Aroona Fly Fishing, Australia

Aroona Fly Fishing has access to the rich waters of Australia’s east Cape York and the far northern Great Barrier Reef. These waters offer some of the most remote and untouched flats fly fishing on the planet. Anglers stay on the luxury Aroona mothership which offers a comfortable base, and excellent boat and guide team, from which to explore.

Endless fishing opportunities

The Aroona Fly Fishing trips begin in Cairns, north Queensland, where anglers board a Skytrans flight to Lockhart River. On arrival a shuttle runs the fishing groups to Portland Roads where the Aroona mothership will be waiting and ready to go. The crew transfer guests and luggage to the boat and set off with the skiffs in tow for five full days of remote saltwater fly fishing. On the final day, depending on the timing of the re-supply barge, there is potential for a morning fishing session before departure back to Cairns.

Portland Roads is the perfect start point as it gives Aroona the ability to pick the best possible locations based on the weather outlook. The options include travelling south to the Claremont Isles or north to Piper Islands/Margaret Bay with the option to fish offshore reef flats and the outer reef too. The mothership will travel at night to maximise fishing time and can adjust position daily to cover different fishing grounds if required.

The main fishing focus will be on the flats with target species including two species of permit (blochii and anak), GTs, blue bastard, triggerfish, golden trevally, queenfish, longtail tuna, milkfish, Spanish mackerel, bluefin trevally, bumphead parrotfish, Napoleon wrasse, spangled emperor, coral trout and much more.

The dates of each trip are set around optimal low tides during the day to maximise time for wading. The skiffs are fitted with electric motors for fishing during the high water times and for covering drop offs, bombies and coastal rivers for Barramundi.

Comfort on the Seas

Aroona is a 70ft Motor Yacht that runs remote luxury charters year round on the Great Barrier Reef. The vessel is designed for running extended charters to accommodate a maximum of six guests in comfort.

The accommodation for guests on board Aroona comprises three guest rooms which are all twin share (two have partitioned beds and one features a bunk configuration). Each room has its own private en-suite bathroom and individually controlled air conditioning.

Breakfast is generally served in the main saloon, dinner is upstairs on the fly bridge and there are always a few beers going down on the back deck after a day on the water. The boat is fully air conditioned and in the saloon there is a large flat screen TV to watch movies or share pictures during travel time.

The Aroona team is heavily involved in, and passionate about, the conservation and preservation of the Great Barrier Reef. They have been part of many coral research initiatives and outer reef survey trips and the crew offer a wealth of knowledge on the reef.

Aroona has spent time across the top end of Australia, into the Kimberly and is always seeking the next adventure. These East Cape York trips operate every year in October, November and December when the fly fishing is at its best.

Experience the best of Queensland

The Aroona Fly Fishing trips showcase the stunning seas off the northern Queensland coast. A trip which can be a great standalone or built into a larger fishing or combination itinerary.

With all trips starting and ending in Cairns, guests can travel with ease to other areas of Australia or stay put and take in some of the excellent adventures that can be had in this part of Queensland.