ELLIDAAR: REYKJAVIK'S ANGLING TREASURE. By Asgeir Ingolfsson.

1987 1st English language edition. 4to (190 x 250mm). Pp204. Colour and b/w photographs, b/w illustrations, bibliography, fold-out map. Laminated boards.

This is a detailed and interesting history of angling on the River Ellidaar which flows to the sea through Reykjavik. The history of the fishery has been similar to other European rivers: originally owned by the church, expropriated by the crown in the Reformation, leased and rented by various local businessmen before passing to an English JP named Payne. Payne was the first proprietor interested in angling, rather than commercial exploitation. Payne ultimately sold the river to the town council, subsequent to which public interest in angling increased. The last hundred years has seen a struggle between the demands of the Electricity Works, who diverted much of the river's upper course, public water supplies, and the salmon. The Reykjavik Angling Club have looked after the fishery for the last seventy years and the salmon have come out on top, at least inasmuch as they are still there.