World class fly fishing for salmon on Stora Laxa river in Iceland. The Stora Laxa is one of the most beautiful and prolific rivers located in southern Iceland 100 km South-East from Reykjavik. This river is the final stronghold of the multi winter salmon in the southern part of Iceland. The salmon makes it‘s way up through the vast Hvita/Ölfusa river system, the largest river system in Iceland, before reaching Stora Laxa – far inland. The salmon in Stora are not only big, they are exceptionally hard fighters and will give you a memorable fight – whether you will land them or not.

Stora Laxa. The Stora Laxa is one of the most attractive salmon rivers in Iceland. It‘s a medium size river that originates in the southern highlands and joins the mighty Hvíta, near Tungfljot and Bruara. It winds it‘s way down to the lowlands through spectacular canyons and opens up on the lower beats, with breathtaking scenery wherever you look. The natural surroundings are spectacular, the river itself is a dramatic combination of gravel-flats and waterfalls and gorges, ensuring the variety of pools fished are great. Stora Laxa average catch for the last 5 years is 700 salmon per season for 10 rods.

Stora Laxa Beats. Stora Laxa Beats 1 & 2, the two lowest beats of the river will be fished by 4 rods. Many of the best known pools of the river are within this beat. Access is very good and most pools are accessible by regular sedans or smaller 4x4 vehicles. Stora Laxa beat 3 is the middle section of Stora Laxa. It holds 2 rods comfortably and has plenty of space for each angler. It is a beat with great variety, rocky canyon pools as well as pools with lower banks and calm water. Pools such as Heljarbrem and Sveinssker can be found on this beat, both are very well known in the Icelandic angling community. Stora Laxa beat 4 is the uppermost beat of Stora Laxa 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. Some of the pools in the canyons require tough walking and you‘ll need to be in fair shape to be able to fully enjoy this beat. But the rewards are great, when you find yourself casting your fly into the gin-clear waters in these canyons.

Fly Fishing. Stora Laxa offers a fishing experience to please any angler, there is enough space to move freely around. There is also possibility to share a rod, also two fishermen who fish only one person at a time, then also the price is much cheaper. The fishing season is from June 20th until the 30th September. Daily fishing hours are from 7.00 until 13.00 and again from 16.00 to 22.00. After August 20th the fishing hours change from 15.00 to 21.00 in the afternoon because of shorter daylight. The Stora Laxa river is strictly a fly only river and as a conservation effort anglers are required to release most of their catches, it is permitted to keep one grilse for each rod per day. However all salmon over 70 cm in length has to be released.

Flies. Good flies for Stora Laxa river are for example Blue & Black, Black Sheep, Frances, Snaelda, Blue Charm, Sunray Shadow and Willie Gunn. 

Fly Fishing Tackle. For fly fishing for salmon on Stora Laxa we recommend 12-14' double handed rods for lines 8-10 or 9-10' single handed rod for lines 7-9 and suitable fly reels with good quality brakes. Floating, sink tip or intermediate shooting heads are most used fly lines but bring also sinking shooting head for possible high water conditions. It is mandatory to have your fishing gear disinfected on arrival at Keflavík international airport.

Accomodation. At Stora Laxa there are 3 self catering fishing lodges with double bedrooms, shower, toilet, well-equipped kitchen and a comfortable livingroom.

Travel Arrangements. Fly fishing trips to Island, Stora Laxa will be arranged during the fishing season, ask for availability. Guests will take an interational flight to Reykjavik, Keflavik airport and continue with rental car to Stora Laxa river. It's about one and half driving from airport to the Stora Laxa. Depending of flight schedules fishermen might need to stay one night in Reykjavik hotell in both ends of the trip.

Fly Fishing - Iceland, Stora Laxa

Price: 190-790 eur/Rod/Day

Trip length: 2-6 days/nights

Fly Fishing trip includes: Accomodation on Stora Laxa - Fishing licenses

Fly Fishing trip does not include: Flights to Reykjavik - Disinfection - Meals

Species: Salmon

Season: June 20th to September 30th

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Bookings and more information:

Phone: +358-400-824530/Jouni Rauha

E-mail: jouni@fishmaster.fi