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Kangia River in Greenland is a fishing trip that offers a truly unique experience, fishing for sea-run Arctic Char in one of the most pristine and un spoilt environments you could ever wish to visit. The numbers of Arctic Char that the Kangia hosts, during the summer migration, is a window into understanding why the waters surrounding Greenland are one of the most treasured marine environments on the planet. Numbers of fish are comparable to Jurassic Lake in Argentina or the southern salmon rivers on the Kola peninsula. Water that drains from glaciers that has the look and beauty of an Icelandic river. Surroundings that are as remote and over-powering as British Columbia.
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Kangia River Lodge was established in 2017. Located on a eagles eyrie plateau at the delta of the majestic river. It commands spectacular views overlooking the Kangia sea pool and its sheltered bay, where the river meets the Atlantic Ocean. Were it not for the fishing, it would appeal in equal measure to those seeking a lifestyle retreat! The lodge is equipped with all the conveniences one would expect from a comfortable all-inclusive lodge, albeit one that is exceptionally remote. The main lodge can accommodate up to 12 anglers. Bedrooms are straightforward with two anglers sharing each room. The main lodge has the washroom facilities, a fully equipped kitchen, bar and lounge area as well as a spacious dining area overlooking the river. Views from the veranda are breath-taking, the perfect place to relax, reflect and re-live the day’s events.
Alongside the main lodge there is a smaller satellite-camp, located 2.7 km upriver from the lodge, right on one of the fishing hot spots. For those wanting to fish the mid and upper sections of the river the satellite camp can be used as a base to leave waders and fishing gear, allowing for a tranquil walk from the main lodge, unencumbered by gear and the opportunity to easily venture from there to the upper waterfall or beyond.
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Kangia River Lodge was established in 2017. Located on a eagles eyrie plateau at the delta of the majestic river. It commands spectacular views overlooking the Kangia sea pool and its sheltered bay, where the river meets the Atlantic Ocean. Were it not for the fishing, it would appeal in equal measure to those seeking a lifestyle retreat! The lodge is equipped with all the conveniences one would expect from a comfortable all-inclusive lodge, albeit one that is exceptionally remote. The main lodge can accommodate up to 12 anglers. Bedrooms are straightforward with two anglers sharing each room. The main lodge has the washroom facilities, a fully equipped kitchen, bar and lounge area as well as a spacious dining area overlooking the river. Views from the veranda are breath-taking, the perfect place to relax, reflect and re-live the day’s events.
Alongside the main lodge there is a smaller satellite-camp, located 2.7 km upriver from the lodge, right on one of the fishing hot spots. For those wanting to fish the mid and upper sections of the river the satellite camp can be used as a base to leave waders and fishing gear, allowing for a tranquil walk from the main lodge, unencumbered by gear and the opportunity to easily venture from there to the upper waterfall or beyond.
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Greenland has the world’s lowest population density. Combine this with countless Fjords with rivers full of fish it is an anglers Eldorado. Anadromous as well as resident Char inhabit the freshwaters along the coastline. Not all waters along the coastline hold either migratory or resident Char, or even both. As beautiful as some of the rivers might seem, their relatively young glacial origin has not yet morphed into a nurture ground for Char. Some other rivers do have resident char, but they never turned into supercharged sea-run strains for various reasons.
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The Kangia Fjord and its rivers and creeks are an exception for the region. Not only do the Char run the river in mind dazzling numbers, they also pack some weight with an average of well above 2 kg. Fish in the size of 3-4 kg are common and fish up to 7 kg have been hooked and landed on fly gear. This is a very sparsely fished river and even bigger fish have been hooked and lost, and no doubt will be caught in the future. Arctic Char should not however be judged solely by size. They will put on a show that will leave seasoned Salmon, Seatrout or Steelhead anglers over-whelmed!
Early in the season (July), bigger Steelhead intruders and streamers presented on a light skagit or sinktip-line outfit are perfect to search for big chrome fish in higher water conditions. Whether you fish on a single or switch rod is very much personal preference. The river is comparable to many Icelandic rivers in scale and tackle requirements.
Streamers and classic salmon flies work most of the time. Variety in pattern selection seems to be key to continual success. Nymphing, hitching and dry fly fishing for explosive, freshly-run chromers, might be considered the higher-art form of fishing on the Kangia. Swinging a skater across the surface, followed by a bunch of bow-waving big fish is as exhilarating as it gets!
