Fly Fishing Iceland
Big Laxa River
World-Class Brown Trout and Atlantic Salmon
The Big Laxa is a world-class brown trout and Atlantic salmon river. (Laxa means Salmon in Icelandic.) Located in Adaldalur in northern Iceland, the river is 300 miles from Reykjavik, the capital. This package fishes the Arbot Beat and can be guided or self-guided.
Big Laxa River - The Arbot Beat
The Big Laxa is a fertile river, home to a huge stock of brown trout averaging 3 to 4 pounds and weighing up to 13 pounds. Some 6-to-8-pounders are landed each season. The Arbot Beat is excellent for those looking for bigger brown trout and huge salmon weighing up to 30 pounds.
During this four-day fly fishing trip at Big Laxa River, you’ll fish the Arbot Beat for big browns and Atlantic salmon. Wade-fishing only. All fishing is catch-and-release, using barbless hooks.
The Arbot, a 2.2-mile-long beat, is a ten-minute walk down the hill from the Lodge. The Arbot Beat has great character. From April to June 20, the beat is limited to four rods. From June 21 through September, the beat is limited to two rods.
Arbot Beat Fishing Facts:
Season: The Arbot Beat season runs from April 1 to September 20. Trout fishing is good throughout the season, with peak fishing from mid-May through the end of June. Peak Atlantic salmon fishing is July through September.
Guides: For guided packages, you're guided up to 10 hours per day. Two anglers per English-speaking guide.
Equipment: No equipment, waders, or flies are supplied. All flies should be new or unused as Iceland has a strict policy that requires anglers to sterilize their equipment upon arrival in the country, a $50.00 to $100.00 fee. Fly outfit rentals are available for $50.00 per day, with a breakfage fee of $80.00.
A Fishing License: A fishing license is included in the package.
Package Options: Two anglers are required per booking—both anglers must choose either the guided package or the self-guided. You are unable to mix package options.
Guided packages include ground transfers from the airport to the Lodge, lodging, and meals.
Self-Guided Packages: You will need to rent a car for the ten-minute drive to the Lodge, purchase groceries for meals, cooking + cleaning, or dine in restaurants, a 15-minute drive from the Lodge.
Typical Fishing Day:
Guided salmon fishing days at Big Laxa typically start at 7:00 a.m. and end at 10:00 p.m., with a lunch break in between at the Lodge from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. When you're targeting trout, fishing times are more flexible.
The Arbot Beat - Two to four rods.
This 2.2-mile-long beat has many beautiful pools sporting both trout and salmon. Peak trout fishing season is from mid-May until the end of June.
The Arbot Beat Atlantic Salmon
From July onward, salmon fishing can be excellent. The river is well known for its huge salmon, weighing over 30 pounds.
World-Class Brown Trout
Fly fishing only. All fishing is catch-and-release, using barbless hooks.
The Big Laxa - Laxa means salmon in Icelandic.
The Big Laxa is said to be the best brown trout river in Europe.
Vorduholt Lodge
You'll stay four nights at Vorduholt Lodge. The Lodge has three bedrooms with twin beds, a kitchen, a living and dining room, a deck, and a hot tub. Our outfitter's anglers will be the only guests staying at the Lodge.
Adaldalur Valley
The comfortable full-service lodge sits on the hillside overlooking the Big Laxa River, snow-capped mountains, and the beautiful Adaldalur Valley.
Communications: The Lodge has free Wi-Fi available. Cell phones work at the Lodge; you will need to contact your provider for an international calling plan.
Meals: For Guided packages, all meals will be prepared at the Lodge—international menu featuring chicken, fish, pasta...
For the Self-Guided packages, anglers will need to purchase their own groceries and cook their own meals. Husavik has several restaurants within a 15-minute drive from the Lodge.
Living Room
Sample 4-Day Itinerary:
Day 1: You’ll fly to Akureyri or Husavik. Husavik is closer but doesn’t have daily flights available. You’ll arrive at Vorduholt Lodge. You’ll fish with your guide from 4:00 to 10:00 p.m.
Day 2-4: You’ll fish from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and again from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Day 5: You’ll fish from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. You’ll check out of the Lodge at 2:00 p.m.
Getting to the Lodge:
You’ll fly to the Reykjavik–Keflavik Airport (KEF), the largest airport in Iceland. You’ll take a taxi to the Reykjavik domestic airport, a 45-minute drive. You’ll take a one-hour charter flight to the Husavik Airport (HZK). No flights are included in the package. The roundtrip charter flight from the Reykjavik to Husavik is approx. $525.00 per person (2023), and subject to change. Depending on your package, in Husavik, you will either be driven to the Lodge, or rent a car for the 10-minute drive to the Lodge.
2023 USD Rates - Guided packages:
Guided Fishing - 4-nights and 4-days:
• April - May, 4 rods per beat
$4,550.00 per person
• June 1-20, 4 rods per beat
$5,000.00 per person
• June 20 - July 20, 2 rods per beat
$5,867.00 per person
• July 20 - Sept. 20, 2 rods per beat
$6,550.00 per person
Non-Angler Companion: $180.00 per day.
2023 USD Rates Unguided packages:
Unguided Fishing - 4-nights and 4-days:
• April - May, 4 rods per beat
$1,126.00 per person
• June 1-20, 4 rods per beat
$1,340.00 per person
• June 20 - July 20, 2 rods per beat
$2,170.00 per person
• July 20 - Sept. 20, 2 rods per beat
$2,824.00 per person
Non-Angler Companion: $180.00 per day.
Non-Angler Activities: Whale watching, visiting the Dettifoss Waterfall or Lake Myvatn, horseback riding, and river rafting.
The Guided 4-Day Package Includes:
• Roundtrip ground transfer between the Husavik Airport and Vorduholt Lodge
• 4-days guided fishing
• Fishing license
• 4-nights at the Lodge
• All meals and Wi-Fi at the Lodge
• VAT (Value Added Tax)
The Guided Package Does Not Include:
• Airfare to Reykjavik, and return
• Tackle disinfection ($50.00 - $100.00)
• Roundtrip charter flight between Reykjavik and Husavik
• Optional lodging and meals in Reykjavik
• Alcoholic beverages
• Fishing equipment
• Optional Fishing equipment rental of $80.00 per day
• Gratuities
• Global Rescue
• Travel insurance
• Anything not mentioned under inclusions
The Self-Guided Package Includes:
• 4-nights at the Lodge
• Wi-Fi at the Lodge
• Access to the Arbot Beat
• Fishing license
• VAT (Value Added Tax)
The Self-Guided Package Does Not Include:
• Airfare to Reykjavik, and return
• Tackle disinfection ($50.00 - $100.00)
• Roundtrip charter flight between Reykjavik and Husavik
• Ground transfers
• Optional lodging and meals in Reykjavik
• Meals at the Lodge
• Alcoholic beverages
• Fishing equipment
• A rental fee of $80.00 per day for fishing equipment, if desired (includes use of a rod, reel, line, waders, and boots)
• Gratuities
• Global Rescue
• Travel insurance
• Anything not mentioned under inclusions
• All prices are subject to change.
Deposit Policy: A deposit of 50% per package is required at booking to secure the reservation. Full payment is required 90 days prior to the trip.
Cancellation Policy: Notice of cancellation must be sent by email. A refund can only be made if the trip is re-sold. Canceled bookings may be resold at a discounted price, and the refund will be discounted accordingly. The outfitter reserves the right to take a commission for resold bookings and advises you to buy travel cancellation insurance and travel insurance.
• Fishing with Larry strongly recommends Travel Insurance and Global Rescue.
Click here for our Travel Insurance page.
