CAMP NORTH

FINAL CALL 2020

FINDING CAMP NORTH

Since 2010, we have been operating the now legendary arctic char trophy camp on Greenland’s Eqalugsugssuit River, better known as Camp North.

In 2006, while we were already running a very popular fly fishing program on the Erfalik River and the Napiarissat River (today known as Camp South), we were still busy exploring. So far, we had found nothing interesting enough to consider running a week long program and were content with what we already had found. At least until we heard the rumours:

Every fisherman knows that the fish are always bigger where you haven’t yet fished. Especially, if you can’t fish there. When we started hearing stories about a river north of Sisimiut that had a run of unusually large arctic chars – but was also closed for fishing for a five-year-period – we took it with a grain of salt. Then we heard more stories, this time with one or two pictures thrown into the mix, and we were soon at the point where it would take more than a pinch of salt to hold us back.

We caught a bunch of really nice chars on our first exploratory trips to Camp North. Char fresh out of the ocean, including a couple of big ones between 5 and 6 KG. That has been bettered many times at Camp North since then – the camp record is now way past the 8 KG mark – but at the time is was a game changer. And we still don’t know of any other river in Greenland that consistently produce arctic chars of these proportions.

ONLY 10 SPOTS LEFT FOR 2020

The upcoming season at Camp North is selling out fast, and we only have 10 spots left.

July 7-16, 2020: 2 spots left

July 14-23, 2020: 3 spots left

July 28- August 6, 2020: 5 spots

Now is the time to secure your Summer Getaway in Greenland. Get in touch!

    CAMP NORTH Q & A

    When should I go?
    The peak season is during July or August. The arctic char starts to run the rivers in late June, and somewhere between late August and early September, they start to become more interested in spawning and should probably be left alone. Also, once you get well into September, the weather can turn kind of rough.

    Where do they fish?
    On the Eqalugsugssuit River, both below and above a big lake. We also fish a nameless but very productive side creek and sometimes in inlets and outlets from the lakes on the side creek. Occasionally also in the fjord for cod or fresh chars heading for the river mouth.

    Where do we stay?
    In a tent camp overlooking the river, around 500 meters from the river mouth. All guests stay in individual tents. The camp has a big, steelframed tent for dining and socializing. We run generators so it’s possible to recharge cameras etc.

    Who is best suited to this destination?
    Anyone in reasonable shape, with some fly fishing experience and with a bit of self sufficiency. Though some days are always better than others, the fishing is rarely hard and there is no need to have a guide watch over your shoulder all day long. Once you have had an introduction to the fishery most anglers are fine about fishing with one or two other guests, and sometimes ask assistance from one of the young guides if they want an introduction to a new area. However, if you do prefer being guided at all times, do not tie your own knots, unhook your own fish etc, this is not for you.

    The fishing is on walk-in basis, so to get the full benefit of the possibilities, anglers should be reasonable fit. The terrain is easy to hike in but you should be prepared to cover a total four to eight miles on most days.

    What is a typical day like?
    Get up around 7.00 where breakfast is served, make your own sandwiches after breakfast, get in your fishing clothes and head up river whenever you feel like it.
    You can fish the main river, hike up the side creek or coordinate a trip with one of the guides and some other guests to the upper river. In that case the guide will ferry you across the lake, saving you two hours of hiking.  All options 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 up once or twice during the week for some evening, or even night fishing. And then 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.

    What are the meals like?
    While it’s not fine dining as such, meals are tasty and made with the chef’s dedication.
    Most of our guests are well impressed with what they come up with, especially taken the remoteness of the location into consideration.
    Breakfast will be eggs, bacon, bread, cereals etc. And for lunch, we put out bread and toppings so you can make a couple of sandwiches to keep you going throughout the day.

    How would you describe the general vibe and atmosphere?
    Very relaxed and down to earth. The fishing is usually very productive so there is not any real stress to catch what you came for. And while some of the chars reach really nice sizes, it’s not a fishery with record sized fish. Though some Camp North regulars target bigger fish, most guests don’t really fish for size but for their pleasure. So, there are not really a lot of big egos around either. We tend to have groups mixed of several different nationalities which creates a great international atmosphere and a good deal of making-new-friends throughout the week.

    Is there an on-site manager, owner or point person at the camp?
    Yes, there is a camp manager on-site.

    Is there internet and cell service?
    Nope, no internet service at Camp North, and no cell service. Just a whole lot of piece and quiet.

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

    How many fish will I catch?
    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 chars as humanly possible. And you will never see us advertise weekly catch rates to fill more spots.
    Even if there are probably tens of thousands of chars running the Eqalugsugssuit River, it is still a natural resource, and every fish landed – and released – is pressure on this resource. On good days, you can easily catch fifteen or twenty chars in a day, on methods that gives you a lot of fun and pleasure. There are ways to sometimes double that number, possibly even triple it. But why? You’re not in a competition.

    Will we see other anglers?
    No. The Eqalugsugssuit River is under concession and it is not allowed for other anglers to visit.

    Is there wade fishing?
    There can be but usually not more than knee deep. We fish in breathable waders because it’s nice to be able to cross the river to reach all the spots but it’s super easy wading, and there is no need for a wading stick or special soles etc.

    How far is it to the fishing grounds?
    From thirty minutes to two hours. Most of the time, a forty minute walk will take you to some of the most productive parts of the river, and then it’s up to you how much more water you feel like covering.

    Does the camp provide equipment?
    No, you must bring your own.

    What is your favorite rod(s) for the trip?
    A nine foot six weight, preferably with a fight butt, is our go-to rod for Camp North. Some fish run pretty big on this river so we don’t recommend anything too light. Bring two rods, in case of breakage.

    What are the top flies?
    Foam flies and streamers. We provide a Pre Trip Planner with detailed information on flies.

    Are there other activities?
    Other than a bit of sight seeing in Sisimiut – no. However, there can be possibilities for another kind of fishing. Occasionally, we can find fly fishing for cod in the fjord but at Camp North it’s more common to find the chars in the ocean. If we do find them, we can catch them on skated foam flies – yes, that’s off the coast, too!

    Do I need trip insurance?
    You need a standard travel insurance that will cover the costs of getting you out of camp (typically by boat, helicopter in emergencies) and back home safely.

    Does this trip combine well with other trips?
    You may consider spending a couple of days in Copenhagen – it’s never nicer than during the summer.

    Are there special skills required?
    No.

    What are the physical demands?
    You should at be able to hike at least four-five miles on a daily basis.

    Dangers and annoyances?
    There are probably no other dangers than falling over rocks. Some guests ask us about polar bears. They live on the ice, and to the best of our knowledge there has never even been a single sighting of a bear near Camp North during the summer months.
    There can be a lot of mosquitoes and especially small flies if the wind is down. We find that a Buff and some repellent takes care of it most of the time, but always carry a mosquito net to pull over our caps, should they become a real nuisance.

    Health Concerns?
    None.