TWO RIVER VALLEY: A Unique Greenland Experience

A Unique Greenland Experience TWO RIVER VALLEY

Greenland is a land of extremes — vast, untamed, and breathtakingly beautiful. Here, the rhythm of nature dictates the pace of life, offering an escape from the distractions of the modern world. For those seeking adventure, solitude, and world-class fishing, few places compare to the remote wilderness of Two River Valley.

By FELIX HANSVENCL - felix@flynature.eu

From big halibut and wolffish to cod and bright, chrome sea-run Arctic char feeding in the bays before their upriver journey, the ocean is a vast playground for anglers here. Unlike many locations where tides dictate your actions, this spot provides tide-independent access, allowing you to head out to the ocean or the other river whenever needed. Together with our partner, we developed a sustainable plan for the future and started this new project by building a lodge.

From big halibut and wolffish to cod and bright, chrome sea-run Arctic char feeding in the bays before their upriver journey, the ocean is a vast playground for anglers here. Unlike many locations where tides dictate your actions, this spot provides tide-independent access, allowing you to head out to the ocean or the other river whenever needed. Together with our partner, we developed a sustainable plan for the future and started this new project by building a lodge.

Having access to such a pristine, remote fishing area—shared only with a small group of like-minded anglers—is a true privilege. In today’s world, the demand for remoteness and disconnection is higher than ever, and for good reason. Anyone who has spent a week fishing in a remote Greenland location will likely tell you that returning to “civilization” can feel jarring. From navigating stressed airport crowds to getting nudged in line for a coffee, the transition back is not always easy. The immense value of an off-thegrid experience like this cannot be overstated, and Greenland provides the perfect setting for it.

Nature dictates

When you arrive at Two River Valley Lodge, the importance of good logistics in Greenland becomes immediately apparent. With nature dictating life here, reliable infrastructure is essential for a smooth experience. A nice sandbar just below the lodge allows our boat to drop off clients, bags, and supplies throughout the week, ensuring an easy arrival process. From there, it is a short walk to the newly built lodge, perched on a hill overlooking the river mouth and ocean bay.

The lodge offers single and double rooms for well-earned rest between fishing sessions. If you’re lucky, you might even catch the Northern Lights from the bar or your bedroom window. The first fishing pool is just a two-minute walk from the lodge. From there, you can access the ocean shore to cast for halibut, Arctic char, cod, and wolffish.

If this sounds too easy, don’t be misled—this is still Greenland. It is wild and vast, leaving it up to you to decide how much you want to hike and explore. The options are endless. However, at Two River Valley, extensive hiking is not a requirement. If you prefer a more relaxed pace and want to stay close to the lodge or anchorage on our second river, there is plenty of water to fish nearby, and the option to explore the ocean by boat is always available.

The river next to the lodge is divided into two main sections. Near the lodge, the lower stretch features deep, crystal-clear pools and a lower lake section with the perfect current for stripping flies over rocks or skating a dry fly. Watching a bow wave form behind your fly is an experience that is hard to beat. These spots are just a 15-minute walk from the lodge, giving everyone the option and comfort of staying close.

On our first scouting trip in September, we landed a stunning 4 kg (8–9 lb) Arctic char within just a few casts. The fish put on a spectacular show, taking to the air multiple times before we could safely land it. We saw plenty of fish averaging 2-3 kg (4-6.5 lbs), and a few closer to 5-6 kg (11-13 lbs). The potential here is immense, and we’re excited to see what’s possible as our guests explore these waters.

Elevated fishing

Above the lower river, a lake section opens up, which you can quickly cross by boat to reach the upper river. Here, the river splits into several channels across a vast sandy bay. The mountains in the background and the sight of schools of fish holding near the currents make this spot very special. During our scouting trip, this location became a natural coffee stop, allowing us to take in the magnificent surroundings.

Following the river upstream leads to a waterfall that stops the fish migration, with larger, salmon- and steelhead-like pools along the way.

The ocean-fresh char seem to fight even harder than their river counterparts

With access to nearby elevations, there are plenty of spots where you can easily observe schools of fish from above and watch their movements. We had a lot of fun guiding each other onto fish by shouting instructions on where to cast, when to strip, and when to strike.

