svarlbardsa RIVER

three hours FROM akureyri. PROLIFIC ATLANTIC SALMON FISHING and a beautiful self catering lodge to just three rods. remote and stunning river. 

Factfile

Around a three-hour drive from Akureyri along the north coast brings you to an extremely beautiful salmon river. A truly special, especially as you get the river and lodge exclusively to just three anglers.

Atlantic salmon are the main attraction and the annual catch makes it one of the most prolific rivers in Iceland – the Svarlbardsa produced 429 salmon to just three rods during the 2024 season!

Overview

The Svarlbardsa River is a beautiful, secluded river in the North-East of Iceland. The Svarlbardsa is a three rod river, where you get the lodge and river exclusively. There are four separate bedrooms in the lodge, each with twin beds. As such, the lodge can accommodate up to eight people in total making it a great option for those looking to rod share or bring non-anglers along. The lodge is stunning and extremely well equipped, positioned a stone’s throw from the Svarlbardsa on the lower river. 

Salmon are the main attraction and during the 2024 season the river produced 429 to just three rods, which is an amazing achievement and average. 

The Svarlbardsa River is located around three hours drive along the north coast of Iceland from Akureyri. It is a self catering lodge and unguided; catering and guiding can be added if needed.

Fishing

The Svarlbardsa River is predominantly a salmon river; mixture of grilse and larger salmon. However, there are also a handful of sea trout, brown trout and sea-run-char present. 

The river is relatively small, but some pools can be fished with a switch rod if you wish. However, by far the most appropriate rod is a single hander, which will cover most pools comfortably. There are a lot of small pockets and channels, which the single hander will cover precisely and without causing fatigue throughout the day. Only a floating line is needed, with hitch and small flies often scoring best on the crystal clear river. 

There is a lot of fishing at your disposal. You get the whole river and lodge exclusively to just three rods. However, you can rod share and it is recommended due to the vast amount of pools to cover. This also makes it great value for money. 

Access along the river is good in general, as there is a gravel road running alongside the river in most parts. However, above pool 16 there is no road and hiking is necessary – it will take you over an hour to hike up to pool 1, which is a waterfall pool (worth the hike, as it’s stunning). The majority of the pools are from 16 and down, so there is plenty of water to cover most mobility levels. 

Prime time is late July, throughout August, and into early September. Being so far North, it is often later than a lot of the west coast rivers.

accommodation and pricing

The lodge is located on the lower reaches of the Svarlbardsa River, a stone’s throw from the river – a very picturesque setting looking down towards the sea. It’s in a very quiet and secluded valley along a private road, meaning you can truly escape. It is a great place to visit to relax and hike etc. as a non-angler and non-anglers are welcome.

You are also surrounded by creature comforts when at the Svarlbardsa Lodge, which is extremely well equipped for a self catering lodge. There is a strong Wi-Fi, a large dining room, and a kitchen that is packed with utensils. There’s a large fridge-freezer, a dishwasher, cooker, microwave and more.

There are four bedrooms in total, with twin beds in each. As such, sharing three rods between four anglers works well as you each get a single room. However, you can also bring additional rod sharers or non-anglers, as the lodge can accommodate up to eight people, which makes it fantastic value for money. A real paradise. 

The Svarlbardsa River & Lodge is self catering and unguided, but catering and guiding can be added for a cost. It is tailored to your individual needs. 

For costs and availability please contact FishTravel, who will gladly assist you and advise you on the best time to visit. 

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