Sportfishing Adventures - Issue 1 | Q1 2018

ISSUE #1 | Q1 2018

SPORTFISHING ADVENTURES T H E

W O R L D ' S

B E S T

F I S H I N G

D E S T I N A T I O N S

SEYCHELLES THE OUTER ATOLLS

BRAZIL

USA

FLORIDA TARPON

AMAZON PEACOCKS

NORWAY WILD LAKES & RIVERS

SOUTH AFRICA YELLOWS OF KALAHARI

MOZAMBIQUE BAZARUTO ISLAND

TESTED AND APPROVED : 3 GREAT PIKE LURES FROM STORM

CONTENT ISSUE 01 | Q1 2018 4

Editorial

57

Pike Artillery

8

News

64

Interview

10

Brazil

66

Norway

24

Florida

84

Mozambique

102

Seychelles

38 54

News from sportfishing industry

Amazon peacocks

Gulfside tarpon

South Africa Yellows of Kalahari

New Gear

A selection of new tackle & gear

3 great Storm pike lures

Peter Mcleod

Wild lakes and rivers

Bazaruto Island

The outer atolls

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8 38 57 84

64 102

EDITORIAL Welcome to the first issue of Sportfishing Adventures magazine and thank you for accessing your copy. We hope you will enjoy the reading experience and find it entertaining and informative.

Dylan Smith Editor in Chief

Our mission is to provide you with interesting and engaging stories on exciting angling destinations around the world with tips and advice for both fishing and travel. We aim to inform and inspire you with articles, photos and embedded interactivity which will allow you to prepare your next fishing and travel adventure.

Conservation and natural resource preservation is of particular importance to us and we will feature related content in each issue. Quite logically, we practice, preach and promote a no-kill, catch and release style of fishing and encourage you to do so as well.

In this inaugural issue, we’re taking you to destinations that are not only excellent for adrenaline-filled fishing but also for vacationing and discovery.

Mozambique, Florida, South Africa and the Indian ocean’s atolls all propose numerous options and can be found in the pages to follow.

We hope to engage in a regular dialog with our readership and can be reached on Twitter, Facebook and by email from within the magazine. We encourage and enthusiastically welcome your comments, suggestions and criticism…please don’t hestitate to tell us what you think!

Wishing you happy reading, safe travels and tight lines,

Dylan Smith

SPORTFISHING ADVENTURES T H E

W O R L D ' S

B E S T

F I S H I N G

D E S T I N A T I O N S

Editor in chief Dylan SMITH

Contributors Rudy Van Duijnhoven Christiaan Kruger Dorian Joseph Alex Jardine Jonathan Boulton Keith Rose-Innes Bonefish & Tarpon Trust team

Special thanks Mavungana Fly Fishing Aardvark Mcleod Alphonse Fishing Co Storm Lures

Sportfishing Adventures magazine, published quarterly, is independently owned and operated by DMS Editions.

Opinions expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher. No part of this magazine can be reproduced without prior permission.

For inquiries, contact the editor: editor@sportfishing-adventures.com

WORLD MAP ISSUE'S DESTINATIONS

WHERE ARE WE TAKI

NORWAY

FLORIDA, USA

BRAZIL 6

ISSUE'S DESTINATIONS WORLD MAP

ING YOU THIS TIME ?

SEYCHELLES

MOZAMBIQUE

SOUTH AFRICA 7

NEWS WORLDWIDE FISHING

IGFA'S ANNUAL FISHING CONTEST Running from October 1, 2017 through September 1, 2018, the IGFA's Annual Fishing Contest is divided into three categories : - Conventional : includes spinning, casting and trolling tackle, with a maximum line weight class of 130lb.

- Fly fishing : includes standard fly fishing and spey tackle, with a maximum tippet class of 20lb

AUSSIE GRANDER CAUGHT OFF EXMOUTH On January 1, out of Exmouth, angler Clay Hilbert with game skipper Eddy Lawler and his crew from Peak Sportfishing Adventures landed a 1089.7 pound (496.3 kilogram) blue marlin. The monsterous fish fought for nearly 4 hours on a 130lb line. It is the new pending national record for blue marlin. The latest similar catch goes back in 1966 when Cairns-based angler George Bransford weighed a 1064lb black marlin, the first grander ever caught in Australia.

- Junior : Eligible ages 16 and under, conventionnal tackle only (catches made on fly tackle by Juniors are only eligible for the fly fishing category).

For a catch to be entered into the contest, the angler has to be a paid member of IGFA. Catches made by non-IGFA members can be registered for the contest after the angler has become an IGFA member.

For more info click here

BANKRUPT WHOLESALER MAURICE ACQUIRED BY MIDDLETON PARTNERS One of the biggest fishing tackle wholesaler in America, Maurice Sporting Goods, has found a partner to strengthen the company's balance sheet. After filing for bankruptcy in Delaware on November 20, Maurice Sporting Goods reached an agreement to sell itself to Middleton Partners, a private investment firm. With its financial challenges being resolved, the company expects to "reclaim its position as the dominant sporting goods distributor in the nation� with investments planned to support growth this year.

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WORLDWIDE FISHING NEWS

GARMIN ACQUIRES NAVIONICS The US-based company Garmin is one of the technology leaders in the marine industry. Their many products include everything from depth sounders to radar systems, chart plotters to cameras. With the acquisition of Navionics, an Italy-based navigational chart supplier and application for boaters, Garmin is looking to increase the coverage and quality of their software maps, by combining their BlueChart® and LakeVü™ content with Navionics 's content. To read the full press release, click here.

EU BANS ELECTRIC FISHING On January 16th, members of the European Parliament have voted to ban commercial fishing using an electric current in EU waters, so-called pulse fishing. This technique stuns fish living on the bottom of the sea, forcing them to swim upwards, where they're more easily trapped in the nets. The French conservation group Bloom is leading the campaign against electric fishing. They say the technique harms the fish it is designed to catch and kills marine life that is supposed to be left alone. On their side, the Dutch say it "does less damage to our seas and the life there, saves fuel and has less unwanted by-catch." The decision, however, caused cheers and applause in the European Parliament.

Thomas Wæver (left) and Zoltán Szabó.

WILEY X'S NEW DEAL WITH HUNGARIAN DISTRIBUTOR Wiley X, one of the world's leading polarised eyewear manufacturers, has confirmed another distribution deal with Hungarian-based Fishmedia.hu, as its official distributor in Hungary. In addition to being one of the top fishing destinations in Europe, there is an estimated 400,000 anglers in Hungary, making it a prolific fishing market. "I look forward to working with Zoltan (Zoltan Szabo, founder and managing director of Fishmedia) and his team to reveal the Wiley X brand to the anglers and fishing shops in this truly great fishing country" said Thomas Wæver, Wiley X EMEA vice president and outdoor director.

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AMAZON PEACOCKS OF BRAZIL CHASING THE MIGHTY CICHLA TEMENSIS IN THE BRAZILIAN RAINFOREST. Text and photography by Jonathan Boulton

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F

or many of us the Amazon jungle is just another intriguing piece on the Discovery Channel, images of an impenetrable canopy, aghast with crawlers, creepers and slitherers.

Sipping your cup of tea you find yourself wondering if the film crew ever even made it out of there alive, psychologically scarred or sporting some reoccurring itch that will baffle tropical surgeons for years to come. While the saftey of your armchair armed only with the remote control might seem like the most sensible means of exploring the jungle, the Amazon is a spectacle that really needs to be experienced.

And to see it armed with a fishing rod - well let's just say you will never look at a long fishless day on your favourite salmon river, with leaking waders and biting midges quite the same again!

For several years I have been leading groups of intrepid anglers to the depths of the Amazon jungle. Fishing primarily for peacock bass mostly on fly, it’s a trip often regarded as a once off, a trip to tick off your bucket list and be able to say you have been there, done that and got the t-shirt. However, of all the fishing adventures around the world I host, my trip to the heart of the Amazon has by far the greatest impact on anglers, and is a trip generates the most repeat bookings. The Amazon jungle is a vast un-spoilt wilderness, a fact only grasped when boarding the light aircraft at Manaus, the city on the edge of the jungle. Manaus is the capitol of the Brazilian state of Amazonas the largest state in the country, twice the size of Texas and can have Spain squeezed into it more than twice! After climbing to a cruise altitude of anything around three to five 12

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Venturing through the tributaries is an amazing experience. You never get bored of the sight-seeing break between one fishing spot to another.

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The amazon forest is one of the most humid places on earth, creating a rich bio-diversity. thousand feet all that can be seen from horizon to horizon is the soft green carpet that is the top of the jungle canopy. Inevitably one slips away into a light sleep lulled by the drone of the engines and the tiredness of hours of international travel.

After an hour and half the pitch of the engine changes, awakening you to the fact that something is happening, still horizon to horizon forest, punctuated with a winding tea coloured river with beautifully contrasting white sand banks.

It's at this point that you realise that the word ‘remote’ does not do justice to just how removed

you are from everything and just how far any form of civilisation is, apart from the camp located on the Agua Boa River that will be your home for the week ahead.

The Amazon basin is a massive system and of course it is never the Amazon River itself that one fishes, this is kilometres wide, deep featureless and heavily sediment laden. The best sport fishing is found on the distant tributaries of the main river. The southern tributaries are fished though the months of June, July, August and September, these rivers have lower tannin loads from rotting leaf litter and pro16

If ever there was a fish that hit a fly like the fly owed it money, the Peacock is that fish

BRAZIL TRAVEL

structure orientated; so casts have to be consistently accurate, skipping the fly in under overhanging branches, tight up against the root packed bank.

Make the right presentation and before you can say to your boat partner " did you see that cast " the fish will reward you with an arm renching take. If ever there was a fish that hit a fly like the fly owed it money, the Peacock is that fish. Eight and nine weight fly rods are a perfect for the bread and butter fish of between two and five pounds, while having the backbone for that much coveted prize - the double figure, ten pounds and up, referred to as " El Grande".

Large profile baitfish patterns are lethal, a favourite though is the "Baby Peacock" the distinct olive, orange and yellow colouration with black barring, unashamedly mimicking the colour of their very own young that they will mercilessly inhale.

A hooked trophy Peacock will turn tail and head back into the structure with such force you may well wish it was a heavy ten weight you were wielding.

