SVALBARDSÁ
There is something truly magical about the SVALBARDSÁ valley. From the rugged top beats to the glassy middle pools it is easy to see why the fish that run this beautiful river are so large and so strong.
A salmon fishing adventure in one of the most beautiful valleys in North east Iceland
The Svalbardsá river is fished from early July through until late August. Salmon often run the entire river in a day and it’s not uncommon to catch sea lice fish in the foss pool.
The lower river is full of easily accessible pools and generally more open in character. There is no track beyond about pool 12 meaning the upper canyon like section of pools is a more physically demanding place to access and fish. When you look down at the stunning top toss you see why it is well worth it.
Depending on your preference you can fish all of the pools with a single handed rod but a 12ft 7-8wt double handed or 11ft switch rod can be handy to gain control over a hitch in higher water.
Svalbardsá is best fished with just a floating line and small flies. Here and there you will find a deeper pool or an unmarked run that requires a heavier fly but in general a light touch is all that is needed.
There are many rivers REFERRED to as hidden gem but few where it is as true as SVALBARDSÁ. To those who have been lucky enough to fish here there is no comparison and it is no surprise at all that most clients repeat their dates year on year.
TACKLE & TECHNIQUES FOR SVALBARDSA
Rods: 9-11ft 7-8wt SH / switch rod, 12-14ft 7-9wt DH rod
Line, Leader & Tippet: Floating lines only, tapered leader to 15lbs with 15lb and 12lb tippet. Maybe a sinking poly leader for emergency purposes.
Flies, Attractor / Locator: Sunray Shadow and Collie Dog plastic tube flies (wing 4cm & 6cm)
Flies, Hitching Tubes: 0.5-1.25” Haugar, Langa Fancy, Green Butt, Silver Stoat…,
Flies, Double & Treble: Sizes 8 - 16 Red & Black Francis and sparsely dressed Haugur, Hairy Mary, Green Butt, Undertaker, Madeleine, Micro Sunray, Micro Blue Elva, Arndilly Fancy
SVALBARDSA LODGE
A warm and cosy lodge awaits you at Svalbardsa. Recently build amongst the lower pools on the river the lodge is easily accessed from the main road and offers an excellent base for the rugged fishing the Svalbardsa has to offer. After fishing there is a spacious decking area to discuss the tactic of the day and watch the sun setting round the mountain.
A cosy lodge demands good food and whilst Svalbardsa is located in the wilderness the food will be on a par with other lodge experiences. Our chefs forage for wild herbs from the hill as well as sourcing top quality ingredients locally.
With smart communal areas and 4 twin rooms the lodge easily provides accommodation for the 3 rods and sharers.
Upper Canyon Adventure
From around pool 15 the river is only accessed on foot. There are quite straight forward paths to the top of pool 10 but shortly above this there is a steep sided canyon. A path winds up to the huge top foss pool via. It’s not an easy walk and takes care to get there.
Once at the top though it is like the land time forgot. No people, no roads, no noise save the wildlife. We always suggest taking a picnic up to the canyon as time becomes a vague concept. Each pool can be scoped out from above and typically as much time is spent hunting the fish as casting.
With only three rods on the river there is no pressure and plenty of pools below the canyon to fish on the way back to the car.
The Þistilfjörður fish
Iceland is not often known for it’s big fish but if there was one area of Iceland where the average size is that bit bigger. Þistilfjörður hosts the Svalbardsa, Hafralonsa, Holkna and Sanda. All known for their big fish. They don’t come on every cast but from years of guiding these magical rivers we have seen the largest fish we have seen in Iceland right here.
Svalbardsa offers a genuine chance to land a fish of 20 pounds. They don’t come on every cast but they do run this magnificent river.
It’s a magical moment when you land a fish like this but equally all the fish are larger than average, aggressive and strong making every cast a tantalising wait for that connection with a truly wonderful Svalbardsa salmon.