Fishing in Iceland with Roxtons

The accommodation for the Blanda River is in a brand new lodge that has twelve very comfortable twin bedrooms with private bathrooms, as well as a luxury sitting room with leather sofas and a wonderful view of the river.

Other facilities also include a drying room for waders, a Jacuzzi and hot tub to ease away the aches and pains of a day on the river.

This is now probably the best fishing lodge in Iceland.

Rods
A Double-handed rod 13 - 15ft, and 9-11 weight is best suited to the large size of the Blanda.

Lines
Due to the cold nature of the Blanda and the slight discolouration of the water you should be prepared to use an intermediate or sink tip line throughout the season.
You are very unlikely to need a sinking line although it would be wise to have one just in case. We would expect you to be using a floating line most of the time though in early July you should have an intermediate or sink tip line available just in case.

Flies
As a general guide below are some of the most popular flies on the Blanda

• Arctic Runner
• Hitch tubes
• Sunray Shadow
• Munro Killer
• Red Francis tube
• Black Frances tube

This can be, as always, an endless list so please bring and try your own flies as well.

Nylon
In the early part of the season (before 15th July) a leader of up to 20lbs may be needed when fishing some pools in high water on the big fish rivers. Generally a leader of 15lbs, or less in low water, is recommended and spools of 8lb, 10lb, 12lb and 15lb will cover most eventualities. We strongly suggest the use of clear leaders in the crystal clear water - the dark brown leader looks like rope in an Icelandic river.

Other Items
In spite of the relatively mild climate, you should bring warm clothing and, most importantly, quality rainwear and a windcheater. Chest waders and wading shoes. The lodge is very relaxed and as a result of the long fishing hours very few people change for dinner.

These items will also be very useful during your stay on the Blanda

• Life jacket
• Wading stick
• Wader repair kit
• Polarized sunglasses
• Forceps / clippers
• Tape measure
• Leader
• Waterproof bag for camera etc
• Day bag
• Hand and face moisturiser

Endless opportunities for non fishing Iceland visitors abound: horse riding, whale watching, river rafting, bird watching (by land or sea), and rock climbing. Glacier tours, which offer snowmobiling and skiing, highland tours by jeep and/or horseback.

Season
June until the end of September.

Time difference from GMT
1 hour.

Electricity
The lodge operates on 220-wolt, 50-cycle system. A Converter will be necessary for any electrical items that require a 110-volt, 60-cycle system. This is a two prong European style plug and fishermen from the UK will require an adapter.

Currency
Icelandic Krona.
Visa and Eurocard/Mastercard credit cards and Maestro and Visa Electron are accepted widely.

Tips
Whilst in Reykjavik, tips are not generally expected. If one is to visit a restaurant then a service charge will be included with your bill. On the river, tips are entirely at your discretion, however, most people like to give something to their guide and lodge staff. A guideline of $30 to $40 a day for the guide and $8 to $12 per day for the lodge staff is recommended.

Visa Requirements
Citizens from the European Economic Area (comprising the EU, Switzerland and Liechtenstein), US and Canada need only a passport valid for at least three months after the planned date of arrival to enter Iceland for up to three months.

Medical Requirements
Although at present no inoculations are required for travel to Iceland please consult your doctor prior to your trip. It is essential that you carry any personal medicines that you might require.

Insects
On a few rivers there are biting insects but generally they are not a problem. You will not need a mosquito veil but a bottle of repellent would be worth packing.

Tackle Disinfection
Iceland has always been free of diseases like UDN and Gyrodactylus salaris and we intend to keep it that way. There is a strict policy of visiting anglers having their tackle sterilized before coming to Iceland. This should be done in a 2% formaldehyde solution for 10 minutes and performed by a veterinary surgeon. (Tackle sterilized in Virkon S is also acceptable.) A signed inventory of what has been sterilized should be provided by the vet for presentation to the customs officers at Keflavik airport. The most important items to be treated are: rods, reel/line, waders and flies.
The process can be carried out by staff at Keflavik airport. The office is located at the far side of the baggage reclaim hall, downstairs in the airport. Just notify one of the personnel in the area that you need your tackle disinfected and they will have a member of the staff come and complete the process.

Flights leave from London Heathrow to Keflavik and leave daily with IcelandAir.

The international airport of Iceland is Keflavik, which is situated about 45km west of Reykjavik. You will be met at the airport by your driver. You will then be taken either to your hotel in Reykjavik, or directly to the river according to your itinerary.