Leader material, like the quarry is unsubtly brutal, no tapered leaders, a simple short, six foot length of the most abrasion resistant, 40 -60 pound monofilament depending upon water clarity. Peacocks are suckers for a surface popper, and while fishing top water will not produce the same amount of hook ups as the sinking line, damn it – it’s fun to see them explode on your fly!

When the light changes from a dull grey to a firey red, and the primordial sound of the jungle coming to life is indescribable.

Your guide pulls his comfortable flat bottomed aluminium skiff up along the sand banks after breakfast, and loads your rods and lunch, his cooler brimming with mineral water, soft drinks, beers and ice. After ap-

vide exciting sight fishing. The price to pay is a high number of biting insects including mosquitoes and the merciless " nosee ums ". The Northern tributaries, flowing into the Branco and Negro, are often referred to as " black water" systems, with higher levels of leaf litter the conditions are not at all conducive to waterborne insects and anglers enjoy the day un-harassed.

While there is quite a lot of sight fishing for cruising or busting fish, the main modus operandi is casting to snags.

The fishing is very stimulating in that Peacock Bass are hugely

Accuracy is very important as predators remain hidden around the many obstacles.

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The peacock bass (Cichla Temensis) is the largest member of the cichlid family that are native to the Amazon River Basin of South America. They have sandpaper-like mouths similar to that of a largemouth bass, and therefore can be handled safely by the lower jaw.

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Along with peacock bass, you can encounter the odd looking arowana (top) and the vicious aimara (bottom).

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A selection of colorful flies for the Amazon tributaries.

plying suntan cream and taking care of all the other important procedures before a long day in the boat, it’s off up river.

The sweet intoxicating ozone rich air invigorates you as you head upstream, “probably the cleanest air I will ever breathe” my boat partner said to me one morning – not wrong I thought!

Each bend in the river promises something new, a burst of colour as startled Macaws tumble out of the canopy, startled by the intrusion of the boat. The splash and swirl as a Cayman dashes off a sandbank taking refuge in the dark depths of a back lagoon. All of sudden the guide comes off the throttle, cuts the engine and drops down his electric trolling

motor, allowing him to silently sneak into the fish filled backwaters. Always an exhilarating sighting is pale anemic looking freshwater dolphins which playfully roll past the boat. The Giant Amazonian otters hunt in packs, crashing through the undergrowth they corral fish into the shallows with the delicacy of a dozen Labradors let lose in a duck pond!

I have heard Jaguar before but never been lucky enough to catch a glimpse of them. This year a retired couple that have been fishing the Amazon with me for a long time were taking a long lunch break. Mrs was snoozing in the hammock that had been put up by the guide in the shade and 21

This Brazilian squirrel monkey was intrigued by the anglers.

TRAVEL BRAZIL

When protecting their young, peacocks become extremely territorial and aggressive, generating explosive surface strikes.

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BRAZIL TRAVEL

Mr had put out a dead piranha bait to tempt the giant redtail catfish, quietly tied up against the shore they could not believe their luck when, not too far, above them two Jaguar slipped in the water to cross the river and the current bought them right past the boat! After lunch a refreshing swim will wash the cob webs away, swimming is perfectly safe, the Caymen and plentiful Piranha have so much fish available to them the they won’t be bothering trying to snack on us.

The afternoon session often produces the better fish for me, I am not sure if it’s a change in conditions or just that one’s senses are sharpened, you know what you are looking for, your casting has improved and your just more in

touch with what’s going on. Before you know it the sun is low in the sky and your guide unceremoniously lifts up the electric motor cranks the main outboard and announces “back to camp”.

The session has gone buy in the blink of an eye, you brain throbs from a sensory overload of what wonders it’s had to process in the day. The heat and humidity has drained you, but it’s that great, healthy, satisfied exhaustion that accompanies an aching arm from fighting fish and sore cheek muscles from grinning inanely into the camera lens, posing with yet another breathtaking fish. You reach into the cooler for a cold beer to enjoy on the run back downstream, knowing that tomorrow you’ve got to do it all over again!

INFO RECAP

Local currency is Brazilian Real.

1 USD = 3.2 Reals

The best conditions for fishing occur in the dry seasons, since the water is low and stable. However, the dry season takes place at different times throughout South America.

To check visa formalities, click here

For more information on a personally hosted trip to the remote Northern tributaries of the Amazon River in prime time contact the author: jonathan@flyfishing.co.za

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F L O R I D A ' S

10,000 ISLANDS CATCHING THE SILVER KING OF A LIFETIME Text and photography by Dorian Joseph

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FLORIDA TRAVEL

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The author hooked up and ready for a fight.

I

was on a mission. A serious mission. I absolutely had to break the spell of bad luck on my quest for a first big tarpon. Sure, I had caught some juveniles here and there and maybe some decent residents from time to time. Yet, I hadn’t had the right luck to engage in an epic battle with a worthy megalops atlanticus. This time, for sure, I was determined to change that.

Fast forward to the Paradise Coast in Southwestern Florida during the month of July. It’s a

lovely place with the typical Florida fare of beaches, sun, palm trees, fast food restaurants open 24/7 and water, water, water everywhere.

As fishermen, every time we see a body of water, we see opportunity. Are there fish in there?

There must be unsuspecting, hungry fish in there! What lure or bait would be productive?

Which technique would be best?

Such is the mind of the wayfaring angler, constantly asking oneself silly questions about how to catch fish. Southwestern Flori26

Bullsharks often take the baits. They're strong and fun to catch.

FLORIDA TRAVEL

da is perfect substrate for such ponderings. From freshwater to saltwater, from lakes and rivers to surf-fishing beaches, the Floridian angler has the luxury of an over-abundance of choice and each season brings its promise of intercepting migratory species passing through.

The 10 000 Islands area Arriving in the quaint city of Chokoloskee in scorching afternoon heat, we were greeted by military-grade squadrons of angry mosquitos and the smell of wild salt marshland. Chokoloskee might be considered the gateway into the endlessly meandering maze of creeks, keys and waterways known as the 10 000 islands. It’s not a bustling metropolis but has everything a visiting fishermen would require.

This amazing natural eco-system stretches from the Western Everglades further South nearly to Marco Island at its Northern reaches. In fact, just seeing the red mangrove (Rhizophora

mangle) infrastructure here gives you an instant understanding of their importance in the marine food chain. Two-thirds of the area is composed of red mangrove forest. In this unspoiled environment, Mother Nature rules the game and has visibly installed herself comfortably.

Nearly 200 species of fish have been documented here and over 180 species of birds frequent the area during a typical year. Mammals to be found include raccoons, river otters and of course bottle-nosed dolphins. It’s also home to some threatened and even endangered species such as the Atlantic loggerhead turtle, peregrine falcons, bald eagles and West Indian manatees.

The obligation to arm ourselves with local knowledge was clearly a necessity. Contact was made with a “good old local boy” who had a satellite image of the brackish labyrinth burned in his brain and who was able to show us around. There is definitely a tidal effect in the 10 000

Two-thirds of the area is composed of mangrove forest. In this unspoiled environment, Mother Nature rules the game and has visibly installed herself comfortably.

One of the keys to this magnificent ecosystem : the famous mangrove tree.

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When the tarpon bite isn't on, you can keep your arms warm with the numerous sharks populating these waters. This 6ft lemon shark provided an excellent warmup !

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The start of a long fight in hot conditions. islands and a boat drawing shallow draft is of good use. In our case, a 22 foot center-console would fit the bill perfectly.

Venturing into the maze Our plan was finalized, the weather was cooperating, albeit hotter than hot, and my motivation was off the chart. Some places immediately give you the feeling, if not the absolute certainty, that success is just a cast away. The 10 000 islands gave me that impression. In such a wild venue hospitable only to swimming or creepy-crawly creatures, how could this go wrong? It was with the typical hopeful enthusiasm we feel before each trip that we set off into the next day’s morning warm wind aboard a speeding boat.

I’d venture to say that you can’t do this alone. Maybe you could, but you might end up on Gilligan’s Island or like Tom Hanks in the movie Lost spending your time talking to a coconut. It’s just too dense. The waterways glide left and right for miles and miles and everything looks similar. A little key here, a mangrove forest there, marshland, trees, birds, oyster beds and endless water. Getting lost in a boat here would be instantaneous unless you were equipped with GPS or Sat-Nav capabilities and even then…

We finally idled into a tranquil mangrove-lined bay at 8 a.m. precisely in the middle of nowhere. Not a sound to be heard. Even our voices seemed to be out of place in the midst 30

I’d venture to say that you can’t do this alone.

Maybe you could, but you might end up on Gilligan’s Island or like Tom Hanks in the movie Lost spending your time talking to a coconut.

FLORIDA TRAVEL

of nature’s quiet zone. Anchor down, hopes and adrenalin up.

Time to get serious. Time to concentrate. I’m on a mission.

Tackle and technique Tackle-wise, I would be using a Shimano 6500 size spinning reel wound with braided line and a medium-action 7 foot rod. I attached a 40 pound fluorocarbon leader using my trusty connecting knot I learned on YouTube (every fishermen has his secrets…)

Lures like the WildEye Swim Shad in light colors work well on tarpon

I’d planned on using my trusty Storm bait shads that were productive for tarpon further North in the Charlotte harbor area.

You do have to work these lures attentively and concentrate on the action you impart as you try and imitate bait fish. A variety

This is why they're called silver kings !

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of sizes and colors from mackeral to white were ready to go.

For sharks, it seems in this particular area the common catfish is considered a delicacy. The routine consisted of catching medium to small catfish on shrimp with light tackle right next to the boat. Easy enough to do, just drop it, hook ‘em and the watch out for that barb! The next step required cutting the poor catfish in half and using the “tail half ” as bait. Final setup was catfish tail with 6/0 circle hook free-lined with a 2 or 3 ounce weight into the bay where there wasn’t much current.

Let the games begin Brother and Dad fooled a few lemon sharks and that made for some excitement as the morning

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Tarpon have an amazing aerial defense. This specimen battled for an hour although the water temperature was very high.

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went temperatures went directly from hot to super-hot. We suddenly spotted some rolling tarpon in the distance which reminded me I was here for a reason. Unfortunately for me, it was my pesky older brother who jumped the first tarpon of the day. It was a typical tarpon take; a bump and a nudge, then a hard rush followed by a rising line…then whoosh, aerial tarpon display as it threw hook and lure. Hate it when that happens!

Smiles and loud voices, self-critiques and perhaps a sigh of regret broke the silence as we watched the splash fade away.

can one have per second? I felt the danger of initial break-off disappear when the fish put in a massive rush while I held on admiring the arc of my rod.

