2025 Atlantic Salmon - Iceland Season Primer
Max Salzburg November 19, 2024
The 2024 season saw excellent salmon returns and the numbers were above the recent historic average. While the weather provided some challenges this season, the strong returns kept things interesting for intrepid anglers and we are hopeful that the return trend continues and will produce an exciting 2025 season.
Here is a quick look at these destinations as well as a unique option to combine these destinations into a single amazing itinerary.
East Ranga
At East Ranga guests' fish with two-handed rods using the traditional cast, step technique. The fishing at East Ranga is similar to winter or late fall steelhead fishing. The river is cold, and guests use sinking tips and weighted tube flies to get the fly deep quickly. East Ranga is typically in Iceland's top five rivers for catch rates and is often competing for the very top spot in terms of overall fish caught. 2800 landed fish per season is not unusual and they tend to average around 12 pounds with some fish getting in the 20-pound class. The lodge offers a very high level of service with fantastic meals, and comfortable accommodation. The lodge operates on a 4 -day fishing rotation with each session being approximately 5 – to 6-hours in length.
Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive Keflavik Airport/ Transfer to East Ranga / Evening session of guided fishing
Day 2 – 4: Full days of guided fishing
Day 5: Morning session of guided fishing / Depart lodge at approximately 2:00 PM
Note: Guests will often arrive a day early and overnight in Reykjavik before transferring to the lodge.
Available 2025 East Ranga Dates:
July 3 – 7: 2 rods
July 7-11: 3 rods
July 11 – 15: 2 rods
August 7-11: 2 rods (prime dates)
August 11-15: 2 rods
August 19 – 22: 4 rods (3 days)
Rates: Rates at East Ranga fluctuate throughout the season depending on the historic salmon run. The 2025 rate is approximately $7,965 USD - $14,040 USD for a 4 night / 4 day package
Nordura
Nordura is classic Icelandic wild salmon river. Guests fish with single-hand or switch rods, also stepping down the pools. The river is very clear and fish will often take the fly high in the water column. The Nordura River is known as “The Fairest River” and once there it is easy to see why. The lodge sits above a waterfall and canyon overlooking a stunning landscape. The lodge offers a high level of service with gourmet meals, and luxury accommodation. Nordura operates on a 3-day rotation with each session being approximately 5 – to 6 – hours long.
Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive Keflavik Airport/ Transfer to Nordura/ Evening session of guided fishing
Day 2 – 3: Full days of guided fishing
Day 4: Morning session of guided fishing / Depart lodge at approximately 2:00 PM
Note: Guests will often arrive a day early and overnight in Reykjavik before transferring to the lodge.
Available 2025 Nordura Dates:
July 12-15: 4 rods (prime dates)
July 15-18: 2 rods
July 21-24: 6 rods
July 24-27: 6 rods
July 27 - 30: 4 rods
August 2 - 5: 4 rods
Rates: Rates at Nordura fluctuate throughout the season depending on the historic salmon run. The 2025 rate is approximately $7,240 USD - $9,975 USD for a 3 night/ 3 day package
Combined Itinerary - Nordura & East Ranga
Want to experience both destinations or get more fishing at either of the lodges? It is possible to do back-to-back rotations, or this special Fly Water Travel exclusive itinerary in the 2025 season:
July 7, 2025: Arrive Keflavik / Rent Car / Drive to East Ranga / Evening session of guided fishing
July 8 - 10: 3 full days of guided fishing at East Ranga
July 11: Morning session of guided fishing/ Depart after fishing / Drive to Reykjavik – Overnight on your own
July 12: Drive to Nordura, arrival at approximately 2:00 PM/ Evening session of guided fishing
July 13 - 14: 2 full days of guided fishing at Nordura
July 15: Morning session of guided fishing / Depart Lodge at approximately 2:00 PM / Overnight in Reykjavik or Depart Iceland
This itinerary is on the early side of the prime window at East Ranga and in the heart of prime time at Nordura.
Rates:
East Ranga: Approximately $9,384 USD for a 4 night/4 day package based on single occupancy and shared guiding
Nordura: Approximately $10,087 USD for a 3 night/ 3 day package based on single occupancy and shared guiding
Total Rate: Approximately $19,471 for a 7 night/ 7 day package based on single occupancy and shared guiding
Nordura, Iceland
Nordura is often referred to as “the fairest river” and for those that appreciate the finer points of fishing for Atlantic salmon in Iceland, the beauty of Nordura runs far deeper than its spectacular appearances. Nordura is small enough to be intimate and at the same time large enough to be mysterious, it well suited to both single hand rods and switch rods, and it has a truly unparalleled diversity of water ranging from rugged gorges and waterfalls to long open pools gliding through verdant grasslands.
East Ranga, Iceland
The East Ranga is one of Iceland’s most sought after rivers and renowned for its high numbers of large multi-sea-winter fish. The river is broad and gentle by many standards, very well suited to Spey fishing and produces an average of 2500 landed salmon each year, with an average weight of 10- to 14-pounds.
Max Salzburg
Contact our expert, Max Salzburg, below for more information about this unique destination and to inquire about setting up the perfect trip to match your goals.