Freshwater Fishing in the Falklands

Freshwater

Falklands

The Falkland Islands have long fascinated visitors from around the world. The islands, over 700 of them, have excellent sea trout fishing, rich and varied wildlife, temperate climate and friendly welcoming people. The countryside is varied, there are rolling moorlands, grassy plains dotted with lakes and ponds and mountains up to 2,312 feet. The coastline is magnificent with wide beaches of white quartz sand, dramatic cliffs fringed by long coils of giant kelp, and myriad inlets and islets.

Fishing in the Falklands

The climate is similar to that of Great Britain although slightly warmer in the winter (May to September), and slightly cooler in the summer (November to March). Wind speeds tend to be higher. Rainfall averages between 14 and 25 inches a year (somewhat drier than Britain). The rivers tend to be slow flowing, meandering, quite shallow and of a spate style.

The water quality is generally very high as many rivers run through peat catchment and are therefore of a tea colour. Fish average 3 to 8lbs, 9-10lbs fish are not unusual with the record over 22lbs.

FISHING IN THE FALKLANDS

We offer fishing in the following areas:

San Carlos, Murrel, Warrah, Chartres, Port Salvador and Estuaries

FISHING SEASONS

Sea Trout	September to April
	September and October March and April

San Carlos is wide and meandering, up to 40 yards across and slow flowing, with several miles of good fishing water. It rises between Wickham Heights and White Mountain and flows into the Falkland Sound through a long estuary and Port San Carlos. It is an easy drive from Stanley and there is more than enough room for four rods.

Fishing in the Falklands

Murrel produces excellent sea trout fishing both in the river and the estuary close to Stanley. It is a short river - no more than seven miles long and rises on the eastern slopes of Mount Vernet flowing eastwards into a four-mile long estuary north of Stanley.

Warrah rises in the foothills of Mount Robinson and Muffler Jack Mountain at the northern end of West Falkland. It is about 20 miles long and offers splendid sport, with a reputation for the size of its fish rather than vast numbers. There is plenty of room for 6 rods. There are several good pools on the Green Hill Stream, the only significant tributary of the Warrah. The sea pool is an interesting walk from the Warrah/Greenhill junction and you will be able to fish other small pools on the way down.

Chartres is highly productive and many people's favourite Falklands river. While large sea trout may occasionally be caught, it is known chiefly for numbers of 3 to 6lb fish and for its consistency, bags of ten fish or more. Smaller than the Warrah, it rises in the south-western foothills of the Hornby Mountains and flows for 15 miles before running into the sea at Christmas Harbour.

Fishing in the Falklands

Port Salvador is a huge inland sea which almost cuts off the north-east corner of East Falkland from the rest of the island. It is connected to the South Atlantic by a channel less than a mile wide and is very fertile. At times its beaches are literally smothered with bright orange krill. There are numerous stream-fed creeks which provide good sport.

Estuaries are not to be underestimated as a fishing challenge. There is some excellent fishing near the lodge at Port Howard at Culverts Pool and in Boundary Creek. Tidal areas within easy reach of Stanley also offer good sport. Should river conditions not be good, estuary fishing for sea trout is a good alternative, with the opportunity to catch the sporting mullet.

The wildlife in the Falklands is simply fantastic and it is worth combining your fishing holiday with some wildlife watching. Whether you are a keen ornithologist or not, you will find the bird-life fascinating - partly of course, because they are so easy to observe. Some are extremely rare - the Flightless Steamer Duck and the Striated Caracara, for example. Sheer numbers often surprise visitors - in places there are simply thousands of Rockhopper Penguins. The most important areas are:

Rockhopper penguin

Bleaker Island’s varied coastline includes great lengths of inviting white sandy beaches separated by sheltered coves. Within an easy 2-mile walk from the settlement you will find breeding colonies of gentoo, rockhopper and magellanic penguins, sea lions, white tufted, striated and crested caracaras. Big Pond is a popular haunt of silvery and white tufted grebes, speckled and silver teal, black necked swans and sometimes the rare steamer duck. There are at least 37 species of birds known to breed on the island.

Darwin retains much evidence of the gauchos who once lived there. Accommodation is in Darwin Lodge where facilities for visitors include excursions to Goose Green, riding and golf.

Magellanic penguins on Weddell Island

Pebble Island is run as a sheep farm. It is scenic and attractive and has some of the most important wetlands and therefore, wildfowl breeding areas in the Islands. It is also the only place in the Falklands where all six species of penguin have been sighted – magellanic, gentoo, rockhopper, macaroni, king and erect crested. The island is also home to a large concentration of sea lions.

