One of the growing, but still largely undiscovered attractions in the South Atlantic, this group of islands is the best researched and most promising for the angler. How else? Natural and spacious, enjoying clean air and majestic scenery.
The whole development of sea trout fishing in the Falklands has taken place in less than a lifetime. Nature left the Islands with only the Falkland trout (aplochiton zebra) which is not a trout or even a char, and a few minor species in its rivers. The first real trout (Salmo trutta) were introduced less than forty years ago, but a fast growing migratory strain quickly became established and spread around the islands, giving us today some of the finest sea trout fishing in the world.
Sea trout 2 to 5lbs are common, and many fish in excess of 10lbs are taken every season. The best recorded sea trout taken on a fly to date was 22 3/4lbs, caught on the San Carlos River by Alison Faulkner.
The main sea trout rivers the Warrah and Chartres on West Falkland and the San Carlos on East Falkland are ideal for fly fishing, with treeless banks being free of casting obstructions. However a strong wind often blows, so this is no place for a poor caster with mediocre tackle.
Most rivers have fair numbers of resident brown trout, but most are small, dark fish, typical of acid rivers.
The commercial route flies via South America, where Lan Chile operates a weekly Saturday service linking Santiago and Punta Arenas in Chile with Mount Pleasant, Falkland Islands. Alternatively, a limited number of seats are available on the RAF Tristar service, which flies direct from the UK via Ascension Island. This service departs six times a month.
There is accommodation for fishermen at Stanley, Port San Carlos, Darwin and Port Howard. There are also lodges in wildlife centres (fishermen may like to take some time off to see the large colonies of penguins, seals and other wildlife).
Map of the major sea trout rivers of the Falkland Islands
The Falkland Islands Tourist Board office is at Falkland House, 14 Broadway, Westminster, London, SW1H 0BH. (tel: 020 7222 2542; web: Falkland Islands Government - | Falkland Islands Government - Home). A useful website is Falkland Islands: Welcome.
The whole development of sea trout fishing in the Falklands has taken place in less than a lifetime. Nature left the Islands with only the Falkland trout (aplochiton zebra) which is not a trout or even a char, and a few minor species in its rivers. The first real trout (Salmo trutta) were introduced less than forty years ago, but a fast growing migratory strain quickly became established and spread around the islands, giving us today some of the finest sea trout fishing in the world.
Sea trout 2 to 5lbs are common, and many fish in excess of 10lbs are taken every season. The best recorded sea trout taken on a fly to date was 22 3/4lbs, caught on the San Carlos River by Alison Faulkner.
The main sea trout rivers the Warrah and Chartres on West Falkland and the San Carlos on East Falkland are ideal for fly fishing, with treeless banks being free of casting obstructions. However a strong wind often blows, so this is no place for a poor caster with mediocre tackle.
Most rivers have fair numbers of resident brown trout, but most are small, dark fish, typical of acid rivers.
The commercial route flies via South America, where Lan Chile operates a weekly Saturday service linking Santiago and Punta Arenas in Chile with Mount Pleasant, Falkland Islands. Alternatively, a limited number of seats are available on the RAF Tristar service, which flies direct from the UK via Ascension Island. This service departs six times a month.
There is accommodation for fishermen at Stanley, Port San Carlos, Darwin and Port Howard. There are also lodges in wildlife centres (fishermen may like to take some time off to see the large colonies of penguins, seals and other wildlife).
Map of the major sea trout rivers of the Falkland Islands
The Falkland Islands Tourist Board office is at Falkland House, 14 Broadway, Westminster, London, SW1H 0BH. (tel: 020 7222 2542; web: Falkland Islands Government - | Falkland Islands Government - Home). A useful website is Falkland Islands: Welcome.