Mission WA

Solo Trek to the Other Side of the World: Chasing the Fly Fishing Dreams of Western Australia

Welcome to part one of a three-part blog series about my journey fly fishing WA and the endless adventures that await. I hope you enjoy the post and find it fuelling your passion for fly fishing.

PART I

First Cast: Meet the Angler

G’day fellow fly fishos, I’m Johannes, originally from the crowded and rainy city of Frankfurt, Germany, but my heart has always been drawn to the wild (and warmer) waters where each cast opens the door to more nature and outdoor adventures. My love affair with fishing began at the tender age of five when I first stepped into a fishing store in Austria (not Australia 😊). The array of gear, the scent of new tackle, and the promise of outdoor adventures captivated my young imagination. My fascination with fishing grew so strong that it was even highlighted in my first year's school certificate.

It wasn’t until I was 11, after watching the iconic film “A River Runs Through It,” that I discovered fly fishing. Captivated by the skill and precision required, it marked the beginning of my enduring enthusiasm for the sport and the start of a lifelong passion.

In my early days, I started fly fishing in my hometown’s local trout stream, “Schwarzbach” using a 6wt fly rod - a birthday present from my parents and nymphs I had tied myself using the fly tying starter kit I bought with my pocket money.

However, I was drawn to the allure of larger waters from day one. I ventured into the broader currents of the rivers Main and Rhein with a small inflatable boat as my companion. There, I embraced the challenge of targeting bigger species like Zander, Asp, and Pike on fly. This not only deepened my connection to the sport but also kept alive my dream of living by the sea, in a place where I could fully immerse myself in fly fishing. This longing fuelled my ambition and prepared me for bigger waters (and adventures) ahead.

My fly fishing journey took a salty turn in 2008 during an internship in Florida, the “sport fishing capital of the world”, where I first experienced the thrill of saltwater fly fishing and sight fishing on the flats. I targeted Tarpon, Bonefish, Permit, Redfish and Snook in saltwater, and ventured to catch Peacock Bass in the canals. This experience ignited a mad-keen obsession, and soon I found myself spending nights tying saltwater flies and weekends driving to the Keys or Everglades to chase a rising tide. Ever since then, trout fishing just hasn't been the same 😉.

After my transformative experience in Florida, my passion for fly fishing took me around the world to explore, and DIY trips became my preferred way to fish some very remote spots. I cast my lines in the turquoise waters of Los Roques, Venezuela, navigated the flats of Belize, and explored the expansive shallows of Yucatán, Mexico. Further adventures took me to the Seychelles, the crystal-clear lagoons of the Maldives, and the white sand flats surrounding Lakshadweep, India. I pursued big Bonefish in Hawaii and hunted monster GTs on the pancake flats of Kiritimati. My journey also included fishing for Triggerfish in Sudan, experiencing the varied landscapes of New Zealand, exploring the vibrant marine life of Oman, and venturing to the remote islands of Socotra and Abd Al Kuri in Yemen, amongst many more. Each location offered not only a test of my angling abilities but also an appreciation for the diverse beauty of our planet.

In 2012, my backpacking adventures brought me to Western Australia. Travelling across this vast, stunning landscape in a camper van for one year, I discovered its endless fishing opportunities. WA's rugged coastlines, remote islands, and abundant flats introduced me to some of the most diverse and exciting fishing I had ever encountered. I fell in love with WA’s natural beauty, and I knew I had to find a way to return permanently.

The opportunity arose in 2021 when I pitched the idea of opening a subsidiary for my company in Perth. The proposal, dubbed “Mission 2021”, was enthusiastically received by our management board. Despite challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic and temporarily closed WA borders, we persevered. In 2023, I finally relocated to WA to run the new subsidiary and immerse myself in the boundless fly fishing opportunities WA has to offer.

Now settled in Perth, I’ve hit the ground running, or rather, casting. I bought a 3.85m tinny and with a bit of creativity and elbow grease, transformed it into a flats skiff (or more a “ghetto skiff”). Aptly named the “Flats Flamingo”, it was a budget-friendly way to get me on the water instead of wishing I had a boat.

In 2020, while living in Germany - where the weather is less than ideal for the better part of the year and my fishing opportunities were limited to just a handful of trips annually - I founded “Fins Out Flies”. This brand, an online shop for saltwater flies and apparel, was born from my desire to stay connected to the fly fishing game. The shop quickly became successful, supported by a cool Instagram profile and website. However, keeping up with the orders proved to be more time-consuming than I anticipated. With my upcoming move to Australia, I made the difficult decision to temporarily close the shop. But there are big plans on the horizon for reopening “Fins Out Flies” as an Australian business in the coming year, with some very exciting developments in the works.

That's it for now, just a glimpse into my journey. Stay tuned for part two, “Casting Back: The WA Journey So Far”, which is coming soon.

Tight lines,

Johannes