“If you don’t get a bite within 15 minutes, something is wrong” – Interview with an Operator: Erik Lomholt-Bek, Greenland

At BaitYourHook, we’re committed to giving our clients the clearest, most reliable insight into the operators featured on our platform. Today, we’re highlighting Erik Lomholt-Bek, a seasoned outfitter whose fishing adventures in Greenland speak for themselves.

For Erik, fishing isn’t just a pastime—it’s a way of life shaped by decades in one of the wildest corners of the North. Since arriving in Greenland as a teenager in 1979, Erik has fished its rivers, fjords, and frozen coastlines with everything from handlines to fly rods. Today, he runs guided Arctic char trips on the pristine Robinson River, offering visiting anglers a chance to experience the raw beauty and untamed abundance of Greenland’s wilderness. In this interview, Erik shares what makes Greenland fishing special, what it takes to run a concession here, and why catching 20 fish a day isn’t just possible—it’s expected.

BaitYourHook: Can you tell a little about yourself, your fishing experience 

Erik Lomholt-Bek: I’m 59 years old. I came to Greenland as a boy in 1979, and have been hunting and fishing ever since. I’ve been fishing for salmon, halibut, Arctic char and everything else you can catch here, and with any means – handline, nets, rod, you name it.

BYH: Have you been fishing elsewhere in the world, and how is fishing in Greenland different? 

ELB: Only in Denmark. The biggest difference is how many fish there are. In Denmark, if you’ve been fishing all day and caught one trout, you’ve had a great day. In Greenland, if you don’t get a bite within 15 minutes something is wrong, you should change your spot. Getting 20 fish in a day is normal here.

BYH: How did you get to be a fishing operator?

ELB: For the last ten years I’ve operated a hunting tourism business, and it came natural to me to expand into fishing. As soon as I had the opportunity to get a concession on this nice river, I went for it. I plan to do more fishing and less hunting as time goes by, but I’m not the type who retires. 

BYH: What do you like about this job, and what do you hate about it?

ELB: I like the freedom, being your own boss, and working with happy people that are here to do what they like. There’s nothing I could possibly hate about it. 

BYH: Where do you fish, what fishes  do you catch, and how?

ELB: These tours are on the Robinson River, a big river famous for its Arctic char. It’s perfect for flyfishing, but you can also use spinning gear. Normally we practice catch and release, but you can keep the fish you want, for eating or bringing home.

We can also go out in our boat on the fjord next to camp and catch Atlantic cod with handlines or heavy fishing rods.

BYH: What does a fishing trip with you look like? 

ELB: You stay in a cabin next to the river, and every day you are on your own, walking up along the river and fishing in the pools whenever you want to. There is often a guide near camp to answer questions and give advice on where to go and what gear to use. The guide also takes you out in the boat.

BYH: Do you have any fishing tips for your area?

ELB: As on any fishing trip, bring a lot of different flies and lures. You never know what the fish will like that day.

BYH: What’s the best time of year to fish the Robinson River, and why? 

ELB: July and August, that’s when the fish goes up the river from the ocean. It’s still possible to fish in September, but they start spawning and lose interest for the lure.

 BYH: Do you have any gear tips for fishing in Greenland?

ELB: Even if you can only walk a couple of miles, there are many fine spots you can go to along the river. For those who want to explore, there are many miles of river and lakes to go fishing in. You cannot cross the river anywhere, so rubber boots are not necessary. A good pair of hiking boots is better.

BYH: What should the client in your area keep an eye open for? 

ELB: If you plan to go hiking away from the river, you can get lost, so bringing something like an Inreach is smart. However, as long as you stay near the river, you can just follow it down, and you will end up in camp no matter how bad the visibility is.

BYH: What do you think surprises people the most when they first visit Greenland?

ELB: How hot it can be in Kangerlussuaq in the summer.

BYH: What else can you see or do while in camp?

ELB: There is a lot of wildlife to see. Musk-ox, caribou, ptarmigan, arctic hare, arctic fox. They are all there. But the best time to watch musk-ox and caribou is July, they go up the mountains in August, when the hunting season starts.

BYH: Apart from fishing, what else would you recommend to people who are visiting Greenland? 

ELB: When you are here, you might consider an extra day in town before you fly home and take a trip to see the inland ice, Point 660, or the Russell Glacier. Visit the restaurant “Roklubben” to try some Greenlandic dishes. 

BYH: Can you tell me a bit how you get a fishing concession in Greenland? What does it take? Is there a lot of red tape involved? 

ELB: It’s difficult. You have to be a resident of Greenland for some years, prove you have all the gear, related experience, and can do it safely. Also you’re required to use the local workforce and shop locally. Then there is an application round, and you have to make the best one and beat the competition. Usually there are quite a lot of people applying for the same concession.

BYH: And what do you think helped you beat the competition?

ELB: I’d say it was my experience in the outfitting industry. I had hard evidence that I can do it professionally, to build up a tourist business, attract customers and get them to come back, etc. Many years ago, when I got my hunting concession, I made a plan and it is still stored with my applications. So now they can look back and see: What Erik said he would do, he did.