Gwlad yr Ia 'Sgota gyda Julian Lewis Jones

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-Mountains, sea

-and fish in abundance.

-I've reached

-the fisherman's paradise.

-Welcome to 'Sgota

-and welcome to Iceland.

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-We've come to Iceland,

-famous throughout the world...

-..for its volcanoes

-and wonderful fisheries.

-Our journey takes us shore fishing

-for cod, dab and coalfish...

-..and sea fishing

-for halibut and the famous wolf fish.

-After landing in Reykjavik,

-we had to travel over 400km...

-..to the northern town

-of Dalvik in Eyjafjorour.

-Dalvik's economy is wholly dependent

-on fishing and tourism.

-A ferry to the island

-of Grimsey operates from here.

-Alhough Grimsey

-is on the Arctic Circle...

-..it is home to around 100 people.

-Our driver has brought us safely

-to this pier in Eyjafjorour...

-..in this mean machine

-and we can't wait.

-I'm going to catch a huge cod.

-There's no shortage of fish here.

-There's no shortage of fish here.

-

-Let's go fishing.

-I'm using a 12-foot rod

-known as a Beachcaster.

-This is a strong reel...

-..with a 30 pound line.

-I've tied a knot in it

-called a shock leader.

-It takes the shock

-when you're casting.

-That takes around 70 pounds.

-I'm using two types of bait -

-a lugworm and a chunk of fish.

-The hook is a small 2/O.

-I'm using two of them.

-I've attached a five ounce

-lead weight to take it down.

-This is my first cast in Iceland.

-Off I go.

-My turn now.

-I hope I catch the first fish.

-That's why I'm getting mine in now!

-Heavens above!

-I've got a bite!

-How many seconds did that take?

-I've caught a fish already!

-That can't have been 30 seconds.

-If that.

-Dear me!

-That would never happen in Wales.

-Highly unlikely.

-What have you caught?

-It looks like a small cod.

-Yes. Just look at that.

-That's incredible.

-That took 30 seconds.

-30 seconds.

-Heavens above.

-OK, little one,

-go and find your big brothers.

-That's it, the hook's out safely.

-My first Icelandic cod.

-You're a pretty one.

-Back you go, little one.

-In you go.

-And it's off.

-Superb.

-Well done, Jules!

-If I played darts as well as I cast,

-I'd be a millionaire.

-That's what you call two for one.

-It hadn't even reached the bottom.

-Same here. Once the line was taut,

-I got a bite.

-Superb.

-Superb.

-

-What have I caught? A coalfish.

-The fish are there immediately.

-Immediately. That must have taken

-all of 30 seconds.

-Instantly.

-If I were at home..

-..I'd keep this one...

-..to have with a few chips

-and mushy peas.

-But there are bigger ones here,

-so I'm letting it go.

-I'm here with Steve Mason,

-our guide for the week.

-He has been fishing in Iceland

-for many years.

-How long have you been fishing

-over here?

-Since 1991.

-The core industry is fishing.

-I came out as a fish filleter.

-I've been a keen angler

-for a long time.

-Off the pier here,

-we've had coalfish and cod.

-You're bringing in something now.

-You're bringing in something now.

-

-I think I've got a dab on here.

-I think it's a dab.

-There's definitely a fish here.

-It's not a shark, is it?

-No. There it is, coming up there.

-Heavens above! That's a dab?

-Look at the size of that dab!

-If I were at home now...

-This is a dab.

-But the dabs at home

-have orange spots on them.

-It's enormous.

-OK, thank you.

-Is it going back?

-Yeah, put it back.

-It's going back in. Say ta-ta.

-Here it comes.

-Dear me!

-I thought it was something big.

-I thought it was something big.

-

-That must be ten pounds.

-Look at that.

-That's a beaut.

-I'd be very happy

-catching that from a boat.

-But to catch it from the shore...

-That's how you do it, lads.

-A monster of a coalfish,

-if ever there was one.

-Superb.

