Sog River, Iceland
Flowing out of Lake Thingvallavatn, the Sog or Sogid is Iceland’s largest clearwater river. It is a reasonably priced river known for large multi-winter salmon and plentiful char.
The average annual catch of salmon on the Sog is approximately 400 fish and they can run up to over 20 pounds. However, the river also offers good fishing for arctic char of up to 3 kilos in size. One of the big advantages that the Sog has over many Icelandic salmon rivers is that it never suffers problems with water levels as it is fed by the largest lake in Iceland. It is thus immune from the low water problems that come with periodic droughts that wreak havoc from time to time on the fishing on other Icelandic rivers.
Fishing on the Sog is divided into 3 beats, Alvidra, Asgardur and Bildsfell, each taking 3 rods at a time. Each of the beats has an excellent private lodge accommodating up to 6 fishermen which is included with the fishing. Asgardur is usually the best of the three beats during the four weeks beginning around July 10th and normally Bildsfeld becomes productive around the 10th of August on.
Fishing at Alvidra is dependent upon the tides during the better part of the season but is usually best after mid-August. The Sog is definitely a spey rod river. In some places it may be 150 meters wide and currents and its irregular rock bottom can be treacherous, thus it is also important to bring a wading staff. Fly fishing is usually the most effective technique on the Sog, however, fishing with spinners and worms is also permitted.
Fly: 14 to 16 foot eight to ten weight Spey rods with floating and intermediate sinking lines.
Popular flies include the red and black frances, blue charm, white wing y sweep.
Spinning: Nine to twelve foot spinning rods with 20 to 50 gram action and reel loaded with 12 to 16 pound test line. For spin fishing the popular Toby can be very effective.
Location: The Sog (or Sogid) River is located 50 km to te west of Reykjavik.
Season: 14 June – 28 September
Best dates: Mid July to mid August at Asgardur. Mid August to mid September at Bildsfeld and Alvidra.
Nº of rods allowed: 9.
Fishing technique allowed: Fly fishing, spinning or worm fishing
Species: Atlantic salmon, arctic char