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Last Friday, 5 December, DNG Jigging Reels welcomed small-boat owners from North Iceland to an open house at the company’s facilities in Akureyri. The event was organised in cooperation with Klettur, the association of small-boat owners in Northeast Iceland, and was very successful. Attendance was strong, and guests were greeted with presentations on the production process, technical innovations and future development of the jigging reels. Visitors came from across North Iceland, as well as from sister associations both east and west of Eyjafjörður. Fishermen, boat owners and technology enthusiasts had the opportunity to see how the reels are built, talk with staff and explore the latest equipment available on the market. A key focus of the event was the DNG R1 reel, which has enjoyed significant success in 2025. Guests were able to test the reel, try different settings and ask questions about its functions and performance. The R1 has become a popular choice among small-boat fishermen due to its exceptional fish-sensing ability, which has played a major role in its strong reception. The event proved highly effective, and plans are already underway to repeat it. There is also hope to host similar events for small-boat organisations in other regions of Iceland in the near future. Daði Tryggvason, project manager at DNG Jigging Reels, was very pleased with the response: “It is always a pleasure to welcome fishermen and boat owners to our facility. The discussions were excellent, and we received many useful comments and valuable encouragement. This kind of dialogue is essential for the continued development of our products.” Bjarni Reykjalín Magnússon, chairman of Klettur, expressed his appreciation for the warm reception and emphasised the importance of offering members opportunities for this type of learning and engagement. He noted that such events strengthen ties between manufacturers and users and support a robust small-boat fishing sector in the region. The visit concluded with light refreshments and lively discussions about the upcoming fishing season and the future of jigging-gear technology. Interest was high, and it is clear that innovation and reliable equipment remain vital to Icelandic fishermen — and DNG intends to stay at the forefront.

For the third year in a row, the Eyjafjörður Welfare Fund presents the Welfare Star in collaboration with Glerártorg Shopping Centre and Slippurinn Akureyri. The new design for Christmas 2025 was created by Elva Ýr Kristjánsdóttir and Kristín Anna Kristjánsdóttir, marketing project managers at Glerártorg, and, as in previous years, produced and sponsored by Slippurinn Akureyri. Sales of the Welfare Star begin on Saturday, November 8, at 1 p.m. at Glerártorg and form an important part of the Fund’s annual fundraising efforts. Everyone involved donates their time, and all proceeds go directly to individuals and families in need in the Eyjafjörður region. The Welfare Star will be available throughout the Christmas season at Lindex and Heimilistæki / Tölvulistinn / Kúnígúnd stores at Glerártorg. “The Welfare Star is a beautiful and meaningful Christmas ornament – a symbol of unity and kindness in the lead-up to the holidays,” says Guðný Jóna Þorsteinsdóttir, advisor to the Fund. A new design of the star will be introduced each year, adding to its collectable value for those who cherish it year after year. About the Eyjafjörður Welfare Fund The Eyjafjörður Welfare Fund is a joint initiative of the Church Aid of Iceland, The Salvation Army in Akureyri, the Mothers’ Support Committee of Akureyri, and the Red Cross of Eyjafjörður. Since 2013, these organisations have worked together to support individuals and families in the Eyjafjörður area who are struggling financially. The need for assistance has grown significantly in recent years. During Christmas 2024, the Fund received over 500 applications, and a similar number is expected this year. “We could not do this without the goodwill of Glerártorg and the employees of Slippurinn Akureyri, whose invaluable contribution makes this project possible. We encourage everyone in the community to buy the star and show unity and warmth in the spirit of Christmas,” says Kristín Björk Gunnarsdóttir, Chair of the Eyjafjörður Welfare Fund. The Welfare Fund operates throughout the year with the goal of supporting individuals and families in need. All donations go directly toward purchasing grocery gift cards, which are distributed to those requiring assistance. Those who wish to support the project can send an email to jolaadstod@gmail.com or donate to the bank account 0302-26-003533.

Elegant execution of the artwork Sókn in Grenivík. Designer: Sigríður Björg Haraldsdóttir, pictured here. Slippurinn Akureyri contributed to the final design and preparation. Photo courtesy of Grenivík.is.

Davíð Gíslason and his wife Rungruang Gíslason visiting our facility – with the latest generation of DNG jigging reels, the R1, in the background.

We welcome Daði Tryggvason to our team as the new Project Manager and Head of DNG Jigging Reels. Daði brings extensive and practical experience from both the fishing industry and public administration, which will serve him well in this new role. He holds a BSc degree in Fisheries Science from the University of Akureyri and has worked for over two decades on a wide range of projects within the sector. This includes many years at sea, both on trawlers and jigging boats equipped with DNG jigging reels. First-hand user experience with the company’s equipment is invaluable — particularly when it comes to product development and customer service. In addition to his time at sea, Daði has worked in aquaculture and most recently as a fisheries specialist at the Directorate of Fisheries, where he was responsible for quota allocations, licensing (including ICCAT and CITES), and customer relations. We look forward to the collaboration and are confident that Daði’s experience and insight will support the continued development of DNG Jigging Reels. https://www.slippurinndng.is/faeravindur

The new R1 reel from DNG is a game-changer and by far the best I’ve used. “I previously used the 6000i reel and hesitated for a long time about whether it was worth upgrading, as I was very satisfied with the 6000i. But I decided to take the leap for this season, upgraded to the R1 generation—and I definitely don’t regret it,” says Björn Snorrason, a coastal fisherman aboard Dalborg EA 317 in Dalvík. He has been active in coastal fishing nearly since the system was introduced and, over the years, has used both older DNG models and reels from other manufacturers. The R1 is quieter—and catches better Based on his experience using four R1 reels on Dalborg during the first few weeks of this spring’s coastal fishing season, Björn believes upgrading to the R1 was a solid investment. “I immediately noticed how quiet the R1 is, which really matters when you have four reels running on the boat. But the biggest advantage is that the R1 simply catches better than the previous generation—even though those reels were also good. That’s why I say this is a smart investment that pays off quickly. The R1 pulls more smoothly and holds the fish better on the hooks. I particularly notice that even when fishing is slow and the fish aren’t biting much, there are always at least some fish coming up. It’s rare that the line comes up empty—and that really adds up in terms of daily catch weight.” “In my opinion, the design and software development behind these reels have been very successful. And for someone like me—who doesn’t consider himself an especially skilled fisherman—having reliable equipment that delivers results is crucial. I often find myself thanking the DNG reels when I manage to hit my quota during the coastal fishing season,” says Björn.

The SPG Barcelona seafood expo kicked off in grand style, with the first day concluding with great success. Representatives from Slippurinn DNG were very pleased with the strong attendance at their stand and the interest their solutions generated among visitors.