-Right, back it goes quickly.

-Tell me, did it put up a fight?

-Well, it was tough and painful...

-..but in the end, the best man won.

-It's still daylight.

-We'll have daylight

-for 24 hours, Julian.

-Bring it in.

-That's a pretty one, Julian.

-That's one heck of a cod.

-It's chunky, isn't it?

-It's in good condition.

-Here we go.

-Do you want to cut the hook?

-Yes. Use your scissors.

-Cut it closer to the mouth.

-The hook rusts easily.

-This is our last catch

-from the pier.

-We're moving on to the beach later.

-You can go back in. Off you go.

-Back to the depths.

-Superb. Well done, Julian.

-The angling machine

-has already got stuck in.

-The fishing terminator!

-We've had a coffee, it's 8.50pm

-and we're down on the beach...

-..after fishing all day

-from the pier.

-I'm trying my luck with dab.

-Steve has already caught one.

-It was at least two pounds.

-It was at least two pounds.

-

-It was huge.

-I'm going to cast now

-to see whether I get a little dab.

-Or a big one!

-There's some expectation now

-after the day we've had today.

-I'm in, lads.

-Here we go. I hope it's a dab.

-Hopefully, this is my first one

-in Iceland.

-It's a dab.

-Yes, I've caught one!

-It's a chunky dab too.

-It's a hefty one.

-Superb, Julian. Look at that.

-Now there's a fish for you.

-Look how fat it is.

-Superb. I'm going back

-to keep an eye on my rod.

-Right, OK.

-I'm ecstatic.

-Ooh, watch the water!

-I've caught some seaweed.

-It won't be the first time

-or the last...

-..but I hope to catch

-something tastier next time.

-No! You're going the wrong way!

-Goodness me!

-What do I have here?

-Goodness, it's pulling hard.

-It's really pulling.

-What is it? A coalie?

-Yes, it's a coalfish.

-No, it's a cod.

-And a fine cod at that.

-That's a good one.

-It's lovely.

-A few chips

-would go nicely with that.

-Here we go.

-A cod. It looks so healthy.

-Just look at it.

-It's lovely.

-It has been well fed.

-They have plenty of food...

-..plenty of room

-and they aren't overfished.

-It's a lively one!

-Well, Rhys, going by my watch...

-..it's 10.00pm and it's still light.

-..it's 10.00pm and it's still light.

-

-It's light for 24 hours here.

-I have to admit,

-you won the day overall...

-..with that enormous fish.

-..with that enormous fish.

-

-Of course.

-But tonight's session was good.

-But tonight's session was good.

-

-Yes, this session belonged to you.

-I think it's time

-for a pint of shandy now.

-A half of shandy, maybe.

-Come on then.

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-I know I promised your wife

-that I'd look after you...

-..but I'm leaving you for an hour.

-..but I'm leaving you for an hour.

-

-Why, where are you going?

-I'm off to do some fly-fishing

-for char and trout.

-You go to the lake, and I'll go

-to the pier to catch a huge cod.

-Often, when the weather

-is against us...

-..and when it's very bright,

-as it is today...

-..something different is called for.

-This is something very different.

-It's a salmon fly.

-One fellow angler has fished here

-for the past 25 years.

-He tells me I'll be able

-to catch one with this.

-Let me show you the bait

-that we're using today.

-These are Pacific saury.

-Obviously, they're from the Pacific.

-Amateur anglers use them because

-they contain a lot of oil and blood.

-They're also cheaper than mackerel.

-I'm also using lugworms, which are

-keeping fresh in the water here.

-I'll cut up one of these sauries,

-or blueys, as we call them.

-Start close to the head,

-as you would with any other fish.

-Run the knife along the backbone,

-all the way to the tail.

-Keep that for later.

-I'll chop up pieces

-to put on the hooks.

-One, two.

-I'll get four pieces out of that.

-They're ready to put on the hooks.

-I'm using three hooks on this rig.

