Efri Laxasteinn (#636)

Neðri Laxasteinn (#634)

Djúpihylur (#630)

Eyrarstrengur (#626)

Bríkarstrengur (#624)

Laxaflúð (Efri og Neðri) (#615)

Sjónklettshylur (#618)

Bríkarhylur efri (#614)

Úlfsfoss (#720)

Rauðisteinn (#716)

Stekkur (Stekkjarlækur #714)

Brúarfljót (Álkubrú #710)

Stóribrandur (#708)

Litlibrandur (#707)

Stekkjarfoss (#590)

Urriðaflúðir (#584)

Nónhylur (#580)

Hundahylur (#570)

Torfhvammshylur (#550)

Ullarfljót (#548)

Þórhallastaðahylur (Grettishylur #544)

Þórhöllustaðahylur is below the farm Sunnuhlíð, sometimes named Grettishylur. Here it’s important not to bring the car too close to the river, because this pool, like many others in the river, is very vulnerable to any disturbance. Start fishing by wading out into the riffle above the pool and cast towards the edge of the cliff or a little to its side, where the river is deepest. The pool should be fished all the way down to the riffle which is quite far below it. The place to stop is where a telephone line has been shoveled in and crosses the rivers underground, and is not hard to find. This is quite a good fishing pool and in late summer it is almost certain to yield a fish if treated in the right way.

Stekkjarstrengur (Neðri Hamarshylur #541)

Hamarshylur (#540)

Stekkjarhylur (#538)

Birgishylur (#537)

Hlíðarhylur (#536)

Bleikjufljót (#530)

Smiðshylur (#526)

Smiðshylur ( Carpender-pool ) is fished from the west bank. You should see two rocks are under the surface beside the eastbank and salmons often lie near these rocks. In the autumn salmons lie good part until the water breaks.

Hraunhylur (#524)

Grímshylur (#520)

Two Stones (#515)

Grjóthrúgukvörn (#510)

Litla Kvörn (#506)

Efri Ármót (#504)

Ármótahylur (#502)

Gústi (Hornið #498)

Rofabakki (#496)

Rofabakki is one of the most beautiful fly-fishing pools in the river Vatnsdalsá. The pool often holds big salmons, witch can strike almost everywhere here. Rofabakki is fished from the eastbank and it pays off not to wade this pool because the fish can lie near the bank, particularly in the morning. This pool can change from year to year.

This is many anglers' favourite pool, a beautiful one with an even current, just perfect for the fly to drift in. According to experience the best spots are fairly far up the pool. By the west bank there is a gravel bank and a small current right next to the high bank. The striking spots begin right at the tip of that bank. An experienced angler will easily catch sight of some large rocks under the surface, a little more towards the river's east side. The best spots are normally there by these rocks. But the pool is a fairly long and salmon can be expected all the way from there down to the sandbank below the high open bank. There are often some fish on the riffle. Char are often caught here also so this place really is a fine one.

In the part of Rofabakki the salmons often lie near the bank and in the still water further away. Many anglers fish this pool by casting the fly into the current above the still water. A big rock is located where the pool starts to widen and you can see the rock’s mark on the surface. You should fish in front of that rock and to the east side of it. In the lower part on the west bank of this pool is a big turf. About 5 meters above this turf salmons often lies.

It’s safe to say that salmons lie everywhere in this pool and you should fish it from top to the bottom.

Sléttuhylur (#495)

Árnahylur (#494)

Garðsendi (#492)

Saurbæjarhylur (#490)

Línufljót Efra (#486)

Línufljót (#486)

Línufljót ( Linesriver ) is a pool that is fished from the east waterside and you should start at the topmost spot and work your way downwards. The presumptive location is in the centre of the river where the gravel bank finish on the east bank and a higher bank starts.

Lækjarhylur (#484)

Ásbrekkuhylur (#448)

Hornfljót (#476)

Hólmahylur (Hólmahyljir #474)

Forsetahylur (#470)

Móhelluhylur (#468)

Árnakrókur (#466)

Efri-Búbót (#461)

Tunguhylur (#459)

Tungufljót (#458)

Langafljót (#454)

Hólakotskvísl (#453)

Gilárós (#450)

Gilárkrókur (#444)

Bjarnasteinn (#440)

Bjarnasteinn is a very impressive fishing pool. It widen out where the river turns back to the north. For many anglers this one is the ultimate fly-fishing pool, not surprisingly since big salmons have nested here for years. This pool is one of them in Vatnsdalsá most anglers grace with their present from year to another.

It’s advisable to start uppermost at the corner called Gílárkrókur, for there often some new run salmon is to be found. Virtual the first strike point is straight off an old weatherworn fence pole on the east waterside. This spot is about in the middle of the pool, about 10-15 meters above a big rock the water hits, the rock this pool has its name from. The next striking spot is to be found by this rock, both sides to it, particularly to the far current. The third spot is far down, by a little creek which runs down the east hillside. Here it is advisable to wade carefully into the middle of the pool, for the salmon lies at the east side of the river. Begin about 12-15 meters above a current which forms at the east side and fish towards the creek.

Gullstrengur (#439)

Hlíðarfljót (#438)

Kötlustaðahylur (#436)

Arnarnöfshylur (#430)

Vaðhvammur (#428)

Vaðhvammur is a magnificent fly-fishing pool, almost like cut from a catalog for the perfect ones. It's possible to fish this place from both sides and its propably better to wade to the other bank, down below Kötlustaðahylur, and fish it from the east waterside.

Upmost is a big rock and when the salmon is moving upwards you should fish in front of this rock and in the race further. The best place in the autumn or late in the summer is in the middle of the sandswell. The salmon lies in the middle of the river. You should fish Vaðhvammur with 45° casts and pull the fly in fast. For here one can forget time and place, Vaðhvammur has become many anglers favourite.

Áveituhylur (#422)

Hofshylur (#420)

Stekkjarfljót Efra (#416)

Stekkjarfljót Neðra (#416)

Tjarnarhylur (#414)

Réttarhylur (Réttarhorn #406)

Réttarfljót (#404)

Kirkjustrengur (#396)

Bjarnastaðakvörn (#240)

Hólakvörn (#230)

Hólakvörn is about 30 meter below the reflux of the Flóðið (the Flodid). The best location is where the water brakes on a little stone nose. Do not wade this pool because its a calm "mill" and you may only get one try. Make short casts because the best location is only 2 – 4 meters from the bank. The mill itself is very frailty but there is almost guarantee a salmon lies there early in the summer. Many fisherman believe this pool is one off the most enjoyable in the river Vatnsdalsá.

Skriðuvað (#220)

The Map to Your Catch

SALMON WATERS

Vatnsdalsá is a 74 km spring-fed river originating from Haukagilsheiði and Grímstunguheiði, flowing into Vatnsdalur.

It has two fishing camps: one for salmon and another for char and trout.
The salmon fishing section, including the tributary Álka, extends approximately 21 km (13 miles) and features over 90 marked fishing pools.
Its lowest part, one of the river’s most productive beats, lies within the trout fishing stretch below the lake Flóðið.

The map sections below show overview of the salmon camps and in the list you can click on each pool for more detailed description.

Download a mobile-friendly fishing map of Vatnsdalsá (4.5 MB).

Collie Dog

A Hall of Fame salmon fly, the Collie Dog dates back to late 18th-century Scotland. Likely one of the first hair-wing salmon flies, it was originally tied with fur from a Border Collie. Its popularity has remained strong, especially as tube flies gave it new life, proving its enduring effectiveness.