Bigsalmon - Iceland-East Ranga

Iceland is the newest country on the planet. It’s volcanic rock has been spewed out from the diverging plates of the Mid Atlantic ridge. The landscape varies from barren volcanic lava fields to verdant valleys adorned with wildflowers, birdlife and exceptional rivers. Iceland has 64 salmon rivers which vary from small crystal clear rivers to the more turbid glacial rivers. Salmon catch returns in Iceland are astounding which is probably a combination of healthy clean rivers, low fishing pressure, smolt release programs, absence of drift nets and the preservation of the marine habitat around Iceland.

The Cod wars between the Iceland and the UK culminated in 1976 with a 200 mile exclusion zone to preserve fish stocks. This has not only preserved marine fish stocks but has retained the feedstock for developing salmon; whereas the rest if Europe has been at the mercy of the disastrous common fishery’s policy. Icelandic salmon rivers vary considerably in their size, geography, catch returns and water clarity so that the fishing techniques are equally different depending on the type of river.

Local knowledge of the fishing techniques pertaining to each river is therefore essential. Many rivers are crystal clear Miðfjarðará and Blanda will dictate very light tackle with small flies down to 12-14 , both dry fly and waked fly, whereas other rivers like The Ranga are colder and the fishing is with larger 1-2 inch flies, sink tip lines and often double handed rods. Our fishing in July 2010 was efficiently arranged for us by Stjani Ben from www.icelandangling.com with a remit to find a double handed river with reasonable size salmon. The East Ranga fitted the bill perfectly where we fished for three days through beats 6/5, 4/3 and 2/1, with half a day per beat, and two fishermen per beat there


A MSW salmon beat 5 . East Ranga

was ample fishing and a chance to different waters as we progressed downstream to beat 1 which although not tidal experiences a backing of the water on the full-tide. The East Ranga is located in southern Iceland which is dominated by the Hekla volcano to the north and Eyjafjallajojull to the East. This meandering river has seen a remarkable recovery process following adverse volcanic ash deposits where there has in the past been disruption to the fishing reds. The river is very well managed with an active smolt release programme. Salmon cages are located on every beat whereby fishermen are encouraged to deposit large hen and cock salmon which are collected regularly and stripped of their eggs and milt. Large nearby pens allow the salmon par to develop unmolested form predation until they are released as smolts only when the river is coloured to reduce the attack from birds. Remarkably rod caught salmon which are destined for the cages can be temporarily transported in polythene tube bags half filled with water and these will survive considerable periods bagged as such and transported until they are deposited in the cages. This structured process has led to the Ranga River being declared the most productive Icelandic salmon river. The larger West has a marginally higher catch return.

seemed likely that the fishing on the southern Icelandic rivers was untenable but to our good fortune the volcanic eruption appeared to have little impact on the fishing although on the night of our arrival heavy rain in the East Ranga catchment area did repeatedly colour the water but this cleared by the afternoon.

Beat 6 on the first morning introduced us Sibbi who guided us for the first half day when the fishing commenced at seven to midday and accounted for one grilse. In the afternoon we fished beat five. Everything about this beat looked enticing. The patchy sky which was now brighter, illuminated the slightly blue water which had a perfect riffle and fly speed and we were not disappointed. We landed five fish at least 2 over 10lbs using large 3 inch silver bodied, blue winged Sunray shadows. The salmon took these flies aggressively both on the swing and also on the dead drift and retrieve.

The following day we fished beat 4/3 taking fish both in the morning and afternoon but with the slightly turbid water and gale force southerly winds the fishing was moderately compromised.

The final day we fished beat 2/1 which was towards the mouth of the river and at first sight appeared featureless and unwelcoming but we still manage one fish in the morning. Rather down spirited we returned to the fishing lodge where as usual we were met with welcoming advice from the fishing guides associated with http://www.lax-a.net/. Beat 1. we were reassured was the most productive

beat on the river. Quite how productive this was, was soon evident as our salmon catches rose to double figures both in number and size, the Sunray shadow in both blue and pink proving supreme.

On this last day it's easy to see why Iceland is such a perfect salmon destination. To fish such high-quality rivers, to the cacophony of birdlife without any fishing pressure is a indeed a privilege.