According to the weather forecast, Wednesday was supposed to be the best day of the summer so far. I couldn’t resist the temptation; I started the day early and reached the water’s edge while all the campers at Þingvellir were still fast asleep. For a long while, I had the place all to myself, save for the birds.
The forecast was clearly holding true. The sky was clear and there was a southeasterly breeze, though not a strong one. I decided to scout the area near Vatnskot. Down from Túntangi is a fishing spot known as ‘The Ledge’ (Pallurinn). The conditions there allow you to wade quite far out, past Grýlusker skerry, and cast into deeper water all around Murtusker.
I say deeper water, but not necessarily very deep. In any case, I lost about five flies after snagging the bottom. I pounded the water there all morning and hooked a few trout, though they were of little consequence. It is likely no coincidence that the skerry is named ‘Murtusker’ (after the small murta char). I tried a few casts west of Grýlusker before heading home around noon.
I actually could have landed one fine trout if not for my own clumsiness. Directly off Murtusker, I hooked a powerful fish that snapped my six-pound leader after a brief struggle with the fisherman. Why on earth was I using an old six-pound leader? Usually, I use at least an eight-pound leader in Lake Þingvallavatn and feel most comfortable with twelve. It was some foolish sense of thriftiness that led to this. Frustrating? Yes!