A handful of destinations around the world offer fly fishing enthusiasts the opportunity to target multiple species – perfect for those wanting to maximise their fishing experience. Each offers a unique opportunity to cast a line at a diverse range of fish in a stunning environment. Here are Aardvark McLeod’s top six spots for species variety:
Seychelles – A saltwater Fly Fishing paradise
The Seychelles Atolls of Alphonse, Cosmoledo, Farqhuar, Astove and Providence are famous for their superb saltwater fly fishing, boasting over 60 different species to target with a fly rod. Many visitors will start with bonefish, the silver shadows of the flats, before progressing on to milkfish, triggerfish, bumphead parrotfish, permit and the formidable giant trevally.
Fly Fishing in Iceland – a bucket-list freshwater destination
Iceland offers exceptional fly fishing opportunities for Atlantic salmon, brown trout, and Arctic char. Rivers like the Laxá I Adaldal and Blanda are famous for their salmon runs, while the Highlands region is superb for brown trout and Arctic char. Other top picks include Lake Thingvallavatan, the European equivalent of Argentina’s Jurassic Lake, where fish have reached an incredible 30lb. Dramatic scenery, lively culture in Reykjavik and plenty of non-fishing attractions all add to the charm here.
UK – multi species fishing adventures on the doorstep
Fly fishing in the UK offers a wonderfully varied experience for anglers wanting to target multiple species across a range of settings. While trout and salmon are the traditional focus, many fisheries and rivers provide opportunities to catch grayling, perch, and pike on the fly. The English chalkstreams are steeped in history and offer some the finest clear water dry fly and nymph fishing to be found anywhere in the world. Scottish and Welsh salmon rivers challenge anglers with powerful migratory fish, while various still water settings provide a great opportunity for beginners to start their fishing career.
Alaska – The freshwater equivalent of saltwater flats fishing
Alaska represents one of the world’s last true wildernesses. An expanse that allows you to escape, enjoy some truly stunning vistas, amazing wildlife and experience superb fly fishing. Alaska’s pristine freshwater rivers and lakes are home to all five species of Pacific salmon: king, sockeye, coho, pink, and chum. Fishermen can also pursue steelhead, northern pike, Arctic grayling, rainbow trout, and Dolly Varden char. There really is a lodge for everyone up here whether you are a seasoned salmon fly fisher or looking to dabble your toes into fly fishing travel.
Oman – Multiple permit species and plenty more
The southern Oman coastline stretches for over 1,500km along the Arabian sea and Gulf of Oman. Relatively undisturbed, the waters here provide the perfect environment for an array of fish species to thrive. The waters are generally clear, allowing anglers to spot their quarry from afar resulting in thrilling challenges for those in pursuit of the fish of a lifetime. Oman has become known as a great destination for permit with both the African and Indo-Pacific permit in good numbers here. Giant trevally, queenfish, dorado, yellow fin tuna and sailfish are among the other species to target here.
Australia – Salt and freshwater opportunities
Australia is a vast fly fishing destination with seemingly endless opportunities in both the salt and freshwater arenas. It fits the bill whether you are looking for a specialist fishing trip, a combination of fishing and travel or a location where you can sneak in a fishing rod but not get into too much trouble. Exmouth, in the remote far north west, offers plenty of variety with Indo-Pacific permit, giant trevally, golden trevally, queenfish, cobia and big bonefish. The fishery is huge, and broken down into three principal areas; bluewater, the Ningaloo reef system and the gulf fishery offering a home to an aggregation of semi-temperate and tropical species of fish. Queensland provides some good opportunities too, with black marlin, sailfish, giant trevally, queenfish and coral trout among the fish to target here. Accommodation options range from liveaboards to luxury lodges.
For more information on any of our fly fishing destinations please contact Peter McLeod or Alex Jardine, alternatively you can call us on +44(0)1980 847389.