Salmon fishing in Blanda Beat III

Salmon fishing in Blanda Beat III

Salmon fishing in Blanda Beat III is in many ways similar to beat 2 but has slightly less volume of water (the tributary Svartá converges with Blanda between beats 2 and 3) especially the lower part of the beat.

The upper part of beat 3 is more demanding, there the river runs through a canyon and pools are more diverse.

Most of the best pools are accessible by car (4×4) but there are some that require a bit of walking. As with beat 2, beat 3 is not known for the volume of salmon but the size and strength.

Annual catches range from 100 – 200 salmon with a steady increase in recent years.

Number of salmons caught per year in river Blanda:

2007: 1117 – 2008: 986 – 2009: 2413 – 2010: 2777

2011: 2032 – 2012: 832 – 2013: 2611 – 2014: 1931  2015: 4829! 2016:2386

2017: 1433 – 2018: 870

 

Blanda is a glacial river and even though it has changed drastically, due to the hydro-electric power plant situated at the top of the river, the water is rarely gin-clear. But during June, July and the beginning of August the water is relatively clear.

Most of the glacial silt sinks to the bottom of the reservoir before the water is channeled through the turbines at Blanda power station. This means that the visibility below the surface is measured in yards, so more than enough to fish.

In  late August the water sometimes becomes gradually darker until it becomes very hard to fish. Even though most local anglers curse this every year, the side effect is that this way the river automatically protects its stock of salmon.

Blanda also holds a good deal of brown trout, sea trout and arctic char as well as salmon.
As stated before it’s a large beat in a big river, so hiring a guide – at least for one or two days – is a very good idea.
The best flies/tubes for this beat are; Red Frances & Black Frances, German Snaelda, SunRay Shadow, Black Sheep and Silver Sheep.
Although heavy tubes (¼ – 1,5 inch) brass or cone heads are very effective some lighter variations should also be brought along (aluminum and plastic tubes) as well as regular flies and hitch tubes.
Bring strong leaders, everything under 12 pounds breaking strength is considered a trout leader in Blanda.

2015-06-10 08.02.55 Location: North Iceland about 300 km from Reykjavik. Take Highway 1 North towards Borgarnes. Drive through Borgarnes towards Blönduós. Drive through Blönduós towards Akureyri.  About  20 km From Blönduós is a sign on your right hand side that says Blanda Hólahvarf Veiðihús. Turn right at that sign and drive a few hundred meters and you are there

Fishing season: June 20th to September 20th.

Prime time: July 10th to August 15th

Average catch: 6 year average 2502 (whole river)

Average size of fish: 7-8 lbs.

Fishing hours: June 20th –August 9th  07:00-13:00 & 16:00-22:00 August 10th – September 20th 07:00-13:00 & 15:00-21:00

Guide: One per two rods (optional at extra cost)

Lodge:  Full service lodge Hólahvarf: private room with bathroom to each rod, living room, dining room, bar, Jacuzzi, wader drying room.

Tackle: Double handed rods 13 – 15′, weight 9-11, sink tip lines recommended.

Best flies: Blanda is cold and murky and fishes best with tubes, ¼ – 1 inch, sink tips are a must but sometimes smaller tubes and/or regular flies can be the most effective. The best flies for Blanda are. Bismo (light tube – Local Fly) SunRay Shadow (1 inch) Snaelda (¼ – ½ inch) Black & Blue (½ inch, cone head) Collie Dog (½ – 1 inch) As in other autumn rivers, as temperature drops the tubes get bigger/heavier. The same patterns apply, just a little heavier.

Map: Blanda III Map


Location

Blanda lodge The Blanda lodge is a new and beautiful lodge, about 19 km from Blönduós.  It was built in 2006. The lodge has spacious 12 twin rooms, all with bath and shower. The living room is big and comfortable and the dining room also. It is a full service lodge with two Jacuzzi’s, sauna and veranda. Food of top restaurant standard is provided in the lodge during your stay, two course lunch and a three course dinner. Fresh local ingredients are preferred when available. Phone number at the lodge: +354 451 4070 (During the summer)