It felt quite solid. Whatever it was, we were connected. I could tell by the sound and fury of the braided line screeching through the rod’s line guides that this hook-up was leading me into a fight. Just what I wanted.

My line suddenly line took a sharp up-turn and I sensed a jump coming. Reeling in the slack as fast as I could, I got ready for what was inevitable. Breaking the surface with a spectacular headshake, a big, beautiful tarpon cleared the surface and took flight.

Respectfully, I bowed to the King, re-connected and held on for dear life.

The reel’s drag complained loudly as it took off again. This tarpon was getting angry and decided to give me a piece of its mind. Between runs and jumps, then re-runs and re-jumps, I was feeling the stress and the mental tension.

“Reel, reel, reel!” I recall hearing as I desperately tried to take up the slack in the line. Got the tension back, felt the weight and then boom, I set the hook as best as I knew how.

I was at the bow at this point, looking back over the stern with a watchful eye on the water, when I detected my line quickly taking a different tack in the water toward the rear of the boat. My heart stopped as my rod tip took a major bump. The next few seconds are blurry in my memory. I really wonder if I didn’t float back to the stern in slow-motion, suspended in mid-air in absolute silence, like Keanu Reeves in the movie Matrix.

“Reel, reel, reel!” I recall hearing as I desperately tried to take up the slack in the line. Got the tension back, felt the weight and then boom, I set the hook as best as I knew how. Fish still on, feeling heavy and firm. Is he hooked? Am I on? Is this a tarpon or a shark? How many thoughts

We had lifted anchor and now we were drifting, or rather we were being towed around. The boat had left the bay now and was making a large half-circle in open water escorted by a tarpon. By this time, maybe 30 minutes in, I had conceded atleast 180 yards of line. I was down to a third of a spool and getting 34

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35

After a hard fight comes a happy hug followed by a release !

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Make sure you give the fish a proper release, especially when hot weather lowers oxygen levels in the water.

nervous. The fish was so far away that it seemed quite small visually but still heavy and stubborn physically. 15 more minutes and we’re at a standoff. I gain some line, he takes it back.

I pull hard and it pulls back. I’m wondering what to do. The fish wouldn’t budge.

I had a flash recollection of the passage in Hemingway’s “The Old Man and the Sea” where the author began conversing with his adversary. I felt the same way with this tarpon. We both had the same objective; to win the battle. I wanted the fish to know I meant it no harm, that I would release it safely. I wanted the fish to understand it was im-

portant to me to make this catch and that I would humbly respect its life. I found myself pleading with it to remain hooked.

Finally, after about 90 minutes of stress and tetanized forearms coupled with some lower lumbar pain, I got “color” near the boat. A beautiful Sliver King had surrendered after a dignified battle. This was a big tarpon, my biggest by far. With great care and attention, we brought the fish boat-side and gently removed the hook. The warm water and long fight had exhausted this fish and we knew it had to recover. Slowly working the water through its gills, it soon came around perfectly and signaled 36

FISH & BUGS The 10 000 Islands afforded me an experience I’ll never forget. I can highly recommend the area not only for tarpon but also snook, redfish, jacks, trout and sharks. In fact, in this primal marine marvel holds innumerable surprises for local and visiting anglers.

Bug spray, sunscreen, drinking water and respect for the wildlife are definite prerequisites.

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its readiness to part company. I neither bothered nor cared about its length or weight. After fighting a fish of this magnitude for so long, I could not reduce it to mere measurements.

This was a magnificent living creature that fought for its life for the sole pleasure of my amusement. Yes, my mission was accom-

plished but I was humbled as we observed the fish alongside us in the water. I gave it quick, thankful embrace and got my proof; a quick photo.

It was then with great respect, gratitude and a feeling of awe that I watched my adversary swim gracefully away from us.

INFO RECAP

Local currency is US dollars

http://www.evergladesflyfishingguides.com/ https://www.joesnook.com/

The best time for tarpon fishing is between May and July.

However, resident tarpon can be caught year round

To check travel formalities, click here Mission accomplished !

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KALAHARI THE FORGOTTEN YELLOWFISH RIVER OF SOUTH AFRICA Text and photography by Alex Jardine

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Closely related to the mahseer, the largemouth yellowfish can reach up to a staggering 50lbs !

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A

frica has always seemed like a long way away to me. As someone who plans nearly all of their movements around where and when the fishing is good, I have never really pictured the continent as high up on my list. Of course there is the well documented and fierce tigerfish as well as a very prolific saltwater fishery but nothing had made me take the leap…until now. I had read and seen various accounts of fishing for yellowfish over the years and I must admit they did gain some of my interest, but I very much felt that they were a species that the South African’s targeted as a replacement for trout… How wrong I was!

Two aggressive eaters In 2016, one of our good friends, Garth Wellman, first told us of this little-known but potentially world class destination in South Africa’s Northern Cape for largemouth yellowfish. You, like I did, are probably thinking that a yellowfish is a yellowfish but there are in fact quite a lot of subspecies, each with their own unique characteristics. The smallmouth yellowfish is the most well documented of the species, it is an avid nymph and dry fly eater and is generally about 1 – 3 lbs in weight.

The largemouth, however, are surrounded with more mystery.

They are not readily accessible in southern Africa due to their specific habitat requirements, often looking for deep holes with lots of structure and plenty of baitfish.

They are aggressive fish eaters, and unlike their more carp-like brethren, they take on a much more mahseer-like appearance with a flat and forward facing mouth combined with their eyes on the top of their head to help them hunt in low light conditions.

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The 70km stretch of the Orange River offers beautiful untouched scenery on the border of South Africa and Namibia.

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Garth, and Craig, had briefed us that it was possible to catch good numbers of smaller smallmouth in the fast water on nymphs in the Northern Cape but what really made this place special was the big streamer-eating fish in the slow deep pools. As I secretly enjoy fishing streamers and baitfish patterns this grabbed my attention immediately and I set up station at my vice to prepare for the relative unknown…

With feather and fur strapped to hooks and bags packed it was soon time to leave the warm August sunshine in the UK for the South African winter. Africa and winter, you may not think all that much of it but I must recommend that you pack a woolly hat and warm socks. Whilst the day time temperatures were as hot as any summer’s day in the UK the night time plunged into single figures and some extra warmth was often very welcome. We were greeted by our guides, Craig and Matt, and the camp crew that would be with us for the week, West, Eric, William and Anton.

The bags were deposited in our rooms and welcome drinks were ready and waiting at the bar.

That evening the usual buzz filled the air, stories of previous trips, judging of flies tied and the anticipation for what lay ahead of us. We enjoyed a wonderful braai around a camp fire under a canopy of stars before grabbing a few hours’ sleep. I usually struggle to sleep in on fishing trips, never wanting to miss a moment of daylight or the beautiful golden hours of sunrise and sunset. I was no different here, waking up at about 05:30, I found my way to the hot coffee and waited outside for the bleeding hot orange of the horizon to take over from the expanse of midnight blue. As daylight begin to take a hold it was 44

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A double header of largemouth yellows. Their color can slightly change from a specimen to another.

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I found the takes very odd on this first day, they were not like the big hits that the Montana trout give you

Idling through the river on inflatables is an adventure in itself. possible to see fleeting springbok move from grass tussock to bush. We wolfed down breakfast and more coffee before loading our kit on to a safari-style Land Rover and beginning our 20-30 minute journey to the river. The accommodation and river access is all part of a large game reserve and leopard protection area, this makes for a very unique and wonderful commute to the river. On this first morning we saw numerous springbok, a gemsbok and a

lone giraffe as well as numerous birds and raptors. For what is at first quite desolate in appearance soon springs to life. As you approach the river the plains scrub turns into a rich vein of trees and shrubs with the chorus of various birds audible over the babbling water.

First odd takes Our set up on this first day was 7 and 8 weight rods matched with

Airflo 40+ Di5 sinking lines and 8-10 ft leaders with a 13-15 lbs tippet. For starters, Craig and Matt advised us to fish with heavier black streamer patterns. They assured us that these are good for searching for fish and only once you find a shoal that you then start trying different colours and sizes. Now all set-up, Ronnie and I headed out with Matt guiding us and Charlotte and Gordon headed downstream with Craig.

The day can only be described as

After a long day's fishing, you'll be happy to relax and eat at the campsite on the river's banks.

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SOUTH AFRICA TRAVEL

Younger fish normally appear lighter in color. Older specimens are rather yellow and green. one of two halves, the morning was fresh and sunny but the afternoon whilst still sunny buffeted us with a fierce and cool easterly wind which made for tough fishing conditions. Despite this we were all able to hook a fish or two and feel a few takes. I found the takes very odd on this first day, they were not like the big hits that the Montana trout give you but far more hesitant, almost like a salmon just nipping at the tail strands. Both Matt and Craig put this down to the unusual low pressure system that had passed through the area just before we arrived. They hoped with some settled weather that we would begin to feel some proper takes in the coming days. Charlotte took honours for the day with a nice largemouth yellowfish of about 4 lbs and we landed three smallmouth yellowfish between 3 – 4 lbs. Ronnie was the unfor-

tunate angler with the ‘one that got away’ story as he hooked into what appeared a good fish only for it to stay deep before the hooked pulled. With our appetite whetted it was time to begin our float trip.

River float fishing The real world hustle and bustle was soon forgotten as we putted the rafts down the river and into the wilderness that divides South Africa and Namibia. To journey along the Orange River here is to see how rich in life it is, the trees grow thick, catfish and carp leap from the water, and kingfishers, cormorants and herons pursue their prey from most rocky outcrops. It is truly an overload on the senses, as birds skip and flutter in all directions, baboon shouts ring up and down the valley, the flowering plants offer a 47

The best yellowfish flies of the trip.

TRAVEL SOUTH AFRICA

The Green Kalahari provides one of the most spectacular landscapes of South Africa. It is punctuated by large tracts of undulating red dunes, mountain desert, and grasslands in the far north of the Northern Cape Province.

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SOUTH AFRICA TRAVEL

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Although it seems very arid, animals like girafes, lions, and leopards thrive in the Green Kalahari. subtle fragrance to the banksides and the sun began to warm the still chilly breeze.The landscape is full of interest, Red sandstone and granite cliffs guide the river along its path. Dry river beds from floods bygone carve their way to the river offering animal drinking spots and the pools are broken up and split into channels by sand and bedrock islands. The guides worked the boats using anchors and the oars to hold the rafts in position so that you can target rock drop-offs, deep undercut banks and bed rock shelves.

