KANGIA RIVER LODGE

UNPARALLELED BEAUTY

Nestled in a secluded valley along Greenland’s west coast, the Kangia River holds a revered status among fly anglers as one of Greenland’s premier spots for catching sizable sea-run Arctic Char. Situated on a plateau at the delta of this majestic river, the Kangia River Lodge offers breathtaking vistas that overlook the home pool and a sheltered bay where the river converges with the Atlantic Ocean. While the lodge is modest, it boasts all the essentials for a comfortable week-long stay focused on fishing.

THE KANGIA RIVER

The Kangia River, a hidden treasure along Greenland’s West Coast, is renowned for its abundant Arctic char, stunning natural formations, and unparalleled beauty. Tailored for fly fishing, the river presents a diverse terrain comprising cut-banks, rapids, serene deep stretches, cascades, and pocket-water that extends down to its tidal delta. It’s an angler’s haven, offering everything one could desire in a river. It truly epitomizes fly fishing paradise.

Approximately seven kilometers upstream from the camp lies a ten-meter high waterfall, a barrier obstructing the migration of fish further up the river. This creates a deep pool teeming with large fish. As these fish are impeded by the waterfall, they populate the 10-km stretch of river between the mouth and the waterfall.

SPECTACULAR FISHING

The Kangia River’s allure for Arctic Char fishing lies in both the size of the fish and the striking red hue they develop later in the season. While Arctic Char traverse multiple rivers and streams along Greenland’s west coast, the sheer quantity and size of those in the Kangia River are genuinely remarkable.

The sea-run char in Kangia averages 2 kg, with fish easily surpassing the 3-4 kg range and the biggest topping the 6kg mark. Landing sea-run char poses a significant challenge; these Arctic char are robust fighters, leaving even seasoned anglers in awe with their displays of strength.

TRAVELLING TO KANGIA

SEASON: July-Mid September.

FLY TO: Nuuk via Copenhagen, Denmark.

TYPICAL ITINERARY:
Day 1: Arrival in Copenhagen, stay at hotel (optional).
Day 2: Morning flight to Nuuk, boat transfer to the lodge.
Day 3-8: Six days (and nights) of fishing.
Day 9: Boat transfer to hotel in Nuuk.
Day 10: Morning flight back to Copenhagen.

PRICE: On request – get in touch!

BOOKING INQUIRY

    FISHING TECHNIQUES

    When the river is high, swinging larger streamers and steelhead intruders on a sink-tip line is highly effective, especially in deeper pools and swift currents. If the fish are tricky, swinging smaller streamers and nymphs can also be productive. At normal water levels, we also fish with floating lines, using a variety of streamer and nymphing techniques.

    While streamers and nymphs are generally successful, we highly recommend exploring surface fishing. Skating a foam fly across the river offers an unparalleled thrill. In Kangia, your choice of fly and technique is only limited by your imagination.

    GEAR RECOMMENDATION

    A nine-foot six weight, preferably with a fighting butt, is the go-to rod for Greenland and will cover all situations. However, any rod in the five to seven weight range will get the job done. Regardless of the line weight you choose to bring, don’t forget to pack a spare rod in case one breaks.

    Trout spey rods in four to five weight, paired with a Skagit-style fly line and interchangeable tips, offer a fun and effective alternative to single-handed rods. With a trout spey setup, you can easily match the sinking rate of the tip to the conditions, and it offers versatile casting techniques for windy situations. Additionally, the two-handed setup effortlessly turns over even the largest streamers. Anglers who use a spey rod will enjoy a fun and unique fishing experience, similar to fishing for Steelhead or Atlantic salmon.

    ACCOMMODATION

    The lodge comprises a central building and two separate cabins. Each cabin features three single rooms—two smaller rooms with single beds and a slightly larger room with a king-size bed. Sleeping quarters in the main lodge consist of six cabin-style rooms equipped with bunk beds, each serving as a single room.

    Breakfast and dinner are served in the main building’s communal dining area, while lunch is typically enjoyed by the river. The main lodge boasts two toilets, two warm water showers, a fully equipped kitchen, a cosy bar and lounge area, and a spacious dining area with a panoramic view of the river. A sizable veranda allows guests to bask in the sunlight throughout the day. The front section of the veranda, offering views of the river mouth and valley below, provides an ideal setting to unwind after fishing and share stories with friends.

    KANGIA FAQ

    If you need more general information, check our Greenland FAQ here.

    We only fish during prime weeks, which is the reason our bookings are usually well spread out. It’s not like the same one or two weeks always sell out first.

    At Kangia, you’ll find only fresh fish early in the season. From late July, there will be a mix of fresh fish and some that are already colored. Later in the season, it mainly comprises colored fish on the upper part of the river, but fresh ones will keep entering the river until we end the season.

