Freshly caught brown trout fish on riverbed.

Highland Fishing Lodge season review

The 2026 season at Highland Fishing Lodge has ended. The lodge opened on May 25 and closed on August 25 after another memorable summer in the Icelandic Highlands.
Although the lodge is now closed, our guided day trips will continue during September whenever the weather and water conditions allow.

Before looking back at the season, we would like to thank everyone who joined us this year. It was a pleasure to welcome back so many familiar faces and to introduce a new group of anglers to this remarkable part of Iceland.

Another Icelandic Highland summer

The weather gave us the usual Icelandic mixture throughout the season.

The opening weeks were cold and windy, creating challenging conditions for anglers and guides alike. This was followed by some beautiful summer weather, mixed with the rain and wind that are always part of fishing in the Highlands. Calm, sunny days regularly appeared between the weather systems and gave us some unforgettable moments on the water.

Conditions can change quickly in this landscape, and adapting to them is part of the Highland experience. Every day is different, and that uncertainty is one of the things that makes fishing here so rewarding.

Changing tactics throughout the season

The fishing developed naturally as the water and weather changed.

Nymphs and streamers were the most effective methods during the colder opening weeks. As temperatures improved and insect activity increased around the middle of June, dry-fly fishing began to play a much bigger role.

Some of the most exciting days of the summer came during this period, with wild Arctic char and brown trout rising in the clear Highland water.

By late July, nymphs and streamers once again became the most productive methods. Being willing to change tactics and respond to the conditions was important throughout the season.

Kaldakvísl, Tungnaá and the Highland lakes

Our guests fished the Kaldakvísl and Tungnaá rivers, along with a selection of remote Highland lakes, and, as always, a few hidden gems that we prefer not to name.

Across these waters, our guests encountered plenty of beautiful Arctic char and wild brown trout. The fishing ranged from covering river pools with streamers to delicate presentations with dry flies and searching deeper lake water with nymphs.

However, a stay at Highland Fishing Lodge is about more than catching fish. The immense landscape, volcanic terrain, clear rivers and quiet lakes make every day an experience in its own right. There are few places where anglers can enjoy this combination of solitude, wilderness and varied fishing.

Our longest-running lodge operation

The Highlands is Fish Partner’s longest-running lodge operation. Over the years, the team has developed a rhythm that allows everything to run smoothly in one of Iceland’s most remote environments.

That does not happen by itself. Its all about the wonderful people managing it.

We would especially like to thank our lodge manager, Fabi, whose work keeps the operation moving throughout the season; Hernan, who plays an essential role at the lodge; and our head guide, Jerome, for leading the guide team on and off the water.

We would also like to thank the entire lodge and guide team. Their hard work, flexibility, and knowledge made another successful season possible. Running a lodge in the Highlands presents unique challenges, and we are fortunate to have a team capable of handling them with such professionalism.

Day trips continue in September

While the lodge season has finished, the fishing is not necessarily over.

We plan to continue operating guided day trips in the area during September, subject to suitable weather, road access, and water conditions. Anyone interested in a late-season Highland fishing experience is welcome to contact us for the latest information.

Bookings for 2027

The 2026 Highland Fishing Lodge season was sold out, and reservations for 2027 are already well advanced.

If you would like to experience the Kaldakvísl, Tungnaá and the remote lakes of the Icelandic Highlands next season, we strongly recommend contacting us as soon as possible. Remaining dates are limited and are expected to fill quickly.

Thank you again to every guest who joined us, whether returning for another season or visiting the Highlands for the first time. We hope you enjoy the photo galleries from the summer, and we look forward to welcoming many of you back in 2027.

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Accessability

  • Easy – Very little hiking required, easy for every one.
  • Modrate – Some hiking required.
  • Hard – Strenuous hiking require, good physical conditions required.
  • Mixed – Some easy access areas and others that require hiking.