During the short, bright summer, Arctic char have been a welcome addition when they returned to the rivers to spawn, or to be caught, first in traps built from river stones and later also in nets, to be smoked in ovens built into the mountain soil.

During the short, bright summer, Arctic char have been a welcome addition when they returned to the rivers to spawn, or to be caught, first in traps built from river stones and later also in nets, to be smoked in ovens built into the mountain soil.

Arctic char

Today, Arctic char is not only a cosy and rewarding summer tradition for local anglers, but also the most important fish for visiting anglers from all over the world who dream of encountering this beautiful and powerful fish in the unique nature of Greenland.

Arctic char live their first years in rivers or lakes that the rivers run through. Food is scarce here, so it grows slowly and even after several years it is no more than 30-35 cm long. It is quite slender, often with a dark and reddish appearance and a slightly large head on its thin body.

This is when many may choose to change their behaviour and migrate to the sea in early spring, and that decision changes everything for the slim little fish. For as limited as the food supply in Greenland’s lakes and rivers is, it is just as vast in the ocean. Out here, Arctic char thrive, and on a diet of crustaceans, prawns and fish, they begin to grow at an entirely different pace.

The body shape changes to a more powerful one, and to better camouflage itself in the open waters of the ocean, it changes to the silvery appearance that all anadromous Arctic char get when they enter salt water.

Arctic char development and season

If it wasn’t for the need to perpetuate the species, it would probably have stayed in the ocean. However, Arctic char need fresh, flowing water to spawn, so during the summer months of July and August, they return, silvery and strong, to the rivers.

Over the coming weeks or months before spawning, it changes from silvery to the most stunning red or orange and then spawns in early autumn. It then overwinters in the rivers or lakes, only to migrate back to the ocean in the spring and turn silver once again. And it is precisely this fascinating life cycle, which we also know from salmon and other anadromous salmonoids, that forms the basis for the growing fishing tourism in Greenland.

Three reasons to travel to Greenland for fishing

There are three things that have contributed to making Greenland a destination that today is visited by anglers from all over the world: Remote fishing camps, concessions and fly fishing.

100s of rivers

Although there are hundreds of char-bearing rivers in Greenland, not all of them are of interest to travelling anglers. Some rivers are cloudy and muddy with silt and sediments, others milky and greenish from glacial melting and many clear water rivers are simply too short and small to be worth a long journey.

Fortunately, there are also clear water rivers where the Arctic char come in their thousands, and which are of a size to offer interesting fishing. However, they are often far from civilisation, so remote fishing camps and long-distance vessels are the first requirement.

Fishing concessions in Greenland

Another prerequisite for Greenland’s growing fishing tourism is the Arctic char concession that came into force in 2017. It is intended to ensure that each concession holder can limit the number of guests to what the individual river can support in order to still ensure the highest quality experience for the visiting anglers. At the time of writing, 16 rivers in Greenland have been designated for concessions.

Fly fishing for Arctic char

The fishing method itself – fly fishing – is perhaps the most important reason. Because even though Arctic char can be caught by spinning, it’s more likely that fly anglers are willing to pay the price of travelling and the logistics of running a tent camp or lodge far away from the nearest town.

This is because both the Arctic char and the best Greenlandic rivers are made for fly fishing:

In terms of size, there is hardly a stronger salmonid than an anadromous Arctic char. And when Greenland has clear, fast-flowing rivers with what is probably the largest and most stable run of Arctic char anywhere in the world – in unspoilt and magnificent nature – then it all becomes especially worth the journey!

How to plan your fishing adventure

If you’re travelling to Greenland for other purposes, you can easily take some fishing gear with you. As long as you’re close to open water, you can often catch cod straight from the shore, or maybe an Arctic char or two. If you’re there from late June into September, there will also be Arctic char in many of the rivers. Some you may be able to hike to, while other rivers may have local operators who organise day trips. There are also hotels and other operators that organise sea fishing, or even ice fishing during the winter season.

If you want to experience the best Arctic char fishing Greenland has to offer, then a stay in a fishing camp on one of the rivers with a concession is the way to go. By visiting the websites of the various operators, you can find the camp that best meets your needs and requirements. You can find the rivers with concessions for Arctic char fishing here.

If you visit an established camp, they may provide the required fishing licence. If you are fishing on your own, you must have purchased a fishing licence beforehand. For more information about the fishing license, read here.

Fly fishing in Greenland is for everyone

When it comes to fly fishing for Greenland Arctic char, most people with a little fly-fishing experience can get involved. The experienced fly angler will obviously have an advantage, but as many rivers have a large run of fish, even the beginner will be successful. Especially if you get some tips and guidance from an experienced fellow traveller or camp staff.

Presumably because Arctic char are anadromous, fly fishing for them has more in common with fly fishing for salmon and sea trout than with classic trout fishing. The latter are often hooked on dry flies or nymphs imitating stream insects, but there are no larger insects on or in Greenlandic rivers. Despite this, nymph fishing can be very effective, but the most spectacular method is to skate large foam flies on the surface. The method has almost become a trademark of fly fishing in Greenland.

The best part about fishing in Greenland

No one knows why the Arctic char sometimes go crazy for a red or orange foam fly skating smoothly on the surface of the river. However, most would agree that it doesn’t get much better than when a large Arctic char pushes a wave in front of it for several metres before inhaling the fly with a wide-open mouth!

