Kangia River Lodge

Kangia is a spectacularly beautiful and pristine system with fish that average 5-7 pounds and reach ten pounds on a regular basis. It is here that Solid Adventures has set up Kangia River Lodge. Their season runs from mid-July through the first week of September. In the early weeks, the fish tend to be big, bright and strong and as the season progresses, more and more fish arrive, sometimes stacking three deep in pools. Catch rates tend to be very high, enabling some guests to fish top-water flies and gurglers the entire week.

The camp is a basic structure that accommodates up to ten anglers, a small local staff, and guides. If one were to envision the level of amenities as just one step above camping, they would be happy and well-prepared. All guests hike an average of 45 minutes to reach the river each morning and typically hike a greater distance to return to camp each evening. The camp has two guides for all ten guests, so anglers should also be largely self-reliant. Fitness and a fondness for roughing it are absolutely mandatory for all wanting to experience one of today’s most pristine and productive freshwater angling adventures.

When it comes to landscape, scenery, catch rates, and fish size, Kangia is in a class by itself. Moreover, this river is ideally built for fly anglers — it has cut-banks, rapids, slow deep pools, pocket water, and a tidally influenced delta all within reach. Anglers have free range of four miles of great water between the estuary and a waterfall which is impassible to the migrating char. Guests should be prepared walk four to eight miles a day to access the best fishing. Most guests elect to bring a pack and hike up to the mid-river tent shelter before changing into waders and boots. The Lodge has two guides for ten guests. The guides will be there to help show guests around and in case of emergencies, but anglers should be largely self-reliant.

Kangia River Lodge is located on a plateau overlooking the river’s delta. The location provides spectacular views of their sea pool and a sheltered bay where the river meets the Atlantic Ocean. The camp is a very basic structure that accommodates up to ten anglers, a small local staff and the guides. If one were to envision the level of amenities as just one step above camping, they would be happy and well prepared. There are six small rooms with bunk beds, one communal bathroom with two toilets and a shower (conspicuously placed in the middle of the room and lacking in privacy) and a snug dining area. Heat, lighting and charging stations are limited. There is also a small veranda overlooking the river mouth and valley below, where guests gather for stories and drinks. Two miles upriver from main camp, in the midst of the best fishing area, there is a tent that serves as a changing station and offers a bit of shelter during the fishing day. Meals at the lodge are a combination of basic continental and local fare. We encourage guests to bring snacks (bars, nuts, etc.) as they will expend a lot of energy hiking each day. Guests can fill water bottles or drink directly from numerous springs, smaller creeks or the river.

Day 1: Arrive Maniitsoq, Greenland and transfer to camp

Days 2-7: Full days of semi-guided fishing

Day 8: Transfer back to Manitsoq, overnight

Day 9: Depart Maniitsoq

2025 Rate: Per person based on double occupancy

7 night/6 day package: €5,390 plus €1,000 round trip charter flight and €250 license and concession fee.

Included: Accommodations and meals at lodge, guiding, fishing license, transfers between Manitsoq and the lodge, limited beer.

Not Included: Airfare to/from Maniitsoq, meals/drinks and last night hotel in Manitsoq, hard alcohol, staff and guide gratuities

Species: Arctic char, cod, halibut

Season: Mid-July - Early September

Capacity: 10 guests

Who is best suited to this destination? Active anglers that can happily walk 4-6 miles per day are going to have the most success on the Kangia River. The hiking at Kangia is not difficult and there is a nice trail, but there is quite a bit of hiking per day is required each day.

Where is the lodge? The lodge is located above the mouth of the Kangia River, a one-and-a-half-hour boat ride from the town of Maniitsoq, Greenland.

How do I get there? To get to Kangia River Lodge guests will need transfer through the town of Maniitsoq, Greenland (JSU). The best route from the United States is to travel to Copenhagen, Denmark (CPH) where most U.S. travelers will overnight. From Copenhagen guests will fly to Kangerlussuaq International Airport (SFJ) in Greenland and then connect from Kangerlussuaq to Maniitsoq Airport (JSU). In Maniitsoq guests will be met by a lodge representative and transferred to the local marina where they travel to the lodge by boat. The boat can only enter the Kangia fjord at medium to high tide so sometimes guests have to wait for the tide to shift to land the boat at the lodge.

When should I go? The season runs from early July to early September. The fresher fish are in the system early in the season and the colored-up, spawning char are in the system later in the year.

How will I fish? All fishing is done in a walk and wade fashion with most of the fishing done from the banks. At Kangia guests can fish with dry flies, nymphs, and streamers. The Kangia River is the hidden gem of Greenland’s west coast and is known for its exceptionally large runs of Arctic char, its unbelievable structure, and its incomparable beauty. This is a river truly made for fly fishing with its cut-banks, rapids, slow and deep stretches, waterfalls, and pocket-water all the way down to its tidally influenced delta. Located six kilometers upstream from camp is a ten-meter high waterfall which blocks migrating fish from progressing up-river and creates a deep pool stacked with huge fish. Arctic char like to hide in the deeper water of lake systems. What makes Kangia so special is that all the deeper pools in the river are all fishable.

When the tide is low guests can fish the fjord and the pools just below the camp.

Is there wade fishing? Yes. All fishing at Kangia River Lodge is wade fishing.

Where will I fish? Anglers will walk and wade the Kangia River.

How long does it take to reach the fishing grounds? The lodge is just above the river and guests can be fishing the home pools and the lower river within minutes. If guests would like to fish the middle and upper sections of the river guests will hike 30 to 45- minutes to the satellite camp about two miles up-river. Once at the satellite camp guests can begin fishing or keep hiking up the river. Guests are welcome to leave their waders and boots at the satellite camp so they can make the hike in hiking shoes and pants. What type(s) of fish will I catch? Guests will primarily target migrating Arctic char, but occasionally guests can fish for cod, halibut, and other ocean species in the fjord in front of the lodge.