-I'll attach it to the first hook

-at the top here.

-Put a piece of saury

-on the second one.

-Pull the hook through it.

-The third hook at the bottom...

-..sits on the seabed.

-I'll put two pieces on this one.

-Hopefully, I'll catch a huge cod.

-We've come to Iceland

-for the sea fishing.

-But the lakes and rivers

-are great for fishing too.

-The fishing here is excellent.

-Rainbow and brown trout

-weigh around two pounds.

-In early summer,

-the river teems with char.

-You can catch 70 fish a day,

-weighing at least three pounds each.

-We can also catch trout

-weighing up to four pounds.

-Let's go fishing.

-Ready?

-Look at the size of that dab!

-It's huge.

-Three hooks, three fish. Superb.

-I'm trying to cast the fly

-as far as possible.

-I want to give it plenty of time

-in the water.

-I think I've scared the fish here.

-They don't seem to be

-coming to the surface.

-I'll try the other side

-before going back to Julian...

-..just in case

-he's got into mischief.

-I don't know about Rhys...

-..but I'm having

-a wonderful morning in Dalvik.

-There's a whole heap of fish here.

-I've caught another three.

-Here we go. Heavens above!

-Three great fish again.

-Two small cod and a dab.

-For every cast,

-I've caught at least two fish.

-I hope that Julian's

-having more luck than me.

-But not too much luck.

-We don't want him

-getting too big-headed!

-I'll be very pleased

-if I get a bite here.

-I'm starting to think

-they've brought me here...

-..as a bit of a joke.

-Thank goodness,

-the local angler's unlucky too.

-That's some comfort, at least.

-A lovely little brown trout.

-Look at that.

-What a lovely fish.

-It has a few red speckles on it.

-And lovely black spots.

-It's a very attractive fish.

-For me, this fish is worth ten

-of the cod Julian has caught.

-He's sure to have caught ten by now.

-To catch a brown trout

-here in Iceland is fantastic.

-I've been here for a couple of hours.

-I must have caught 30-40 fish

-in that time.

-I should go and meet Rhys.

-Here's another cod...

-..to finish my session on the pier.

-It's a nice little one too.

-I'm going to join Rhys on the beach.

-It's a pebble beach

-half an hour's drive away.

-This is my last catch

-on the pier in Dalvik.

-I'll see you later.

-They dry the cod for cooking

-on these wooden beams above my head.

-I'm going to the beach

-to fish for fresh cod...

-..for tonight's barbecue.

-Hello. How did it go?

-Not bad. I've been roaming

-the fjords looking for you.

-I've been setting up here.

-The line's in deep -

-around 80 metres.

-It's a long way down.

-How did you get on, anyway?

-It took a long time. The wind

-and everything was against us.

-But it ended Wales 1, Iceland 0!

-Did you catch anything then?

-Yes, a lovely little trout.

-A trout?

-A trout?

-

-I wanted a char but got a trout.

-It was a nice one, I must say.

-The tripod has been set up for you,

-so off you go.

-It's quiet.

-The fish must be having a siesta.

-They'll wake up nearer teatime.

-Here we go.

-I think this'll be a decent catch.

-It's pulling quite a bit.

-Keep it going. What is it?

-A lovely cod.

-That's a good one.

-Do you fancy eating this one?

-Would it fit in a baguette?

-It'd have to be one heck of a bun!

-Steve's going to show us

-how a pro fillets a cod.

-Here we are on the second side.

-Come up the head...

-..through the flap.

-The second side, I would take

-the fillet and come all the way up.

-That's close to the bone.

-Up, one.

-It's all about having a sharp knife.

-That's very, very sharp.

-There's nothing on there.

-That's the professional way!

-No waste at all.

-Just look how clean the fillet is.

-A wonderful piece of cod.

-You caught this lovely cod...

-..so let's taste it.

-It smells delicious.

-Help yourself.

-We've had a wonderful time

-shore fishing here in Iceland.

-The next time you'll see us,

-we'll be out at sea.

