Iceland Fly Fishing Presentation with Dusty Wissmath

Cumberland Valley Trout Unlimited – March Chapter Meeting

Have you ever dreamed of fly fishing in Iceland?

While it may seem like a far-off destination, Iceland is actually only about a five-hour flight from Pennsylvania, yet the landscape and fisheries are unlike anywhere else in the world.

Join Dusty Wissmath at the Cumberland Valley Trout Unlimited March Chapter Meeting as he takes us on a fascinating visual tour of Iceland’s rivers, native fish species, and unique fly fishing opportunities.

Dusty will explore several rivers along Iceland’s northern coast, where volcanic geology, glaciers, and tundra landscapes create one of the most remarkable trout and salmon fisheries on the planet.

Whether you’re interested in international fly fishing travel or simply want to learn more about the unique ecosystems of Iceland, this presentation will be both educational and inspiring.

What You’ll Learn

During this presentation, Dusty will cover:

Iceland’s Unique Fly Fishing Landscape

Iceland’s volcanic origin has shaped a dramatic environment of mountains, glaciers, and tundra. Hundreds of rivers flow from the interior toward the coast, creating ideal habitat for several iconic cold-water fish species.

Dusty will highlight several rivers along the northern coast of Iceland and explain what makes these fisheries so unique.

Native Fish Species of Iceland

Unlike many fisheries around the world, all target species in Iceland are native to the island.

The presentation will cover:

• Brown Trout (both resident and sea-run forms)
• Atlantic Salmon
• Arctic Char

Each species offers its own seasonal opportunities and fly fishing techniques.

Fishing Seasons in Iceland

The Icelandic fishing calendar is unique:

May

• Start of the trout season
• The weather can be unpredictable early in the year

June – Summer

• Excellent fishing for resident trout and sea-run brown trout

Mid-July – August

• Peak Atlantic salmon runs
• Iceland consistently produces some of the highest salmon returns in the world

Late Summer

• Strong fishing for Arctic char

Dusty will also discuss conservation concerns and the importance of protecting these valuable fisheries.

Fly Fishing Techniques for Iceland

Anglers targeting Iceland’s species use a variety of techniques depending on conditions and species.

Trout Fishing

Most productive approaches include:

• Dry flies
• Streamers

Although caddis exist on the island, midges are the most important aquatic insect.

Effective fly patterns often include:

• Griffith’s Gnat
• Small midge patterns in sizes 14–16
• Small streamers fished subsurface

Dusty will also discuss how retrieve technique can be more important than the fly pattern itself when streamer fishing.

Atlantic Salmon

Atlantic salmon in Iceland respond best to:

• Traditional swung flies
• Occasionally a slow, short strip recommended by guides

Arctic Char

Arctic char typically favor:

• Nymph patterns
• Slight movement or action in the drift

Why Iceland is a World-Class Fly Fishing Destination

Iceland offers anglers:

Exceptional populations of native Atlantic salmon

• Healthy runs of sea-run brown trout
• Large numbers of Arctic char
• Remote rivers with limited angling pressure
• One of the most visually stunning fishing landscapes on Earth

Despite its remote reputation, Iceland is surprisingly accessible and continues to grow in popularity among adventurous fly anglers.

Join Us for This Fascinating Presentation

If you’re curious about international fly fishing travel or simply enjoy learning about unique fisheries around the world, this presentation is not to be missed.

Dusty Wissmath will take us on a tour of Iceland’s rivers, fish species, and fly fishing techniques, while also discussing the conservation challenges facing these remarkable fisheries.

We hope you’ll join us for this engaging and informative evening.

Event Details

Event: Cumberland Valley Trout Unlimited – March Chapter Meeting
Presenter: Dusty Wissmath
Topic: Fly Fishing in Iceland
Host: Cumberland Valley Trout Unlimited

Visitors, guests, and anglers of all experience levels are welcome to attend.