What flies to use for fishing in Iceland - Salmon flies
At heart I am a trout angler but I really really really enjoy Atlantic salmon fishing. I love how it sometimes seems the fish are arrogant being king of the water - at least here in Iceland. I love all kinds of sight fishing and when sight fishing is possible for salmon it is a dream. Running a hitch tube across the pools and seeing the fish come up and hammer it on the surface is something everyone should experience at least once in their lives. It is amazing.
These flies you find here below are flies I have in my box of flies when fishing in Iceland for salmon. These are the ones I don't leave home without but I keep many more in my box adding to the headache of choosing which fly to use. I like to start fishing through the pools with these flies on a floating line and a relatively light leader. I like to cast these at a tighter angle than 45° and strip very fast in short, fast tugs. What that does is move the fly in the water in a way the salmon can't resist (well sometimes they'll resist) and invoke a fierce take. What that also does is keep the fly swimming just below the surface so that when the salmon come after it I'll notice. If they hammer it but miss that's pretty exciting as well. And a few rises like that will get my heart going even if the fish don't take.
For quality salmon flies to buy online and have them delivered home we recommend using our partners at Pickafly.com! You can also order directly from us and we have them ready for you when you arrive in Iceland. Simply tell us which river you'll be fishing and at what time and we'll suggest flies based on that information. We can of course supply the fishing trip to go along with your flies and we'd be happy to provide you with the wide range of services we offer.
To chat about these things, order some flies, discuss tactics or book a fishing trip to Iceland please drop as a line via e-mail to
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Stjani Ben -
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Black & Blue - long-tail 
Hook: size 6-16
Thread: black
Tail: black buck tail & pearl krystal hair
Rib: oval silver
Body: flat silver
Wing: black squirrel
Collar hackle: blue cock neck
Head: Black
This fly is definitely one of the most commonly used flies in Iceland. For the past few years the long tailed version of it has grown in popularity and is very often used in small sizes when water levels are low, using a very fast stripping retrieve.
Black Sheep
Hook: size 2-16
Thread: red
Tag: oval silver
Body: Black wool
Hackle: blue cock neck
Wing: 2/3 black, 1/3 yellow buck tail
Head: red
Perfect all season long. Fantastic on a clear, warm day stripped fast just below the surface. Produces violent takes from the salmon.
Cascade
Hook: size 2-16
Thread: black
Tail: hot orange & yellow bucktail with clear Krystal hair
Body: half silver and half black floss silk with medium oval tinsel rib
Wing: silver Krystal Hair and black squirrel
Collar hackles: yellow & hot orange
Head: black thread or varnish
Collie dog
Hook: size 4-16
Thread: black
Body: Flat silver
Wing: black collie or temple dog
Head: black thread or varnish
Red Frances
Hook: Sizes 6-16
Thread: red
Feelers: 2 brown & 2 white stripped cock hackle stalks
Tail: pheasant tail fibers
Body: red wool
Rib: oval gold
Body hackle: light brown cock hackle - palmered up body
Head: red
By far the most popular fly in Iceland. Used mainly in red and black colors the Frances pattern has probably caught more salmon in Iceland than any other fly. Also very popular as a tube fly.
Hairy Mary
Hook: Sizes 2-16
Thread: black
Tag: oval silver
Tail: golden pheasant
Rib: oval gold
Body: black floss
Hackle: Blue cock hackle
Wing: brown squirrel
Head: black
Krafla
Hook: size 4-16
Thread: orange
Tail: 4 hairs from a peccary pig, white cock hackle fibers
Rib: oval silver
Body: 2-3 orange cock feathers, 1-2 white cock feathers palmered and trimmed for shape
Head: half & half, orange and black
Works very well in foggy water and for fresh salmon
Undertaker
Hook: size 6-16
Thread: black
Tag: flat gold, neon green glo brite floss, neon orange glo brite floss
Body: peacock herl
Hackle: black cock hackle
Wing: black bear
Cheeks: jungle cock
Head: black
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