-I'm going to tuck into this now.

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-After a long journey,

-we've reached Sudureyri.

-Despite the wind,

-we'll see whether we can catch...

-..a giant cod, a wolf fish...

-..or even a halibut.

-Let's hope luck is on our side.

-We'll need taut lines, lads.

-This is fairly new to me,

-so you'll have to help me out.

-No problem.

-What we have here is a pirk,

-or a pilk in Scandinavia.

-It's more or less a giant spinner.

-Despite using a thinner braid,

-it's incredibly strong.

-It cuts through the water

-better than a mono.

-There's a very sharp hook

-at the end of that.

-We need a giant hook

-because the fish are strong.

-They grow to be very big.

-Cod in these parts

-can grow to 60 pounds.

-We've reached the first drift now.

-Are you OK, Rhys?

-Fine.

-Just move the pirk up and down.

-Up and down.

-Bring it up and let it sink.

-It's a matter of trying

-different locations.

-A lot of it is down to luck too.

-Sometimes, all you need is patience.

-Beginner's luck, Julian!

-I'll have to start going to the gym

-when I get home.

-Wolf fish.

-Wolf fish.

-

-You've caught one!

-The wolf!

-The boys will be proud of me!

-When I phoned them the other day,

-they asked if I'd caught a wolf.

-Well, yes, I've caught one.

-Good on me!

-This is a meter to measure depth.

-It's recording a depth of 25.9m.

-At the bottom of the screen, we can

-tell how many species there are.

-Cod, haddock and wolf fish.

-I've just caught one.

-I've caught plenty of these today.

-But I caught it

-using these Pink Ladies...

-..so they've come up trumps

-with the cod.

-This cod's a fair size.

-It's darker than the usual ones

-because it lives among the seaweed.

-ICELANDIC WEATHER REPORT

-Robert has heard there's a storm

-approaching from the north.

-We can't stay out too long.

-No, we can't risk it.

-It's disappointing to turn back,

-but a storm's a storm.

-It wasn't all bad.

-I caught my wolf fish.

-That pleased me, but you can't

-take risks with the weather.

-The storm has worsened...

-..so we've come to the village,

-which is situated next to a lagoon.

-Robert, our captain,

-has tipped me off...

-..about large cod in this lagoon.

-Let's find out.

-Let's find out.

-

-Shall we give it a go?

-I have a lightweight rod,

-so let's have some fun.

-I'm using a shad lure.

-I'm using a shad lure.

-

-Off we go.

-Mind your footing.

-Let's cast and see how we get on.

-Here I go.

-It's just a case of working

-that shad now...

-..to see whether there are any fish

-down there.

-I'm in, Jules.

-Right away! Heavens above!

-Oops! I'm excited already!

-Dear me!

-Just look at the size of that thing!

-This is a haddock.

-And a huge one at that.

-Goodness me!

-That's a haddock and a half!

-I'm putting it straight back in.

-Jeepers creepers!

-This is really pulling!

-We're straight in there.

-Are you hungry, lads?

-What a lovely haddock!

-I caught that one quickly.

-It can go back in now.

-Robert, the captain, was right.

-There's a heap of fish in here.

-Are you in?

-Ooh, dear me!

-Come on, boyo. Look at this one.

-This spinning rod is very light...

-..and it's taking me for a walk

-along the shore.

-It's a strong fish.

-Jeepers creepers, look at this!

-I've caught a monster here.

-Heavens above!

-A cod caught with a spinner.

-It's not very happy,

-by the look of it.

-This is a big lump.

-Oh, Julian!

-Look at that, Julian.

-Goodness me!

-I'll get my hook back!

-The biggest cod I've ever caught.

-It deserves a kiss!

-Back you go, boyo.

-This coalfish is running away

-with the line. It's so powerful.

-You have lots of fun

-when you use lightweight gear.

-Dear me.

-They're so powerful.

-It ran away like a steam engine.

-Here we go again.

