Hólsa East Bank
Great fishing where the Ranga rivers meet
The West and the East Ranga flow in to a larger main river a few km from the ocean. That main river is named Hólsá. As you can imagine enormous amounts of salmon run through the Holsa on their way to the Ranga rivers. The Holsa is ideal for a group of up to 12 people that want privacy but still excellent chance of Atlantic salmon.
Salmon & Sea Trout
Holsa is not only a great salmon river but also has excellent sea trout fishing. There has always been good sea trout fishing in the river and the Holsa has a healthy natural stock of sea trout which can be over 20 pounds.
When the smolt release program started in the Ranga rivers the salmon fishing in the Holsa took off as well and now the fishing is around 1000 salmon per year. Holsa also has its very own smolt release ponds so there are salmon in the river all season.
The season in Holsa is quite long or from first of April to October 20th. In the spring the catch consists of sea trout and the catch can be extremely good, beginning of June the first salmon arrive and the first ones to run are the big ones. In June you will catch fewer but much bigger salmon. Beginning of July up until middle of August is prime time in the river. In that time slot the runs in the Ranga Rivers are at its peak and all the salmon going up there run through Holsa.
Holsa is an excellent option for a group of friends or family that want great fishing but still privacy in a very good lodge by the riverbank.
Lodge
The Holsa lodge is located just below the junction of East Ranga/Holsa in a prime location a few meters from the river. In the lodge you will find six twin bedrooms, all with private facilities, a comfortable lounge with sofas and chairs as well as a dining table for up to 12 guests. There is a kitchen with a stove, oven and a fridge – perfect for self-catering.
Outside you will find a 100 square meter veranda with magnificent views over the mountain range and the river. There are chairs and tables on the veranda and of course a BBQ.
Of course there is a large comfortable Jacuzzi to soak in after a hard day on the river. In a separate building there is wader storage and a fridge plus freezer for the grilse.
General information
Tackle allowed: Fly, spinner and worm.
Quota: Four grilse under 70 cm per rod per shift. Salmon over 70 cm must be released.
Rods: Double Handed 12-18 feet 8-11 weight. Sink tip recommended.
Clothing: As the weather in Iceland can be quite unpredictable it is best to dress in layers, adding or removing according to comfort.
Best flies: Range of tube flies such as: Fish Skull ¾ – 1” tube (pink, green, blue), Frances ¼ – ½” tungsten or copper (black, red, orange), Snaelda ¼ – ½” tungsten or copper (German, Franken’), Friggi ½ – 1” (claret, black, purple, chartreuse), Monkey tube(black, yellow, pink) overall 7-9cm, Hot-head Sunray Shadow / Collie Dog overall 5-9cm
Surface flies: Larger Hitch Tubes ¾ – 1½ “ tube, Bomber hook size single hook size 4 – 6, Green Machine hook size 6 – 10 Hooks / Tube Hooks: Single sizes 4 – 10 Double / treble sizes 6 – 12
Head guide and administration
Gunnar Guðjónsson
+354 696 1200
Sales
Jóhann Davíð Snorrason
+354 793 7979 – johann@kolskeggur.is
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