Over the course of our trip we really began to get an understanding of where these fish could be found, the biggest restraint was having the confidence to fish the fly properly. Both the largemouth and larger smallmouth yellowfish were found in deep water, close to the bottom but also tight against a structure. The casts were often made at the structure and then a series mends were made in order to hold the fly in position and give the line and fly time to sink to the correct depth.

The fishing trip had started

slowly with a few taps here and there and only a few largemouth and smallmouth landed, but our luck began to pick up as we descended down more rapids and lower down the river.

the trip's trophy It was our changing fortunes that led me to hook a fish that will haunt me for years to come, this time the line was almost ripped out of my hands. The fish then ran straight for us, and I rushed to gather up my loose line and get the fish under control on the reel. Now, on the reel, the fish felt the extra tension and this time took of downstream to take residence behind a rock midstream.

Pausing only briefly, it then went on a searing run for about 20 yards. There was no chance of turning this fish, or stopping it in its tracks and then I felt it go through weed and the line run along rocks. My heart sank at this point, knowing I was now facing a losing battle I hung on in hope.

Sure enough, the line frayed and broke and I was left crushed and 50

SOUTH AFRICA TRAVEL

The campsite was already set up and the glow of a warming campfire welcomed us in.

beaten in the back of the boat.

We never saw the fish so cannot say for sure how big it was but with knowledge that the largemouth exceed 20 lbs here and there is belief that they may even exceed 30 lbs it was easy for the mind to wander‌ Never one to take losing a fish too well, I sat in the back of the boat with a cold Windhoek beer and watched the river pass by. As the sun began to dip behind the jagged the horizon the temperature began to fall and we pushed on to our campsite. The campsite was already set up and the glow of a warming campfire welcomed us in. The camp was on a large beach, made up of small stones and millions of shells from the large popula-

tion of crustaceans in the river, it was more akin to a seaside beach than a river. Four spacious tents were set up with plenty of room for two people to share. A seating area around one campfire and a second campfire for cooking.

That night the sky burnt red before giving way to an incredible star display. Whilst the temperature plummeted to single figures the tents were comfortable and it was so easy to fall asleep with the stars glinting through the tent windows. Rising early to the crackling fire and dim pre-dawn light was much easier here. It was a new day and there were more fish to catch. Breakfast was a simple spread of cereals, yogurts and rusk (best to dunk these in

Spectacular landscapes, untouched wilderness, and unique fishing awaits anglers in this part of South Africa.

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your coffee, unless you want to break your teeth!). Whilst eating, the camp hands set up a catfish rod with bait to see if we couldn’t find one of the many big fish that reside in the river. The set up was a simple heavy duty spinning rod, fixed spool reel, weight and a hefty chunk of one of the many mudfish from the river. It wasn’t long before we had action with a nice fish of around 20 lbs landed during breakfast. With the loss now firmly behind me, we floated on down the river and the largemouth and smallmouth yellowfish began to grace the net with far more frequency. The takes were far more confident and the fish were clearly more active as the weather began to stabilise. Both Largemouth and Smallmouth averaged 4-6 lbs and fish over 8 lbs were common. On the final day, after several missed takes I had to have a stern word with myself to pull it together and make the next take count.

Last chance saloon As we drifted into a pool called ‘Last Chance Saloon’, we could

see the prime spot. It took a while to get the cast in the right zone but then I fired a cast across. Immediately you knew it was in the right place, I made some mends in order to get the fly down. As I felt the fly sinking I could feel the line draw tight, not like a snag but different. I firmly strip set the hook and knew that I had got it right. The fish took off into the pool and tried to dig deep. Now that my fish was away from the zone my boat partner was able make another cast. As my fish approached the net I look over to see that he has also hooked into a fish. After a few minutes we had both fish sat in our net.

They were good fish and remarkably similar in size. When weighed they both clocked the scales at 12 lbs, it was a fantastic moment. Not quite the last cast but a wonderful way to round off a brilliant fishing trip.Over the course of our four and a half days fishing we landed 25 smallmouth to just under 10 lbs and 25 largemouth to 18 lbs between four of us. Whilst this was considered a tough week of fishing, we were delighted with our ef-

forts but at the back of my mind that fish that got away is still lingering… I must go back

INFO RECAP

The local currency is South African Rand.

1 USD = 12,5R

The best time of year is October. This is generally prior to the start of the rainy season, conditions are stable, and fish are feeding before spawning between November and January. April and May are also very good as water clarity is ideal.

To check formalities, click here

For more information and how to book this trip : www.aardvark-mcleod.com

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m +27 82 748 7290 [GMT+02:00] t +248 422 9700 [GMT+04:00] e reservations@alphonsefishingco.com w www.alphonsefishingco.com PHOTOS: TALWEG CREATIVE & ALPHONSE FISHING CO.

TACKLE NEW GEAR

WHAT'S NEW? With each issue comes a load of new tackle and gear on the market. Here's a selection interesting of new products.

HTO Canine A floating surface lure with a semi concave sharp angled nose that enticingly spurts small amounts of water as its retrieved. While a steady retrieve will work the lure efficiently, adding slight twitches of the wrist will bring the lure to life. The ideal lure for producing long slides and walk the dog lure actions.

Internally it features small ball bearings that create a rattling sound to draw fish up to it as the lure works across the water.

Length: 135mm | Weight: 26g | Price: £5.99 - www.tronixfishing.com

Wiley X Boss Crowned best sunglasses at the 2017 Efttex, the Wiley X Boss are the perfect sunglasses for fishing in tough conditions. These polarized Wiley X glasses feature a removable facial cavity seal to protect your eyes from fine dust, pollen, and other eye irritants.

The T-Shell lens coating resists scratching and the Shatterproof Selenite polycarbonate lenses make these glasses incredibly resistant. $100-150 - www.wileyx.com

13Fishing Concept Z The 13 Fishing Concept “Z” Casting Reel utilizes a new technology that completely eliminates the need for all ball bearings. It permanently stamps-out the squeaking and corrosion that can occur over time with a technologically advanced Concept Zero Bearing, making the Concept Z an excellent choice for freshwater and saltwater anglers as well. They are high performing reels that deliver excellent casting and accuracy like no other reels, and they're incredibly silent while casting. $200 - www.13fishing.com

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NEW GEAR TACKLE

SEELAND Hawker The Hawker jacket is designed for the outdoors. It is made from a highly flexible three-layer fabric, combined with the new, stretchable, windproof and waterproof SEETEX® membrane. The key features of Hawker are its low weight and low noise, for the needs of stalking, and the insulating flexibility it allows, using the layering principle. The jacket has excellent breathability. The inside has a honeycomb texture to facilitate air circulation. This, combined with the breathability of the membrane and outer fabric, distributes air and moisture over a greater area, for quicker evaporation. £149 - www.seeland.com

Storm 360GT Searchbait This new softbait is an universally appealing baitfish imitation that is very versatile. The lure features a natural profile and a rattling jighead, making it more noticeable for predators. Entrance and exit holes on the body make it easiy and quick to rig and the phthalate-free body encourages fish to hold on the lure. It also features 3-D holographic eyes and custom VMC® coastal black forged hook with 60º angle providing perfect hooksets. Each box includes one rigged Searchbait and two extra bodies. Available in 3.5, 4.5 or 5.5 inch lengths, and 17 colors per size. $5.99 - www.stormlures.com

TUF line DOMIN8 & 4ORCE Utilizing a new TUF-X fiber, the new DOMIN8 and 4ORCE braids deliver a round, ultra-smooth finish, making it virtually silent through the rod guides resulting in incredible casting distance. The proprietary coating process provides superior abrasion resistance and a more permanent coloration of the line. Available from 8lbs to 80lbs test. Braided in USA. 4ORCE : $19.99 - $21.99 | DOMIN8 : $21-$42 - www.tuf-line.com

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BOOK NOW Gkhui Gkhui River Lodge is situated on the game farm, Saaidam, on the banks of the Orange River between Orania and Hopetown. With majestic views over beautiful rapids, game on its doorstep and rocky hills in the background, the setting is nothing short of spectacular.

Lodging is in standalone luxury river rooms all with river views. All rooms have air conditioning and their own private deck. Food is of the highest standard.

Read More

The Orange River below Vanderkloofdam is one of South Africa’s best kept secrets when it comes to fly-fishing for small & largemouth yellowfish. With plenty of shallow rapids, long slow glides and big pools, the river offers everything the fly-fisherman could ask for. The angler will not be disappointed.

Read56More

NEW GEAR TACKLE

With each issue comes a load of tackle and gear we've tried out for you. Here's a selection of new Storm lures that proved lethal on French pikes.

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TACKLE NEW GEAR

VMC hooks

Oversized Tail

3D holographic eyes

R.I.P. SEEKER JERK | 20cm, 80gr, available in 14 colors The R.I.P. Seeker Jerk is both soft and hard plastic. The body part is rigid and covered by a soft layer of plastic with a treble hook on the belly.

The tail part is soft and generates good water movement. It features a single hook in case of a short bite.

The lure also has a rattle and buoyancy chamber that generates sound and helps control the descent when fishing in deep water.

Features: - Comes with 2 tails - spare Ripple Tail included - Strong body roll - Premium VMC Black Nickel belly treble & tail hook - Hard internal buoyancy chamber Soft outer skin & tail

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NEW GEAR TACKLE

SWIMMING ACTION | R.I.P. SEEKER JERK

HOW TO FISH IT The R.I.P. Seeker Jerk is very effective when used like a jerkbait. Simply twitch the lure to give a deadly side-to-side action combined with the tails' twist.

When jerked erratically, the lure also produces a nice "belly flash". The lure is slow sinking, allowing the tail to wiggle during a stop in the retrieve of the lure. Linear retrieve works well also, making the lure slightly glide from one side to another, while the tail keeps wiggling.

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TACKLE NEW GEAR

Multi depth Screw System

360° rotating treble

Oversized blade

R.I.P. SPINNER TAIL | 22cm, 38gr, available in 4 colors The R.I.P. Spinner Tail is a hybrid lure that combines a big spinner blade with an oversized curly tail.

The R.I.P. Multi-Depth Screw System allows you to fish deep, where other spinners can't.