-It's one heck of a coalfish.

-I think I've landed it now.

-It's a decent weight.

-And very lively.

-We've had some great fun

-in Sudureyri.

-It's time to travel to Reykjavik.

-Another incredible fish...

-..makes its way to the surface.

-Superb, Jules. Another little cod.

-We've come to the seaside today...

-..to this 300km-long beach.

-Believe it or not, this is sand.

-Black sand.

-Today, we're fishing for spur-dog.

-It'll require a big cast

-because the waves are colossal.

-I'm putting half a Pacific saury

-on this big hook.

-I'll insert the hook in the tail

-and pull the line through.

-I'm making stitches in the fish.

-Once again. Pull the hook through.

-Pull it all through...

-..through the middle of the saury.

-To make sure it stays on

-the hook securely...

-..I'm wrapping it in elastic.

-It's hard work in this wind!

-I'm wrapping it all the way around.

-There we go.

-We're ready to catch spur-dog now.

-I'm ready for my first cast.

-The wind is strong.

-The waves are enormous.

-I need to be careful

-with my casting.

-I've been here a while

-trying to catch a spur-dog.

-It's hard work in these waves

-and in the strong wind.

-Steve has already caught one.

-These fish often swim in groups...

-..as they chase the bait.

-I'm hopeful there are others.

-I'm going to cast again

-to see whether I can catch one.

-I'm trying to keep the rod high

-and hold it above the waves...

-..so that the waves

-don't wash away the bait.

-It's testing on the arms...

-..to hold it up all day like this.

-But as Tad-cu would say...

-.."It's not as bad

-as a day down the mine."

-The spur-dog is a member

-of the shark family.

-Pelagic fish

-move into an area and move out.

-These are the rock salmon

-sold in chip shops in the UK.

-It's called spur-dog

-for its two spurs.

-One on its top dorsal fin

-and one on the bottom.

-You must watch them when they first

-come out of the water.

-They're strong and can give you

-a nasty gash in your hand.

-You have to respect the sea

-at all times.

-Seven waves may come along...

-..and they're a safe distance

-away from you.

-But the eighth could come along

-and sweep you away.

-I've caught one.

-I've caught a fish.

-It's still there!

-The fish is pulling me

-down the beach.

-I've still got it!

-My heart's pumping

-fifteen to the dozen.

-There it is!

-Jeepers creepers!

-It's a good one!

-This is my first spur-dog...

-..caught on the black sand...

-..through all the waves and wind.

-..through all the waves and wind.

-

-I'm so happy for you.

-That's fantastic. Brilliant.

-I'm a very happy man.

-Watch out!

-If you look at it...

-..you'll see both dorsal fins

-with the very sharp spurs.

-Notice the small one there.

-The one on the back dorsal fin

-is even bigger.

-I won't keep it too long out

-of water. It needs to go home.

-Fishing like this is hard work...

-..but when you catch such a fish,

-it makes it all worthwhile.

-I've caught one at last.

-My perseverance has paid off.

-It's one for the man

-from Trawsfynydd.

-It's a pleasure catching these.

-It's a monster of a fish.

-That's a big, big fish.

-Watch his spur.

-A bit of perseverance.

-I've kept the best till last

-once again.

-I won't give this one a kiss

-because its teeth are too sharp.

-It can go back in the water.

-It's a perfect fish.

-Right, back it goes.

-Our journey ends

-on the black beach in Iceland.

-Cefn Sidan is a vast beach...

-..but this is something else.

-..but this is something else.

-

-It's been a fantastic week.

-There have been so many highlights

-that it's difficult to pick one.

-But for me, catching that

-ugly wolf fish in Sudureyri...

-..stands out because I hadn't seen

-one before, let alone caught one.

-My highlight has to be fishing

-on this black sand in the wind.

-It's something unusual

-for us Welshmen to see.

-This may have been our first visit,

-but it certainly won't be our last.

-S4C Subtitles by Adnod Cyf.

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