With access to nearby elevations, there are plenty of spots where you can easily observe schools of fish from above and watch their movements. We had a lot of fun guiding each other onto fish by shouting instructions on where to cast, when to strip, and when to strike.

It was proper teamwork and so much fun! Some pools feature huge rocks in the water, creating a setting that felt like an arena with cliff walls on each side. The hike from the lodge up to the waterfall and back makes for a great day trip for those who want to explore further.

On another day of our scouting trip, we ventured to the second river. After packing our gear and hopping into one of the lodge’s Targa-style boats, we set off. The journey itself was an adventure, featuring rugged rock formations, towering mountains, and humpback whales feeding on the abundant krill and fish.

Two of the humpbacks seemed to frequent the area, and we saw them nearly every time we were at sea. Often, they came as close as five meters from the boat, leaving us in awe. Watching them glide gracefully through the water is something you need to see in real life—it is a thousand times better than any Instagram video.

Once you enter the fjord, you can see how everything narrows until you reach the bay that grants access to the river. After anchoring the boat, we followed reindeer trails upstream to explore the river’s structure. Everything is so vast in Greenland, and this river valley often made us feel like we were part of a scene from The Lord of the Rings.

Keeping a low profile

The river itself is comparable in size to a small salmon river, flowing next to a massive cliff wall, making you feel quite small in its presence. What we found particularly fascinating was the variety of fishing opportunities: stalking individual fish in small pools and channels or targeting schools in larger holding pools. One moment, we were crawling on our knees to approach two fish near a rock, and the next, we were casting into a wide pool filled with freshly arrived fish. The variety kept the day exciting and left us eager to explore more. We spent the whole day here, hiking extensively, yet we only saw a fraction of what this valley has to offer. For those looking for a serious hike, this is your place.

On our way back, we couldn’t resist stopping at some ocean fishing spots. While we didn’t land any halibut that day, we caught a few cod for dinner and spent more time watching whales. Fishing the ocean with a fly rod is a unique experience.

When targeting sea-run Arctic char, speed is key - strip your fly fast, or risk having it grabbed by one of the countless cod! These ocean-fresh char seem to fight even harder than their river counterparts, which is hard to imagine after battling them in the river. They just never give up! July is an excellent month for targeting char in the ocean, and we discovered new spots daily.

The Northern Lights

Back at the lodge, we enjoyed a delicious dinner of fresh cod and gathered around the fireplace. With no

screens to distract us, the conversations were better, and falling asleep was effortless. I stayed up late, hoping to see the Northern Lights. At around 12:30 a.m., they suddenly appeared. I stumbled into the other rooms, waking Glenda and Lawson to join me.

With sleepy eyes and wild hair, we took way too many photos. I even managed to fall into a hole while walking backward for the perfect angle. A good laugh and some decent photos later, I made my way to bed and slept like a baby.

These days rounded off a complete Greenland experience, and we can’t wait to share it from 2025 onward. Fishing trips are never just about fishing, and when it comes to Greenland and Two River Valley, we can confidently say this is one of the best all-around adventures to share with a friend, partner, family member, or fishing buddy.

Tackling the Two River Valley

For tackle, we recommend a 6 or 7-weight single-handed rod, such as the Solid S1 696-5 and 796-5 models we used. These rods provide the extra length needed for rivers of this size while offering enough power to handle larger fish in the ocean. Designed in five pieces, they pack easily into your bags without requiring an additional checked rod tube during travel.

A trout spey rod paired with a short Skagit shooting head is another exciting option, as swinging flies for Arctic char is exceptionally effective. Floating lines work well in the rivers, while a sink-tip line is useful for ocean fishing.

If you’re targeting halibut, a heavy rod with a sinking line is essential.

Traveling to Greenland is set to become much easier this year. The opening of the new international airport in Nuuk has introduced more direct flights from Europe and the USA. Upon arrival in Nuuk, a boat will pick you up and take you directly to Two River Valley Lodge, making this adventure more accessible than ever.

For more information about planning a trip to Two River Valley: felix@solidadventures.com www.solidadventures.com