How many fish will I catch? Guests can expect to catch ten or more fish per day in the 2- to 10-pound class with a handful of shots at trophy Arctic char per week.

Will I see other anglers? No, guests will only see other anglers from the lodge.

What are the guides like? The guiding at Kangia is described as very lightly guided. Two guides will help guests with finding pools and keeping them safe, but clients should be prepared to land their own fish and tie their own knots.

What are the physical demands? Guests should be prepared to hike between six and eight miles per day. The hiking is not difficult, but guests will have to walk up and down the river. We highly recommend that guests do some walking or light jogging in the weeks leading up to the trip.

Are there any special skills required? No.

Does the lodge provide equipment? The lodge can rent guests rods, reels, and terminal tackle. The rate is $100 per week. Guests will need to bring their own waders and boots.

What is your favorite setup for the trip? Anglers are best suited to have a 9-foot 7-weight rod and it will cover nearly all the situations. For those that enjoy two handed casting an 11-foot 6- to 7-weight switch rod is a fun tool for the job. While a floating line system is a must, having a sinking tip for the single hand rod and sinking leaders for the switch rod will cover more bases.

What are the top flies? Arctic char feed on shrimp and various small fish. While fish imitations will work, char will readily take a nymph or a dry fly as well. Stripping streamers and swing fishing are the most effective ways to catch char while covering a lot of water. If you come prepared with flies that are chartreuse, pink, red, white, and orange or a blend of these colors, you will be set for all conditions.

Some of the most productive flies are:

Green Lantern in Chartreuse and Olive Mini Intruder in Chartreuse Char Bugger in Chartreuse and Olive Fritz Bugger in Chartreuse and Olive and Pink Pink Rowboat in Pink and White

There is a limited fly shop at the lodge for guests to buy flies if they need them. We recommend that guests arrive with at least some of the patterns listed above and then fill in if needed from the lodge shop.

What are the options if water conditions become challenging? Guests will have to wait out inclement weather either at the lodge or at the satellite camp.

What is a typical day like? At 8:00AM breakfast is served. After breakfast guests will hike to the satellite camp and upper beats. Two guides will divide the guests into two teams. One team will take the upper beats from the warming tent, and the other team will fish the camp pools. One guide will follow upstream and one guide will stay at the out-camp. Lunch is served on the river at around 12:00PM. After lunch guests will continue to fish the upper river. Around 7:00PM anglers leave the fishing grounds for the walk back to the lodge. Dinner is served around 8:00PM. After dinner, if the tides are right guests can fish the mouth of the river for halibut and other ocean species.

What is the general vibe, atmosphere, and style of the lodge? The lodge is very simple, comfortable, welcoming and has a fishing camp vibe. This is by no means a luxury lodge, but a base designed for serious anglers.

Is there an on-site owner, manager, or other point-person at the lodge? Yes. There is always a lodge manager on-site.

Where do we eat, and what are the meals like? Meals are taken at the lodge and riverside during the day. Meals are hearty but simple.

What is the alcohol policy? Soft drinks and beer are available and included in the package, but if guests would like wine or liquor, they need to bring it themselves.

Where do we stay, and what are the accommodations like? The Kangia River Lodge is situated on a plateau at the delta of the Kangia River. The lodge overlooks the home-pool and a sheltered bay where the river meets the Atlantic Ocean. Though the lodge is simple, it is equipped with all the basics one needs for a comfortable stay during a week of fishing. The lodge can accommodate up to 12 anglers. Sleeping quarters consist of six rooms, each containing one bunk bed that sleeps two anglers. The main lodge has two toilets, two showers, a fully equipped kitchen, a bar and lounge area and a spacious dining area overlooking the river. The veranda at the front of the lodge with its view of the river mouth and valley below, is the perfect place to enjoy an after-fish drink and share some fishing stories.

There is also a smaller satellite-camp located 2.7 km upriver that offers anglers a comfortable resting place at one of the fishing hotspots. This camp is a great starting point for anglers who want to fish the middle and upper sections of the river. To make guest’s hikes to this location as easy as possible, they can leave their waders and wading boots at the satellite camp and hike to and from the lodge in regular hiking shoes and pants. Whether guests prefer to stay near the main lodge or venture all the way up to the waterfall is up to them. The fish are plentiful throughout the river and guests can fish at their own pace all day, every day.

Is there internet and/or cell service? There is no internet or cell service available at the lodge. The lodge has satellite phones in case of emergency.

Are there other activities? There is some whale and wildlife watching, but this is first and foremost a fishing camp.

Are there any other expenses? Guests will pay onsite for a hotel room in Maniitsoq on the departure date. If guests are transferring through Copenhagen they will also have to pay for lodging and meals while traveling.

Do I need a visa? No. Citizens of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States do not need a visa for stays under 90 days. For citizens of other countries please consult your local consulate.

Are there any health concerns, dangers, or annoyances? There can be biting flies and mosquitos in the area at certain times of the year. It is best to travel with at least one head net, gloves, and insect repellent in case the insects become active. It can be advantageous for guests to treat their gear and clothing with Permethrin before arriving in Greenland.

The lodge is very remote, and while the lodge has helicopter service an evacuation can take hours to reach guests. Any preexisting medical conditions should be reported to Fly Water Travel and to the lodge before arrival.

We recommend that all guests check the U.S. Department of State and Center for Disease Control websites for any Greenland updates before traveling.