The salmon season at Elliðaá River in Reykjavík began this morning with a ceremonial cast by newcomer to the sport, Mayor Heiða Björg Hilmisdóttir. She continues a local tradition of making the first cast that has now spanned 65 years.
Despite never having fly-fished before, the mayor enthusiastically took part in the opening event; a brave attempt to land the season’s first salmon. “We’re nowhere near finished, we won’t stop until there’s fish,” she said when contacted by local reporters, adding that Elliðaá was the perfect place to begin her angling journey.
Mayoral Participation
The event is organised annually by the Reykjavík Angling Club. Its chairman, Ragnheiður Thorsteinsson, noted that mayoral participation has long been part of the ceremony.
“Although nothing happens in the first hour, it doesn’t matter, this is clearly a show catch and not a given one,” he later told reporters.
Ragnheiður also praised the mayor’s determination. “Angling requires a lot of experience,” he said, “but Heiða has shown great enthusiasm in trying to catch her first salmon. It will happen with time.”
Elliðaá is one of the few protected salmon rivers in the world to run through the heart of a capital city. Surrounded by walking trails and woodlands, it offers a rare blend of urban convenience and natural beauty. “It’s quite special,” the mayor remarked, casting her line into the clear, fast-moving water.
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