For best results, retrieve the lure slowly. The large blade pulses and throbs, while the tail flutters.

Features: - Oversized curly tail & blade - integrated weight for deep fishing - Premium VMC treble hook - 360° rotating treble

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NEW GEAR TACKLE

SWIMMING ACTION | R.I.P. SPINNER TAIL

HOW TO FISH IT The R.I.P. Spinner Tail is intended to be used like a regular pike spinner. A slow and steady retrieve will work best. However, the weight allows you to fish deeper than you would with a regular spinner. When you pause the retrieve to reach deeper water levels, the tail keeps fluterring, inciting shy predators to strike.

stormlures.com 61

TACKLE NEW GEAR

Rattling chamber

VMC Hooks

Internal weight

KNOCK'R MINNOW | 13cm, 46gr/18cm, 67gr, 9 colors The Knock'R Minnow is a pre-rigged weighted sofbait. Its particularity resides in the metallic rattling chamber in the middle of the body. It is shaped like a cylinder with a steel ball inside that creates a loud clacking sound. With its large paddle tail providing a kicking action, this sinking softbait allows you to fish deep when fish are feeding near the bottom.

Features: - Strong kicking tail action - Integrated rattling chamber - Premium VMC hooks - Internal weight

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NEW GEAR TACKLE

SWIMMING ACTION | KNOCK'R MINNOW

HOW TO FISH IT The Knock'r Minnow is designed for a steady retrieve. You can pause the animation to reach deeper and then start retrieving again. The rolling of the body will shake the rattling chamber, creating the clacking sound. The removable chamber can also be used on any other softbait, when you need that extra-trick to trigger the bites.

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INTERVIEW PETER MCLEOD

INTERVIEW WITH PETER MCLEOD While attending the first edition of the European Fishing Show in Bristol, we had the time to sit down with Peter Mcleod for an interview. Peter has been flyfishing since he was 6. After years of guiding he founded his own fly fishing travel agency, Aardvark Mcleod, in 2009. Over the last 20 years, Peter has fished all over the world and has since then acquired extensive knowledge about fly fishing and interesting stories to tell.

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PETER MCLEOD INTERVIEW

Let's start with hard one.

What's the first fish you remember catching ?

My father used to fly fish. I remember he had a nice carbon fiber rod. He found an old “tank aerial” rod for me to use which was made of steel, with a wooden handle and an old fly reel. I remember messing around with a dog nobbler fly, trying to get my line out, and thinking fly fishing isn’t much fun. I was having a hard time learning to cast and I was very disappointed. I was like “this is rubbish! I want my float and my bamboo rod!” And then suddenly, I watched the line slipping out through the rings of my rod. I immediately set the hook and I was on a really nice rainbow of about 2.5lb. The reel had no drag and the line was litteraly roaring off, but from that point, all the spinning rods and floats went outside, and all I wanted was a nice fly reel and rod. I was probably 6 at that time. It has been a horrendous addiction eversince !

What your favorite destination and why ?

First of all, I’d say I prefer saltwater fishing, because of the species variety, and the fact that you never know what’s swimming around the corner. And it also means I need to have lots of gear.

Who has the most toys wins. It’s an excuse to have a 7 wt rod, a 9 wt, and a 12 wt. Concerning the destination, I think it would be Providence Atoll, in the Seychelles. It’s so untouched, so virginal. A complete wilderness.

There’s literally whole sections that no human beings ever walked on, and it’s covered in fish : GTs, Parrotfish, milkfish, triggerfish, bonefish, you name it ! I’ve been there twice now and I still need to go again, more explora-

tion needs to be done over there.

Do you think Sportfishing tourism like you do can help protect endangered species ?

Yes definitely, without a shadow of a doubt. Those people who care enough about what we do, they’re so passionate about it.

You sometimes hear people say “You’re a fisherman, you’re damaging the environment” but as long as we catch and release, we’re not. Actually we’re the biggest advocates for looking after the environment. If you look at the amount of money invested by fishermen in that sport, that alone is an obvious answer. Look at all the conservation funds, most of the money coming into these organizations come from fishermen. I just wish we learned about preservation much earlier.

Do you ever use spinning or baitcasting reels or do you only use a fly rod ?

No. The reason why ? I don't have any problems with people who use them, I’m just crap at it ! As a coarse fishermen I can use a fixed spool rod with a float, but baitcasting reels ? I just can’t cast. I can do stuff with my flyrod I wouldn't be able to do with a spinning or baitcasting reel !

Like every fishermen, I am sure you have a good story about “the one that got away". What's yours ?

This is the part where I tell you I’m a lousy fishermen ! Seriously, I was fishing in Farquhar a few years back, on an Island called Depose. It’s a big sand island, and the flats basically drop into the ocean. So right at the bottom of low tide we got down there.

You could see the white sand 65

slip away into the blue with the current. I was standing there and I saw what I thought was an enormous ray with a GT over it.

I put my fly out and I realised it wasn’t an enormous ray, the whole thing was one GT. When they get huge they get totally disproportionate, the tail is much smaller than the rest of the body, like a huge head and with a little propeller on the back, and they move very slowly. This one lazily came after the fly, and at the last second the fish came out of the water and his head was on the coral bummie, in front of me with its mouth open. The fish missed the fly, I screamed and fell backwards ! The monster swam away towards my guide who estimated it about 1,40m !

We’re talking about a 120-130lb fish. So that’s not really a fish that got away, but it’s a very close encounter and it still gives me nightmares.

Do you have a dream destination you haven’t been to yet ?

I would really like to go to Tsimane in Bolivia and fish for dorado. The reason why I've never been there is because I employ Steff (Steffan Jones). He’s one of the first that went over there, and he knows the place very well. He does all my latin American fishing. I would love to go in the jungle catch these huge dorados !

One last question. What’s your favourite fish ?

You know I want to say GT but I’m trying to be original ! Really, GT is my favorite because they're probably most brutal fish in the ocean. I also love trout fishing.

Trout is an honest fish. And I love bonefish also. They eat if you present the fly correctly, and they’re good fighters, especially on light tackle.

TRAVEL NORWAY

THE WILD RIVERS AND LAKES OF

NORWAY

Not only have a number of new waters become available through the Fishspot.no program for sport-fishermen that want to make a visit to Norway, obtaining licenses for fishing these waters has become a lot easier and simpler as well in the last few years.

Text and photography by Rudy Van Duinhoven

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On Drevsjøen action is around the corner when you fish close to the reeds and weed beds.

T

he river Vangrøfta for instance was in the recent past rented to a major firm for the whole of the year, now there are day tickets available for this river – which is well known for its large brown trout – which present the visiting angler with memorable fishing days. Fishspot is not just meant for fly-fishers alone, friends or family members that use other fishing methods will profit from it too. On the website you will find sub-pages that deal with general fishing, fly-fishing, fishing for pike, grayling zones and wilderness fishing. By the end of July and in early August I was a guest in this area for a little over a week and was able to get a good impression of what

Fishspot.no has to offer.

Drevsjøen Vurrusjøen and Drevsjøen are shallow pike lakes that are located close to Drevsjø and which hold, unlike most other lakes in the area, good numbers of roach. This, combined with a population of freshwater whitefish (Coregonus), means that the pike have excellent possibilities to grow to good sizes here. All pike with a length above 85 cm (36 inches) have to be returned to the water unharmed, the chances of hooking into a pike above the magical one meter mark are certainly good. It is possible to fish from the shore, but only use parking places that are marked on a map for this; renting a boat 68

It turned out that this grayling was caught on the same water in 2005.

NORWAY TRAVEL

makes fishing these lakes a lot easier though. Outboard engines are allowed on Vurrusjøen, not on Drevsjøen!

With Dutch fly-tier and fly-fisher Andre Miegies I fished for a day on Drevsjøen, whereby we could use a rowing boat of the Drevsjø Campground, a camping which is situated right on the waterside. A fresh wind blew across the clear water, which made going on anchor close to some areas with vegetation in the water somewhat difficult. With the fly-rod and pike-streamers we managed to land eight pike this day, at least double that number unhooked themselves in the weed-beds in the water or missed our streamers altogether in their enthusiasm to jump on our flies.

The pike we were able to land were not that big, but we saw a few fish follow our streamers

which were of very good size.

The water level was some thirty centimetres below normal, because of which the pike had left some of the shallow parts of the lake.

Trysil Parts of the Trysilelva are also to be found in the program of Fishspot.no. Upstream of Trysil Andre and myself made a driftboat trip of about five kilometres with Espen Eilertsen of the wellknown firm Call of the Wild. During the trip we aimed to fish for grayling with heavy nymphs and for pike. With a drift-boat you can fish parts of a river which are difficult to reach, also one can fish more water in a short space of time and it is a good method to learn to know the water. We landed a number of good-sized grayling, even if the temperature

Hein van Aar fishes the Glomma with streamers for grayling and not without success !

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We managed to land eight pike this day, at least double that number unhooked themselves in the weed-beds in the water or missed our streamers

TRAVEL NORWAY

With the drift boats of Espen Eilertsen many hotspots on the Trysilelva and other rivers come within reach.

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With its tall back fin the grayling is a favourite for many fly-fishers.

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of the water was still quite high.

With intermediate and sinking fly-lines we also placed pike-flies in some of the more quiet parts of the river, like behind a beaver dam, but the pike remained out of sight this day. Snorre Grønnæss started Gjerfloen Fluefiske in 2000, a grayling zone with a length of seven kilometres on the Trysilelva south of Trysil.

Because it is allowed to take only one grayling with a length below 38 cm in length during a day of fishing, a large part of the grayling population of this section has a very nice size (above 35 cm).

With Espen Eilertsen and Snorre Grønnæss I used Czech nymph techniques for about four hours on some of the beautiful stretches of this section which are quite easy to wade. Among the three of us we landed around thirty grayling, the largest of which was 41 cm in length and turned out to be a fish that was landed and marked at almost exactly the same spot in 2005! The trout did not show themselves even though the Trysilelva holds a nice population of good-sized brown trout as well. Only barbless flies are allowed in the section of Gjerfloen Fluefiske.

Hodalen The lakes of Hodalen in the vicinity of Tolga are connected with each other by means of creeks, but there are some direct connections in narrow parts of the landscape too. Large parts of these waters are easily accessible and can be fished with different methods. There are, however, special rules for the pike and the grayling zones. Together with Gudmund Nygaard (Fishspot) and Hein van Aar (Kvennan Fly Fishing) I fished a stretch where one could wade into a lake for quite some distance. We caught some small grayling here on dry 73

TRAVEL NORWAY

Quietness and enough room for everyone, Gudmund Nygaard fishes on one of the lakes of Hodalen. flies, some sedges were active and the fish were hunting these.

