Fish 4 world-class sea trout rivers in 1 week

In a typical week, anglers visiting Battle Hill Lodge in southeastern Iceland have the privilege of fishing not one but three of the island nation's best sea trout rivers. The Geirdlandsá, Fossalar, and Skaftá (known by anglers as "Vatnamot") — all part of the lodge's regular program — offer wildly diverse fishing and landscapes and shots at many an angler's fish of a lifetime. They also offers the chance to chase sea trout (also known as sea-run brown trout) in their native waters, not in far flung corners of the globe where the fish were long ago transplanted.

During two special weeks of the season, anglers visiting the lodge will have the opportunity to fish four world-class sea trout rivers. During those weeks, in addition to Battle Hill's three sea trout rivers, anglers will also fish the Tungufljót. The Tungufljót is one of the best sea trout rivers in Iceland, is known best for the high average weight of the sea trout caught from its waters, and is otherwise fully booked for the entire season.

The Fossálar

Part of this diminutive sea trout river is listed as a UNESCO world heritage site and one of its waterfalls, which bears the same name as the river and is easily accessible by Iceland’s ring road, is a popular stop for tourists due to the falls’ natural beauty. The rest of the Fossalar, however, flows through private land, most of which is covered by a vast lava flow that was created during a 1783 volcanic eruption that is considered one of the deadliest in history.

The river’s moss-clad banks, many waterfalls, and the towering cliffs that overlook it create an angling experience that is unlike any other sea trout river. Anglers ply runs of all shapes and sizes, swinging streamers, skating dry flies, and drifting nymphs through the Fossalar’s runs and riffles.

The Geirlandsá

The medium-sized Geirlandsá is known for producing both large sea trout and large numbers of sea trout. The upper river, which culminates at one of the most beautiful waterfalls in all of Iceland, the Geirlandsá flows through a magnificent canyon, where sea trout and Atlantic salmon migrate through a seemingly endless series of aquamarine pools, many of which anglers can peer down into from discrete perches high on the canyon’s hillsides. 

The lower Geirlandsá, after the river exits the canyon, meanders through gravel and black sand banks, offering easy access and incredibly easy wading. For many, the lower Geirlandsá is reminiscent of other famed sea trout rivers like the Rio Grande in Argentina

Vatnamót / The Skaftá

Referred to by anglers fishing its waters as Vatnamót (which means “river junction” in Icelandic), the Skaftá is, for most anglers, the largest river they’ve ever fished. Vatnamót is where the waters of the Fossálar, Geirlandsá and Hörgsá rivers join the milky, glacial meltwaters of Skaftá.

Every one of the thousands upon thousands of sea trout that eventually reaches the Fossálar, Geirlandsá, Hörgsá or Skaftá rivers to spawn first makes its way through Vatnamót. Fish over 20 pounds are not uncommon in Vatnamót’s waters, and the largest fish of each season is typically caught there. In its lower reaches, the river is fished from its banks. Higher up, anglers enjoy an experience somewhat akin to stalking a bonefish flat, wading out onto the river’s black sand flats in search of newly formed and always shifting migration channels — hoping to encounter the river’s powerful, silverbrite sea trout as they go.

The Tungufljót

Located approximately a 25-30 minute drive from Battle Hill Lodge, the Tungufljót flows near Skaftafell National Park. Like the rivers nearer to the lodge, the Tungufljót is stunningly beautiful, with gravel-lined runs punctuated by waterfalls and gorge pools. As mentioned above, the Tungufljót produces large numbers of sea trout, but is best known for the large size of the fish caught in its waters.

The Tungufljót was the pilot river in a program that is converting Iceland’s premier sea trout rivers to catch-and-release, long managed as harvest fisheries where anglers killed nearly every fish caught. This effort has resulted in steady increases of not just the number of sea trout returning to these rivers each year, but also in the average size of the sea trout caught by anglers.

The Tungufljót makes its way into the Battle Hill Lodge rotation for only two weeks of the year, both during the autumn sea-trout migration when summer-fattened fish return to Iceland rivers to spawn. 

Sep 14 - 20, 2024 SOLD OUT
Sep 20 - 26,  2024 (6 spots left)

For three days during each of these two weeks, the Geirlandsa River is rotated out of the lodge's program, and Tungufljót joins the rotation in its place, even further increasing the diversity of the water Battle Hill anglers have the opportunity to fish.

Located approximately 25 minutes east of the lodge, the Tungufljót is easily accessible for full day or even half day sessions.

Pricing for each of these special weeks is $9,500 per angler.

To learn more about Battle Hill Lodge or book this special week, head here, send us an email, or give us a ring at +1 (253)-780-1530.