floating line and about 10-11 foot tapered leader. We approach with stealth and try and keep a low profile at all times as we are in close range with the salmon and with that gin-clear water they see us if we are not careful.

Sink tip lines are more spring and autumn tackle than prime time and I will let you know exactly what gear to bring based on the time of year you are fishing.

Flies for Huseyjarkvisl

Small double hook salmon flies work particularly well in Huseyjarkvisl as well as the hitch technique. The Snaelda tube fly, Sun Ray shadow and Frances in several colors also work very well. Flies such as Blue charm, Hairy Mary, Green Highlander, Green Butt, Garry Dog and Collie dog are patterns every angler should have in his box when fishing the Huseyjarkvisl.

See this link for examples on Salmon flies to use in Iceland

Catch rates

Annually the average catch rates are 208 salmon on the three rods. In 2011 there was a slow season in the whole of the north-west. We hardly had any grilse runs and most of the fish caught were MSW (multi sea winters) ranging from 80 - 100 cm. My theory is that we'll see the grilse we missed in 2011 as MSW's in 2012 - well lets say I hope that my theory will prove to be right.

The lodge on Huseyjarkvisl

The Lodge

The lodge is very well located in the mid section of the river and one can easily walk to the river from the lodge. The lodge sleeps six persons in three double bed rooms but additional guests can sleep on a sleeping attic on matresses (not something I recommend for grown men). On the backporch there is a spaciuos and comfortable hot tub - perfect to relax in after a long day fishing.

We offer made up beds in the lodge as well as a choice between full service catering or self catering. However we do not offer salmon fishing on the Huseyjarkvisl without a guide.

To accommodate larger groups we have access to similar cabins close by and there is also a very nice hotel some 5 minutes away from the fishing lodge at Huseyjarkvisl. So if you prefer any other kind of accommodation while fishing the river we can accommodate your wishes.

Additional information

This one took the hitch in Toggi Pool August 2011

Close by there are many historical and natural sights that are well worth the look. Skagafjordur where the river is located is famous for it's rich history and was the setting of many of Iceland's bloodiest battles as well as being the home of the most powerful viking klans during the Viking era. The oldest turf church in the country is in the area, the battlefield of the bloodiest battle in Icelandic history and many more sights.

Additonal things to do include river rafting on either one of two glacial rivers close by as well as horse back riding, boat rides to look at some of the beautiful islands in the Skagafjordur and historical tours. So in other words, plenty of things to do for a non-fishing guest.

Please contact Stjani Ben via e-mail to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to enquire about open spots on this river, talk tactics, flies or get further information on salmon fishing in Iceland and on the Huseyjarkvisl River.

Contact info

E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

tel: +354 867 5200

Salmon fishing in Iceland - Huseyjarkvisl