River Leirvogsá is one of the best two rod rivers in Iceland with an average yearly catch of 550 salmon for the two rods. Leirvogsá has over the years constantly rivaled the famous Laxá in Ásum for the top spot in the two rod category, winning in 2008 with 1173 salmon caught versus 502 in the Ásum River. Now that the Ásum River will be a four rod river from the summer of 2017 we believe firmly that Leirvogsá will be the best.
Yearly catch
| Year | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | Average |
| Catch | 1173 | 877 | 561 | 383 | 201 | 603 | 313 | 706 | 312 | 570 |
River Leirvogsá is within the city limits of Reykjavik only about 15-25 minute drive from downtown depending on traffic. This location means that you can have the best of both worlds- stay in a luxury hotel in Reykjavik and dine in fine restaurants in the evenings but still fish one of the best rivers in the country.
Even though Leirvogsá is close to the city it is very secluded and calm, in the upper canyons you will be absolutely alone in nature with the only noise the gentle sound of the flowing river.
Leirvogsá originates in lake Leirvogsvatn 12km from the ocean but the salmon cannot pass the magnificent waterfall „Tröllafoss“ which is the topmost pool in the river. From the waterfall the river flows in gorgeous canyons until it reaches the farmstead „Hrafnhólar“, from there on the river winds down the valley gently with numerous beautiful fly pools to choose from. The lowest part of the river consists of faster water, with deep pools which have been the most productive in the river, especially when the salmon run in big numbers. In all Leirvogsá has 8km of fishable water with over 35 marked pools.
Location: South West Iceland, In the outskirts of Reykjavik. Leirvogsá river, about 10 km from Reykjavik. To get there from Reykjavík, you drive through the town of Mosfellsbær on to highway one. You cross one bridge and then another, just after you cross the second bridge you turn right and drive on a gravel road until the fishing cabin. For exact location please refer to the embedded Google map.
Rods: Two rods
Fishing season: June 24th to September 24th. FLY ONLY. All salmon over 70 cm must be realeased. Quota of two grilse per rod per day.
Prime time: July 10th to August 10th
Guide: Can be arranged.
Lodge: Old lodge only for lunch breaks. Accommodation can be arranged either in a hotel in Reykjavik or the nearby town of Mosfellsbær (5 min drive)
Fishing hours:
* June 24th to August 4th: 07:00 – 13:00 and 16:00 – 22:00
* August 5th to September 4h: 07:00 – 13:00 and 15:00 – 21:00
* September 5th to September 24th: 07:00 – 13:00 and 14:00 – 20:00
Best flies:
Leirvogsá is excellent for using the riffle hitch and small flies, sizes 16 – 18 can be extremely effective when stripped. Floating lines and long leaders is what the angler should use in Leirvogsá, at least until the autumn chills begin to affect the water temperature. The best flies are:
Black & Red Frances (sizes 12 – 18)
Black & Blue (sizes 12 – 18)
Collie Dog (¼ – 1 inch)
Blue Charm (sizes 12 – 18)
Black Sheep & Silver Sheep (sizes 12 – 18)
Hitch tubes
In September, when temperatures fall, the water temperature can get quite cold some days. Those days a sink tip and heavier tubes (with and without cones) may be the answer, bring the following tubes in September:
Black & Red Frances (½ – 1 inch)
Black & Blue (½ – 1 inch)
Blue Charm (½ – 1 inch)
Black Sheep & Silver Sheep (½ – 1 inch)
SunRay Shadow (1 – 2 inches)
Map: Leirvogsá Map
Clothing: In spite of the relatively mild climate, you should bring warm clothing and, most importantly, quality rain wear and a windcheater. Please check out the average temperature table here below. Chest waders and wading shoes. Nicer clothes to wear for dinner.
Tackle disinfection: Iceland has always been free of diseases like UDN and Gyrodactylus salaris and we intend to keep it that way. There is a strict policy of visiting anglers having their tackle sterilized before coming to Iceland. This should be done in a 2% formaldehyde solution for 10 minutes and performed by a veterinary surgeon. (Tackle sterilized in Virkon S is also acceptable.) A signed inventory of what has been sterilized should be provided by the vet for presentation to the customs officers at Keflavik airport. The most important items to be treated are: rods, reel/line, waders and flies.
The process can be carried out by staff at Keflavik airport. The office is located at the far side of the baggage reclaim hall, downstairs in the airport. Just notify one of the personnel in the area that you need your tackle disinfected and they will have a member of the staff come and complete the process. The price for one fishing set is 3.500 Icelandic kronur.
Flights
There are two airlines that offer a scheduled flights to Iceland.
Icelandair, www.icelandair.is
Wow Air, www.wow.is
Documentation & Visas
Citizens from the European Economic Area (comprising the EU, Switzerland and Liechtenstein), US and Canada need only a passport valid for at least three months after the planned date of arrival to enter Iceland for up to three months.
Currency: Icelandic Krona. Visa and Eurocard/Mastercard credit cards and Maestro and Visa Electron are accepted widely.
Language: Icelandic, but Icelanders speak English as well.
Electricity. Most facilities operate on 220-volt, 50-cycle system. A Converter will be necessary for any electrical items that require a 110-volt, 60-cycle system.
Duty-free: Allowed on arrival one of the following choices:
1 lither of alcohol and 1 lither of wine.
1 lither of alcohol and 6 lither of beer.
1 lither of wine and 6 lither of beer.
One carton of cigarettes can be brought in to the country per person
Good to know:
Daylight Sunrise Sunset
May 3:55 AM 10:12 PM
June 2:42 AM 11:32 PM
July 3.23 AM 11:00 PM
August 4:58 AM 9:22 PM
September 6:29 AM 7:33 PM
October 7:55 AM 5:48 PM
Average temperature: °C °F
May 7, 2 44, 9
June 13, 1 55, 6
July 15, 2 59, 4
August 13, 3 55, 9
September 13, 0 55, 4
October 6,1 43,0
In case of an emergency dial 112, but guide and lodge staff will be insistence for any problems that might occur.
If you want to hire fishing equipment, please send us the name and the shoe-size for each individual. And please let us know if a single or double handed rod is preferred.
Please note that fly casting instruction can be arranged by your guide: please let us know to give him advance time.
Staðsetning