I remember when I was only 8 years old and my father took me to one of the local lakes a guy was standing next to us waving a line back and forward with a lot of passion. At that age, I didn't have a clue what he was up to but nevertheless, I thought it look really cool and also he caught ten times more fish than me and my dad. As soon as I had enough money to go and buy my one of those waving rods I headed down to my local tackle shop to buy everything that was needed to start fly fishing. Looking at all the flies, rods, lines and various clothing made my head spin. How in the hell could I ever understand which equipment I had to use each time? It took me months to get into all of these sizes, colors, lines, hooks but what I never focused on was how to use all this equipment for a better result.

Today I see that it's not the equipment that is the most important factor when you go fishing, I would say it's the technique and method that really matters. Don't get me wrong but equipment is also a big factor but buying the top of the line rod, reel or line does not guarantee more or bigger fish, it's all about knowing how to use it at any given point.

Different techniques when fly fishing in Iceland

Many different fly fishing techniques are used in Iceland, all depending on where, when, how and which species you are fishing for. In recent years, many different fly fishing methods have been developed by various anglers all over the world and Iceland is no exception.

Twenty years ago it was rare to see a salmon angler using a hitch tube. Back in the days fly fishing was looked at as a "posh" way to fish and techniques and information came usually from the UK. Flies were bigger and more dressed and tube flies didn't exist. Today I see techniques coming from different areas of the world with huge success in Iceland.

Today it's mandatory to get up to speed with the latest and most productive way of fly fishing for salmon or trout and in this category, I will try to focus on what has helped me as an angler in Iceland for the past years.

Tight lines and safe releases