Tag Archive for: atlantic salmon
Fishing In Iceland
/in Angling Photography, Fishing Abroad/by Callum ConnerThis year in June I had the opportunity to go Fishing in Iceland with a great guy Nick (whom I guided the previous year on the Tay) and his friend Hamish. Despite his name, Hamish is not Scottish and is in fact Australian!
Nick and Hamish were already in Iceland with their partners exploring the country. I was scheduled to meet up with them in Reykjavik where we would then drive north for approximately five hours to Husavik where we would then meet Iceland Fishing Guide Matthías Þór Hákonarson
The Journey to Iceland
I booked my flights via SkyScanner, flying from Glasgow to Heathrow, then Heathrow to Reykavijk. There is only one direct flight per week to Reykavijk from Scotland – oddly. I flew with British Airways and Icelandair.
My journey to Iceland turned into a bit of a nightmare in all honesty. Having arranged the flights with plenty of layover time I found myself in Glasgow Airport with my flight delayed and no schedule, great…
I have not had much luck flying to Heathrow in the past. I think every flight I’ve had there has been delayed or cancelled! Anyway, a one hour delay turned into a six hour delay meaning I would now be late for my Heathrow to Reykavijk flight, arriving at the departure time.
Whilst on the plane I managed to find a group of Icelandic people in the same predicament as me, they felt they may keep the gates open. We struck up conversation with me telling them how Scotland had adopted Iceland in the Euro’s after knocking out England from the competition :).
We had to run from terminal 2 to terminal 5 with a fifteen minute coach tour and sprint with 20lbs plus of camera luggage on my back – still unaware if the flight had been delayed for us. Arriving at the gates we could hear the staff shouting us to hurry up – what a relief! A big group hug and we split up to find our seats aboard the plane.
After arriving at Reykavijk Airport I waited for 45 mins in the baggage collection area, no sign of my bag. A visit to the help desk would reveal they were still London, brilliant! At least I had made it to Iceland but I had nothing apart from my camera equipment. They did however give me a toothbrush, some shower gel, shampoo, razor and a XXL white tee shirt? No waders or fly rods though unfortunately!
I was told my stuff would be flown to me at my accommodation but would be unlikely to arrive until the second day of my trip! I headed to my hotel and borrowed an iPhone charge to charge my phone and tried to laugh it off.
Day 1 Fishing in Iceland
I met with Nick the following morning at my hotel before driving to the hire place to change our vehicle and collect Hamish before starting the long and scenic drive up to Husavik.
The drive was really cool, it allowed me to see of the famous Icelandic scenery. The most striking thing for me was the colour of the rivers. It is ridiculously clear and almost blue like in some places. The landscape is also very similar to Scotland in some areas.
A lunch stop and some garage stops along the way quickly made me realise how expensive stuff really was in Iceland! If you’re going to Iceland, be aware, it is not cheap! Alcohol prices are insane. Sorry for sounding so Scottish like, but it’s a fact!
We met up with Matti at his home where we would then follow him up to our lodge by the river.
After explaining my luggage predicament I was pleased to know our Iceland Fishing Guide could supply me with a jacket, waders and boots. Hamish borrowed me some fishing clothing and a brand new rod and reel, which I would later christen before him! (Sorry Hamish)
We got unpacked and quickly set up all the gear rapidly in excitement at what the first session would be like!
Our first days fishing in Iceland was a five hour evening session. Hamish was first up to fish for Salmon. Good news was Matti reckoned there were a few fish about, not loads but the ones that were here were multi sea winter fish in the 10 – 15lb bracket.
Nick and I opted to go fishing for Trout first and on route Matti stopped at this little stream by the road to show us some Char.
I had never caught a Char before and this was the species highest on my agenda!
We fished for twenty minutes in this small stream and managed to hook one or two each before moving to the main river for Trout.
Matti set me up with this bright Pink nymph and said it was the best fly – I just looked at him with uncertainty. Really? I cannot name on here what he referred to it as but it was an interesting name…
Dropping us up river Matti told us how to fish the fly before leaving with Hamish in search of silver!
