Stóra Laxá: Looking Ahead to Our Hosted Fishing Trips in 2027

We’ve been working with Stóra Laxá since it came under new ownership in 2022. Over that time, we’ve got to know the river, its guides and the people behind it, and watched the work going into its management begin to pay off.

Finnur, the leaseholder and landowner, has put a huge amount into rebuilding the fishery and a brand new lodge in 2024. Buying out the remaining netting rights five years ago was a significant step, and in 2026 we’ve seen some very encouraging results, with record numbers of one-sea-winter salmon returning.

We’re now hopeful that this strong grilse year will be followed by a significant increase in two-sea-winter fish in 2027. Salmon have a habit of keeping us guessing, but there is plenty to look forward to.

For us, it’s been a pleasure to be involved and to share the river with guests who are becoming just as attached to it as we are.

By working closely with Finnur and the lodge we have managed to secure some of the most sought after dates on this river and potentially in Iceland. The Stora Laxa is most famous for its big salmon and the opening days and closing days have always been amazing dates to have.

A River You Get to Know, and Keep Coming Back To

There’s a lot of variety on Stóra Laxá. Across its four beats and more than 110 pools, you can move from open meadow water to rocky runs and steep-sided canyons, each asking something slightly different of you.

Some pools are straightforward to cover; others take a little thought, a different angle or a change of fly. That’s part of the enjoyment. The more time you spend here, the more you begin to understand the water—and the more pools you find yourself wanting to return to.

Much of the lower river offers comfortable wading over gravel and small stones. Further upstream, the landscape becomes more rugged, with some wonderful canyon fishing.

The Fishing

The Stora Laxa offers a mixture of sight fishing in the upper reaches to classic swinging water on the lower. With so much variety it has something for everyone. The Upper river is challenging, but offers some of the most fantastic fishing we have experienced. From June to August the whole river is let to 8 rods from the main lodge which gives anglers the choice of the type of fishing they would like to do during their session. For us this is a fantastic option that we are very much looking forward to!

There’s no single method that works everywhere. We spend time with the local guides, listen to what they’re seeing and help our guests work out how best to approach each pool.

In the early season stripping sunrays and collie dogs ,must be our favorite method, seeing aggressive takes from large fish in fast water, it simply doesn't get better. As the season progresses dialing it back working on holding fish with hitches and smaller flies. There are some pools with a lot of depth so a hex Francis and Bismo are also flies we wouldn't be without.

As we approach September the Stora Laxa is famous for a large run of Glacial fish coming from the mighty Hvitá, this time of year we enjoy the phenomenon which is running glacial fish in the autumn. These fish are not what you would expect from late season fishing, they are strong and run the lower stretches.

How the River Will Be Fished

From 21 June to 2 August, eight rods will fish from the main lodge with access to the whole river. The rotation gives anglers the chance to explore different beats while allowing more pools to rest between visits.

From 2 August to end of September the upper river is let separately, with its own self-catered lodge accommodating three rods and up to six guests. 

The main lodge then fishes 8 rods on the lower river which is the prime water for that time of year.

Our September hosted trips will be based at the main lodge, fishing the lower river.

Our Hosted Dates for 2027

Dates	Rods	Hosted / Not Hosted	Price per rod	Based on current exchange rate which may change
21–24 June - Opening Days	8	Hosted	1,137,000 ISK	£7050
21–24 September	8	Hosted	957,000 ISK	£5965
24–27 September	8	Hosted	987,000 ISK	£6155
27–30 September	6	Hosted	1,107,000 ISK	£6900

 

TwinPeakes will be hosting our June and September trips. Our role as hosts is to spend time with you on the water, working alongside the Icelandic guides. That might mean helping with a cast, talking through a pool, sorting out tackle or being there with the camera when a fish comes to the net.

We divide our time across the group, and afterwards we’ll send you an edited selection of photographs from the trip. It’s always good to have something to look back through once you’re home.

Please get in touch if you would like to join one of our hosted trips.

For a rod share it is and additional 150,000ISK, (£950) rod sharers will have to share a room with their sharer.

