Alex Jardine looks at the 12 flies he uses when he fishes in Iceland.
My 12 Flies for Iceland
Iceland is renowned for its great salmon fishing but this is by no means all that this small country has to offer. With a growing reputation for large free rising brown trout more trout enthused travellers are venturing north.
I returned to Iceland for a second time this summer to tussle with these large brown trout, and once again they failed to disappoint. With two fish over 7 lbs and numerous 4 – 5 lb fish landed what more does one want?
Fly selection in Iceland is different to that of most other countries, unlike most rivers around the world there are no upwing or stonefly fly species in Iceland instead it is one of the most prolific midge fisheries in the world. Combined with the midges (chironomids - they do not bite!) are a few caddis and during the warmer parts of summer a heather fly.
When planning your fly selection for Iceland obviously, as it is anywhere, the first task is to match the hatch but in Iceland it is also key to make sure the equipment is fit for the task. When selecting flies make sure they are on strong hooks because these fish fight hard, whether they are burning you into backing or just refusing to move.
Here are my 12 flies for Iceland:
- The F-Fly: This is a first choice to most destinations, simple to tie and very effective.
Hook: size 16, Partridge L2A or similar
Thread: 14/0 black
Body: peacock sparkle dubbing
Wing: Natural CDC
- Griffiths Gnat: A great pattern when the fish are taking the midges stood on the water.
Hook: Size 16, Partridge L2A or similar
Thread: 14/0 black
Tail: white poly-wing
Hackle: Grizzle
Wing: White poly-wing
- CDC Shuttlecock: This fly catches the emerging stage of midges.
Hook: Size 14, Partridge L2A or similar
Thread: 14/0 black
Body: Red and black seal’s fur blend
Wind: Natural CDC
- Klinkhammer: A must have fly for anywhere, a generic emerger pattern.
Hook: Size 12, Partridge K4A or similar
Thread: 14/0 black
Body: Black seal’s fur with red hot spot
Post: Pink and white poly-wing
Hackle: Grizzle
Thorax: black sparkle dubbing
- Bibio Hopper: This fly imitates the heather fly.
Hook: Size 14, Partridge L2A or similar
Thread: 14/0 red
Body: Black seal’s fur with red hot spot
Rib: Red holographic tinsel
Legs: knotted pheasant tail
Hackle: Black
- Galdra Hopper: This is a local favourite and a great searching fly.
Hook: Size 12, Partridge L2A or similar
Thread: 8/0 black
Tail: Red foam (booby cord)
Legs: Knotted pheasant tail
Hackle: Brown
Rib: Copper wire
- Fat Matress: A pattern designed to search the Iceland waters.
Hook: Size 10, Partridge L2A or similar
Thread: 8/0 black
Body: Grey deer hair mix dubbing
Hackle: Brown
Wing: Black flat foam with pink poly-wing
Thorax: Black sparkle dubbing
- Pearl Spider: A favourite of mine, tends to get the fish that are eating just sub-surface.
Hook: Size 16, Partridge G3A/L or similar
Thread: 14/0 black
Body: UV pearl tinsel
Hackle: Snipe or Teal wing
- Black and Green Spider: Like the Pearl spider, tends to get the fish that are eating just sub-surface.
Hook: Size 16, Partridge G3A/L or similar
Thread: 14/0 black
Tag and rib: Flourescent green floss
Hackle: Snipe or Teal wing
- Hare’s Ear: A generic nymph that represents most things to most trout.
Hook: Size 14, Partridge G3A/L or similar
Bead: Copper 2.4mm tungsten bead
Thread: Size 8/0 black
Tail: Hare’s ear
Body: Hare’s ear with orange hot spot
Rib: Copper Wire
Thorax: Black sparkle dubbing
- The Vlad: A favourite of my own, a fly I wouldn’t go fishing without.
Hook: Size 12, Partridge G3A/L or similar
Bead: Black nickel 2.8mm tungsten bead
Thread: 8/0 black
Tail: Red wool
Body: Pheasant tail
Rib: Copper wire
Hackle: Snipe or Teal wing
Thorx: Pink Sparkle dubbing
- Zonker Streamer: Another fly that should always be in a travelling fisherman’s box.
Hook: Size 6, Partridge SLD4/S or similar
Thread: 8/0 black
Body: White sparkle dubbing
Rib: Copper wire
Wing: Striped rabbit zonker strip
Thorax: Black sparkle dubbing
The next article will look at ways to fish these flies in Iceland. For more information on fishing in Iceland or the flies in this article you can contact Alex at alex@aardvarkmcleod.com or call +44(0)1980 847389.