However, Arctic char are not always provoked by swimming marshmallows. Then they can usually be tempted with a streamer fished subsurface.

As with all fly fishing, it’s an advantage to have a selection of flies for different situations.

Fly tackle / Rod, line and reel

The obvious choice of fly rod for Greenlandic Arctic char fishing is a six weight, but you can of course also get away with using a slightly lighter or more powerful rod.

Most Greenlandic rivers are not very deep, so all you need is a floating fly line. However, a sink tip line can be quite effective under certain conditions.

In a lot of trout fishing, the fly reel is mostly seen as a line holding device. But for Greenland, it actually pays to have a fly reel with a good quality brake. Arctic char that have recently returned to the river from the ocean can, in particular, fight like crazy and often take longer runs – a fly reel with a mediocre drag just won’t cut it.

What to wear when fishing in Greenland

Waders and wading boots are a necessity – not because you typically do a lot of wade fishing, but because it gives you the opportunity to cross the river and expand the number of fishing spots.

Breathable waders are comfortable to hike longer distances in – neoprene waders are absolutely not. Wading boots should have a rubber sole for better grip on different surfaces, as opposed to felt where you risk slipping in grass and mud. Choose lightweight boots to make hiking a little easier.

The weather changes quickly, so you need to be prepared for most conditions when choosing your clothing. By wearing multiple layers, it’s possible to adapt to each situation. You can remove layers when travelling or add layers when standing relatively still while fishing. A good starting point would be thin and breathable wool under garments with a thicker layer of fleece on top and a waterproof and windproof jacket. You might consider having a down jacket or similar in your backpack that doesn’t take up much space but you can add an extra layer if needed.

Sustainable Fishing practices

When you first encounter a Greenlandic river that has a strong run of Arctic char, it may seem like an inexhaustible resource. It’s not, so of course we must do everything we can to preserve it.

Perhaps because fishing tourism is a newer thing in Greenland, legislation in this area has not kept up: There is no minimum size or catch limit for Arctic char.

A responsibly run fishing camp will naturally set its own rules, but here are some guidelines if you’re fishing on your own, based on the rules several camps follow:

Catch & release:

Almost all modern fly fishing is based on catch & release, where the fish are carefully released after being caught, which also applies to the Greenlandic fishing camps. Arctic char grow slowly, and if you kill a big, beautiful char, it will take many years before a new one reaches the same size.

Of course, you can take home a char or two for the kitchen, but don’t take the biggest ones, and don’t take more than you and your friends can eat that day.

Barbless hooks:

You will often catch a lot of Arctic char, and it’s much gentler on the fish and easier to unhook it quickly if your hook is barbless or with the barb wedged in, which is why many camps only allow fishing with barbless hooks.

Gentle handling:

Avoid releasing fish by rooting around in gravel, grass or handling them with dry hands as this damages the mucus layer of the fish and can cause infections. It’s best to land the fish in a rubberised landing net, unhook it in the water and release it after minimal handling.

Moderation:

Even catch & release has some impact on a fish population. Think about it if one day you hit a honey hole and land one Arctic char after another. Do you need to catch ten or twenty fish in a short period of time? Sometimes it’s fine to move on and look for new, and perhaps slightly more challenging, fish.

Safety

If you’re visiting an established fishing camp, they should have safety in mind and will give you a safety briefing on arrival, and they will have an emergency kit and satellite phone in the camp for use in case of emergency.

If you’re heading out on your own, you should take your own safety precautions.

Venturing into the mountains of Greenland is not inherently dangerous, but even minor accidents can be challenging if you are not prepared for them: A deep cut from a kitchen knife, a foot slipping and twisting, or bad weather can lead to dangerous situations if you haven’t taken precautions.

What should I pack

In addition to waders, wading boots and fishing gear, you should have a backpack to store extra clothing, a packed lunch, flies and more. Go for a backpack that is comfortable for long hikes.

Polaroid sunglasses not only protect your eyes from a stray hook, but also serve as a tool to spot the fish in the clear water. In Greenland, there will be plenty of opportunities for sight fishing, where you first see where the fish are and then try to catch them.

As mentioned earlier, gentle handling of the fish is an important factor in protecting this unique fishing. You should therefore bring a landing net with rubber mesh so that you can release the fish with minimal contact.

Mosquitoes and flies can be abundant at times, so bring mosquito nets and insect repellent.

Why Greenland is a must – visit for Fly anglers

Greenland is one of the few places in the world where you can experience a natural and strong population of anadromous salmonids in wild and untouched nature. Fishing and nature have not been significantly affected by humans and the result is a wealth of fish that an angler can only imagine in their wildest imagination. If you venture away from civilisation, fishing in the wilderness can give you the feeling that you are one of the first people to cast a fly here.

The main reason to fly fish in Greenland is not only the number of fish, but also the variety of fishing techniques you can use. Beginners and experienced fly anglers alike can challenge themselves by skating foam flies, sight fishing with nymphs and fishing more classically with a streamer. The fact that char are perhaps the strongest of all anadromous salmonids in terms of size is a welcome bonus.

At the same time, you will experience Greenland’s magnificent nature. From the moment you set sail, you can see the endless mountains that encapsulate the many lakes and rivers. Here you’ll find unique wildlife, and with a bit of luck, you’ll see reindeer, Arctic foxes, sea eagles, musk ox and various species of whales.