The Experience
The Icelandic Highlands play by its own rules. No crowds, no noise, no concessions to the modern world — just an ancient volcanic landscape stretching endlessly in every direction, shaped over centuries by forces that are still very much alive beneath the surface.
Mountains give way to black sand deserts. Deserts give way to canyons. And running through all of it, cold and impossibly clear, are the rivers and streams where brown trout and arctic char have lived since long before anyone thought to cast a fly at them.
Coming here changes what you think fishing can be.
The Rivers
Kaldakvísl — Hidden No More
Until recently, Kaldakvísl belonged to a very small circle. Local anglers knew it, protected it, and kept it to themselves for generations. Exclusive access has now been secured, and for the first time, the river is open to visiting anglers from around the world.
It is worth the wait. Across 12 kilometers of beat, the river moves through some of the most varied and dramatic terrain in Iceland — waterfalls, deep canyons, fast broken water, and long, slow pools where big fish hold in the current. Arctic char run 3–4 lbs on average, with fish to 7 lbs caught regularly. Brown trout share the water throughout. The upper canyon, too deep and steep to reach on foot, has been a sanctuary for the largest fish, undisturbed until now. Four rods only.
Tungnaá — Patience Rewarded
Tungnaá is unlike any river you have fished before. For thousands of years, it ran as a powerful glacial river, milky with sediment and alive with fish. In 2013, a hydroelectric dam changed everything — and in doing so, created something unexpected and wonderful. The glacial flow was replaced by pure spring water, running gin-clear through the dramatic canyon bed the old river had carved over centuries.
The result is a technically demanding, visually stunning fishery that holds some of the biggest brown trout and Arctic char in the Highlands. Fish average 3 lbs; the monsters reach 12. Fly only. Four rods. Complete stealth required. Those who have fished it don’t forget it.
The Lakes
Rivers are just the beginning. The Icelandic Highlands hold thousands of lakes — almost all of them full of native brown trout and arctic char that rarely see a fly.
Sporðöldulón — At the Lodge Door The Highland Lodge sits right on the edge of this glacial lake. The small creeks feeding into it offer excellent arctic char fishing within walking distance of where you sleep. On a slow morning, you don’t even need to get in the vehicle.
Fellsendavatn — The Black Desert Lake A short 4×4 drive from the lodge brings you to one of the most striking settings in the Highlands — a medium-sized lake sitting alone in a black volcanic desert. The contrast between the dark landscape and the clear water is remarkable. So are the brown trout, which are here in impressive numbers and impressive size.
Volcano Lake — Fishing Inside a Crater. There is no other fishery quite like this one. A dormant volcanic crater, a lake at the bottom, and native brown trout rising in water that sits inside an extinct volcano. You hike down into the crater to reach it. The fishing is excellent. The setting is something you will struggle to describe when you get home.
Dómadalsvatn — The Hidden Oasis Nestled inside a sheltered highland valley, Dómadalsvatn feels like a secret even by Highlands standards. Calm, beautiful, and consistently productive — a lake that rewards those who make the effort to find it.
And beyond these, hundreds more. Unnamed streams, unnamed lakes, water in every direction. The Highlands has more fishable water than any angler could cover in a lifetime.
The Lodge
Your home for the week is a fully renovated, comfortably appointed lodge sitting in a quiet corner of the Highlands, right on the water’s edge.
Five double or twin bedrooms sleep up to ten guests. Each room has a sink and a wardrobe. A shared bathroom with two toilets and three showers keeps things running smoothly for the group. The heart of the lodge is the living and dining room — warm, relaxed, and exactly the right environment for a long dinner, a cold drink, and the kind of conversation that only happens after a great day’s fishing. Beer, wine, flies, leaders, and tippet are all available to purchase at the lodge.
Sample Itinerary
Day 1 — Early pickup from your hotel in Reykjavík or directly from the airport. The drive into the Highlands takes around two hours and sets the tone for everything that follows. Arrive, settle in, and head straight to the river for an afternoon session. Lunch on the bank. Dinner at the lodge at 7 pm. The evening is yours — explore, rest, or simply sit outside and take in where you are.
Days 2–5 — Each day follows a simple and satisfying rhythm. Breakfast at the lodge, on the water by 9 am, lunch served riverside, fishing until 6 pm, and back to the lodge for dinner. Every day brings different water, different conditions, and different fish.
Day 6 — A final breakfast at the lodge before checking out and heading back to Reykjavík or the airport, with five days of Highland fishing behind you.
What’s Included
- Private transfers to and from Reykjavík
- Five full days of guided fishing with all licenses covered
- Five Nights at the Highland Lodge
- All meals from arrival dinner to departure breakfast
Not Included
- Fishing equipment, including waders, rods, and flies (available to hire on request)
- Alcoholic beverages
- Gratuities
When to Go
The Highland program runs from June through August. Long summer days, stable weather, and fish in peak condition make this the window to plan around.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this suitable for all levels of angler? Tungnaá in particular rewards patience and precision — it is a technical river where approach and presentation matter as much as fly choice. That said, guides are exceptional teachers and have built their reputations on ensuring every guest, regardless of experience, has the best possible chance on the water.
Are there biosecurity requirements? Yes. All flies must be new and unused when brought into Iceland. A separate information sheet covering tackle disinfection, weather, safety, and other practical considerations is available if you have not already received it.
How many anglers fish at once? Both rivers operate under a strict four-rod limit, ensuring a genuine wilderness experience with ample undisturbed water.
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