Freestone · Volcanic · Austurland / Breiðdalur

Breiðdalsá

Breiðdalsá terrain map
Terrain map

An East Iceland salmon river that would give the pack a cleaner second eastern anchor alongside the existing Lagarfjót/Lagarfljót-side representation.

Species

A good day — worth the effort

Low and clear — careful approach country. Small and bright, long leader, careful approach.

Water still cold, about 10°C. Running clear. Holding at a steady height.

70% confidence in this read
Water temperature for atlantic salmon
Cool — slow
10°C est.ideal 1014°C
0°14°28°
Why this score · for atlantic salmon
  • Temperature8830% weight
  • Flow4525% weight
  • Clarity9520% weight
  • Feeding Time9515% weight
  • Pressure8510% weight
Conditions
Regional est.
Level
Dry recently
No gauge reading
Water temp
9.5°C
Estimated
Clarity
Clear
Air temp
11°C
Wind
NE 19 km/h
Gentle breeze
Pressure
1022 hPa
Rain · 48h
1.0 mm
No meaningful rain
Rain · ahead
0.0 mm
No meaningful rain · next 48h

No gauge on this water — readings are regional estimates from weather, not a live gauge.

Hatch timeline · todayPeak at 1pm

Hatch predictions

Today's headline hatch shown — see all 12 active hatches hour by hour with Pro.

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Evidence
ModelledModerate confidence

Modelled from regional ecology — no survey or occurrence data for this water yet.

How to fish it · for atlantic salmon
When
Morning into early afternoon.
Where
Pool tails, steadier runs, and any water with pace.
Method
Fish a sensible line-and-fly combination for the height and pace of water.
Kit
13 ft #8/9 double-hander in spate, 10 ft #8 single in low water. Floating line plus a fast-sink tip. 12–15 lb fluoro tippet.
Why this works
Good — water clarity is right today, though river flow could be better.
Through the year
0–3 scale · June highlighted
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
GrannomHatch
2
2
Evening SedgeHatch
2
3
3
3
2
Large Dark OliveHatch
1
2
2
1
Iron BlueHatch
1
2
2
1

Numbers are intensity 0 (none) to 3 (peak) — a guide, not a guarantee.

Permits & access
Permit required — see local rules.
  • Check current operator or local permit-holder conditions before fishing.
Directions
About this water

An East Iceland salmon river that would give the pack a cleaner second eastern anchor alongside the existing Lagarfjót/Lagarfljót-side representation.

Under the surface

Breiddalsa runs the length of Breiddalur, the largest of the Eastfjord valleys, taking shape high in the mountains where the Tinnudalsa, the Sudurdalssa and the Nordurdalssa meet, and running out to the sea at Breiddalsvik. It is a medium river of clear, cold volcanic water through a broad, grassy, mountain-walled dale — handsome enough that it is often called one of the loveliest rivers in Iceland to fish. The bed is the dark basalt rock and gravel of the eastern fjords, the flow gathered from the high streams. It grows good fish: an unusually high proportion of two- and three-sea-winter salmon, with fish over ten kilos taken most years among a long-run average near eight hundred. The character is freestone pool-and-riffle water on a moderate gradient. Wading is secure on firm volcanic rock and gravel through the open valley reaches.

Wading: Firm but uneven volcanic rock

  • Volcanic
  • Partly confined
  • Pool riffle
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