Iceland’s Atlantic Salmon Rivers (selling the leases?…a question)

“At the end of the 2008 season the Midfjardara river located in northwest Iceland will be changing hands. The new owner, Rafn (Rabbi) Alfredsson has taken over the lease and is full filling a dream of owning and operating one of Iceland top ten rivers.”

“Midfjardara is located some 220 km from Reykjavik and has rightly earned its reputation as one of the top rivers in Iceland with a three-year average of 1690 fish for the season. This vast river system covers 790 sq km and apart from the main stream there are three tributaries, Nupsa, Austura and Vestura that combine to provide over 200 named pools. With only ten rods allowed on the river you may easily think that you have the river to yourself!”

The promise of exclusivity on a river is appealing to those wishing to escape the presence of others. Yet again, I see the seemingly casual(?) development or history of individual ownership of a river. Here we are arguing in Utah, Montana, Oregon about public access to rivers with respect to individual property rights. I can only imagine the rivers flow through public lands and the State has the right to lease the river? I wonder if I could lease the Deschutes R. from the BLM? I admittedly am not up to speed on other country’s management systems and property ownership of ‘beats’ etc. I just read this and was struck by what I would assume is the exclusion of Iceland’s citizens unless they pay. Paying to fish on someone’s property or paying for a guide is my choice. But, vast rivers being held by one company or individual is an odd mental adjustment for me. Probably, I am oblivious to this practice all over the world, and have only assumed people have unbridled access (Does a ranch with 40 miles of the North Platte flowing through limit access to others?). If you live in other parts of the world, perhaps you could comment upon the extent of this practice?