It didn’t take long to suss out the Brown Trout fishing. Fishing downstream and across, streamer style I was constantly on the move, stepping, casting, swinging and twitching the fly back occasionally to induce takes. Within a couple of hours I had covered a lot of water and managed to land a number of Brown Trout up to 3lbs.
After a few hours Matti arrived back with a rather jubilant looking Hamish, it was clear there had been success! Hamish had managed to land the first Salmon of the trip!
Hamish also hooked and lost one stripping a Monkey that session.
I swapped with Hamish and headed with Matti back to the pool where Hamish lost his fish. I got into the water and warmed up with a few casts while Matti told me to aim at the boils on the far side of what was quite a slow moving pool.
The method was to allow the line to swing slightly under tension before stripping back the fly with long, steady pulls. Within the first few casts I saw a bow wave appear and kept stripping. Suddenly a big boil broke the surface and, bang, fish on!
I played the fish for no longer than a minute then it suddenly went slack. Bugger! These Atlantic’s are no different than back home!
We tried some other spots that night but no other fish were hooked. Matti gathered everyone up in the Jeep and took us back to the Goat House (the name of our accommodation).
Hákon was the chef (Matti’s father) and had a meal almost prepared for us on arrival – what a great service!
We all sat down to a fantastic evening meal prepared by Hákon consisting of Icelandic Lamb, Roast Vegetables and Hakon’s signature “gravy macaronis”. Simply immense!
The meals over our times were excellent and we couldn’t fault one bit.
A few wines and expensive beers were had that night as we all shared the usual fish stories and had a good banter. Matti has a great sense of humour and had us in stitches with his stories!
Day 2 Fishing in Iceland
On the second day we had two five hour sessions. The Scandinavians love to rest their rivers, so we fished morning and evening sessions allowing a break of a good few hours in the afternoon. I was back out with the Salmon rod again whilst Hamish and Nick pursued the local Brown Trout populations.
The main thing that’s different when fishing for Salmon in Iceland than here in Scotland is the fishing is done by sight 90% of the time. Matti would drive down the beat, stopping the jeep to go and observe from the canyons and spot any Salmon below.
Matti and I spent all morning on this and didn’t come across a single Salmon. The river had risen slightly overnight and we concluded that the Salmon had probably pushed up river with the rising water. We stopped for lunch and met up with the guys who had been doing well, landing several brown trout up to 3lbs all morning.
I was so pleased to get back to the lodge and see my belongings had been delivered!
After lunch we were able to go and fish the local stream that runs by the Goat House. Matti had said this produced a few Trout, not as many as the main river but generally much bigger average size. Hamish and Nick opted for this and I chose to go hit my little favourite Char pool!
With Char being a new species the novelty was not wearing off. I spent two hours in the one are catching Char after Char. Changing flies regularly I was able to keep the bites coming. To be fair any pattern worked to start with!
That day the rain was relentless, sideways at times. At one point I could hardly open my fly box my fingers were that numb! It was around 7/8 degrees celsius and with the wind chill and sideways rain it felt much colder! It was like fishing in Scotland in spring – but this was summer!
Matti came to pick me up with the boys to head out again for the evening session. The guys had managed a couple of Trout around 5lb size – epic for such a tiny stream!
Nick was now trying for a Salmon whilst myself and Hamish were left up river to harass the resident browns!
Sporting the same tactics as before but with my trusty Loop Cross S1 #5 I waded out a few feet from the bank and kept casting, stepping, swinging and twitching back flies to tempt the trout. I honestly don’t recall fishing as easy as this, every where you thought a Trout would be, you would cast, twitch and bang, fish on!
To be honest after a couple of hours I was more than content having landed in excess of 40 hard fighting acrobatic brown trout up to 3lbs in weight. It was incredible sport!
Eventually I met up with Matti and Nick who were keen to see how I had got on. Nick had no luck finding any Salmon, like myself earlier. He had decided to go back and fish for some browns and get some action.
Hamish fancied another shot at the Salmon so I fished on with Nick and tried to get some images.
The sport had slowed down as it got noticeably colder but we still managed to catch a few before calling it a night.
