Sea-Run Brown Trout
Iceland
Accommodation
Farmhouse Lodge
Season
May – October
Species
Sea-run Brown Trout
Style
Fly-fishing
Trophy Icelandic Sea-run Browns
Highlights:
- Impressive Size and Strength: Unlike their resident river cousins, sea-run brown trout feed in the rich coastal waters, growing larger and stronger. Double-digit fish are common in Iceland, with some pushing past 20 pounds. Their power makes for thrilling fights with long, blistering runs.
- Unique Migration: These trout begin life in freshwater rivers, migrate to the sea to feed, and return to spawn. This life cycle produces fish that are both silver-bright and full of energy, much like salmon but with their own distinct behavior.
- Varied Fly Fishing Opportunities: Sea-trout respond to multiple techniques: swinging streamers, drifting nymphs, or even surface patterns during baitfish migrations. This variety keeps the fishing dynamic and rewarding throughout the season.
7 DAY PACKAGE
$8,400 per angler
- Six nights accommodation at the lodge.
- Breakfast, lunch & dinners.
- Five full days guided fishing on several rivers.
- Return transfers from airport.
- Fishing licenses.
Sea-run brown trout, or sea trout as they are often called, are one of Iceland’s most prized fish, and the rivers near Battle Hill Lodge are regarded as some of the finest places in the world to target them. These fish are born in freshwater but migrate to the sea, returning heavier, stronger, and far more aggressive than their river-bound relatives. Anglers here can expect hard takes and long runs, particularly in the late summer and autumn months when the biggest fish return from the Atlantic. The rivers around the lodge are clear and intimate, making them ideal for fly fishing. Swinging streamers or presenting small nymphs in the right light can be explosive, with fish often pushing into double digits in weight.
What sets the Battle Hill region apart is the consistency of its runs and the wilderness backdrop that surrounds the fishing. The river meanders through unspoiled Icelandic countryside, framed by rolling hills, volcanic rock, and wide-open skies. Days on the water are punctuated by long stretches of solitude, interrupted only by the flash of silver as a trout turns on your fly. With each pool holding the promise of a sea-bright fish fresh from the ocean, this is bucket-list fishing in its purest form. For traveling anglers, the combination of wild scenery, challenging fishing, and the chance at trophy-sized trout makes Battle Hill an unforgettable destination.
Accommodation at Battle Hill Lodge is in a renovated Icelandic farmhouse set on historic farmland in the southeast of the country. The lodge sleeps up to ten guests in four twin rooms and two single rooms spread across two floors, with two and a half shared bathrooms. While modernized with updated interiors and amenities, the building retains the character of the old farm, surrounded by remnants of historic structures and offering views over the Bruna Hraun lava field and Vatnajökull glacier.
The location is both accessible and secluded, only about one kilometer from Iceland’s Ring Road No. 1 yet far enough to feel completely private. Guests have access to a comfortable lounge, dining area, and a garden that looks out toward the surrounding volcanic landscape. Meals are included as part of the package, with breakfast, packed lunches for the river, and dinners served at the lodge, providing a simple but well-rounded base for a week of fishing.
Battle Hill Lodge is located in southeast Iceland near the village of Kirkjubæjarklaustur, about a four-hour drive from Reykjavík. The lodge sits roughly one kilometer off Ring Road No. 1, making it straightforward to reach while still offering a secluded setting away from traffic and towns. Its position places guests within easy driving distance of the Vatnamót, Fossálar, and Geirlandsá rivers, all less than ten minutes from the lodge.
Travel to the lodge is arranged as part of the package. Guests are picked up in Reykjavík at around 10 a.m. on the first day and transferred by road to the lodge, arriving in the early afternoon in time for a light lunch and an introductory fishing session. At the end of the week, departure is scheduled after a final morning of fishing and lunch, with return travel to Reykjavík in the afternoon.
Day 1 – Arrival
Pick-up in Reykjavík around 10:00 a.m. Transfer to the lodge (approximately 4 hours). Guests arrive in the early afternoon, settle in, enjoy a light lunch, then head out for the first fishing session. Dinner is served at the lodge in the evening.
Days 2–6 – Full Fishing Days
Breakfast at the lodge at 8:00 a.m. Full days spent fishing on a rotating schedule across the Vatnamót, Fossálar, and Geirlandsá rivers. Lunch is served riverside, and guests continue fishing into the afternoon. Dinner is served back at the lodge around 8:00–9:00 p.m.
Day 7 – Departure
Breakfast at the lodge followed by a final morning of fishing. Lunch at 12:00 p.m., then pack and depart for Reykjavík in the early afternoon, arriving back in the city around 6:00 p.m.
Rates per angler:
Range from $8,400 – $9, 975 per angler
What’s Included:
- Transfers: Round-trip ground transportation between Reykjavík and the lodge.
- Accommodation: Six nights in the renovated farmhouse lodge (shared bathrooms, twin and single rooms).
- Meals: Daily breakfast, packed lunches for the river, and dinners at the lodge.
- Guiding: One professional guide per two anglers, with equal rotation across the rivers.
- Fishing Licenses: Access to private waters on the Vatnamót, Fossálar, and Geirlandsá rivers.
- Non-alcoholic beverages: Coffee, tea, soft drinks, and water.
What’s Not Included:
- Flights to/from Iceland, alcoholic beverages, gratuities, personal gear and tackle, and travel insurance.
GALLERY
Frequently Asked Questions:
What fishing gear should I bring?
Anglers should bring both single- and double-handed rods (6–9 weight), quality reels with strong drag systems, and multiple fly lines (floating, sink-tip, and intermediate). A good selection of streamers, nymphs, and tube flies is recommended, though some flies can be purchased at the lodge.
How physically demanding is the fishing?
Most pools are easily accessible within a short drive and walk from the lodge, but certain stretches, especially on Geirlandsá, involve hiking into canyons and over uneven ground. A moderate level of fitness is helpful for anglers who want to explore all sections of the rivers.
Are alcoholic drinks included?
Meals and non-alcoholic beverages are included in the package, but alcoholic drinks such as beer and wine are not. Guests can bring their own from Reykjavík or purchase locally before arrival at the lodge.