Included / Not Included –
Included: Accommodations and meals at West Rangá Lodge, transfers to/from Reykjavik to the lodge, fishing permit for one rod, guiding and transportation to/from river, one guide to every 2 rods.
Not Included: Airfare, hotels and meals in Reykjavik, alcohol, soft drinks, juices, gratuities.
Travel Logistics:
Arrival Information: To get to West Rangá Lodge you will need to make travel arrangements to Reykjavik/Keflavik, Iceland. Most flights arrive into Iceland early in the morning. The included shuttle from Reykjavik leaves about 1:30PM during the period from June 15th to August 1st. If your flight arrives earlier in the morning, we recommend that you book a “day room” at a nearby airport hotel until the pick-up time (see itinerary for recommendation).
Getting to the Lodge: You will meet the driver at 1:00PM in the Airport Arrival Hall. He will be holding a sign with LAX-A and/or your names on it. The shuttle to West Rangá Lodge typically leaves the airport about 1:30PM. The scenic drive takes about an hour from Reykjavik, and fishing starts at 4:00PM. You will fish until 10:00PM that day (shared rod).
Departure Information: On the last day of fishing the car leaves the lodge at about 3:00PM. Please note, however, that these times may vary slightly due to weather, traffic, number of anglers traveling, etc.
Approximate Flying Times to Reykjavik: Los Angeles: 9 hours • Dallas: 8 hours • Miami: 8 hours • New York: 6 hours.
Documentation Requirements:
U.S. citizens only need a passport valid for at least 3 months after planned date of arrival to Iceland.
Currency:
The currency of Iceland is the Icelandic Krona. Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted.
Travel Cash:
We recommend traveling with no less than 100 Euros per day in cash for gratuities and more if you wish to purchase your beverages at the lodge with cash.
Gratuities:
We recommend guide tips of EUR 50 per day if anglers really enjoyed their guide and fishing experience. These monies should be paid directly to your guide preferably after your last day of fishing. The recommended tip for the lodge staff is EUR 25 per day to the chef and EUR 25 per day to the staff. These gratuities may be given to the lodge manager the last night.
Fishing Licenses:
Fishing licenses are included and the lodge will issue your license when you arrive.
Climate:
The average climate in West Rangá in July is about 59º F.
Medical Facilities:
The closest medical facility is in Reykjavik, approximately one hour from the lodge. Guests have the responsibility to disclose any special medical, physical, or dietary needs to the lodge ahead of time.
In emergency situations, a charter flight may be required to reach a medical facility. Guests may want to consider medical evacuation coverage. We recommend Global Rescue.
Power and Communications:
There is 24 hour power at the lodge. The lodge operates on standard European 220 volt power. A converter with a two prong adapter will be necessary for any electrical items that require 110-volt power.
There is a phone at the lodge and most cell phones work there too. There is internet access (not wireless) that is only accessible at the lodge office and to be used by guests only in the case of emergencies.
Water:
Tap water is drinkable everywhere in Iceland.
Clothing:
In spite of the relatively mild climate, you should plan to bring warm clothing and most importantly, quality raingear and a windbreaker. Also plan to bring waders and wading shoes and nicer clothes for dinner.
Laundry:
The lodge does not have the capability to provide laundry service, but in the case of emergency a client may ask to use the staff washing machine.
Beverages/Alcohol:
Beverages are NOT included in the package price. There is a bar at the lodge where anglers may purchase their drinks. The bar serves a variety of drinks; beer, wine, strong alcohol, soft drinks, etc. Please note: Anglers may NOT bring their own alcohol with them to the lodge.
Tackle/Equipment List:
Rod: 13-15 ft. spey rods for line weights 6-9. 9-10 ft. single hand rods for line weights 7-9.
Reel: Any good reel with a strong drag and at least 100 yards of 30 pound backing.
Lines: Interchangeable sink tip lines such as the Rio Windcutter or Skagit are particularly important in June. Full sinking Scandinavian heads are also useful at this time. As the season progresses, more and more of the fishing is done with floating and or intermediate lines. For late June and early July most angler swill be fine with a Rio floating AFS head and a selection of floating and sinking leaders.
Leaders/Tippet: Leaders should be strong and 10-20 pound tippet is the most popular. While leaders for floating line fishing need not be exceedingly long, many Scandinavian heads cast best with leaders that are 15 plus feet long. When fishing hitched tubes, it is often important to shorten ones leader so it doesn’t drown the fly. For angler using AFS heads, the floating Rio leader can be used with 5-8 ft of level Maxima, or you can forego the floating leader and fish12- 15 ft tapered knotless leader in the 10-20 tippet class.
Flies: the most popular patterns include Pool Fly, Arctic Runner, Green Butt, Black and Blue, Snaelda and Willie Gunn. Flies with tungsten cones have proven very effective. Most salmon are caught on 1" tubes. Please review the following site for flies: www.frances.is or www.rifflehitch.com
Waders and Boots: Breathable waders with felted boots are best for this trip. Cleated boots are discouraged. Anglers prone to cold feet might consider boot foot waders for the early season
Iceland Tackle Disinfection
Iceland has always been free of diseases like UDN and Gyrodactylus salaris and they intend to keep it that way. There is a strict policy of visiting anglers having their tackle sterilized before coming to Iceland. This should be done in a 2% formaldehyde solution for 10 minutes and performed by a veterinary surgeon. (Tackle sterilized in Virkon S is also acceptable.) A signed inventory of what has been sterilized should be provided by the vet for presentation to the customs officers at Keflavik airport. The most important items to be treated are: rods, reel/line, waders and flies.
The process can be carried out by staff at Keflavik airport. The office is located at the far side of the baggage reclaim hall, downstairs in the airport. Just notify one of the personnel in the area that you need your tackle disinfected and they will have a member of the staff come and complete the process. The price for one fishing set is 3.500 Icelandic Kronurs.