It was back to the goat house for wine, food and a bit of craic!
Day 3 Fishing in Iceland
The last day would see us fish in the morning up until lunch time. I chose to hit the Salmon with Hamish coming along also to take turns should we land a Salmon.
Matti drove around a couple of pools looking for fish until we found some.
“Oh yes, big Salmon and one huge Trout next to it – can you see”. The Salmon then broke the surface and looked pretty clean and a fair size considering I was about 30ft plus above it.
I kept myself calm whilst Matti suggested the best way to cover it.
The dilemma we had here is if we go too close to the brown trout, he would take the fly and ultimately spook the Salmon. I was positioned up river 25/30ft and also above the river level another 30ft plus I had to wiggle out line from the rod tip and allow the current to position the fly past the Salmon before stripping across slightly to entice him. It was an interesting and challenging presentation.
First cast I was a little short. Second cast I was in the zone and watched as the Salmon rose up for the fly twice missing it! Wow, that was pretty cool. I then thought to myself “I’ve missed my chance”.
Third cast he came up missed, came back and got it!
Fish on!
It was a first for me to watch a Salmon take my fly like this, I was pumped as I played this fish from a very precarious position. It was probably the most nerve racking fight I’ve had from a fish on fly. I had an audience, it was the last day and would I get another chance before we flew home? Not only that, from my elevated position I had to watch every head shake of the Salmon as it bore up and down the pool whilst rubbing its side along the sharp rocks.
What was this fish trying to do to me?
The fight seemed to last an eternity, it always does in these situations. Matti was top notch throughout and explained the landing technique!
Once the fish was tired I had to allow her to fall back with the current to the end of the pool where Matti was with the net.
We got her close too early and as soon as she saw Matti’s face she shot back into the neck of the pool again up the canyons – who could blame her? Second time she turned and slowly came down stream and I knew this was the right moment and tried to guide her slowly towards Matti who had no trouble getting her at first attempt.
A few “Woo Hoo’s” were hollered down that canyon let me tell you! Now I had to work out how to get down to Matti for the photos…
Weighing around mid teens I was very happy with this Salmon on a single handed fly rod. It had a missing adipose fin and what looked like nets,seal or porpoise damage but it did not detract any of its beauty for me. A Salmon, is a Salmon in my eyes! I was more than stoked to end on a high and give the rod up to Hamish.
We searched on for the last hour or so looking for another Salmon but never came across any. It was time to meet up with Nick who had spent the remaining morning chasing browns then headed back to the lodge for the final time.
Packing up our gear we then said our goodbyes to Hakon and Matti thinking them for their hospitality and making our fishing in Iceland experience so memorable. Hopefully we get to meet again sometime in the future. I’d love to get Matti into a Tay springer!
We all headed back down the road taking our time to absorb the scenery and reflect on what a great few days we just had. The drive is spectacular for a fisherman as you get to wonder whats in every river you pass. We did see quite a lot of fisherman on both journeys and watched one angler land a Salmon below some waterfalls!
We also decided to stop by Lake Myvatn and seen some geo-thermal activity. It’s like being on Mars as sulphur bubbles out the ground, shoots of steam and water bursting through the ground creating a warm humid air. It’s so bizarre and definitely worth seeing.
We arrived in Reykavijk for the last night before flying out early the next morning, we loaded our stuff into our accommodation then went out for some dinner in the city centre. The next morning I dropped the guys off at the airport and took back the car to the hire shop before catching my own flight home to Glasgow – which was on time by the way!
For anyone thinking of fishing in Iceland, I would thoroughly recommend fishing with Matti from Iceland Fishing Guide. They’re very reasonably priced for Iceland fishing. Matti’s a great guide and host who will do his utmost to get you into the fish!
Fishing in October Scotland 2014
/in Fishing Reports/by Callum ConnerWhat a great month of Fishing in October in Scotland for Scotia Fishing. The Trout season ended on the the 6th but our main focus in October is Salmon fishing in Scotland as it is peak season. After the driest September on record the rains arrived in October, improving the Salmon fishing slightly on all our rivers, especially the River Tay!