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Although this has to be considered an extra, as circumstancxes do not always allow the use of the boat, the seawater fishing is equally amazing. What the landscape lacks in lush flora and fauna, it makes up for underwater where rich seaweed and kelp jungles grow all the way up to the surface, reaching for the sunlight. Cod and Halibut amongst other fish thrive under these conditions and grow to become true giants. Fly anglers might only scratch the surface, since most of this fishing is deep-sea fishing, but the results might surprise you. Fly anglers can do extremely well, especially when the tides funnel through structures. These currents can be fished with a heavy jig fly and a sink line that is swung across the tidal current. Big Cod and even Halibut are thankful takers… and they make a wonderful meal too.
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The summer is the season of the midnight sun and a great time to experience Greenland, on both land and water. Whales swim along the shores, icebergs flow from calving glaciers, flowers and plants grow at tremendous speeds, hiking trails open up the backcountry, and boats connect the many communities along the coastline. The climate is generally mild and the weather in Greenland is often fine for long spells throughout its short, fiery season. Longer days and warmer weather spark herald the start of the reproduction cycle of the sea-run Arctic Char (Salvelinus alpinus), who then migrate along the coastline und ultimately into the river of their birth, to spawn close to the place they hatched years ago. Our fishing operation opens its gates on the second weekend of July and runs through the first week of September. The short but intense season guarantees the best possible results. Throughout the season, right until the final week, fresh fish make it up the river and mix up with the crimson coloured males and dark females.
The beginning of the season is predominantly fishing for silver bright and big fish while the progressing weeks will shuffle the deck a bit – numbers will increase dramatically, one of the challenges for the big fish hunters being to target the larger fish amongst the shoals. Variety offers itself at every part of the river and provides appeal to all angling appetites.
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From Europe: International flight with Air Greenland from Copenhagen to Kangerlussuaq International Airport in Greenland. Connecting flight from Kangerlussuaq to Maniitsoq. From Maniitsoq we travel the last bit by boat.
From USA: International flight via Copenhagen, Denmark or Iceland to Kangerlussuaq International Airport in Greenland. Connecting flight from Kangerlussuaq to Maniitsoq. From Maniitsoq we travel the last bit by boat.
Please note you must arrive in Maniitsoq no later than Thursday afternoon to make the boat transfer.
We recommend booking open/re-bookable return tickets for the International flights as there may be delays from Greenland.
The lodge was fine – basic but quite OK with a hot shower and comfy beds. The food was great considering the location and the facilities for cooking. The new chef did a brilliant job with local meats and fish. The fishing itself on the Kangia river was great fun once we had yomped across the mountain for an hour each day to reach the higher water. It was certainly a good way to wake up in the morning. The river was low and most of the fish were concentrated higher up. Generally fishing was better in the morning as on several days the river became milky in the afternoon due to snowmelt which put the fish off taking a fly. Most of us enjoyed trying different fishing techniques including large surface lures (the rowboat – John’s favourite!), subsurface lures and small hitched flies. We caught a lot of fish – 10+ on days where we really put in the effort. The BBQ’d Char by the side of the river one day was a real highlight. Karl was a great host! Three of us went sea fishing with him and his son one day and caught loads of Cod and some very ugly Wolf fish! We nearly landed a huge Halibut but it shed the hook at the end of a long battle. There were so many fish – we even caught Cod on the fly!
D Babington-July 2019
There was a little down time between flights but that wasn’t the end of the world, the weather was kind to us so was very lucky with that. As for the experience I absolutely loved it, remote away from it all, the first day seemed a long walk but that was the anticipation as well. Once I understood the situation I enjoyed the hike both ways, as little tiring at time but fab. As for the fishing I caught 134 fish to 8lb over the 6 days, could have caught more but I was up on the river first most mornings but packed in a little earlier. The guiding was enough, only really needed to be shown the river first day. The food at the lodge was much better than I expected, I think you undersell that bit, all the staff were fantastic and I had a fab time. - Ian Williams-UK Aug 2023
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Thursday:
International flight with Air Greenland from Copenhagen to Kangerlussuaq Inter- national Airport in Greenland. Connection flight from Kangerlussuaq to Maniitsoq. From Maniitsoq we depart to the lodge by boat.
Friday-Wedensday:
Fishing the Kangia river.
Thursday:
Depart by boat back to Maniitsoq. Exact time depends on the tide again as we need high tide for the boats to pick us up. Arrive to Hotel Maniitsoq, a very good full-service hotel with restaurant, bar and nice comfortable rooms.
Friday:
Depart Maniitsoq
Schedule on travel days to and from the lodge dependant on the tides.
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Season
mid July-mid Sept
Rate
€5,390 /angler / twin room
Number of anglers
Max 10
Package includes
-Shared accommodation
-Boat transfers from Maniitsoq
-Full board at Kangia Lodge
Package excludes
-International & domestic flights
-Hotel & meals in Maniitsoq
-Rental Tackle -$100USD / week
-Tips $300 USD
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