Fly fishing in both the West and East Cape York Peninsula offers an unparalleled adventure, especially when exploring the region aboard a mothership. The western side is known for its vast tidal flats, pristine estuaries, and remote river systems teeming with barramundi, threadfin salmon, and giant trevally. On the eastern side, the crystal-clear waters of the Great Barrier Reef provide thrilling opportunities to target species like permit, queenfish, and coral trout. Traveling by mothership allows anglers to access the most secluded and productive fishing grounds, ensuring a truly immersive and unforgettable fly fishing experience in one of Australia’s last great wildernesses.
Where You Will Fish
At the northernmost tip of Australia; across the Torres Strait from Papua New Guinea lies one of the most
robust, varied and uncrowded saltwater fisheries in the world.
Guests fly into the regional township of Weipa. Weipa can be easily accessed via Qantas Airways from all major
Australian cities within a day.
Once in Weipa you will be welcomed by the Aussie Fly Fisher team, spending the night at The Cape Fly Fishing
Lodge. From there guests venture approximately 80 kilometres north towards the small indigenous town of
Mapoon where guests board the 64 FT Mothership “Freedom,” accessing a vast fishery with more than 100 miles
of coastline that includes 11 rivers and river flats.
Your Experience
Your 7 Night / 6 Day North Mapoon fly fishing trip is completed aboard the 64 Ft New Wave Power Cat
Mothership “Freedom.” Freedom is family owned and operated by Weipa locals, Karl and Eileen Reed who have
been visiting the waters North of Mapoon for more than 20 years.
Each day angler’s fish a diversity of flats, river systems and creeks, returning to Freedom to relax in comfort and
enjoy the Northern Australian climate. Fishing is aboard our two American Made dedicated fibreglass skiffs with
a 2 Angler : 1 Guide ratio.
It is not uncommon to encounter over 30 species over the course of a weeks’ fishing. Anglers can chase high-speed pelagics like Tuna and Mackerel close inshore, sight fish on the river mouth flats for trevally, queenfish, barramundi, giant herring and mangrove jack.
And then there’s the flats fishing. The prized Indo-Pacific Permit, T.Anak, one of the “Big 4” permit species is endemic to the area providing an inviting flats challenge. Join us for an incredible adventure in one of Australia’s truly most remote fly-fishing destinations.
Your Guides
Your guides on this trip are the team from Aussie Fly Fishers.
How We Work With Aussie Fly Fishers
As a native born Australian I understand the travel distances and the key things that are important when you want to travel to a destination in Australia.
I work closely with the team at Aussie Fly Fishers to put together an end to end itinerary for you, so all you need to do is pack your bags, pick up your passport and head to the airport.
Prices are shown in Australian dollars (AUD), as the exchange rate fluctuates daily. The US Dollar is currently very strong against the AUD which means you will be paying less for your trip. The current exchange rate as at 2/16/2025 is 0.63 cents. You pay 63 cents for every $1 Australian.
Note that prices shown in the page image are starting prices only. Trips will be customized and fully quoted at time of inquiry. Prices shown do not include airfares, either internationally or domestically within Australia.
Extend Your Stay
We can assist with additional days in Australia, whether that is before or after your fishing trip. It is also possible to combine trips to different parts of Australia with different guides. Why not try different areas whilst you are there.