Chartres River

The Chartres runs through central West Falkland to the sea at Christmas Harbour and is one of the best sea trout rivers in the islands, fish running up from salt water through the summer and holding in the pools. The country around it is open camp, treeless and windswept, with diddle-dee and white grass. Fishing is by permit and access crosses private land, so arrangements are made in advance.

Background

The Chartres and the Warrah are the two largest rivers on West Falkland. The Chartres rises where two streams meet on Mount Moody, part of the Hornby Mountains, and runs west for some 25 kilometres to Christmas Harbour on King George Bay. It takes its name from Dr William Chatres, ship's surgeon on HMS Philomel during its survey of the islands in the 1840s. In 1928 local farmers built a wooden bridge 120 feet long some 8 miles upriver of the settlement, for use at high tide, when horses and sheep could not cross at the ford. Sampling in 1999 found the river 25 metres wide in places, at around 7.8 °C.

Source: Wikipedia, "Chartres River"

What's there

• The sea trout - fish running up from salt water through the summer.
• The pools - the holding water along the river's course.
• The open camp - treeless windswept country on both banks.
• The river mouth - the outflow at Christmas Harbour.

When to go

October to April is the fishing season, with the best runs from around January. Winter closes the season. Wind is the limiting factor on any day.

Practical notes

Fishing requires a permit and permission from the landowner arranged in advance. There is no shelter on the river and the wind makes casting hard. Access needs four wheel drive.

Nearby

Port Howard is east, and Fox Bay is south.

Key facts