Port Howard is a sheep farming settlement from which the 200,000-acre Port Howard farm operates. The forty or so inhabitants tend approximately 42,000 sheep and 800 cattle. A stay at the lodge can include a boat trip to Narrows Island, home to hundreds of sea birds and many rare plants. On the way, visitors may see dolphins, sea lions and albatross. Land Rover trips can be arranged to other wildlife areas and settlements on West Falklands.

Elephant seal

Salvador, on the north coast of East Falkland, is one of the Falklands’ best kept secrets. Along the majestic coastline of white sand beaches and rocky outcrops, there is an abundance of wildlife, including five kinds of penguin, as well as elephant seals and sea lions, along with numerous birds. Self-catering accommodation is at Gibraltar Station, a traditional sheep farm which has been home to the Pitiluga family for five generations.

Saunders Island

Saunders Island was originally developed by the British Military as a Rest & Recuperation centre for the Falklands garrison. The island has several colonies of the spectacular black-browed albatross and at ‘The Neck’, four species of penguin vie for attention including king penguins. Accommodation is either in a self catering cabin at the ‘Neck’ or at the Farm.

Sea Lion Island

Seal

Sea Lion Island is the most southerly of the inhabited islands, with a resident population of four. All parts are accessible on foot from the comfortable Sea Lion Lodge. The island boasts a spectacular display of wildlife including elephant seals and sea lions, rockhopper, gentoo, magellanic and macaroni penguins, striated and crested caracaras and numerous shore and sea birds. Orcas can sometimes be spotted offshore.

Volunteer Point

Volunteer Point on the northeast tip of East Falkland is home to the largest colony of king penguins in the Falkland Islands with about 300 nesting pairs. As their name implies, they are the tallest and most striking of the species in the islands, standing about 3 feet high.

Weddell Island is the third largest land mass in the Falklands. An easy one-mile hike from the settlement will take you to the gentoo and Megallanic penguin colonies. Patagonian crested duck, turkey vultures and caracaras can be seen. For the more adventurous, Mount Weddell can be climbed, affording absolutely stunning views from its 1,256 ft. peak.

The islands’ plants and flowers will be of special interest to botanists and gardeners, and are at their best in November and December.

There is almost unlimited space, and in most areas you can walk all day without seeing anyone at all. There are dramatic ranges of mountains and magnificent coastal scenery almost everywhere.

The Falklands can be reached by flying with the RAF from Brize Norton to Mount Pleasant or with Lan Chile via Santiago and Punta Arenas. The RAF have four flights a month and Lan Chile operates one flight a week from Punta Arenas. We have included some price examples in our price sheet but we can put together a stay to suit you.

Accommodation in the Falklands is in small lodges which are often part of the farm settlements. They are all comfortable and food is good everywhere. In Stanley you can choose to stay at either the Upland Goose Hotel, the Malvina House Hotel or one of the excellent Bed and Breakfasts.

Why not combine a week's sea trout fishing in the Falklands with a week fishing in Torres Del Paine in Chile's Patagonia.

SAN CARLOS, WARRAH, CHARTRES

DEPARTURE DATES AND PRICES

Prices are in £ per person sharing a twin room for 11 nights.

Dates	Price
1 January to 31 December 08	£1840
1 January to 31 December 09	£2225

YOUR HOLIDAY INCLUDES

One night in Punta Arenas, 3 nights in Stanley on bed and breakfast basis with one day fishing the San Carlos, 2 nights on Sea Lion Island on full board with introductory guided tour of the island, 3 nights in Port Howard on full board with one day fishing the Warrah and one day fishing the Chartres.

International flights, meals not listed, gratuities and items of a personal nature.

SAN CARLOS, WARRAH, CHARTRES & TORRES DEL PAINE

DEPARTURE DATES AND PRICES

Prices are in £ per person sharing a twin room for 16 nights.

Dates	Price
1 January to 31 December 08	£2955
1 January to 31 December 09	£3955

YOUR HOLIDAY INCLUDES

One night in Punta Arenas on arrival, 3 nights in Stanley on bed and breakfast basis with 1 day fishing the San Carlos, 4 nights in Port Howard with two days fishing the Chartres and two days fishing the Warrah, 1 night in Punta Arenas including dinner, 1 night in Puerto Natales on full board and one days fishing, 3 nights at Estancia Lazo on full board with three days fishing, 2 nights close to Serrano River with 2 days' fishing, transfer back to Punta Arenas. Guides and transfers are included.

International flights, meals not listed, all beverages in Argentina, flights and airport taxes, gratuities and items of a personal nature.

Go Fishing Worldwide
2 Oxford House, 24 Oxford Road North, London W4 4DH
Phone: +44 (0)208 742 1556 Fax: +44 (0)208 747 4331