This year truly marked an exciting new chapter for our Flyfish Greenland program with the addition of Kangia River Lodge. The first step was extending the staircase leading up to the lodge and installing a zip line system, making it far easier to bring in supplies — and to take waste back out. With access and logistics secured, we turned to the interior: a brand-new kitchen together with modern toilets and bathing facilities gave the lodge a much-needed boost in comfort and functionality. Finally, the smaller single rooms were given a complete overhaul, making them brighter and more practical for our guests.

With these improvements in place, we were ready to welcome our first group of anglers to Kangia River Lodge. Even with the best-laid plans, there were a few bumps along the way, but after the first couple of weeks most of the kinks had been ironed out. All in all, it has been a fantastic season. We feel incredibly fortunate to add Kangia to the Flyfish Greenland program — and judging from the feedback, our guests enjoyed the first season at Kangia every bit as much as we did.

With clear blue skies and calm winds for countless days, the conditions weren’t ideal, but having seen what we’ve seen, we’ll take nice weather in Greenland any day. And fishing-wise? Well, the first group of amazing guests definitely proved our theory of the big early-August run, landing bright chrome Arctic char every day, with little to no colored fish in sight. From the highest point we fish, at the waterfall, all the way down through every bend and curve, the fish were stacked up and eager to take the fly.

During the last half of the first week, river conditions shifted as meltwater from the mountains flowed in, causing the river to rise and take on a glacial tint. But no challenge could stop the fly that proved most effective: the Green Lantern. This bright chartreuse, almost woolly-bugger–style pattern stole the show, landing the most – and often the bigger – fish. By the end of the week, our guests had worked through every single fly in their selection, coming to us almost begging for more. Don’t worry – our fly selections will be even greener next year…

As the first week came to a close, just when we thought we’d seen the first big run of the season, tides from the fjord rose exceptionally high, sending ridiculous numbers of chrome Arctic char up the river. The shallow back end of the first big pool – where the canyon opens up into the valley after the fish have blasted through the fast water – had an almost magnetic effect on guests. And for good reason. The action never stopped, and the pool would reset overnight, giving that pristine feeling the next day. Greenland at its best.

We had no reason to complain about the high sun and blue skies, as the fishing had been phenomenal during the first couple of weeks. Yet, with the weather beginning to change at the start of the third week, it was the perfect opportunity to experiment with different flies.

Time for foam! Danish camp assistant Mikkel Munk gave the guests a quick lesson on getting the proper swing wake on the fly, and the theme of the week quickly became surface action. The lower parts of the river, in particular, fished exceptionally well on the foam!

Towards the end of the fourth week, colored fish began appearing higher up in the system –  especially the red-bellied, aggressive males. They were mainly provoked by bigger flies wiggling right in front of their noses, making them tricky but incredibly rewarding to catch.

To sum things up, we were off to an incredible start with the fishing at Kangia River. Even with the inevitable bumps that come with launching something new, nothing could overshadow the excitement on the river or the joy of seeing our guests so happy.

And as for the big colored fish? Well, that story was just getting started…

From the middle of August onward, the weather would change weekly, shifting from completely sunny skies to overcast conditions with continuous rain, including periods of heavy downpours. Let’s run through a week of sunny skies and great weather first!

With water levels high from the previous days’ rain and a glacial tint to the water, our guests fished heavy sink tips and streamers to get their flies down – with great success! As the water rushed towards the fjord we witnessed a big run of fish passing through. Yet it only took about a day for both the water level and color to show a noticeable change, and within two days, everything was back to normal.

And where didwe catch fish? Well, the question should really be, where didn’t we? The quantity of fish in Kangia is simply unmatched. We swung the Green Lantern in every bend and turn, landing a mix of beautifully colored fish as well as fish that hadn’t even spent a day in the river.

The closer we fished to the waterfall – especially around Hollywood, both above and below – the better our chances of finding a big, colored fish. We could sight-fish and pick them out, watching their live reaction to different kinds of flies. Big streamers stole the show most days, but the nymph could also turn things around in an instant.

Staff members Peter and Max spent half a day exploring the fjord from our rubber dinghy, chasing cod – the kind that make a perfect dinner. With nothing but fly rods and sinking leaders, they had already caught plenty when curiosity got the better of them. Max had a spin-off idea for a fly setup that would make even spin fishermen turn in their sleep – tying a big rock to the sinking leader and hooking three strips of cod on three flies tied to the tippet.

Ten minutes later, the line went tight, and the six-weight rod bent to the cork. All the caribou in the fjord must have heard Max, convinced he had hooked a massive halibut… Ten minutes of tug-of-war followed before a huge spotted wolffish finally broke the surface.

Having heard stories of fishermen losing fingers to these beasts, they hesitated, but eventually brought it aboard. The reward? Wolffish barbecue the following evening – and a story they’d never forget…

But as anyone who’s spent time in Greenland knows, it’s never blue skies and sunshine for a full week – at least not without a catch. So when transfer day came and the new guests arrived, so did the rain. Especially on the second day, where the river then rose to a season high. Fully armed with multiple layers – the chef, David, even wore two rain jackets at once and still got wet – and using heavier sinking leaders and flies than ever before, we managed to find some action, though it was very tough.

Yet what awaited us on the other side was better than anyone could have hoped for. Just when we thought most of the silver fish had come through, another big run arrived and shaped the rest of the week. As the river dropped and cleared, the shapes of freshly run fish started appearing in the bottom pools, and it was incredible just how many had come up.

The following days, endless action unfolded in the lower parts of the river, with big chrome fish fit for fight – and by now, it’s clear just how impressive the Kangia really is: capable of clearing up and stabilizing within a day or two, like hitting a complete reset button.

The guests had the perfect strategy: kick off the day at the top, targeting the most stubborn, hard-to-move fish. After a few productive hours, they’d make their way down to the lower stretches, where the freshly run fish would be lined up, eager to take the fly. Now if that isn’t the perfect setup, we don’t know what is – and judging by how often they arrived at the lower part of the river a little early, it clearly worked!