8-day unique fishing trip at the Arctic Circle, West Greenland
Fly fishing for Arctic Char – Sea fishing by boat - Exclusive rights to the river - Pristine wilderness and dazzling nature – Greenlandic sealer culture - Private, spacious tents
July - August. 8 days. Guaranteed departure. Small groups, Max. 8 people. For dates, prices and booking please contact: info@westgreenlandwildlife.com
Arctic Char fly fishing and sea fishing with West Greenland Wildlife is a truly unique experience. We take you out into completely untouched nature. Here is peace and quiet unlike anywhere else. Nature is in charge here. All we can do is tag along and adapt - just like generations of Greenlanders have done before us.
West Greenland Wildlife holds exclusive rights to fish in the Sassannguit river right on the Arctic Circle. The river is located in the middle of the Greenlandic wilderness and runs for 15 kilometers. Our groups are small, only 5-8 participants, and we have the whole area to ourselves. This gives you maximum opportunity to find your very own favorite fishing spot, where all the trout are biting.
Other options are sea fishing for halibut, Atlantic wolffish, salmon and cod (by boat). In the beautiful area behind the camp you can spot reindeer and musk oxen or go for a hike in the spectacular mountain landscapes, which are covered in moss and seasonal flowers over the summer. When the tide is low also you can harvest blue mussels by the river reefs.
The trip is led by Greenlandic hunter and fisherman, Leif Fontaine, founder of West Greenland Wildlife and former chairman of the Greenlandic Fishermen and Hunters' Organization, KNAPK. The team also consists of local nature guides and staff at the camp. It is a strong team with a solid local knowledge, who knows the river and conditions in the Greenland wilderness very well, ensuring that you are in the best hands throughout the stay.
The journey is not only a formidable fishing experience, but also a unique encounter with the Greenlandic fishing culture. Our camp is located at a traditional fishing settlement that has been in the hands of the Greenlandic family Fontaine for generations. Throughout the year, the family uses the settlement as a base for hunting, sealing and fishing, and during the summer, arctic chars are salted and dried for winter storage.
Program
Day 1 Arrival at Sisimiut, pickup at Sisimiut Airport. Transfer to camp/fishing grounds at Sassannguit.
Day 2-5 Fishing and activities in the Arctic wilderness:
-Go fly fishing for arctic char
-Go sea fishing: Halibut, Atlantic wolffish, salmon and cod
-Hike up to the fox caves and pick angelica plants
-Explore the wilderness with reindeer, musk oxen, birdlife and mesmerizing mountain landscapes.
-From July 15th to August 15th you can take part in trap and net fishing at the Fontaine family fishing grounds. Join in also when the trout are dried, salted and smoked in the traditional ways that have kept generations Greenlanders well-fed. During this period, you can catch an amazing glimpse of thousands of trout jumping through cascades og water to continue their journey upriver.
Day 6: Fishing and activities in the wilderness. Farewell dinner featuring Greenlandic specialties
Day 7: Fishing and transfer to Sisimiut. Overnight stay in Sisimiut
Day 8: Departure from Sisimiut.
* Getting to Sisimiut. It is possible to fly via Denmark or via Iceland. We have planned the trips so the connect with flying from Copenhagen, Denmark.
Day 1 is always a Saturday, as the best way to get to Sisimiut (JHS) is to travel via Copenhagen (CPH) and Kangerlussuaq (SFJ). Departing from Copenhagen in the morning and arriving in Sisimiut in the afternoon. The return flight (Day 8) leaves from Sisimiut in the morning and arrives in Copenhagen in the evening.
It is also possible to fly via Iceland.
The flight IS NOT part of the package and getting to Sisimiut in time is your responsibility. However we will do as much as we can to help you out, should your flight be delayed. If you want to prolong your trip in Greenland, we recommend staying in Sisimiut or Kangerlussuaq for a couple of additional days.
The Catch
The main feature of the trip is the arctic char, which populates the entire Arctic region. The arctic char is part of the char family and also carries the Latin name Salvelinus alpinus. In Greenland they call it eqaluk.
The arctic char is a tremendous fighter, much stronger than trout seen elsewhere. So do look forward to a challenge and world-class angling!
We are also happy to offer sea fishing from our boat, where we catch halibut, Atlantic wolffish, cod, salmon. If the conditions allow us, we can go longline fishing for halibut, which is a traditional greenlandic method that is still used for sustainable fishing.
The Camp
The West Greenland Wildlife camp is located right on the Arctic Circle near the former settlement of Kangeq in West Greenland, 1,5 – 2 hours by boat headed south from Sisimiut. The river by the camp is called Sassannguit and runs from the settlement of Itilleq to the Kangerlussuaq fjord. Each person get a large tent with a bed and space for luggage and gear.
We stay right in the middle of the pristine Greenlandic wilderness, far removed from civilization, with reindeer and muskoxen as our closest neighbors. The Arctic scenery is simply breathtaking: Wide open spaces, rugged mountains and snow covered mountain tops. Eagles and peregrine falcons soar over the rivers, ready to dive in to fetch a darting trout. Wild geese in the hinterlands and numerous eider ducks patrol the coast.
The area behind the camp is superb for hiking around the spectacular mountains, which are covered in moss and seasonal flowers throughout the summer. You can also explore fox caves or pick aromatic angelica plants, and add a wild greenlandic flavor to your meals.
Practical information:
8-day unique fishing trip on the Arctic Circle, West Greenland
Small groups, Max. 8 people per trip. Guaranteed departures.
For sign up and info on tours and prices, please contact info@westgreenlandwildlife.com
Travel times and weather conditions
West Greenland Wildlife organizes fishing expeditions between end June to end August, which is the time of year when thousands of arctic char migrate to the rivers, giving you the very best conditions for the ultimate fishing experience.
The weather around the Arctic Circle changes a lot, so do pack for sunny summery weather, rough rains, and low temperatures.
Our expeditions take place in summer and early fall. In high summer we see the sun that never sets. Later in the season the sun hangs low, throwing blazing warm light on the wild landscapes.
Included in the program:
-6 days of flyfishing with local guides with exclusive right to the river
-Boat fishing: catfish, salmon, halibut, cod
-Fishing permits
-Local guides, including Greenlandic seal hunter Leif Fontaine
-Transfer to and from Sisimiut Airport
-Boat transfer from Sisimiut to the camp and back
-Camp staff in charge of cooking and dishwashing
-6 nights in private tent with a bed and space for luggage and gear.
- 1 night at hotel/hostel in Sisimiut incl. breakfast
-Breakfast, lunch and dinner at the camp
-Farewell dinner featuring Greenlandic specialties
-Traditional trap and net fishing and an introduction to the local smoking, salting and drying methods (only available July 15th to August 15th)
-Hikes to fox caves and picking angelica (herb used locally for cooking and medicinal purposes)
Not included in the price:
-Airfare to Sisimut, West Greenland
-Drinks
-Personal travel insurance
-Fishing gear
-Anything not stated under 'Included in the price'’
West Greenland Wildlife - 3911 Sisimiut, Greenland - info@westgreenlandwildlife.com
