Fly Fishing on the Falkland Islands

East Falkland with its more than 6600 km² is the larger of the two main Falkland Islands.

Lafonia, the very flat part to the south, is sparsely populated.
The real life of the entire Falkland Islands takes place on the northern part of East Falkland.

A very scenic mountain range stretches from the westernmost part to the east, including summits with illustrious names such as Wickham Heights and Pleasant Peak. Its flanks are frequently rimmed by the so-called "Stone Runs“. These are quartzite blocks stemming from the last ice age, lining these slopes like waterfalls that drain down the steeps.

No doubt you will be rendered just as speechless at the sight as Charles Darwin was when he first perceived them in 1833.

Of the approximately 2900 inhabitants of the entire Falkland Islands, around 2000 live in the capital Stanley and another 1700 military personnel are settled around the Mount Pleasant base.

If you want to try out local pubs and buy groceries in the immediate neighbourhood, you are well advised to set up your quarters in tranquil Stanley.

All fishing spots on East Falkland can be reached within a radius of 20 minutes up to 2 hours driving time.
Characteristic for fishing on East Falkland is that you mainly fish in the tidal areas.

A big advantage that has to be considered is that you can go fishing independently with your rental car.
Some fishing spots can easily be reached via the road where you can also park your car. Unfortunately, but understandably, any off-road driving on the Falkland Islands is prohibited by the car rental companies.

If you want to fish on the Murrel, Estancia, San Carlos River and the Frying Pan, a home base in Stanley is actually recommended.
Fishing trips to these rivers are easy to do on day trips.

For the bays and rivers in the west of the East Falkland Islands, such as Port San Carlos Bay, Port Sussex Bay, Swan Inlet, L´Antioja and Bodie Creek, it makes much more sense to stay in their respective vicinity. Like at "Trout Court" or "Racepoint Farm". A really cosy and highly recommendable stay!

Culverts

Until the 1980s there were no paved roads on the Camp and all trips were "off-road".

After the Falklands War, immense financial support from the mother country England came flooding in, complemented by a lot of capital from the sale of fishing licenses. Therefore the administration of the Falkland Islands was able to spend vast amounts of money to connect all settlements with good roads and to pull them out from the "OFF".

So one could not avoid having to build one or the other route above water. Or could they? Huge pipes were used in a very uncomplicated way to divert rivers or tides - sometimes with tremendous currents - beneath the roads. You will find a particularly large number of these so-called "culverts“ on East Falkland.

And where there is water, there is also fish.
At certain times you will find them in large swarms in the vicinity of the "culverts".
Angling permits around the pipes are handled differently. Always check out what the regulations are with the landowner.

With the kind support of:

Falkland Islands Fly.Fishing

Culverts