The Selá | The Six Rivers Foundation

The Selá River.

The best Salmon catch per rod anywhere in Iceland

The Selá River is one of Iceland’s largest clearwater rivers and is widely considered to be one of the best salmon rivers in the world. With its crystal clear water and deep gorges, the river is set in open country, offering challenging pools which require thought and observation for even the most experienced anglers. The river is set in a sparsely populated part of Iceland, accessible by gravel road only.

Previous slide

Next slide

With six beats spread over 36km and a season lasting from late June to late September, we are confident that our experienced guides will be able to maximise your time in this extraordinary natural setting. And with the highest catch per rod of any river in Iceland, everyone has a great chance to catch (and then release) one of our wild salmon.

The Strengur Angling Club and Six Rivers were responsible for the construction of two fish ladders on this river. The first in 1970, increased the access for salmon from 9km to 26km. The second built in 2011, lengthened the capability of the river to its current 36km. This ensures a strong and sustainable future for this wonderful salmon river.

FREE PASS! Please Note: We have such high regard for the salmon that survive at sea, travel up 36km of Sela rapids, and climb 2 ladders that we give all salmon above the second Sela ladder a free pass. We want that DNA in the river!

River information

120 pools
6 rods
36km fishable river length
Location: North East Iceland
2023 catch: 1234

Staying by the Selá

Enquire now

Historical Season Catch

1234

2023

1164

2022

764 2021

1258

2020

1484

2019

1340

2018

Fishing Rules

Anglers are welcome to Fossgerði lodge from 3 pm on arrival day. Upon departure anglers are asked to depart the lodge no later than 1:30 pm on their last day of fishing. We kindly ask you to help us to respect this time frame so we can run the operation smoothly.
Daily fishing hours are from 8 am to 1 pm in the morning and from 4 pm to 9 pm in the afternoon. Anglers are allowed a maximum of two 4 hours sessions in the river a day. On departure date we stop fishing at 12 o´clock.
All of our rivers are fly only. Other equipment than fly rods is not allowed. The rivers are fished with floating lines only. The use of sinking tips, sinking lines, weighted flies and weighted tubes is not allowed. Two people can share one rod and must stay together on the river when fishing. All catch must be registered in the logbook at the lodge.
All Salmon is released. Injured Salmon shall have the benifit of doubt unless your guide says otherwise. If a Salmon cannot be saved it must be brought to the lodge and given to the kitchen.
Maximum catch per rod is 2 per pool and 4 per session, Salmon landed.
Please respect the river and its surroundings. While driving along the river please use marked roads only.

To fully immerse yourself in the Icelandic Fishing trip of your dreams, you’ll be staying at our fantastic facilities along the river in our Selá Lodge, constructed by Six Rivers.

Atlantic Salmon in the Selá River

Fishing Lodge

Fish Ladder

Bridge

Bridge

Bank Pool

Long Pool

Escapee Pool

New Bridge Pool

Cecil's Pool

Theatre Pool

Bridge Pool

Runners Pool

Skeleton Coast Pool

Hamilton's Pool

Erik's Pool

Orri's Pool

Mill Chimneys Pool

Boulders Pool

Big Sam's Pool

Sheep Pool

Teasdale's Pool

Little River Pool

Deep Pool

Glassy Pool

Cliff Pool

Romane's Pool

Swimming Pool

Buspass Pool

Walking Bridge Pool

The Corner Pool

Cooke-Hurle's Pool

Waterfall Pool

Belstaff Pool

Alchemists Pool

Denni's Pool

Picasso Pool

Gauguin's Delight Pool

Bear Pool

Shuttlecock Pool

Marie's Pool

Lowry Pool

Red Pool

Julia's Pool

Catherine's Pool

Sherpa Pool

George's Pool

George Bush Pool