    All weeks are good, so we usually advise guests to choose the week that suits their calendar well.

    The lodge is on the west coast of Greenland, approximately 40 kilometers south of Maniitsoq, a city of 2.600 inhabitants and 125 km north of Nuuk, Greenland’s capital and largest city with 19.770 inhabitants. It overlooks the fjord and the river mouth of the Kangia River.

    By boat transfer from Nuuk. To get to Nuuk, you will fly to Copenhagen, Denmark (overnight in hotel). It’s approx. 4,5 hrs from Copenhagen to Nuuk where you will arrive early afternoon. Alternatively, it’s possible to fly to Nuuk from Iceland. You will be transferred to the lodge by boat (approx. 3,5 hrs transfer time).

    On the Kangia River from the river mouth to the waterfall 10 km from the mouth.

    In a lodge overlooking the fjord and the river mouth. The lodge comprises a central building and three separate cabins. Each cabin features three single rooms—two smaller rooms with single beds and a slightly larger room with a king-size bed. Sleeping quarters in the main lodge consist of six cabin-style rooms equipped with bunk beds, each serving as a single room.

    While it’s not fine dining as such, the meals are tasty and made with the chef’s dedication. Our chefs all work much bigger venues for most of the year, they like fly fishing, and a week or two in Greenland is part of their summer break.

    Most nights, they will prepare a nice three course meals, though variations on the dessert theme are fairly limited. Most of our guests are impressed with what they come up with, especially when taking the remoteness of the location into consideration.

    Breakfast will be eggs, bacon, bread, cereals etc. And for lunch, we put out bread, cold meat, and toppings so you can make a couple of sandwiches that will keep you going throughout the day.



    Get up around 7.00 where breakfast is served, make your own sandwiches after breakfast, get in your fishing clothes, and head for the river around 8.30. The 10 km (6 miles) from the lodge to the waterfall are yours to explore over the week. Head back for dinner somewhere between 6 and 7 PM, unless you choose to fish a little longer. Most guests will also go out once or twice during the week for some evening- or even night fishing. They typically sleep in the next day. It’s an easy-going and flexible schedule as there is light enough to fish 20-24 hours a day, depending on the season.

    Nestled just above the river, the lodge offers quick access to fishing in both the home pools and the lower river. To explore the middle and upper sections, guests can embark on a 30 to 45-minute hike to reach the satellite camp, approximately two miles upriver. Upon arrival at the satellite camp, guests have the option to start fishing or continue trekking upstream. They can choose to store their waders and boots at the satellite camp, allowing them to hike comfortably in shoes and pants back to the lodge.

    It’s typically either swinging streamers, skating foam flies, or sometimes nymphing. While some methods are more productive than others, we encourage the methods that are the most fun. Nothing beats catching char on foam flies skated across the surface – but the fish aren’t always in the mood for that. Other times, you can sight-fish for them with small streamers. And when you really need a pull, swinging a weighted streamer or fishing a nymph will usually get it done.

    Enough. While we have certainly seen our weeks of “silly numbers”, we are not at all into encouraging our anglers to hammer the water and land as many char as humanly possible. And you will never see us advertising weekly catch rates to fill more spots.

    Even if there are probably tens of thousands of char running the Kangia River, it is still a natural resource, and every fish landed – and released – amounts to pressure on this resource. On good days, you can easily catch fifteen or twenty char on methods that give you a lot of fun and pleasure. There are ways to sometimes double that number, possibly even triple it. But why? It’s not a competition.

    Foam flies, streamers and nymphs. We provide a Pre Trip Planner with detailed information on flies.

    A nine-foot six weight, preferably with a fight butt is our go-to rod but a seven weight can be a nice alternative in windy conditions. It is a good idea to bring at least two rods, in the event that one breaks.
    While a single hand rod will cover all situations, it can also be great fun swinging streamers on a light spey rod.
    We fish full floating lines and sink tips. Leaders are 12-16 lbs (0,28-0,33 mm), occasionally lighter when nymphing.

    No. The Kangia River is under concession and it is not allowed for other anglers to visit.

    In certain spots it might make sense to wade in, but we fish in breathable waders mostly because it’s nice to be able to cross the river to reach all the spots. It’s super easy wading in water that is never more than knee-deep, and there is no need for a wading stick or special soles etc.

    We don’t have guides in the traditional sense. Our English speaking camp manager and camp assistant will be happy to help you get started and show you around, introducing you to the many different beats.
    While they are not there to tie your knots or unhook your fish, they will do what ever they can to help everyone have a great week.

    Nope, no Internet service at Kangia, and no cell service. Just a whole lot of peace and quiet.