Carving its way through Iceland’s untamed eastern wilderness, River Jökla is a river like no other. Flowing through rugged valleys and remote highlands, this pristine waterway has become a dependable haven for the majestic Atlantic salmon. Once clouded with glacial silt, Jökla now runs clear in summer, revealing wild, powerful pools and untapped beats. With consistent runs throughout the season and 100 cm fish landed each year, it stands among Iceland’s most promising salmon rivers.
This is a place for the curious and the committed - where new beats are still being discovered, and every cast holds the thrill of possibility. With over 75 km of confirmed salmon water - possibly well over 100 km in total, and access to three distinct tributaries, and a growing stock of wild salmon, sea trout, and char, Jökla offers rare variety, very low pressure, and a deep connection to the land.
The Jökla river runs over 100 km from source to sea, but the fishery known simply as Jökla covers more than 20 km of highly productive salmon water including the main river and four distinct tributaries. In fact, you’ll have the chance to fish five different rivers during your stay!
The main stretch of Jökla itself runs from the lowest pool at Skipalág up to the Church Pool (Húsármót) or at time up to Skuggahlíðastrengur.
Along the way, you’ll fish broad glides, deep channels, and classic holding water, set in some of the most beautiful surroundings imaginable. This is a river where salmon might rise in slow motion to your fly in a calm, glassy pool, or try to rip the rod from your hands in a fast, surging run. We’ve got it all. And even better, there are still places no one has fished yet.
THE JÖKLA TRIBUTARIES:
• Kaldá (approx. 5 km) – A crystal-clear, intimate tributary—textbook Icelandic in both character and charm.
• Laxá (2 km) – A delicate, fast-moving stretch that rewards active fishing.
• Fossá (200 m) – Tiny but often full of surprises in the right conditions.
• Fögruhlíðará(approx. 9 km) – Offers trout and char fishing in June and July, before joining the salmon rotation from August onwards.
This rotating system keeps every session fresh, offering a new river, new character, and new opportunities each day. The fishery is divided into 3 to 4 beats, with two rods fishing per beat.
Further downstream, anglers are welcome to explore an additional 15 km of free fishing toward the estuary. While salmon don’t tend to hold there for long, it’s a wilder, more exploratory experience—perfect for those who enjoy venturing off the beaten path
Upper Jökla, also known as Jökla II, is a distinct upper beat of the main river, set deeper into the valley. Remote, rugged, and lightly fished, it offers a striking contrast to the lower stretches. Here, the river winds through dramatic terrain with sweeping views and raw natural beauty. Salmon hold in pocket water, behind boulders, and in narrow channels that reward a quiet, thoughtful approach.
This is a beat for those who love to explore. It’s about discovery and finesse over routine and repetition. And at times, we’ve even seen more salmon here than on the lower beat.
Fishing runs from the pool Hofteigsbreiða or at times Eyjólfsbreiða upstream to Tregluhylur, a stretch that feels as wild as it gets. Anglers are welcome to explore a further 20 km upriver, rarely fished and still largely untouched. Salmon have been spotted, but much of this stretch remains to be truly discovered
Key Information for both Jökla beats
LOWER JÖKLA
• Fishing: Main river and tributaries (Kaldá, Laxá, Fossá, Fögruhlíðará – salmon rotation in August & September)
• Season: 23 June – 30 September
• Rods: 4–8. 2-4 beats witth 2 rods on each.
• Lodge: Full-service Hálsakot lodge with private en-suite rooms and free WiFi
• Morning and afternoon rotation
UPPER JÖKLA(JÖKLA II)
• Season: 9 July – mid August
• Rods: 6
• Lodge: Full service or self-catering in farmhouse at Hjarðarhagi.
Also at Jökla Guesthouse is a new accommodation option for 2026, which will be available soon, alongside more luxurious lodging for anglers in Upper Jökla.
Recommended Flies for Jökla:
Sunray variations, Silver Sheep, Frances, Autumn Hooker, Snælda, Erna, Metallica, Hitch, Cascade.
Use hook flies in sizes 8–12, micro cones tube, and ½ to 1 inch tube.
Gear:
12-14 foot spey rods in line 7-8. Floating lines but bring a sink tip.
9-9,6 foot singlehand rods in line 7 for the tributaries. Floating lines.
Fishing Rules:
Fly fishing only, mandatory release of all salmon 70 cm or longer, one salmon per rod per day may be kept under 70 cm, with catch and release required thereafter. Preferably, all salmon should be released to protect excellent spawning grounds in the Jökla watershed.
Sea run char (sjóbleikja) and sea-trout 45 cm or longer must also be released.
River Keeper:
Guðmundur Ólason – Phone: +354 660 6893
Approx. 9 km
• Season: 1 June – 31 July
• Rods: 4
Popular Flies:
Bleik and Blá, Nobler, Red Frances, Krafla, Black Ghost, and others.
Popular Flies:
Bleik and Blá, Nobler, Red Frances, Krafla, Black Ghost, and others.
Average Catch:
Around 30 salmon and 300 trout and char, mostly sea run.
Free Zone. 15 km stretch below Skipalág available for additional exploration (outside the formal rotation).
Lodging:
Hálsakot Lodge June 1-22 June.
Fishing Rules:
Fly fishing only. No quota on trout, but all char (sjóbleikja) over 45 cm must be released. All salmon 70 cm and larger must also be released. It is permitted to keep one salmon per rod per day under the size limit, with catch and release required thereafter.
River Keeper:
Guðmundur Ólason – Phone: +354 660 6893
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