Eric Clapton battles for two-and-a-half hours to catch biggest salmon of the year

Not just a bona fide guitar legend, Eric Clapton is also a dab (Slow)hand with a fishing rod too.

Published 9th Aug 2016

The 71-year-old went on a fly-fishing trip to the Vatnsdalsá River in Iceland last week where he caught the biggest salmon of the entire season so far measuring an impressive 108cm.

No easy feat, Vatnsdalsá guide Sturla Birginsson explained in a blog post that Eric spent two-and-a-half hours reeling the huge fish in and had to run 1km downstream with it.

In his post, Sturla wrote: “To begin with the salmon was quiet in the pool but after it found out that something strange was happening the fish started to run down the river. 

“Both the angler and the guide had to run fast down the river and it kept going for about 1 km after going through 4 pools.  Two and a half hour later they manage to land that fish and it was measured 108 cm which is the biggest salmon this year.

“Both the angler and the salmon were totally done after this fight but both the angler and the salmon recovered after few minutes.  The picture on the right is showing Eric Clapton which was the angler with the fish and of course we congratulate him with this fantastic fish.”

As is the policy on the Vatnsdalsá River, the salmon was released back into the river after Eric and Sturla posed for pics.

You can read the full story behind Eric's catch here.