The larger grayling and whitefish did not show themselves. Jean Philippe Pontier (Escapade NorvĂŠgienne) and his father joined us and Jean Philippe showed us a spot on one of the creeks in the area where he had caught a nice number of good-sized grayling in the days before. The pool was indeed filled with grayling of mature sizes and by using nymph techniques we landed several here with a length up to 44 centimetre. We walked onwards to a nearby lake and here again, close to a narrow run, we were able to land a number of grayling on dry and wet flies. We saw a few big brown trout hunt for small fish, fish of 60 centimetres (24 inches) at least! Never before have I seen such big wild brown trout in Norway, for sure this is a spot

to return to, but than with proper streamer rods and flies.

Isterfossen and Galthue At Isterfossen the water of the Istern Lake runs into the next lake.

The spot is easily accessible; it is situated right next to a bridge across the water. You need waders, but once you have passed some big stones, the stretch is easy to wade when the water level is low to normal. When there are hatches of insects, the grayling of the lake move into this stretch to feed. The water level of Isterfossen is quite constant, even after a period with a considerable amount of rain. The stretch is of course more heavily fished than the more remote spots, but with the correct patterns (CDC dry flies and nymphs) it is still possible to record some good results. Closely 74

NORWAY TRAVEL

watched by my long lens, Espen managed to land several grayling here on dry flies. My nymphs and wet flies were a few moments later also stopped in their treks by Thymallus thymallus. Galthue is the name for the place where the Trysilelva more or less has its origin. The river runs here, a short distance from Isterfossen, out of the lake and starts her long journey through Norway and Sweden. From the parking you need about fifteen minutes of walking to reach this section, with motorised transport the spot is not ac-

cessible (except by boat perhaps).

There was no hatch in progress here, but emerger patterns like Espens Glowtail managed to bring up the grayling anyhow. Both the drag free drift and the swing under water across the stream produced takes on these flies. By the end of the nineteenth century the English already travelled to this area to fish, Galten GĂĽrd is still an excellent place to stay and a fine starting-point for fishing the lakes and rivers in this area.

Glomma

The stretch of the Glomma between Tynset and Tolga, the area that is managed by Kvennan Fly Fishing, is a true Eldorado for the fly-fisher. Among others while the fishing pressure is not really high here, there are good chances every day to connect with grayling which are over 45 centimetre in length! Only barbless flies are allowed here, all grayling below 35 and above 40 centimetres in length have to be returned, next to that all pike have to be returned as well; 'catch and release' is strongly promoted. The season

The Glowtail produced, fished as a dry fly and as an emerger, nice grayling on Galthue.

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Author Rudy Van Duijnhoven releasing a Norwegian grayling. starts here on the first of June and it lasts until the fifteenth of October, fishing from a boat or kayak is not allowed on this stretch of the river. Dutchman Hein van Aar has been working for a number of years as a 'river keeper' in this area during the season and he of course knows the river like few other people. More than on other rivers the grayling will hunt here for small fish too, which is why Hein likes to fish for grayling with streamers on many occasions! The fact that they hunt

for prey fish makes that the grayling on the Glomma also grow faster compared with the insect-eaters of the Trysilelva. The first pool we fished was in a fastflowing stretch of the river, the other parts we fished had a much slower, more even flow. There were no other fly-fishers on these stretches, we had the water all to ourselves. With floating fly-lines we offered our streamers, nymphs and dry flies to our opponents in the clear flowing water and each of these brought some 76

On several spots we were able to bring grayling to rise to the surface with emerger patterns, fish that had remained invisible before.

NORWAY TRAVEL

USEFUL CONTACTS Fishspot Landbrukets Hus 2500 Tynset, Norway Websites: www.fishspot.no/en/ Email: post@fishspot.no Call of the Wild – Espen Eilertsen Vestsidevegen 107 2420 Trysil, Norway Website: www.callofthewild.no Email: espen@callofthewild.no Gjerfloen Fluefiske – Snorre Grønnæss 2427 Plassen, Norway Website: www.fluefiske-trysil.com Email: gjerflue@online.no Kvennan Fly Fishing – Hein van Aar Email: kff@kvennan.com Website: www.kvennan.com Escapade Norvégienne – Jean Philippe Pontier Hodalen, 2540 Tolga, Norway www.escapade-norvegienne.com Email:pontier.jean-philippe@wanadoo. fr Rena Fiskecamp – Lars B. Johanson Deset, 2450 Rena, Norway www.renafiskecamp.no Email: post@renafiskecamp.no Trysil Hyttegrend Øråneset, 2420 Trysil, Norway www.trysilhytte.com Email: trysilhytte@trysilhytte.com Galten Gård – Gjertrud E. Eggen & Per Roar Aarnes 2443 Drevsjø, Norway www.galtengard.no Email: post@galtengard.no Isterfossen is a fishing spot that is easily accessible, you will therefor seldom have this spot to yourself.

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nice catches. On several spots we were able to bring grayling to rise to the surface with emerger patterns, fish that had remained invisible before. A superb day of fishing on an impressive, beautiful river.

Rena The Rena is one of the most interesting and attractive rivers of Norway, the official Norwegian record for grayling comes from this river (and it is unofficially broken here regularly...), but the river is also known for a good head of large brown trout.

Putting catch & release into place, all fish above 40 centimetres in length have to be returned and only one trout and/ or grayling may be taken during a day of fishing, has had a positive influence on the catches and on the size of the fish that are caught. The fly-fishing zone starts under the Storsjødammen and continues until Lindstad, this stretch is about 3,7 kilometres in length. With other methods it is possible to fish the rest of the stretch, until the next dam. Because this is a tail-water fishery, the temperature of the water is quite constant, the fish continue to feed during the winter (another reason why they grow to good sizes), during the summer the water seldom beco-

mes too warm. The season starts here on the 18th of May and lasts until the 31st of October. The period from the midsummer night sun until the first few weeks of July are generally considered the best time, but this depends on the weather too. Lars B. Johansen of the Rena Fiske Camp showed me here, in sometimes pouring rain with some light flashes mixed in, several interesting places to fish. The Rena Fiskecamp is situated close to the river and offers guiding and accommodation in a wonderful setting. The main building and some of the buildings around it offer modern apartments, which includes a small kitchen. This winter a meeting room/bar will be build in the main building, so it will be possible to exchange experiences and stories in a nice atmosphere soon. On the terrain there is also a small lake where you should be able to find some action with your pike-streamers... Because of the heavy rain and the cooling down of the air that accompanied it, there were no hatches that evening. A rising fish could only be seen occasionally. I waited along the waterside until the light started to fade, but the surface of the river did not come to life.

This is, however, a water I want to explore yet another year. Who would not want to catch a fifty centimetre plus grayling?

INFO RECAP

Local currency is Norwegian Krone.

1 USD = 8.3 Krone

The best season for freshwater fishing starts in May and lasts until the end of the summer. September October are good for grayling fishing. You can also try icefishing during the winter months.

Citizens of Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Sweden No visa or passport required.

Citizens or residents of other EU and Schengen countries No visa required.

Citizens or residents of Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand and the USA No visa required for tourist visits of up to 90 days. Other countries: check with a Norwegian embassy or consulate.

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Travel Fishing West Africa

saltydogfishing.co.uk +44(0)7515 738 100

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CONSERVATION BTT

BONEFISH & TARPON TRUST: OVER 20 YEARS OF RESEARCH & PROTECTION Text by BTT Staff, photos by Dr Aaron Adams

Juvenile permit require sandy, windward beaches as nursery habitat.

The mission of Bonefish & Tarpon Trust is to conserve and restore bonefish, tarpon and permit fisheries and habitats through research, stewardship, education and advocacy. Through science-based approaches, BTT is working to protect and enhance

healthy, functioning flats fisheries and habitats in the Western Hemisphere, and restore those in decline. BTT is executing its mission by partnering with universities and institutions having the expertise to conduct research projects designed by BTT scientists.

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BTT CONSERVATION

Research in the Bahamas found bonefish spawn offshore, at night, near full and new moons between late October and April.

In the Florida Keys and South Florida, BTT is working to determine and address the causes of declining bonefish populations. BTT has defined a series of research steps that will lead to actionable knowledge to improve the Keys flats fishery. We will advocate for those actions that will protect and restore the fishery and habitats. BTT is also working to improve the management of Florida’s permit fishery and the regulations necessary to ensure a healthy tarpon fishery throughout the Gulf of Mexico, Southeast United States and Caribbean.

BTT was founded in 1997 by a group of six anglers concerned that the bonefish population in the Florida Keys was declining and nobody was taking active steps to monitor or reverse it.

They resolved to learn more about the causes of the decline and contracted with University of Miami to search existing literature and prior studies on the issue, of which there was very

little. A few years later, the group formed Bonefish and Tarpon Unlimited, and brought together a group of 60 Founding Members representing the "Who's Who" of saltwater flats fishing. In the early days, the board kicked off initial research projects, worked to build public awareness and recruit members. Initial research efforts focused on bonefish tagging to collect much-needed data on population baseline, size, growth, and range of movement and satellite tagging of tarpon to learn more about their movement patterns.

As the organization and funding grew, so did BTU's scope of work. The first Bonefish and Tarpon Research Symposium was held in 2003, bringing together 20 participating scientists and a large group from the public. The next symposium was held three years later (and every three years since), hosting 35 scientists.

This represented significant progress from BTU's founding six years earlier when nobody was 81

Round-trip spawning migrations of over 100 miles appear to be common for bonefish. Photo: Nick Roberts.

CONSERVATION BTT

Accomplishments: - Assisted in establishing six nationally protected bonefish conservation zones in the Bahamas.

- Worked with Florida’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and anglers to implement catch-and-release-only regulations for tarpon and bonefish.

Satellite tagging demonstrated that adult tarpon are capable of long-distance migrations. actively engaged in bonefish or tarpon research. In 2009, BTU became Bonefish & Tarpon Trust (BTT). The following year, the first issue of the Bonefish & Tarpon Trust Journal was published, which highlighted the research and conservation efforts for bonefish, tarpon and permit and their habitats. The circulation the first year was 2,500 and has since grown to over 15,000, focusing not only on research and conservation but also fishing articles, angler profiles, photos and more.