The first guided fishing trip in October Scotland was for Atlantic Salmon on the River Tay. The river was still low, the water hadn’t arrived yet and despite the beat being full of fish they had gone a bit stale and off the take. We had tried everything to fool one into taking but they just weren’t interested. We kept on fishing as if we were trying to catch running fish, hoping eventually we would land it in front of one’s nose but on this occasion they got the better of us!
Can you spot the jumper?
It can be a frustrating old game Salmon fishing when the fish are behaving like that but still, it’s not a bad place to spend a day is it?
Lennie was out Pike fishing in Scotland in October with Mike and his wife from USA. They managed a few hard fighting Scottish Pike in tough, cold squally conditions using soft plastic lure tactics from the boat. Mike had a great day and sent a lovely message to Lennie to say thanks.
Mike displays a nicely marked Pike
With the recent Pike success we headed back out with Phil and his partner to try for Pike fishing in October in Scotland using soft plastic lures. The temperatures had really started to drop at night now and the water temps were down 8 degrees from our previous visit. We could all feel the chill in the air and had to add a few extra layers! We managed to get a few Pike still despite the colder temperatures but the sport had definitely slowed down from the previous visit.
Phil’s first Scottish Pike with head guide Callum Conner
Phil was out with me the following day, this time fishing in October for Salmon on the River Tay, which was looking glorious in it’s Autumnal colours! The river was a decent height after a big rise and was looking good. Fish were showing throughout the beat, I felt really confident we could get a Salmon. We started on the Vision 110 after a discussion with Phil he was keen to spin and avoid losing time learning to Spey cast effectively.
Stunning views upstream as the warm light illuminates the trees
Phil fished hard all morning and just before lunch fishing one of the pools we covered a big cock fish, easy high teens that was jumping quite regularly. After five or six casts it smashed the 110 and Phil’s rod bent into the fish, only after a few strong head shakes it came off! I was gutted more than Phil was in all honesty, even more-so that we didn’t manage to connect with any more fish before the close of play. Phil still had a great experience and thanked us via email for an awesome time despite his recurring nightmares about losing that fish!
Lennie was out the same day with Lesley on the River Tay. Conditions were pretty good for this area of river and there was no shortage of fish in this beat, they were just proving difficult to tempt! Spinning from the boat in the morning Les managed to get a cracking looking cock fish in it’s full spawning colours.
Aren’t they impressive?
I was back out for Salmon with Alyssa, a young American exchange student that flew in from Holland especially to fish for Salmon in Scotland. Alyssa was an interesting young lady studying fisheries management and had an impressive knowledge of fish and fishing. We were fishing a big river, 6ft above normal level and decided spinning would be the best to cover the most water. Alyssa fished hard all day and despite seeing a few Salmon we couldn’t manage to connect with any.
Alyssa from Colorado – She loves Scottish Tablet!
Alyssa really enjoyed her day and left us a fantastic review on Tripadvisor but forgot to mention her introduction to Scottish candy “Tablet bar” on the car journey home! (Hope you are reading this Alyssa!) :).
“I am an exchange student studying fisheries biology from the US studying abroad in Holland, and I made a goal to fish in as many countries as I could while I was overseas. I knew I wanted to try for Salmon in Scotland, so I contacted Callum at Scotia Fishing to guide me for a day. I had never had a guide before, at home I fish regularly for trout and warm water species and have never needed a guide. Going abroad, however, I figured I’d need someone to show me the ropes. I made the best choice I could have!
When I met Callum, he was warm and friendly and right away I felt comfortable. He is an extremely knowledgeable and trust-able angler, he really impressed me with his knowledge of fisheries, and I would recommend him to anyone for a day of Scottish fishing. Even though I was far away from home in a place I’d never been before fishing for a species I’d never seen in real life, I felt like I was at home fishing with a friend. It was certainly one of the best days on the water I’ve ever had in my life, and no doubt the scenery was breathtaking.
If you are considering using this guide service, DO IT! You won’t regret it!”
