The Perfect Setup for Greenland

One Season in Greenland with the Solid S1 Travel Rods

Greenland has become a popular summer escape for those seeking wild nature and pristine Arctic rivers. Running the Two River Valley operation in Greenland, we’re often asked about tackle:

“Can I bring my 5-weight trout rod from home?”
“What kind of action should I look for?”
“Is a good drag system important?”

Here’s what we’ve learned after a full season with the new Solid S1 rod series, chasing sea-run Arctic char across Greenland’s rivers.

Choosing the Right Rod

A standard 9’0” 5-weight trout rod isn’t ideal for Greenland. It will catch fish, yes - but it won’t make things easier. On my first trip years ago, I brought a 5-weight and quickly learned that stepping up in size makes a world of difference.

You’ll often fish short sink tips combined with heavy nymphs or streamers - or perhaps a big skating foam fly to tempt a surface take. Add in some wind, either up or downstream, and you’ll immediately understand why a 5-weight feels underpowered.

Sea-run Arctic char are strong. Hook one in fast current, and you may find yourself chasing downstream as your backing disappears. We’ve seen rods bent deep into the handle. When you connect with a trophy fish, it’s the fish that’s in charge. You need a rod with backbone to maneuver it out of the current, and a reel with a smooth, reliable drag to handle those fast runs.

Avoid slow-action rods - they’re fun on calm days, but conditions in Greenland change quickly. A medium-fast action rod is the right choice, offering versatility, line control, and confidence whether you’re fighting fish or casting into the wind.

Solid S1 #6 9’6” (696-5) Rod

If you could only bring one rod to Greenland, this would be it. The S1 696-5 delivers the perfect blend of power and finesse. It handles sink tips, heavy flies, and strong fish with ease while still casting beautifully at both short and long distances.

Why 9.6 feet instead of 9? Those extra 0.6 feet make a noticeable difference - better line control when mending around stones or nymphing, smoother swings, and a touch more distance and lift in the wind.

Casting this rod feels like riding a racehorse that’s ready to go. We never reached its limit, even in challenging conditions. What really sets it apart is how it maintains feel and sensitivity when fighting fish between 2 and 5 kg.

Personally, I love pairing it with the Hexa handle for extra grip and precision, though the premium cork version performs equally well. Combined with the Solid E5 reel, this setup has become our all-time favorite for Greenland. All models feature a fighting butt - something you’ll appreciate when you hook into a big char. The biggest fish of the season, an estimated 5 kg (11 lbs) beauty caught in September, came on this rod. And since it’s a 5-piece rod it easily fits into your main luggage so you don’t have to check a separate rod case on your flight. 

Solid S1 #7 9’6” (796-5) Rod

The S1 796-5 is a rocket - and the perfect companion to the 6-weight. Bringing two rods is always a smart move; things can happen quickly out here. I like to fish both rods daily with different setups: the 6-weight rigged for dries, and the 7-weight with a sink tip and streamer.

The 7-weight offers the same forgiving action but with even more authority in tough wind conditions. It’s also my go-to choice early in the season, when we’re fishing the bays for chrome-bright Arctic char or casting from the shore for cod. We landed cod up to 7 kg and Arctic char up to 4 kg on this rod - no problem at all.

If you’re looking for a rod that can also handle sea trout on the coast and in Patagonia/Argentina, or salmon in small to medium-sized rivers, this is the one.

For a perfectly balanced combo, pair it with the Solid E7 reel and you may never wanna fish another 7-weight setup again. 

Final Thoughts

One thing that really stood out this season was how light these setups are in your hand. When you’re fishing 9–10 hours a day for a week, that makes a real difference. A light yet bulletproof rod-and-reel combination reduces fatigue and keeps you sharp - something we can’t recommend enough. Both rods are so-called Travel Size, in this instance meaning that they come as 5-piece rods and fit perfectly into your travel bag.

For more photos and info about the fishing at Two River Valley, please check out the 2025 season summary here.