General information

The Blanda is a glacial river, located in the northwest of Iceland rising in the foothills of the mighty Hofsjökull glacier. The river flows 125 km through the vast highlands into the stunning valleys of Blöndudalur and Langidalur before reaching the sea next to the town of Blönduós. Until 1991, prior to the installation of a dam 60 km above the estuary, Blanda used to be unfishable due to its overwhelming and colored flow pattern. Due to the dam the pools of the Blanda are today milky-clear during summertime, offering a great and exciting fly-fishing experience.

The average catch for the past ten years is just under 2300 salmon annually, with the best year in 2015 exceeding just above 4800 salmon. Fishing the Blanda is a 37 km long adventure, where anglers encounter fast flowing rapids, long calm stretches and a canyon on the uppermost section of the river. Heavy wading is necessary in parts of the lower section but becomes easier towards the upper part. All these pools are ideal fishing with double-handed rods; we highly recommend this, as Blanda is notorious for its high ratio of multi-winter salmon. The salmon of the Blanda have a well-known reputation for being among the most powerful in the country.

The Blanda River opens to anglers in early June after the first spring runs arrive at the end of May, fishing with only four rods. Later in the season as the salmon runs increase, reaching their peak in July and early August, the whole river becomes an eight-rod operation. Throughout the season, the river offers the angler an abundant amount of pools to select from, ensuring well-rested waters for both the fisherman and the salmon.

Blanda IV