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Svalbardsa is a three rod, catch & release only river averaging in the region of 300 fish per year. Svalbardsa begins to fish well in mid-July with salmon the first good runs of fresh, extremely aggressive salmon averaging approximately 10lbs. The runs reach their peak in the first weeks of August with pool filling with holding fish. At this time the average size falls to just under 10lbs, at the same time catch averages rising to their peak. Fishing continues to be good into early September with numbers of fresh fish still entering the river.

With classic pools initiated in fast runs and bellowing into smooth tails, Svalbardsa is one of the secret gems of Iceland, fished year in and year out by the same fishers and seldom offers much new availability. Svalbardsa is best fished with a 9-10 foot 7 or 8wt. However fishers should bring a sink tip as well as a floating line in case of higher water (even in flood the river runs very clear but for the first hour or so.) Some guests bring a a 12 ft 8 wt light double hander but this is almost certainly overkill unless guests encounter a huge flood. Tippet used should be 10 – 15lb breaking strain and flies the classic Icelandic patterns such as micro - 1" hitching tubes, small silver and black trebles in sizes 8 - 16, black and red Frances tied on small trebles and also on 1/4 and 1/2 inch tubes and Sunray Shadow and Collie Dog tubes to 4" (total fly length.)