Arhvammur Lodge

Iceland King Charles III (back when he was but a mere prince) was among the early guests at this Atlantic salmon lodge on the Hofsá River in northeastern Iceland. Arhvammur offers seven beats with eighty marked pools along eighteen miles of river. The top beat, within a canyon and at the foot of an impassable falls, is one of the most famous: Salmon congregate there throughout the season, late June to early September. But the other six beats more than hold their own, featuring some classic Atlantic salmon pools that are perfect for swinging small wet flies. The Hofsá is known for its strict conservation practices (catch-and-release only and no more than two fish landed per pool, per day), which help it produce some of the largest salmon in Iceland, with some up to twenty pounds, a thrilling challenge on a small fly. Anglers typically fish for four or more hours in the morning and then pa