ICELAND

There are many reasons to visit the land of fire and ice and the fact that it’s one of last great bastions of Atlantic salmon fishing is up there at the top of the list. That the runs are still prolific is down to careful management of the fisheries, and unique to Iceland is that rivers are run by a single leaseholder so 6 to 12 rods will normally have access to the entire river system rather than just a beat. Carefully crafted rotations during your stay will allow you to fish productive pools while leaving others to rest. Much of the fishing is visual, in crystal clear water, meaning it is often possible to watch a fish’s reaction to the fly. Many rivers are tackled with single handed rods and tiny hitched flies which makes for incredibly exciting fishing. If you prefer to fish double handed there are some excellent options here too. Most fish are between 6 to 12lb with a 20lb fish considered big for Iceland which offer excellent sport on light tackle.

The superb local guides live and breathe salmon fishing and accommodation here is comfortable with exceptional food served throughout. Iceland is a short 3 ½ hour flight from the UK which means you can often be standing in a river casting a fly on the afternoon of arrival. Finally, it is one of the few locations that allows rods to be shared which can bring the price down considerably.