My plans for the summer

Most people are aware that Iceland is a very beautiful country with active volcanoes, expansive glaciers and many, many breathtaking water falls. What few people know however is that Iceland has a rapidly increasing population of waterfowl, particularly geese and swans. The only species of swan is the Mute, or Common, Swan. The swans are not currently hunted in Iceland, much to the regret of the farmers as the swans have a significant impact on their crops and their numbers are increasing rapidly. There are several species of geese including Greylag, Pink Footed, White Fronted (Speckle bellies) and Barnacle Geese. An occasional stray Canada Goose and even stray Blue and Snow Geese also find their way to Iceland. The White Fronted Goose is the only goose species that is currently not legal for hunting. It appears that the geese are increasing in numbers rapidly due to changes in Icelandic agricultural practices, particularly a big increase in growing small grain crops, primarily barley. Additionally the climate in Iceland has been changing like that of the rest of the World resulting in much longer and milder autumns. The geese which nest in Iceland and also Greenland pile into the southern areas of Iceland in the fall and take advantage of the barley to fatten up before making a long migration across the Atlantic to the British Isles. This phenomenon is very similar to the Blue and Snow goose population explosion in the United States and Canada. These geese now have a much better food source and are in much better physical condition for migration and breeding than they were previously. The net result is population growth.

For those of us who are in love with goose hunting this is a dream come true! Now that the Icelandic geese are drawn to small grain stubble fields by the thousands they can be hunted in a traditional way with a pit hide and decoys. And believe me the Greylag and Pink Footed geese decoy very well! Because these geese are increasing in numbers so rapidly and also because very few Icelanders hunt, the only limit is what you self impose.

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In the search for the big one, Vididalsa is the perfect spot for the search. This classic river is exeptional for fly water fishing and has a reputation for producing large salmon, every year we land numbers of salmon that are over 100cm long, that is 20 pounds and up. It is not only the large salmon that attract hungry anglers, the scenery is beautiful and every beat on the river is different from the other.  The river is fished with only 8 rods and has gin clear water where delicate fishing is the answer to success, full floating lines, fine leaders and riffling hitch tubes and skating flies. The river is over 40km of exclusive fishing – endless choices of pools.

Time flies , another salmon fishing season coming up with in few weeks time, very exciting months coming up here in Iceland and hopefully with rivers full of salmon.  The first rivers to be open is River Blanda , Nordura and Thvera / Kjarra , all around 5th June , then after that until 20th of June most of the  salmon rivers in Iceland will be open.  We are all very optimistic as usual , but for sure we need a better season now than last summer, after so many great record seasons since 2007 to 2011,  2012 was disapointing. Arni arnibald@lax-a.is Picture is from the beautiful Stora Laxa beat 4, view up the the Home pools.

Jan Tryk, who had some very nice days on the Lower Crathes earlier this week, sent us this great photo of his fine salmon of 22 lbs.

Thank you, Jan, well done!

As always we from Lax-a go and fish with our friend Doug Murray the head ghillie from Forest Birse beat on Birse.  We have been visting Doug for many years and every year is better we are having such a great time with Doug , lots of music , dancing , BBQ on the river. Doug is I believe now 84 years old and he looks not more than 65 years!  Doug is a legend on the river , here on the picture he is with his female friends in the group,  Vala , Harpa , Amanda and Lotte , all having a good time on the DEE. Arni arnibald@lax-a.is

Recent Catches
The River Dee saw a lot of anglers fishing the length of the catchment looking for the elusive salmon with catches reported from Ardoe to Abergeldie. If you were in the right place at the right time there were some fish to be caught.

West Ranga is one of the best known salmon river in Iceland. It is not only known for its quality fishing and great variety of fishing pools but also for the high volume of salmon caught there every year. The quantity of salmon speak for itself as the West Ranga usually ends as the most productive salmon river in Iceland. 

Due to  cancellation we still have week beginning 17th June available at Raemoir for 5 Roebuck.  Total price  £1100 incl, of 5 outings and a stalker with 4WD vehicle. Contact Arni at arnibald@lax-a.is or mobile +354 8983601.

Last Week
It was a trying week for anglers and Ghillies alike last week due to conditions they had to face. There was a fierce wind at the beginning of the week and a big rise in river levels on Saturday which made fishing difficult. It's also clear that the spring run so far this year has not been good for many anglers and Ghillies, especially in the upper beats.

LAST WEEK
FishDee beats reported the best catches for the season so far with 185 salmon reported. A few of the beats around Banchory are doing very well and upper river beats are having a bit of a lean time; their time will come when the river warms up and salmon move upstream.