Nordura

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. Nordura is primarily a grilse river with a fair number of larger multi-sea-winter fish available early in the season. Also of note is that it is Iceland’s most productive wild salmon river meaning that it has not been influenced or assisted by hatchery or smolt release programs. Guests stay in the exceedingly tasteful Rjupnahaed Lodge overlooking the Laxafoss waterfall. The lodge has 14 single-occupancy rooms with attached baths, exceptional meals, a full bar, and Wi-Fi.

Each day two guests will depart the lodge with their guide in 4x4 vehicles to access their allotted beat. All fishing will be done on foot either while wading or from the bank. Most pools are fairly easy to reach and appropriate for guests with a moderate level of fitness. The river has 200 named pools and has produced an average of 1,900 landed fish annually over the past ten seasons. Guides are expert anglers and most speak excellent English. The river is extremely varied with technical braided sections, waterfall pools, gorges and broad wide-open pools in its lower reached making it truly remarkable and captivating system. Nordura is fished with single hand rods through much of the season but smaller spey and switch rods are very handy in the early season and in some of the lower reaches. Like many rivers in Iceland, very small tube flies, both weighted and hitched are often employed on floating lines. Guide days are split into a morning and an evening session. Packages tend to be based around three days of fishing with an evening session upon arrival, two full days and a morning session on your day of departure.

Guests stay at the full-service Rjupnahaed Lodge which was remodeled in 2017 and is considered one of the nicest fishing lodges in the country. The lodge which takes 8-12 guests, overlooks a stunning waterfall and offers all guests single rooms with two twin beds and attached baths. The lodge has a full bar, sauna, drying room and excellent Wi-Fi. Meals are of the highest quality.

Day 1: Arrive Keflavik Airport, Iceland and overnight in Reykjavik.

Day 2: Transfer 1.5 hours by vehicle to the lodge in the morning, settle in and fish a guided evening session.

Days 3-4: Full days of fishing with morning and evening sessions.

Day 5: Morning guided fishing then transfer to Reykjavik.

2025 Rate: Per person based on single occupancy / shared guiding, selected week, and exchange rate

3 night/4 day package: $7,425 to $10,300 

Included: Accommodations and meals at Rjupnahaed Lodge, transfers to/from Reykjavik to the lodge, fishing permit for one rod, guiding and transportation to/from river, one guide to every 2 rods, alcohol

Not Included: Airfare, hotels and meals in Reykjavik, gratuities, flies and tackle

Species: Atlantic salmon

Season: June - September

Capacity: 8-12 anglers

Who is best suited to this destination? This destination is best suited to discerning anadromous anglers who are willing to pay handsomely for some of the finest wild Atlantic salmon fishing Iceland and the world have to offer. This a great location for both Spey anglers and single hand anglers and the meals and accommodations are very nice. This fishery also mandates a fair amount of walking, and all fishing is done while wading. This is an iconic Icelandic river and offers an incredible sampling of all that makes salmon fishing in Iceland so desirable.

Where is the lodge? The lodge is located 110 km north of Reykjavik in central-western Iceland.

How do I get there? There are many connections from U.S airports with airlines, such as Icelandair and Delta to Keflavik airport in Iceland. Most folks will overnight at a hotel upon arrival and get picked up mid day by the lodge to the one-hour transfer to Nordura. Guest will fish and afternoon session upon arrival.

When should I go? Their season runs from June 4th through September 15th. The most popular and productive dates are between Late June and early August and these dates are priced accordingly.

How will I fish? Anglers will employ floating lines on single-handed rods, switch rods and light double-handed rods. Small flies, micro-tubes and hitched tubes in size 12-14 are often used. Flies are typically swung down and across and all fishing is done while wading.

Is there wade fishing? All fishing is done on foot but many runs and lies are fished from dry land while other runs require wading.         

Where will I fish? The river is around 30 KM long and has more than 200 named pools. During a typical three day fishing package, you will fish it a rotation of beats and see a good deal of the river.

How long does it take to reach the fishing grounds?  Anywhere from five minutes to 30 minutes, depending on your specific beat.

What type(s) of fish will I catch?  Wild Atlantic salmon.

How many fish will I catch?  Typically guest will land 2-4 salmon per day.

Will I see other anglers?  No. The Nordura system is privately owned and the only anglers you will see are the ones you will be sharing the lodge with.

What are the guides like? The guides are very experienced professionals, and all speak English. They all have 4X4 vehicles that will be used to get you between beats ad pools.

What are the physical demands? The majority of the river offers rather easy access to prime pools and moderately easy wading. In the lower canyon the terrain is more challenging but not exceedingly extreme.

Are there any special skills required? Not particularly, the guides will help you with all the techniques and methods.

Does the lodge provide equipment? It is possible to rent rods and waders if needed. Please let Fly Water know if you want to pursue this path. Flies can also be purchased on site.

What is your favorite setup for the trip? We recommend that guest travel with two rods for this trip; a single-handed rod 6-to 8-weight and a doubled handed rod in the 7-to 8-weight range. Weight forward floating lines are the norm and 8-to 14-pound leader material is standard. We recommend tapered leaders for better casting and turnover.

What are the top flies? Collie Dog, Frances, Silver Sheep, Dimma, Green Butt, Sunday Shadow, and riffle hitched micro tubes are the norm. Most Icelandic angler fish tubes with small trailing treble hooks in the #10-14 size-range.

What are the options if water conditions become challenging? All fishing will be on the Nordura regardless of conditions. With that said, high blown out water is uncommon but low water is somewhat common. In low water situations, guest will use longer leaders and smaller flies and very careful approaches.

What is a typical day like? Breakfast is served 07:30 at the lodge. Morning sessions are from 08:00- 13:00. Lunch from 13:00-16:00. Afternoon session starts from 16:00-22:00. On the arrival day you start fishing at 16.00 and on departure you end your fishing at 12:30.

What is the general vibe, atmosphere and style of the lodge? The enire lodge was fully renovated in 2018. It has a very nice modern yet homey feel. It is nice but overly formal.

Is there an on-site owner, manager or other point-person at the lodge? Yes, there is always a manager on the site.

Where do we eat, and what are the meals like?  Each day there is a nice breakfast and lunch buffet and in the evenings, there is a very nice three course sit-down table service meal prepared by one of Iceland’s top chefs.

What is the alcohol policy? The lodge has good selection of wines, beers and spirits for sale.

Where do we stay, and what are the accommodations like?  There are 14 twin rooms at the lodge. Each rod gets its own private room. At Nordura, it is possible for two anglers to share a room and a single rod (meaning only one guest fishes at a time).

Is there internet and/or cell service?  Yes there is free Wi-Fi at the lodge but cell coverage varies.

Are there other activities?  No, this a destination for anglers.

Are there any other expenses? The only additional expenses are the bar tab, flies that can be bought on site and rental gear if needed.

Do I need a visa? No.

Are there any health concerns, dangers or annoyances? You need to disinfect your equipment before entering Iceland. That can be done before arrival with certification from your home country or there is a disinfection service at Keflavik airport. This process can annoy folks. On-site there can be periods with heavy midge hatches, ad while they don’t bite that can be annoying.