Around 2010, BTT began to broaden its geographic scope, focusing research and conservation efforts in the Bahamas, Cuba, Belize and Mexico and expanding its work to include permit. In recent years, BTT has applied its scientific credibility and research efforts to policy and regulation advocacy in Florida and throughout the Caribbean. This has included work with the Florida Fish and

Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to revise and improve regulations for bonefish, tarpon, permit and barracuda, and work in the Bahamas to create 6 national parks to protect critical bonefish spawning locations BTT identified from future development.

BTT continues to work with a number of collaborating institutions to expand our knowledge of the fisheries through research, educate the public about issues facing the fisheries, and is working with FWC and other agencies at the national and international level to improve the conservation regulations for bonefish, tarpon, permit and their habitats. For more information on our work, please visit our Projects Page. By becoming a member, you will help support us in our mission to conserve and protect tarpon, bonefish, and permit fisheries for future generations. To learn more or become a member, click here 82

- Mapped critical flats fishing areas in the Florida Keys that are helping to guide management strategies of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and Everglades National Park.

- Launched a collaborative Juvenile Tarpon Habitat Initiative to identify, protect and restore juvenile tarpon habitat.

- Created the first-ever permit-tagging program in Florida, Belize and Mexico, and improved permit fishing regulations in Florida.

- Launched the largest study ever undertaken in bonefish reproductive science, a project designed to develop new tools for bonefish restoration.

- Conducted bonefish studies in Florida, the Bahamas, Mexico, Belize and Cuba that are being used to develop habitat and fisheries protections.

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MOZAMBIQUE'S

BAZARUTO ISLAND Text and photography by Christiaan Kruger

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T

hey say “home is where the heart is” and in my case it is certainly true: porcelain white beaches, palm trees, pristine islands and crystal clear waters are only the beginning of the array of beauty that Mozambique’s Bazaruto Archipelago has to offer. Whether you’re an avid fisherman or just an adventurer looking for the perfect getaway destination, then my home town is what you’ve been looking for.

I am situated in a quaint coastal town called Vilankulo in the province of Inhambabe, also known by many as “The Pearl of Mozambique”. We are surrounded by five islands; Bazaruto, Benguerra, Bangue, Margarque and Santa Carolina (common-

ly called Paradise Island) all of which attract and cater for many diverse interests like diving, fishing and boating. The island waters are also home to the rare Dugong - a medium-sized marine mammal with a manatee type appearance - which sailors in the 1700’s claimed to be mermaids as they too “breastfeed” their young.

This particular part of Mozambique’s coastline has a very impressive marine biodiversity, including dolphins, sharks, humpback whales and game fish, such as the famous Black Marlin. Our area in particular attracts many big game fishing enthusiasts who are interested in landing that fish of a lifetime: a large female Black Marlin. Although we have a short marlin

Waters around Bazaruto provide excellent GT fishing.

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Our area in particular attracts many big game fishing enthusiasts who are interested in landing that fish of a lifetime: a large female Black Marlin.

season (stretching over September, October and November every year) the Bazaruto Archipelago boasts only a handful of boats during the season as opposed, for example, to the busier Cairns in Australia.

Extensive research on Black Marlin over 1000 pounds caught along the coast of Africa has shown that the Bazaruto Archipelago has produced almost all Black Marlin over 1000lbs - only two were caught slightly south in Tofo, another quaint surfing spot south of our home ground here in Bazaruto.

I recently had an exciting experience with a beautiful 500 pound Black Marlin as we started off the morning fishing for tuna and wahoo. After a few

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Author Christiaan Kruger. of those, I told my crew take one of the Yellowfin tunas and put it out as a live bait for a marlin on the big rod. We put the tuna in the luna tubes and ran out to deeper water where there wouldn’t be too many sharks.

Got out there, put the bait in the water and it was swimming very nicely. Fifteen minutes later we had a strike. I jumped to the rod and free-spooled the reel so the fish had time to get the whole bait in its mouth. Tightening the drag, the fish didn’t behave like a marlin so I tightened the drag further but the fish just didn’t take line and began to dive straight down. After a twenty minute fight I told the fisherman in the chair to go up once more on the drag because this fish was most probably a big bullshark. As he went up on the drag I saw the fish make a change and didn’t like the pressure of the increased drag. She swam straight up and did a huge 90

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jump 30 meters from the boat.

Now we knew it was a marlin and a nice one at that. Unfortunately on the second jump she spat the bait and the hook.

Not a nice sight to see when a marlin jumps and you see your hook flying out of her mouth.

I instructed my deckhand to reel up the bait and put out the lures. Maybe we can find another one‌ As he was reeling it up the marlin came back out of nowhere and ate the yellowfin (which was dead now) again. The deckhand did a great job by going straight down to free-spool so that she could eat the bait. Then he went slowly up on the drag again and we were hooked up to the same fish! During the second round Fishing for GT and other jack species on surface lures is something you'll never forget .

Low tide in Bazaruto provides beautiful colors and scenery that are worth a little walk on the beach.

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Great Humpback whale sightings are frequent. she jumped several times and we landed her about fifteen minutes, took some quick pictures and set her free to fight another day.

Although the Black Marlin is a main attraction for me personally, and also where I put all my focus as a skilled angler, the Bazaruto Archipelago boasts many other game fish, including the impressive Giant Trevally (GT) which are targeted in the summer months (September-March).

Top-water GT angling is some of the most exhilarating and challenging fishing you can experience out here. The GT is pound for pound one of the strongest fish in the ocean, and you will gain respect from fellow fisherman if you can catch one. Some of the other game fish we find here include Wahoo, Yellowfin Tuna and King Mackerel to name but a few.

GTs on top-waters lures Casting stickbaits on a shallow reef just off Bazaruto Archipela-

This poor king mackerel had no chances against the many sharks living around the island.

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Tunas (top) and jobfish (bottom) can also be caught while targeting GT.

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The strong tides around Bazaruto create amazing sand patterns. go is a dream for many people and I’ve been very fortunate catching some really nice GTs here. One afternoon another guide and I decided we were just going to take two big popping rods and go see if we could find some GTs. On my second cast I had a big splash on my stickbait but the fish unfortunately didn’t get stuck. I casted again and we saw this huge shape behind my lure. I thought it was a shark so I started reeling the lure in as fast as I could to get the lure away but the fish was faster and as he hit lure I could see it was not a shark but a really nice GT.We pulled the fish off the reef with the boat and a couple of minutes later the fish was landed, tagged and released for the next angler to have brawl of a lifetime with.

Depending on your budget, I recommend Vila la Mar Vilanculos as an entry level self-catering option for accommodation. Vila la Mar Vilanculos is a beautiful beach village with fully equipped bungalows right on the beach where we launch for charters at sunrise. Should wives and children join in on fishing holidays Vila la Mar is the perfect destination, with BBQ areas, ample shady trees and gardens, wooden decks overlooking the ocean and a large swimming pool with a kiddie splash pool, inviting the entire family, young and old.

For dining options, a great favourite in town is Frutos do Mar. This little seaside seafood restaurant and bar is the cen-

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Most vessels practice traditional net fishing.

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With its rich ecosystem, the Bazurato Archipelago holds the largest population of dugong in Mozambique (around 300 animals) and almost certainly is the last remaining viable population of dugongs left off East Africa.

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INFO RECAP

Local currency is Mozambican Metical.

1 USD = 59 MZN

Big game and heavy tackle fishing is best in the summer months between September to April. Sailfish peak in winter between May and September. General game fishing and fly fishing for an array of species is excellent all year round.

The beautiful pristine beaches of Bazaruto. ter of Vilankulo’s nightlife and serves some of the best food in town. It is a beautiful space with vistas of blues for days, excellent service and a range of cocktails to let even the most stressed linger a little longer.

Travelling to our little piece of paradise is effortless and comfortable. We have a minimum of two direct flights flying into Vilankulo International airport every day, one from Maputo and one from Johannesburg. Visa entry fees and vary from nationality to nationality, but can be be issued at the borders, at any given time of arrival. Overland travel is also an option as the national roads south of Vilankulo connecting us with the dominant arrival point

of Maputo are in excellent condition and even sedan vehicles travel up and down the coast with ease. Mozambique's local currency is Meticais and cash is readily available from ATMs with both Visa and Mastercard options.

I’ve had the fortunate experience and opportunity to fish numerous places on the planet, including Ascension Island, South Africa, Angola and Madagascar and will also visit Cape Verde for their Blue Marlin season early next year. No matter how far and wide I travel in my life, I know I will always return here, to the home I share with Mozambique’s Black marlin.

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Visa is needed for all countries, except Botswana, Malawi, Mauritius, Swaziland, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe For more information about fishing with Christiaan : mail: christiaanfish@gmail.com Instagram : christiaankruger

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TECH FISHBRAIN

FISHBRAIN: AN APP FOR SMARTER FISHING

F

ishbrain is the most popular mobile app and social network for fishing, connecting everyone from beginner to pro anglers with the tools and insights to fully enjoy the world’s most popular hobby while catching more and bigger fish.

The app’s interactive map helps anglers find hot new fishing spots and see what other people are catching, with what bait and specifically where. With other

features like Fish Species Recognition, marine mapping (provided by C-MAP), forecasts, bait recommendations and more, Fishbrain has become one of the most valuable and rewarding tools in a fisherman’s tackle box. And, with the ability to post photos and videos, log catches, share experiences with an engaging community, and watch tips and tricks from pro ambassadors like Roland Martin, Scott Martin, Jimmy Houston, Mike “Ike” Iaconelli, April Vokey, Ro-

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bert Field any many more, Fishbrain is not only fueling inspiration, but helping its more than five million users across the globe have more fun by fishing smarter, not harder.

Fishbrain values responsible fishing and the sustainable harvest of fish species, as well as the tracking of rare and endangered species through a partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Florida Wildlife Commission.

FISHBRAIN TECH

HOW IT WORKS ?

HOW DOES IT WORK ?

Once you've created your profile, Fishbrain allows you to keep track of your catches. You can mark the GPS position of your catch and enter the bait or lure you've used. You can obtain statistics based on the information logged in.

The app works like a "fishing facebook" : you have a feed with Fishbrain users' catch, allowing you to like and comment posts, and exchange knowledge with other anglers.

