When the arctic char arrive in the fiords of Greenland in June, the anglers have long since planned their trip, prepared fly rods and packed their fishing gear. We know that because they knock impatiently on the door in July, ready to go, as soon as the fish migrate up the rivers in large numbers to reproduce.
Soon begins a short, intense season, when the char, desperate to escape the fish hook, turns and twist its body in a powerful torque, and drags the angler around in a duel that challenges both parties, quite reminiscent of the struggle that the Atlantic salmon can dish up.
Soon begins a short, intense season, when the char, desperate to escape the fish hook, turns and twist its body in a powerful torque, and drags the angler around in a duel that challenges both parties
In West Greenland fishing is concentrated, in particular, around the towns of Sisimiut, Maniitsoq and Kangerlussuaq, where there are two dozen rivers with strong angler profiles along the west coast.
Fishing destinations are wilderness experiences that can only be reached by boat or helicopter, and every river usually has no more than six to twelve fishermen at a time – so this small group of ‘geeks’ gets access to exclusive char experiences that you would have to search far and wide for in northern Europe and the U.S.
Local operators with extensive knowledge of the countryside and fishing provide camps and transportation in cooperation with professional fishing guides. Fly fishing and spin fishing are both available in July and August.
South Greenland is known as the bread basket of Greenland, and the local population, since the very first immigrants arrived here, has been aware that the rivers in the region are literally swimming with Arctic char.
At Ipiutaq farm near Narsaq, and on the rivers further inland in Tunulliarfik, also known as Erics fiord, the optimal conditions for the use of both spin and fly rod are from mid-July to September.
The clear flowing river Ilua is located in the neighboring valley to Ipiutaq guest farm, while other rivers in the area are also suitable for fly fishing and spin fishing with the turbid waters flowing directly from the ice cap.
From 2013, Ilua river and lake system is the first place to be operated under a fishing concession from the Government of Greenland and is owned by Ipiutaq guest farm.
The accessibility of individual rivers makes it possible to buy day trips, especially from Narsarsuaq, and we have noticed that some anglers use the area in this way as an à la carte menu of options that can be combined according to their requirements.
If you are able to look away from the river for a minute, it is worth delving into the local cultural experience that is part of the landscape.
In South Greenland, the many ruins of the Norse culture are a reminder of the different waves of immigrants in a region closely linked to transatlantic shipping lanes. The Norse tradition of farming lives on today in the form of sheep herding and farming communities.
In West Greenland there are local families who have fished at the same Arctic char rivers for several generations. Families camp for the weekend, or visit for the day, during the summer, and you will often experience fish being smoked in ovens that are built entirely by natural materials, people going reindeer hunting, and stories that are told about hunting and family. Locals and anglers each have their own spot among the ample space along the river, so you can easily navigate the area without disturbing each other.
