We are delighted that it looks like the new lodge on the Stora Laxa is going to be finished in time for this season. After a tough time sorcing materials it is springing up currently and we will keep you appraised of progress. We also have some prime spots still available. 2022 was the first season where all beats were under one leaseholder, and the river was fished as two sections; beats 1 – 3 for 6 rods from a full service lodge, 2 rods to one guide on a normal rotation basis. Beat 4 was kept separate for four rods on a self-catering basis. The Stóra Laxa has a reputation as being THE big fish river on the south coast with as much as 50% of fish in some years being multi sea winter salmon. The largest landed last year was 26 lbs with many over 20 lbs. 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.
This is a river that lends itself well to two handed fisherman, but in low water a switch rod is ideal. In the early season a 13 – 14 ft rod is ideal and then dropping to a 11 ½ to 12 ½ ft switch rod during the summer for exciting surface action. As the river runs clear throughout the season small flies and surface action is still the order of the day. In 2021 the river landed 486 fish and for 2022 the river landed 934 which is one of the highest averaging big fish rivers in Iceland. We are seeing the immediate effect of the coastal net buyout that occurred last year. 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. Beat four runs as a seperate entity that has its own self catering lodge. 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.
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:
Upper Lodge
21 – 24 June: SOLD
24 – 27 June: SOLD
27 – 30 June: SOLD
30 June – 3 July: SOLD
3 – 6 July: SOLD
6 – 9 July: SOLD
9 – 12 July: SOLD
12 – 15 July: SOLD
15 – 18 July: SOLD
18 – 21 July: 6 rods – £4,200
24 – 27 July: SOLD
27 – 30 July: 6 rods – £4,200
30 July – 2 August: 6 rods – £3,600
2 – 5 August: SOLD
5 – 8 August: SOLD
8 – 11 August: 6 rods – £3,600
11 – 14 August: 6 rods – £3,600
14 – 17 August: 6 rods – £3,600
17 – 20 August: SOLD
20 – 23 August: SOLD
23 – 26 August: 6 rods – £3,600
26 – 29 August: SOLD
Lower Lodge
21 – 24 June: SOLD
24 – 27 June: SOLD
27 – 30 June: SOLD
30 June – 3 July: SOLD
3 – 6 July: SOLD
6 – 9 July: SOLD
9 – 12 July: SOLD
12 – 15 July: SOLD
15 – 18 July: SOLD
18 – 21 July: 1 rods – £6,120
21 – 24 July: 4 rods – £6,120
24 – 27 July: 3 rods – £6,120
27 – 30 July: SOLD
30 July – 2 August: 6 rods – £6,120
2 – 5 August: SOLD
5 – 8 August: 6 rods – £4,300
8 – 11 August: 6 rods – £4,300
11 – 14 August: SOLD
14 – 17 August: SOLD
17 – 20 August: SOLD
20 – 23 August: 6 rods – £5,280
23 – 26 August: SOLD
26 – 29 August: 6 rods – £5,280
Transfers not 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.