Two Weeks of Saltwater Fly Fishing in Australia’s Far North

This adventure took my fishing partner Marco and me first to the rugged and remote wilderness of Cape York in Northern Queensland for one week. We then continued to the legendary Wessel Islands for another week – one of Australia’s most remote and untouched island groups, located not far from Papua New Guinea.

Traveling there was straightforward with Singapore Airlines, flying from Frankfurt via Singapore to Cairns. We took the opportunity to spend two relaxing days in the tropics before our first fishing adventure in Australia’s far north began.

Both the Cape York program and the Wessel Islands expedition are operated by Aussie Fly Fisher, led by Joshua Hutchins and his team. The organization was outstanding from the very beginning, and this level of professionalism continued throughout the entire trip.

Red dirt roads, endless wilderness, and remote river systems define Cape York – a region that has long achieved legendary status among fly anglers. Located at the northern tip of Queensland, the peninsula is widely regarded as one of Australia’s last great fishing frontiers.

Cape York is particularly famous for the T. Anak Permit, an endemic Australian permit species regularly encountered on its vast flats. In addition, Blue Bastards, Golden Trevallies, Tuskfish, and occasionally impressive Giant Trevallies provide exciting and highly diverse fishing opportunities.

Aussie Fly Fisher offers an exclusive all-inclusive operation based out of the comfortable Cape Lodge. Four custom-designed hybrid skiffs provide access to the extensive flats and river systems. Group sizes are intentionally limited to a maximum of eight anglers per week, ensuring a premium experience.

As with many world-class saltwater destinations, weather played a major role. During our six fishing days, we experienced one exceptional day that produced four landed permits along with plenty of by-catch. Two additional days were highly productive, while strong winds and changing conditions slowed us down on three days.

Despite the variable weather, the fishing exceeded our expectations by a considerable margin. Particularly impressive was the diversity of species and the opportunity to sight-fish for permit – considered by many saltwater fly anglers to be the ultimate challenge.

The guides, boats, accommodation, and food were all first-class and left absolutely nothing to be desired.

Australia’s Ultimate Saltwater Fly Fishing Destination

When it comes to saltwater fly fishing in Australia, few places can rival the Wessel Islands. The combination of incredible species diversity, pristine wilderness, and complete isolation makes this fishery truly unique.

After our week in Cape York, we returned to Cairns and continued the same day on a Qantas flight to Gove in the Northern Territory. Following an overnight stay, the second chapter of our adventure began. The next morning, we boarded our 70-foot mothership, Wildcard, which would serve as our home for the week as we explored the vast island chain of the Wessel Islands.

The archipelago consists of approximately 50 large and small islands, located about 70 kilometers off the mainland and stretching roughly 120 kilometers along Australia’s northern coastline. Crystal-clear sand flats, mangrove-lined bays, rocky channels, and small freshwater creeks create an incredibly diverse habitat supporting a remarkable range of fish species.

At present, Aussie Fly Fisher, in partnership with Wildcard Luxury Tours, is the only licensed operator with access to these largely untouched waters.

Of particular interest to fly anglers are the two permit species, T. Anak and T. Blochii, both regularly encountered on the flats. Adding to the challenge are the legendary Blue Bastard and Blackspot Tuskfish, species capable of testing both angler and equipment with every cast.

However, the Wessel Islands offer far more than world-class permit fishing. The mangrove creeks, shallow flats, and rocky island channels are home to Queenfish, Barramundi, Giant Trevally, Spanish Mackerel, Golden Trevally, Brassy Trevally, and many other tropical predators.

During our stay, we were fortunate to enjoy stable weather conditions throughout the week. The fishing was exceptional and once again exceeded our expectations.

What stood out most was the combination of outstanding fishing and the comfort aboard the Wildcard. Guides, skiffs, accommodation, and cuisine were all exceptionally well organized – professional in every respect, yet delivered with the relaxed and welcoming Australian style.

Two weeks, two completely different destinations, and countless unforgettable experiences.

Cape York and the Wessel Islands could hardly be more different, yet they complement each other perfectly. While Cape York captivates anglers with its rugged wilderness, remote river systems, and famous Anak Permit, the Wessel Islands impress with spectacular island scenery, extraordinary species diversity, and complete isolation.

For passionate saltwater fly anglers, both destinations undoubtedly rank among Australia’s most exciting and rewarding fisheries.

A heartfelt thank you goes to Joshua Hutchins and the entire Aussie Fly Fisher team. From the initial planning stages through to the final day on the water, everything ran seamlessly. The passion, professionalism, and hospitality of the entire crew made this trip a truly exceptional experience – one that we will remember for many years to come.

More information: https://aussieflyfisher.com/

.

Tight Lines! 🎣🇦🇺
Stephan Kreupl