Rods, lines & reels

Rods: 12 - 14’ double handed rods for 7 - 9wt lines (14’ outfits - are available to loan at the lodge), 9 - 11’ single handed or switch rods for 8 – 9wt lines can be useful when conditions allow such as low and clear water  

Reels: 8 – 10wt reel, with good drag system and 150-200m of 30lb+ backing  

Lines: For flexibility we suggest a multi tip shooting head system with both floating and multi density bodies. Pair these with a selection of heavy tips as well as a tapered floating and intermediate tip in 10-15 foot. The East Ranga is fast flowing and is generally very cold water so the fly very often needs to be slowed down and fished deep. We recommend Skagit heads with 15ft tips or 10ft iMOW tips and perhaps a floating Scandi body with Versi Leaders for when the water is clear and the wind is light.

Leader / Tippet: Range of 7-10ft polyleaders (slow and fast sink), Tapered Leaders: 9’ tapered to 15lbs and 20lbs, Spools of tippet material 12lb / 15lb / 20lb 

Flies

Range of tube flies such as: Blue and Black Peter ¾ - 1” tube, Frances ¼ - ½” tungsten or copper (black, red, orange), Snaelda ¼ - ½” tungsten or copper (German, Franken’), Friggi ½ - 1” (claret, black, purple, chartreuse), Monkey tube(black, yellow, pink) overall 7-9cm, Cone head Sunray Shadow / Collie Dog overall 5-9cm, Bismo in 1”-1½” tube, Cone head Francis in Black and Red (heavy)

Surface flies: Larger Hitch Tubes ¾ - 1½ “ tube, Bomber hook size single hook size 4 - 6, Green Machine hook size 6 - 10, ½ “ Sunday Shadow

Double and Trebles: Sizes 8 - 14 tied in Frances (Red and Black), Zelda, Nagli, MP etc. When water is clear and low we often fish smaller flies with great success

Hooks / Tube Hooks: Single sizes 4 - 10 Double / treble sizes 6 – 12  

Clothing & Useful Gear

Wading: Waders (breathable or neoprene for cold water), Wading boots (rubber or felt, with or without studs), Wading jacket, Wading Belt, Wading Stick (ideally collapsible) 

Clothing: Cap / hat, Sun Gloves, Polarised Sunglasses (essential), Buff, Multiple thin layers of underclothing, Fleece / “Puffer” jacket, Warm socks, Casual clothing for mealtimes / evenings

Useful Extras: Forceps / Pliers / Fishing ‘Tool’, Measuring Tape, Waterproof Bag / Backpack / Fishing Bag, Camera (water resistant / waterproof), SPF lotion

The lodge sits above the middle part (Beats 5 & 4) of the East Ranga River, its elevated position offering a panoramic view of the river and the stunning snow-capped Mount Hekla. To the east of the lodge sits the Eyjarfjallajokull glacier and volcano, infamous for its 2010 eruption, and to the west the river plains reach out to the mountain range (and Reykjavik beyond.)

The lodge complex is comprised of 10 buildings, all linked by a wooden walkway and veranda, pair of hot tubs and a small sauna.

Guests are accommodated in fully furnished rooms each with either twin or double bed and private bathroom.

The main lodge building houses three elements. Firstly the kitchen and spacious dining area where superb meals are served. Secondly the living room filled with comfy leather chairs and sofas, and a full service bar. Thirdly the central hall, with tackle shop, reception, quieter seating and at the end a double height glazed wall with fire and armchairs and a perfect view of the river and mountain vista.

There is also a heated drying room for waders and coats etc, a full service fish cleaning and storage facility, a barbecue area, and a fishing office where rods and guides meet before each fishing session.

Electrical plugs are 240v European style.

Transfers in Iceland are comparatively more expensive than in other parts of the world. On account of many people coming from different origins we do not offer set transfers but instead quote for parties and individuals. For example a return Transfer Keflavik - East Ranga Keflavik is around 120,400ISK (1-4 people).

With that in mind many fishers choose to rent cars, especially in smaller groups or individuals.

We are often asked for tipping recommendations by departing guests and suggest the folowing as a guideline:

£40/€40per person per day for the house staff to be put in wooden box beside reception.

£50/€50per rod per day paid directly to your guide.

Strictly fly only until 1 September, other rod methods thereafter

Kill limit of 3 fish per rod per session up to 70cms, fly only and catch & release only thereafter (even after 1 September)

Some fish over 70cm to be placed in ‘live boxes’ for Hatchery stock where required

‘Boxed’ fish not included in kill limit (Smoked Salmon will no longer be given for boxed / returned fish. Clients wishing to switch retained Salmon can exchange at Fiskas, Hella or at their preferred smoke house)

Fishing rotation jumps three beats per half day session, starting beat drawn by fishers 9/6/3/8/5/2/7/4/1/9/6...etc 


Any larger fish that are bleeding or accidentally killed to be handed to the kitchen

Shared rods share a room