Sea Run Brown Trout in Iceland

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Sea Run Brown Trout in Iceland

A person wearing a cap, sunglasses, and waders standing against a bright blue sky with scattered clouds, holding a large, speckled fish out in front of them with both hands, its fins spread and body glistening in the sunlight.

Brown trout from the land of fire and ice...

We flew in through low, dark clouds into the wet green of Iceland. Just driving along Iceland’s south coast is worth the trip - huge cliffs with waterfall after waterfall crashing to moss covered coastal plains. 

This was the first time we have fished for sea run brown trout, or “sea trout” as the Europeans call them, and we were thrilled to be chasing them in their native range in an area where they have had this sea run life history for thousands of years.

Expansive valley view with a curving river cutting through green and golden terrain, surrounded by rolling hills and rugged rock formations; the sky is filled with dramatic, swirling cloud patterns in shades of white and gray.
A person wearing a cap, sunglasses, and waders standing against a bright blue sky with scattered clouds, holding a large, speckled fish out in front of them with both hands, its fins spread and body glistening in the sunlight.
Close-up of a person crouching on uneven rocks at the edge of a river, wearing gloves and waders, carefully holding a broad, dark-spotted fish just above the reflective water surface, with ripples spreading outward.
A calm lake with mirror-like reflections of steep, grass-covered mountains that slope down into the water; the scene is lit with soft daylight under a lightly clouded sky, creating a serene and symmetrical composition.

The first takes we had were in big water on the swing from strong fish that had plenty of current to work with and the shoulders to put it to good use. The cloud-coverage and rain that varied from trickling to pouring made the fish incredibly active. 

Two people dressed in layered outdoor gear and caps, standing close together and smiling while jointly holding a large fish; one grips the tail while the other supports the head, with grass and water visible in the background.
A person in chest waders and a cap holding a long-handled fishing net, standing on a grassy riverbank with low vegetation, while a second figure is partly visible nearby; the water glimmers softly in the background.

Fly fishing in this area of southern Iceland where the landscapes are so breathtaking can be almost distracting from the task at hand. Many of the waterfalls, bridges and river banks seem almost cultivated in their perfection. .

A broad waterfall cascading over dark rock ledges into a foamy river, framed by steep green hills on both sides; above, the sky is filled with soft, patterned clouds that stretch across the horizon in pastel shades of gray and cream.

The sun came out for the second portion of our trip and the full splendor of this vast topography came to life. Unfortunately, sea trout do not love to attack flies under bright sun, so we had to put in some serious work to drum up a few. Never deterred from a challenge related to fishing, we put in the casts and found some truly special fish including all four species that the area offers: sea trout, resident browns, arctic char and even one Atlantic salmon. These clear days made for clear nights which meant some stunning views of the Northern Lights.  

We will be back, and not just for the sea trout, but for the moss, the waterfalls, the cold water, the local gin and of course, the people. 

Extreme close-up of a fish’s head and upper body, showing golden-yellow scales patterned with irregular dark brown spots, glistening with moisture; the fish’s eye is round and glossy, reflecting light clearly
Wide view of a river winding through dark volcanic rock and grassy banks, with steep cliffs covered in green and yellow vegetation rising in the background under a dramatic, overcast sky filled with thick gray clouds.
A person in a green waterproof jacket crouching on a rocky riverbank with a grassy slope behind them, holding a large fish horizontally across their knees while looking toward the camera with a smile.

To book a trip to Iceland and learn about all of their fishing opportunities, contact our friends at FishPartner.

Author

A man with a trimmed beard and mustache, wearing a patterned sweater and a cap, smiling at the camera while standing outdoors; behind him is a river running through grassy terrain with rolling hills under a partly cloudy sky.

GARRISON DOCTOR - RepYourWater Co-Founder and Designer