Target Species at Heidarvatn
With opportunities to fish for Atlantic salmon, sea-run and resident brown trout as well as Arctic char, anglers at Heidarvatn enjoy an incredible amount of variety. Each species offers a unique challenge and we encourage guests to experience as much of the fishing as possible during their stay.
Atlantic Salmon
Fly fishing for Atlantic salmon - “The Leaper” - is among the oldest and most storied pursuits of the sport itself. They capture the angler’s heart in many ways, from their perplexing behaviors to their aerial displays, unique natural beauty, and romantic homeward migrations. The challenge of landing an Atlantic salmon on a fly compares to any other species and the feeling of watching one swim away after battle will not soon be forgotten.
The Atlantic salmon run in the River Vatnsa at Heidarvatn typically begins in mid-July, though seasonal weather variations can change the timing accordingly. By the middle of August though, the salmon are running in earnest and angling opportunities continue through the end of the fishing season, on October 10th. These are fast and strong fish, averaging 50 cm (~20”) and getting as large as 1 m (~39”).
The River Vatnsa has an incredible number of excellent salmon pools and it’s possible to sight-fish for them as they are holding and moving through the river system. Because of the intimate nature of the river and the clear water, the salmon can be especially wary of approaching anglers, so stealth and careful presentations are highly recommended. No matter the river conditions, patience and determination are as important as any other technique or piece of tackle.
Anglers at Heidarvatn target Atlantic salmon with the traditional swung fly and use a variety of fly patterns in doing so, from classic patterns to streamers and tube flies. Standard fishing setups consist of a 7- or 8-weight single-handed rod, 9’ or 9’6” in length, accompanied by floating fly lines with leaders of 9- or 10-feet in length, tapering down to 10- or 12-pound test.
Sea-Run Brown Trout
In addition to Atlantic salmon, the River Vatnsa also has a significant population of migratory, sea-run brown trout. These fish are just as impressive as the salmon in terms of their size and beauty, and can be equally as challenging to hook and fight. The upstream migration of sea-trout begins in early-August and can continue through the end of the fishing season, weather and water conditions depending.
While the sea-run brown trout at Heidarvatn share much of the same water as the Atlantic salmon, fishing for them is different in a few ways. First, the sea-trout hold in slightly different water than the salmon, preferring the heads of pools and riffles as opposed to deeper water and ‘buckets’. Different tackle is also required; namely, the type of flies and strength of the leader. For the sea-run brown trout, larger and brighter flies are preferred and leaders with breaking strengths up to 20-pounds are recommended.
Again, swung-fly presentations are the norm but the sea-trout are typically more aggressive than the Atlantic salmon, hence the stronger leaders and tippet. They take flies hard and jump often in attempts to land on the leader and break the line. At Heidarvatn, the sea-run browns average between 20 and 30”.
In addition to the summer and fall run in the river, there is also an opportunity in springtime to catch the sea-trout in Lake Heidarvatn. May through the beginning of June is the best time for this and some spectacular fishing can be had. When hooked in the lake, the sea-trout will take long and fast runs into deeper water, testing angler’s reels and backing knots.
Resident Brown Trout
Outside of the migratory species found at Heidarvatn are two species of resident fish, including brown trout. While these fish make for excellent complementary fishing when the salmon and sea-trout are running, they are a worthy target quarry in and of themselves. They primarily spend their time in Lake Heidarvatn but travel into the top sections of the River Vatnsa during spring and early summer. Ranging from 12 - 24”, peak fishing season for them in the river is in May and early-June and excellent fishing in the lake is to be had during late-June and July.
The resident brown trout at Heidarvatn are gorgeous fish, healthy, and great quarry on a 5- or 6-weight. When they are in the River Vatnsa, traditional trout fishing techniques are used and fish may be taken on dry flies and nymphs fished upstream on a dead drift, as well as on stripped or swung streamers. When the resident browns are in the lake, streamers and nymphs, fished slowly on both floating and intermediate-sinking lines are effective and, on calm evenings throughout the fishing season, evening hatches make for exceptional dry fly fishing opportunities as well.
Arctic Char
Though the smallest of the species that inhabit the waters at Heidarvatn, Arctic char are among the prettiest, with their distinctive white tips at the ends of their orange-red fins. The Arctic char are found in Lake Heidarvatn and are plentiful in number. While they are a great fish for beginning anglers, there are times when they become selective and technical fishing tactics are required.
They are caught primarily on nymphs fished with traditional stillwater tactics; those being, on a long leader and under a strike indicator or while being stripped slowly. It may take a number of fly changes to determine which patterns are preferred at any given time, but once a fish is hooked, others are likely to follow. Small fly patterns are recommended, sometimes down to a size 20.
Due to the extremely healthy population of char in Lake Heidarvatn, up to four char may be harvested per day. They make for delicious dinners, especially when prepared soon after they are caught.