Non Hosted dates - Main Lodge

Dates	Fishing	Rods Available	Price per rod Full. board S/O, shared guide	Based on current exchange rate which may change
24-27 June	Fishing the whole river from main lodge	8	1,017,000 ISK	£6300
27 - 30 June	Fishing the whole river from main lodge	6	897,000 ISK	£5595
30 - 3 July	Fishing the whole river from main lodge	5	897,000 ISK	£5595
11 - 13 August	Fishing the lower river from the main lodge	5	597,000 ISK	£3725
19 - 22 August	Fishing the lower river from the main lodge	5	597,000 ISK	£3725
22 - 25 August	Fishing the lower river from the main lodge	6	597,000 ISK	£3725
28 - 31 August	Fishing the lower river from the main lodge	4	687,000 ISK	£4283
31 - 3 September	Fishing the lower river from the main lodge	5	717,000 ISK	£4470
9 - 12 September	Fishing the lower river from the main lodge	2	807,000 ISK	£5031
12 - 15 September	Fishing the lower river from the main lodge	5	807,000 ISK	£5031
18 - 21 September	Fishing the lower river from the main lodge	3	837,000 ISK	£5220

 

Life at the Lodge

The main lodge sits above the river and has been refurbished with anglers in mind. There are six twin rooms and one double, a comfortable lounge and dining area, a drying room, and a sauna and jacuzzi overlooking the valley.

It’s fully catered, with three meals a day. The hospitality is a big part of why we enjoy returning: a warm welcome, good food and a chance to sit down together after fishing.

In September, there’s also the possibility of seeing the Northern Lights. They’re never guaranteed, but it’s worth looking outside before heading to bed.

Travel and the Shape of the Trip

We usually suggest arriving in Iceland the day before fishing begins and spending a night in Reykjavík. Hotel Odinsvé has worked well for our groups, with time to have dinner and enjoy the city before heading to the river.

The following day, we travel to the lodge, settle in and fish the first afternoon. Two full fishing days follow, with a break for lunch between morning and afternoon sessions, then a final morning before departure.

Fishing hours vary with the time of year, so we’ll send the schedule and travel details for your particular dates. We can also help coordinate transfers, hotels and tackle before you leave.

Interested in some more affordable exciting fishing?

The upper river from August onwards is let with a very nice fully equipped self catered lodge and the upper beats are fished from here from 2nd August. There is some incredible fishing still to be had here.

Quoted for three rods which can be shared between up to 6 people. Includes 2 guides which are necessary if you haven't fished here before and allows you to fish two teams which is a very effective way to cover the water.

Dates	Fishing	Rods available
2 - 5 August	3 rods with accommodation and two guides, upper river only.	3	1,641,000 ISK (£10,250 for three rods, self catered 2 guides)
5 - 8 August	3 rods with accommodation and two guides, upper river only.	3	1,461,000 ISK (£9,110 | 3 Rods | 2 Guides | Self catered. Can be shared up to 6 people)
16 - 19 August	3 rods with accommodation and two guides, upper river only.	3	1,461,000 ISK (£9,110 | 3 Rods | 2 Guides | Self catered. Can be shared up to 6 people)
22 - 25 August	3 rods with accommodation and two guides, upper river only.	3	1,461,000 ISK (£9,110 | 3 Rods | 2 Guides | Self catered. Can be shared up to 6 people)
28 - 31 August	3 rods with accommodation and two guides, upper river only.	3	1,461,000 ISK (£9,110 | 3 Rods | 2 Guides | Self catered. Can be shared up to 6 people)
31 - 3 September	3 rods with accommodation and two guides, upper river only.	3	1,461,000 ISK (£9,110 | 3 Rods | 2 Guides | Self catered. Can be shared up to 6 people)
12-15 September	3 rods with accommodation and two guides, upper river only.	3	1,641,000 ISK (£9,110 | 3 Rods | 2 Guides | Self catered. Can be shared up to 6 people)
18-21 September	3 rods with accommodation and two guides, upper river only.	3	1,641,000 ISK (£10,250 for three rods, self catered 2 guides)
24 - 27 September	3 rods with accommodation and two guides, upper river only.	3	I,821,000 ISK (£10,250 for three rods, self catered 2 guides)

Joining Us in 2027

We’re looking forward to seeing what the next season brings and catching up with both returning guests and those visiting Stóra Laxá for the first time.

If you’d like to talk through the dates, the fishing or whether the trip would suit you, give us a call.

Will: +44 7814 279414