Calling for a cab on the river tay…
It was another awesome day, with great company, good conversation, great laughs, beautiful scenery with pheasants and kingfishers flying by occasionally – fishing is not just about catching fish!
On the last week of the Salmon season the river rose to over 14ft causing one re-scheduled trip for next year which was a shame. By Thursday the river was still high but running clear and definitely fish-able! Thomas from Missouri was back in Scotland for his second attempt at Salmon fishing and looking to break his duck (no pressure huh?). It didn’t take us long, within 20 minutes of fishing we had this beauty in the net!
Fish on!
I was delighted to see Thomas get the fish he had been after for a few years and it was great to see such silver fish on the second last day of the season. After a few high fives and and a few “yeehas” all round we got stuck back into the fishing, after another 30 minutes we were in again but this one managed to escape after a few seconds, still, it was a promising start!
Thomas got a fantastic fight from this fish – you can see the delight on his face!
After a nice hearty casserole for lunch we were back out on the opposite side of river, we fished the long run which was looking rather tasty, fish were showing and I had a good feeling about this. As we fished down we went back onto the killer spoon lure as we came towards the area we had seen a fish jump. Right on queue, as the lure swung round it nailed the lure just under the surface.
And he’s in again!
After a short energetic fight I slipped the net under Thomas’s second Atlantic Salmon of the day, a spanking wee Grilse which is extremely unusual but very welcome sight at this time of year!
A stunning wee Grilse is returned to carry on it’s journey
For the last hour Thomas wanted to have a go on the fly and after a short spey casting lesson from Loop endorsed, SGAIC qualified instructor he was double spey’ing a red francis across the Tay – all we needed now was a taking fish! As the light closed in it was time to end the day with two Salmon landed, one small Trout and one lost Salmon – not a bad day’s fishing by anyone’s standards and another happy Scotia Fishing client!
Final day of the Salmon season on the Tay and I had my Swiss friend Arnaud back out for Salmon with his best friend Basil. From pick up in the morning at 7:30am they were as high as kites, their dream has been to fish in Scotland for Salmon and what better place to to fulfil this dream than on one of the lower Tay’s best and most scenic beats?
Arnaud deep in concentration..
Despite high conditions and ridculously mild weather (16 degrees in Scotland at the end of October – crazy!) we felt confident, there were still fish running and plenty of residents to go at also. Spinning was the preferred method for both the guys and they fished like demons all morning but couldn’t muster a take – c’est la peche!
Basil was full of the beans and a very entertaining character, the dram of Whisky at lunch time got him fired them both up as well as a top up of their local tipple “Williamine”, a smell and taste I will not miss boys sorry! The hipster cap went on back to front now, Basil meant business!
Basil with his lucky hipster cap…
Fishing the opposite side of the river we had a few fish show in front of us and this photo below will be my favourite memory from these guys. As I took a photo of them a large Salmon jumped out the water about 6 feet away from them – much to their amusement.
“Did you see that?”
Despite their effort the guys didn’t manage to land a Salmon on the final day of the season – maybe they just had other things on their mind?
Still a great day and a great day to finally let them get on with their business and draw an end to a tough Salmon fishing season, with some great laughs on the Tay, the Tay, the silver Tay, the greatest river on earth!
In October we managed to get out and fish in between guiding, fishing the same beats we take our clients. Callum managed a few when fishing in October in Scotland for Salmon.
A fine example of a Scottish Salmon!
A nice back-end Salmon from one of my favourite pools in Scotland – The Craig’s
A baby crocodile!
We still have availability in November with Salmon fishing available on the river Tweed, Nith and Annan.
Grayling fishing is now reaching it’s peak and we have availability throughout winter for guided Grayling fishing trips with two for one offer running from November – March 2015. Grayling offer fantastic winter sport and can be caught throughout the colder months no matter what the temperatures drop too.
If you are interested in fishing for one of our most beautiful species please get in touch by clicking here.
Tight lines!
