From next season 2022 we are delighted to announce that we will be adding the famous Stóra Laxá to our portfolio of rivers in Iceland. The Stóra Laxa has long had a reputation for its run of large multi sea winter fish amidst some of the spectacular scenery in Iceland. The river itself is 100 km east of Reykjavik, is 90 km long and flows from Lake Grænavatn down to the glacial river of Hvítá. It is a medium-sized river that winds its way down through spectacular canyons from the Highlands before opening up on the lower beats into gorgeous open meadows.
The fishing is split up into four fishing beats and is fished with ten rods and is ideal for double handed fishing. This season the river landed 486 fish which is one of the higher averaging big fish rivers in Iceland. The salmon that run the Stóra Laxa are not only big, they are exceptionally hard fighters as they have to ascend steep gradients to their spawning grounds. The season for Stóra Laxa is 30th June to the 30th September with prime time considered the beginning of July when the big fish start through until mid-August.
Beats I & II are the lowest two beats of the river and take four rods. Many of the most renowned pools on the river are on this beat. Access is very good and most pools are easily accessible by vehicle. The boundaries of the beat are from the convergence of Litla Laxá (Little Laxá) on the east bank, and the boundary of the property Iða on the west bank and up to (and including) the Rauðuskriður pool.
Beat III is the middle section of Stóra Laxá. It holds two rods comfortably and has plenty of space for each angler. It has a huge variety of fishing from rocky canyon pools to pools with lower banks and calm water. Well known pools such as Heljarþrem and Sveinssker are found on this beat. The boundaries are from (and including) the pool Sveinssker and up to (and including) the pool Undirgangur.
Beat IV is the upper most beat of Stóra Laxá and is probably the most beautiful and the most challenging beat of the whole river. Here the river flows through rocky canyons as well as meandering through the plains. You will find calm pools as well as fast flowing ones, where the fly skates quickly past the salmon – agitating them beyond belief. Some of the pools in the canyons require tough walking and you will need to be in fair shape to be able to fully enjoy it. The rewards are huge as you cast your fly into gin-clear water in these canyons, often being able to spot your quarry from a high position. Hooking and landing fish in these canyons will certainly test your skill and are not for the faint hearted. This beat is ideal for the fit adventurous angler who can appreciate some of the most beautiful landscape you will ever see. The boundaries are from the (and including) Bláhylur pool and up to (and including) the Ármót pool, where the river Skillandsá converges with Stóra Laxá.
Sadly it does not look like the new lodge will be finished in time for next season due to supply issues, so the leaseholders have taken a pre existing lodge which they are going to refit for the 2022 season. This lodge has four rooms and three bathrooms in the lodge itself and the four annex cabins with ensuite facilities. All the new equipment such as new beds and linen will then be moved into the new lodge when it is finished. Although not as smart as the new lodge will be, it will be clean and comfortable and a perfect base for this initial season. This lodge is located overlooking the river on beat two and only some 10 minutes drive from the town of Fludir if supplies are needed. As this is a new start we begin with an empty booking chart, so this is the perfect time to get in early on what may well be one of the most exciting restructures of a river in Iceland for sometime.
The current availability and costs are as follows:
30 June – 3 July: 4 rods – £4,850
3 – 6 July: 6 rods – £4,850
6 – 9 July: 6 rods – £4,850
9 – 12 July: 6 rods – £4,850
12 – 15 July: SOLD – £4,850
15 – 18 July: 4 rods – £4,850
18 – 21 July: 2 rods – £4,850
21 – 24 July: 6 rods – £4,850
24 – 27 July: 6 rods – £4,850
27 – 30 July: SOLD – £4,850
30 July – 2 August: 6 rods – £4,560
2 – 5 August: 6 rods – £4,560
5 – 8 August: 6 rods – £4,560
8 – 11 August: 6 rods – £4,560
11 – 14 August: 6 rods – £4,560
14 – 17 August: 6 rods – £4,560
17 – 20 August: 6 rods – £4,560
20 – 23 August: 6 rods – £4,560
23 – 26 August: 6 rods – £4,560
26 – 29 August: 6 rods – £4,560
Transfers included from Keflavik.
For more details about Stora Laxa please email Peter McLeod or Alex Jardine or call our office on +44(0)1980 847389.