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THE OUTER ATOLLS OF THE

Seychelles Text and photography by Keith Rose-Innes

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Many fishermen come to the Seychelles to have a shot for a Giant Trevally, one of the most brutal fish on the planet.

W

hen people talk about saltwater fly fishing, one place stands head and shoulders above the rest. The Seychelles, and more specifically the fabled outer atolls of Alphonse, Astove, Cosmoledo, Poivre and St Francois, all destinations operated by Alphonse Fishing Company. There’s more to it than just the remote location of these atolls that make the destination unique, the techniques, the season and the species diversity make up an incredible mix for fly fishing adventure.

Fly fishing in the Seychelles sets itself apart due to the largely land-based approach it offers.

Whereas saltwater fly fishing destinations in many parts of the

Aerial view of an island of the archipelago. The reef slips directly into the deep blue.

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world are boat-based, the Seychelles stands apart because of the opportunities it gives anglers to wade in shallow, warm water on hard white sand, turtle grass or on coral flats for a plethora of exciting new species. Sure, it takes a bit of hard work, but getting the opportunity to cast at behemoth giant trevally or schools of bonefish in the same knee-deep water is not something many fly anglers accustomed to boatbased fishing will ever forget. It’s not that Seychelles guides and anglers are against boats in any way, but there is something more satisfying about wet wading and catching a bonefish, Indo-Pacific permit, triggerfish, barracuda, milkfish, snapper, grouper, trevally or GT in shin deep water.

Fish spotted !

Many of these species, like the milkfish or Indo-Pacific permit, used to be thought of as uncatchable, but, through the perseverance and pioneering techniques of Alphonse Island based

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guides, they are now a viable target species on fly. Off the back of the work done by us in the early days the possibilities around what is or isn’t possible with saltwater fly fishing has been rewritten. Not only are the species unique, but so is each atoll in the way that that structure varies from one other and attracts a different variety of species.

Fly fishing in the Seychelles began in the mid 1990’s with trips to the Amirantes archipelago situated 230km south-west of Mahe. As interest slowly grew in this new frontier, exploration of Alphonse Atoll situated 400km south-west of Mahe. This magnificent island threesome comprising of Alphonse, St Francois and Bijoutier fast established a reputation for holding one of the healthiest populations of bonefish on the planet. The luxury resort of Alphonse Island opened, generating a considerable amount of hype throughout the

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Outside the reef, you can encounter the spectacular indo-pacific sailfish. After luring the fish within casting distance with hookless topwaters, you can try to present the fly correctly to the fish and maybe hook one !

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GTs and barracudas rule the flats. Note the beautiful sandy color of this specimen's back. fly fishing industry and soon cemented itself as one of the most famed saltwater fly fishing destinations in the world. Nearby St Francois is approximately seven miles long and four miles wide, consisting of firm white sand bottoms interlaced with channels and cuts. The uniqueness that sets St Francois apart from many of the other Seychelles destinations is the endless white sand flats. In addition to the abundant bonefish flats, the lagoon envelopes coral finger flats allowing anglers to catch several of the

now 60 species targeted on fly in the Seychelles.

Alphonse island is credited with deciphering how to catch the first milkfish, pink parrotfish, yellow margin and moustache triggerfish on fly as well as refining techniques for catching numerous other species like giant trevally and Indo-Pacific permit. To date this fishery still accounts for more than 90% of the world’s milkfish caught and released as well as over 15 000 fly caught gamefish on an annual basis. The resort 108

This fishery still accounts for more than 90% of the world’s milkfish caught and released

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a larger white sand lagoon surrounded by 18 islands, numerous flats and two main channels. It’s a huge atoll measuring 17km from north to south. Menai and Wizard Islands occupy the eastern and western points of the atoll. South Island stands near the main entrance to the inner lagoon, while the second, smaller entrance is just south of Menai.

The perimeter of the atoll is covered with vast, wadeable sand flats dotted with islands of various shapes and sizes, all of which is the perfect habitat for its fish population. Known as the giant trevally capital of the world, Cosmoledo is unparalleled, if targeting these fearsome predators is your thing. These fish are however not the only species that can be found here in impressive numbers. Large bonefish, milkfish, barracuda, Indo-Pacific permit, triggerfish, bluefin trevally and bohar snapper are all regulars to the atoll and fly anglers. The tides at Cosmoledo are stronger than those experienced anywhere else in the Seychelles and are often thought to be the reason why it attracts so many GTs. No matter how experienced the angler and where they have fished in the world before coming to Cosmohas evolved to a destination that caters to both fly fisherman as well as their partners and families, boasting five start accommodation, a spa, a world renowned dive operation and eco activities.

2001 saw us start the the first professionally guided trips to the more southerly situated atolls called Cosmoledo Atoll and Astove Atoll, after initial exploratory fly fishing trips. Located 1 030km south-west of MahÊ, Cosmoledo Atoll is situated a stone’s throw away from the world heritage site of Aldabra and comprises of

Around these remote islands, you'll most likely be the only boat on the water !

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The Indo-Pacific Permit is considered one of the ultimate fish to catch on fly. Just like their Atlantic cousins, they are spooky and picky but very powerful once you finally hook one.

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In deeper waters around the reef, milkfish can be targeted when seen feeding on grass. ledo, the sheer numbers and variety of fish species you are likely to catch leaves even the most experienced fly anglers amazed.

After a hard fight, the reward : a beautiful and mysterious grass-eater.

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A three-hour sail (18 nautical miles) from Cosmoledo, Astove Atoll is situated 1055km south-west of MahÊ. It’s a small and unique atoll that spans six kilometers from north to south and just under four kilometers from east to west at the widest points.

The shallow lagoon has one small entrance, and due to its elevation a phenomenon occurs whereby the tide falls like a river for ten hours of the 12-hour tidal cycle and then turns to flood the entire lagoon in only two hours.

Astove atoll has a rich, but dark history and has been the cause of countless shipwrecks dating back to 1500 AC. It has been said that ships used to pass by in the

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hope of “rescuing” and then subsequently enslaving souls abandoned on the island. It’s also a famous atoll because Jacques Cousteau filmed the acclaimed underwater documentary “The Silent World” along the edge of the “Wall”. The “Wall” of Astove is breathtakingly beautiful natural structure, known as one of the best dive sights on this planet.

Best described as looking down into the Grand Canyon, it consists of the flat and reef dropping a vertical 90 degrees from ankle deep water to over 1000 metres over a short distance. The terrain on Astove varies from hostile shore breaks on the windward side, to flat calm coral flats on the outside and snow-white sand flats inside the lagoon. Astove has become synonymous with the largest flats-caught GT’s in the Indian Ocean. Its shallow lagoon

Catching a dogtooth tuna on a fly rod is physical challenge.

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and small entrance, surrounded by sheer drop-offs makes the experience truly unique. This lagoon is a sanctuary for both juvenile and trophy-size fish that feed on the shallow white sand flats that line the inside of the lagoon.

Astove is small and is surrounded by coral flats with deep drop-offs on the flats edge allowing predators easy access to their lunch.

Not only does Astove have large GTs but it also has an equally impressive bonefish, permit, bluefin trevally, triggerfish, barracuda and milkfish population. The number of permit caught from season to season at Astove continues to increase, backing up the unified approach to the fishery and the conservation ethic of the guides and anglers.

A sailfish thrashes the surface and hits the fly.

Sight-casting to a fish spotted from the beach.

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INFO RECAP

Local currency is Seychelles Rupee.

1 USD = 14 Rupees

Double hookups are common around the atoll.

Great infrastructure, an incredible guide team combined with remote and pristine locations, incredible species diversity and an amenable climate all combine to make these destinations truly exceptional. But, there’s a lot at stake. With such a precious resource comes great responsibility on Alphonse Fishing Company, its guides and the anglers involved. The Seychelles fly fishing industry has evolved to become leaders in the conservation aspect of the sport. Today, with experienced guides leading the way, the vast majority of anglers understand and are sensitive to the changing world and how we effect it with our presence. In these islands and atolls, the fly fishing code of conduct is strictly conservation orientated, with skilled guides ensuring as little

impact as possible is placed on the fish and the surroundings.

After all, a live fish is far more valuable than a dead one. Many of the Seychelles atolls have set up foundations that work in conjunction with ICS (Island Conservation Society) to monitor the fisheries in a responsible manner. These foundations are funded by conservation donations from anglers who visit the atolls. Once they have experienced how special these places are, visiting anglers come to understand the difference they can make in conserving these fisheries for future generations.

Every release contributes to the health of the fishery and ensures that Alphonse, Cosmoledo, Astove and Poivre remain firmly scheduled in the seasoned fly fisherman's calendar.

In Memory of Jan Hradecky, our best friend and fishing partner.

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The best season is between October and May. However, it is best to check with Alphonse Fishing Co, as seasons depend on what species you're after.

To check formalities for the Seychelles, click here.

For more information on a trip to the remote Seychelles islands in prime time, contact Alphonse Fishing Co: www.alphonsefishingco.com

MEDIA SEEN ON THE WEB

SEEN ON THE WEB A selection of videos, pictures, and products that caught our attention during the last months.

RIVER OF LIFE

BY TODD MOEN WOMEN IN FLY FISHING FOOTAGE OF GT FEEDING ON BIRDS Amazing footage from the BBC's documentary Blue Planet II. Giant trevallies launch themselves out of the water to catch fledgling terns.

WATCH THE VIDEO

Catch Magazine's Todd Moen captures the reflections of 3 women dealing with breast cancer while out fly fishing on the waters of the Pacific Northwest.

WATCH THE VIDEO

ELECTRONIC DEVICE BRINGS DEAD BAIT TO LIFE The Zombait is a reusable, rechargeable device you insert inside a dead fish's body. It is designed to mimic the natural movement of a live swimming fish.

WATCH THE VIDEO

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SEEN ON THE WEB MEDIA

KAYAKER NEARLY CAPSIZED BY WHALE Ignoring the "100m security perimeter" around whales, these two kayakers got an upclose encounter with this Southern right whale.

WATCH THE VIDEO

44lb PIKE WITH UNDERWATER TAKE FOOTAGE

CATCHING A 1000lb TIGER SHARK

A monsterous 122 cm pike caught by Frans van der Putte, with footage of the fish taking the deadbait.

Youtube superstar Blacktip H travels to the Bahamas and hooks the biggest shark of his life.

WATCH THE VIDEO

WATCH THE VIDEO

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Nile Perch fishing & Wildlife safaris in Uganda

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