Callum & Lennie
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Fishing Trips in Scotland – July Round Up
/in Fishing Reports/by Callum ConnerWe had a variety of fishing trips in Scotland during July. July was a hot month, we experienced 30 degree temperatures on a number of days, with some fisheries recording water temperatures over 20 degrees – not great for Salmonoid species such as Trout and Salmon. That didn’t stop us from landing some special fish, particularly towards the beginning of July.
Dan enjoys the downstream view on the River Tay
Daniel was out Salmon fishing on the river Tay in low conditions and although we didn’t manage any Salmon, we had a great day and Daniel learnt to Spey cast using top of the range rods from Loop. He worked hard and deserved a Salmon for his efforts – maybe next time Dan!
Lady Caroline fishing the mighty River Tay!
I had the pleasure of looking after Greg for three fishing trips in Scotland, we decided to do a day of Salmon, Pike and Trout. The first day we fished for Salmon and Greg was fully aware the conditions were going to be tough but it’s not often you get the chance to fish for Salmon in Scotland – the home of Salmon fly fishing! He plodded on but could not connect with one of natures finest creatures!
22lbs of Trossachs Pike!
Next day saw Greg on our guided Pike fishing trips in Scotland! Greg had to be talked into Pike, it’s not often a fish associated with Scotland but we have some outstanding Pike fishing in Scotland. We didn’t have to wait long, Greg had literally only been fishing 5 minutes and we connected with the new Scotia Fishing big fish record – a 22lb Pike!
Not long after he managed this stunner weight 16lbs on the fly using one of Callum’s own tied Pike flies on the Loop Cross S1 9ft #9 fly rod. Greg followed this with another 5 smaller jack Pike to 6lbs – a great day by anyone’s standards. Next up was Trout and we fished one of our favourite brown trout lochs. We managed half a dozen or so Wild Brown Trout to 3/4lb, the average wild stamp of fish.
Golden Browns!
Greg remarked how much he enjoyed the variety of the three days and really enjoyed his fishing trips in Scotland with Scotia Fishing!
With the fishing hard on our local Brown Trout water and little Salmon activity we took South African father and Son on a guided trout fishing trip in Edinburgh to a reservoir that offers great sport for Rainbow Trout on dry flies. Here’s a little video I took with talented young angler Rhu catching and releasing a lovely Rainbow Trout on a daddy long legs!
Yes, this is Scotland!
Callum headed up to the far north of Scotland to look after a group of German anglers with fly fish dreamer’s head guide Wes. Weather wise it was perfect, you couldn’t have asked for better weather to see this beautiful part of our country but for Trout fishing it was far from ideal to be honest. We had temperatures up to 29 degrees with not a cloud to be seen for four days!
Dennis releases a nice sea trout
With this in mind we turned our attention to fishing in the sea. The group managed to get some lovely Sea Trout and Mackerel which became a staple part of our diet over the four days, freshly cooked by the water, delicious – you can’t get any fresher than that!
A whopper for young Alexander on his first ever outing fly fishing!
We also managed to introduce three newcomers to the wonderful sport of fly fishing this month! Lennie was looking after father and son from Dubai Alex and Anas. After some tuition from our guide Lennie, a qualified SGAIC casting instructor, Alex managed to catch three hard fighting rainbow trout fishing buzzers on a floating line – out fishing his father I may add! Father & Son fishing trips in Scotland.
Fish on for Wu!
Sang and Wu all the way from Korea managed to connect with a few rainbow’s too after some qualified instruction from head guide and Loop Akademi member Callum. They done very well considering the conditions, with Wu releasing a lovely 4 pounder on the fly! Looking forward to taking the guys Salmon fishing later this year.
The sun sets in the beautiful highlands of Scotland!
August has got of to a flyer with one lucky client landing three Salmon on the river Tay. With some much needed rain arriving we expect the Salmon fishing to really start picking up from now into September, especially now with the grilse (1 sea winter Salmon) are finally arriving in numbers. We still have some availability for the rest of the August and September so if you fancy a days guided fishing in Scotland please get in touch by pressing the “EMAIL US” box at the top of the site.
Stay tuned for our August round up of our guided fishing trips in Scotland with Scotia Fishing.
Tight lines & best wishes!
Callum & Lennie
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