Litlá, meaning “small river” which is slightly decieving as while it is not a big river, it certainly is not a small one either.This is a remarkeble river and holds one of Iceland´s strongest and fittest, sea-run brown trout stock there is, as well as some sea-run char and occasioanally salmon..This beautiful, fresh water river, runs through a plain from Skjálftavatn lake which was formed in the volcanic eruption of Krafla in 1979..
Before that, the lake and of course the river itself did not exist..As the area is a known geothermal area, the average temperature of the water is around 12°C, and even reaches up to 20°C around the hottest springs in Brunnur, below Keldunes, and that´s one of the rivers x-factor since you can fish there almost 7 months per year.. It gets cooler further down towards the mouth of the river but it does not drop below 9°C and therefor the river almost never freezes over in the winter months. These conditions make Litlá unique as it makes the standard weight of the trout utterly incredible and higher than in most trout rivers in Iceland..
Anglers fishing in the river mouth, sometimes that can be a hot spot for new seatrout ranging amazing size..
Researchers have been looking at Litlaá and found out, that due to the warm water, the river rears massive hoards of sticklebacks that the brown trout feast on the whole year in andyear out..
Some of them are so fat that you wonder how they can even move, let alone follow and grab a fly. But they do, oh yes they do and in no uncertain way! This seasons biggest sea trout was caught during the spring, a monstrous specimen of 23 pounds..
There are bigger trout in the river now then ever before bacause during past seasons the fishing methood of catch and realease has become more and more popular amongst anglers fishing the river. These monstress trouts, they seem to come a live every day during the season and grab a fly, only to shake their heads and chop the leader like a strip of thread..
In a few sea trout rivers in Iceland spring fishing is allowed, yet in some quarters the spring fishing is a bit controversial as anglers are then catching the trout on their way back to sea after they have stayed in the river over the winter. In all the rivers except Litlaá the spawners are thin and really need to get back to their ocean feeding grounds and should be released so they can do so..
Due to the warm waters of Litlaá, this is not a problem and the springers are as fat as the fish running from the sea. In fact the springers are in no hurry out of the river and many stay well into the summer, the prime season on the river thus being longer than usuall for an Icelandic sea trout river. This should be kept in mind..
Five rods are permitted on Litlá´s 6 beats.
We are booking now in for season 2010 and 2011
Location: North East Iceland (60 km from Húsavík)
Fishing season: May 1st - October 10th
Prime time: May, June, August, September, early October
Guide: One guide for the river
Lodge: Keldunes lodge offers 6 double rooms.
Tackle: Single handed rods 5-7
Best flies: Small Nymphs, beat/gold heads, Black Ghost, Dentist, Heimasaeta, Various Nobblers and Dry flies.
Fishing hours:
April 1st to August 20th 07:00 - 13:--& 16:00 - 22:00
August 20th to October 10th 07:00 - 13:00 & 15:00 - 21:00
Keldunes lodge by Litlá - An excellent accommodation is provided at the Keldunes lodge which is newly rebuilt and has all modern comfort including a jacuzzi. All our clients have loved their stay at the very good lodge. The lodge and the nice people living by the river is a part of Litlá's charm. You can both choose to arrange your own meals or get a full service.
We provide an excellent accommodation at the Keldunes lodge which is newly rebuilt and has all modern comfort including a jacuzzi, wading room and balcany view to die for..You can choose between selfcatering service or Full lodge and boarding service, the fishing hours will be noon to noon, either 3 days or 6 days..
Here is Bara, the lodge owner watching a client showing himself off on the BBQ, what a nice way to enjoy the fishing trip to have a local lamb for dinner on the grill?? Bara takes care of all anglers in Litlaa, she makes the food ready, always has snacks available in the cooler if someone is hungry in midday and she cleans as well, super lady that Bara. If you take a look to the kitchen, you will find all modern facility available in the lodge and a great window view to the river..
I wanted to write you a quick note to thank you for putting together such a lovely trip for me and Jonathan Reeves. Not only was the fishing terrific, but we thoroughly enjoyed the accommodations, food, and especially your wonderful country. Our guide, Denni, really made sure our experience was tremendous. He went out of his way to enlighten us on the history and sites in Iceland and of course, made certain that we were in the best possible fishing beats. He spent a great deal of time teaching both of us the finer points of fly fishing. I am a novice and Jon is quite experienced but both of us learned from Denni. We have already talked about coming back!
