Vatnsdalsá – trout beat

The trout-beat in Vatnsdalsá has over the years been a very popular fishing area. Every year, up to three thousand Arctic char and sea trout are caught there, but there are also prospects for salmon fishing. The fish in Vatnsdalsá can be up to 5 lbs and there are examples of bigger fish. The char is smaller, often about 1-2 lbs. Tides occur in Húnavatn and then there is the best opportunity for good fishing. The small river Giljá is included in the fishing area at Vatnsdalsá, but there one can get char and sea trout in the estuary area and salmon are often found further up the river. One of the Icelandic Sagas took place in Vatnsdalur and here it is appropriate to mention that the old settler Ingimundur was killed in a dispute over-fishing rights. In memory of Ingimundur and his family, the society of Húnvetningar in Reykjavík has planted a grove of trees and named it after Þórdís, the daughter of old Ingimundur. The river is fished 3 days at a time, from noon to noon. An average catch is 2500 fish each year.