Blanda is one of Iceland’s longest and most powerful rivers and is known for her powerful and big salmon, it’s divided into 4 beats and has one major tributary, Svartá.
Beat 1 is a relatively short beat that holds 4 rods, 2 on each bank. The beat opens in early July and leads the charts throughout June and sometimes July as well in salmons caught per rod. In recent years Blanda has gone from strength to strength, especially beat 1, in 2013 2611 salmon were caught and in 2011 they were 2032 on Blanda river – far most of that were caught on beat number 1. It should be kept in mind that beat 1 is usually only fished for about 60 days. Needless to say beat 1 is the most productive beat of the river.
Number of salmons caught per year in river Blanda:
2007: 1117 – 2008: 986 – 2009: 2413 – 2010: 2777
2011: 2032 – 2012: 832 – 2013: 2611 – 2014: 1931
2015: 4829!
Blanda is an early season river, opening on June 5th every year and with the absolute prime being from late June until late July. For those looking for a serious fight with serious salmon, June is the right time. The salmon are fewer in June – but they are nearly all multi-winter fish, it’s only in late June that the grilse start arriving. As stated before, Blanda is a large volume river, no drought problems here, but this also means hard currents that a hooked salmon will use to its advantage. Every summer we hear stories from anglers that hooked a monster salmon, but never really stood a chance of landing it. Fortunately, we also hear from those who manage to get them on the bank as well.
Other rivers near Blanda include Svartá, Laxá in Asum and Hallá – all within an hour’s drive (some of them just minutes away). An ideal combination would be with Svartá also known for big salmon. Blanda is an ideal destination for those who are looking for serious salmon fishing, both in regards to the size of each salmon and in regards to the quantity of salmon caught.
Location: North Iceland about 300 km from Reykjavik. Take Highway 1 North towards Borgarnes. Drive through Borgarnes towards Blönduós. Drive through Blönduós towards Akureyri. About 20 km From Blönduós is a sign on your right hand side that says Blanda Hólahvarf Veiðihús. Turn right at that sign and drive a few hundred meters and you are there
Fishing season: June 5th to September 5th.
Prime time: July 10th to August 15th
Average catch: 6 year average 2502 (whole river)
Average size of fish: 7-8 lbs.
Fishing hours:
June 23rd –August 9th 07:00-13:00 & 16:00-22:00
August 10th – September 15th 07:00-13:00 & 15:00-21:00
Guide: One per two rods
Lodge: Full service lodge, private room with bathroom to each rod, living room, dining room, bar, jacuzzi, wader drying room.
Tackle: Double handed rods 13 – 15′, weight 9-11, sink tip lines recommended.
Best flies: Blanda is cold and murky and fishes best with tubes, ¼ – 1 inch, sink tips are a must but sometimes smaller tubes and/or regular flies can be the most effective. The best flies for Blanda are.
Bismo (light tube – Local Fly)
SunRay Shadow (1 inch)
Snaelda (¼ – ½ inch)
Black & Blue (½ inch, cone head)
Collie Dog (½ – 1 inch)
As in other autumn rivers, as temperature drops the tubes get bigger/heavier. The same patterns apply, just a little heavier.
Location
Blanda lodge
The Blanda lodge is a new and beautiful lodge, about 19 km from Blönduós. It was built in 2006.
The lodge has spacious 12 twin rooms, all with bath and shower. The living room is big and comfortable and the dining room also. It is a full service lodge with two Jacuzzi’s, sauna and veranda.
Food of top restaurant standard is provided in the lodge during your stay, two course lunch and a three course dinner. Fresh local ingredients are preferred when available.
Phone number at the lodge: +354 451 4070 (During the summer)