Salmon Flies for Iceland

[budgie]

I've been asked to tie up some flies for a friend who is going to Iceland in September for the salmon fishing. I'm looking for some help on what patterns to tie (I've read that the Red Francis and Black Francis patterns are popular in Iceland, but what else do folks recommend? Also, in what sizes should they be tied?

Thanks in advance.

[flytyingguy]

Green Highlander, Snaelda, Yokanga Gold and Allies Shrimps...

[Schrodinger's cat]

Which rivers will he be visiting?

Originally Posted by budgie

I've been asked to tie up some flies for a friend who is going to Iceland in September for the salmon fishing.

It's unusual to hear of a trip to Iceland that late. The best of the summer fishing skating tiny #14/16 trebles (such as Red Frances) with light single handed rods will be over. The West and East Ranga do have an Autumn run (ranched smolts), brass bottle tubes and D/H rods will be the order of the day in those much colder rivers.

[budgie]

Thanks for the suggestions flytyingguy. Do you know where I can find a recipe or SBS for the Snaelda?

[flytyingguy]

Nope probem, Davie Mcphai has a viddeo.

What may aso work is Comets, Templedogs and my favourite salmon fly to tie - The Pot Belly Pig.


Hope this helps ~

Regards Calum

[Scratch]

They're Atlantic Salmon.... they'll take anything But just in case, have a word with 'browniebasher'. He's a regular.

[budgie]

Thanks Scratch. Enjoy your trip to Skye.

[budgie]

Originally Posted by schrodingers cat

Which rivers will he be visiting?



It's unusual to hear of a trip to Iceland that late. The best of the summer fishing skating tiny #14/16 trebles (such as Red Frances) with light single handed rods will be over. The West and East Ranga do have an Autumn run (ranched smolts), brass bottle tubes and D/H rods will be the order of the day in those much colder rivers.

He is visiting the Midfjardarar which is north and slightly east of Reykjavik. It is not a big river and I suspect that a single handed rod with a fighting butt or a shorter 11 ft double handed rod will be the choice. I looked up the web site for a lodge on the river, and they describe the September fishing as for the hard core Norwegians who don't mind getting cold and wet - this is a pretty good description of my friend

[Schrodinger's cat]

Originally Posted by budgie

He is visiting the Midfjardarar which is north and slightly east of Reykjavik. It is not a big river and I suspect that a single handed rod with a fighting butt or a shorter 11 ft double handed rod will be the choice. I looked up the web site for a lodge on the river, and they describe the September fishing as for the hard core Norwegians who don't mind getting cold and wet - this is a pretty good description of my friend

I bet he'll have a great time.

The Midfjardara has the reputation of being Iceland's best single handed river. I fished it a 3 years ago,and I understand Ephemerella, on this Forum, caught scores there earlier this month.

I checked and the season runs: June 15 to September 20 with prime time about now (last 2 weeks of July and the first in August).

The 3 tribs provide the cream of the top of the water fishing. The Austra and Nupsa both small and rocky, and stuffed with salmon. The Austra gorge section can be tough to negotiate. There is also the larger Vestura that joins well below the lodge and should hold sea-run arctic charr next month as a bonus (use magenta Heimasaeta and Dentist streamers for these). A stiffish #7 9' 6" outfit should cover everything.

I've copied an image of Skuli Kristinsson's selection for the river at that time. Hope it helps, I have the dressings if required.



Thingeyingur, Black Sheep, Ofsaboom, F-Boss, and Black Boss tubes illustrated. Add to the collection some size 10 double Silver Stoats (British short dressed) to add to the obsequious Icelandic Frances and Orange Kraflas.

[budgie]

Thanks S.C. Lots of good info.