Trip Hosted By Urban Angler an Outfitter and Agent based out of New York and Alexandria.
Our trip began in the main island of the Seychelles, Mahe. We arrived to find news of a storm system sitting off the island of Farquhar making getting their very difficult. With this news it all seemed like doom and gloom and we would be stuck in Mahe for a few days missing out on valuable fishing time. However lucky we were given the opportunity to go to Alphonse island that day as it was possible to land there. We all enthusiastically jumped aboard the plan and headed to Alphonse to fish the afternoon. We spent a few hours fishing however didn’t have enough time to experience everything Alphonse had to offer.
The next morning we were finally able to set off for Farquhar island and were we in View more...Trip Hosted By Urban Angler an Outfitter and Agent based out of New York and Alexandria.
Our trip began in the main island of the Seychelles, Mahe. We arrived to find news of a storm system sitting off the island of Farquhar making getting their very difficult. With this news it all seemed like doom and gloom and we would be stuck in Mahe for a few days missing out on valuable fishing time. However lucky we were given the opportunity to go to Alphonse island that day as it was possible to land there. We all enthusiastically jumped aboard the plan and headed to Alphonse to fish the afternoon. We spent a few hours fishing however didn’t have enough time to experience everything Alphonse had to offer.
The next morning we were finally able to set off for Farquhar island and were we in for a treat. After a bumpy journey we landed in Farquhar to be greeted by our team of guides ready for a heavy week of fishing. We jumped on board the tractor wagon and headed for the lodge. After settling in and eating some lunch we were eager to get out for a few hours fishing as the storms surrounded us still. The action was a little slow however managed some bonefish between the group and in the last cast was able to make a shot at a passing Bluefin trevally that engulfed the fly and gave a strong fight on the flats.
Day 1
First day saw an epic start to the week with an interesting event that happens for a short period each year known as “The Phenomenon”. This is where a small black baitfish enters the lagoon sending the GT’s into a frenzy of feeding making them eat anything that passes there face. Some boats capitalised on the moment with one landing 20 GT’s between the 2 anglers and losing more, breaking rods, reels and fisherman. There was continuous action all day with the anglers involved hammering the GT’s surrounding them. For others bonefish and a few GT’s were caught in other areas of the atoll.
Day 2
With the news of “The Phenomenon” spreading through the camp the other anglers where eager to get out and check out the spot where it was happening the previous day. We headed out in the morning to check some other areas on the incoming tide to find some GT’s. We cruised the flats and an area to see if we could spot any swimming on the backs of sharks and rays, however the action was slow. So we ventured down to the area where fish were being caught the day before. As we arrived some action was still happening however not on the same level as the day before. We jumped off and starting casting hooking up almost immediately into Bluefin Trevally. We saw a lot of action landing multiple GT’s, Bluefins and Bohar Snapper as well as some groupers and other species. All in all a great day.
Day 3
Day 3 for a buddy and me was an all out hunt for the Bumphead Parrotfish Aka Bumpies. We went out to hunt the Bumpies with the Head Guide, Bumpie Expert and fanatic Matthieu Cosson. As we waited for the tide to drop we started to see the bumpies tailing as they fed on the flats. It is a spectacle to see the Bumpies in big schools all over the flats with tails waving side to side. We went on the hunt patiently following them waiting to make the perfect cast as they are very spooky fish. After a few attempts spooking a couple of schools I had my opportunity I struck in to one as it paced off across the flat. I chased after it as it ripped off line running and running across the flat heading for the drop of to cut me off. The hook soon pulled and left me completely out of breath. I turned round to see my buddy hooked up to another Bumpie however after a short fight it broke him to off on the corals.
We headed to another school near by to make some casts and soon enough my buddy was hooked up on another Bumpie chasing it down across the flats putting some serious pressure on the fish to stop it from dropping off the ledge and breaking the line on coral. The fish was soon landed and celebration was in order.
After lunch we checked out another area where a massive school of Bumpies was feeding in shallow water near the surf. After a few casts I was hooked up chasing towards the surf as it went to break me off in the mountains of coral. I bullied the fish in to get it in the net as quickly as possible and as the fish went over the net our mission was accomplished! i was finished for the week! Great day by both hooked 4 and landed 2. Was more then enough.
Day 4
After the excitement of the past few days the group had calmed down a little and the fishing was more relaxed catching the odd GT,s as well as mountains of Bonefish. Some guys tried for the Bumpies after news of the previous day however had no success. However another notable catch was a sailfish caught while targeting some blue water species. Nevertheless a good array of fish where landed.
Day 5
With a change from the spring tides to the neap tides it was a bonefish sort of day. All anglers went out catching at least a few bonefish each. However one group caught between them over 30 bonefish with the guide getting involved as well. great fishing
However all in all a very successful week with 39 GT’s caught in total, 2 Bumpies, many Bluefin trevally and Bonefish as well as some Bohar snappers, Groupers and a Lemon Shark. It is a great operation with great guides that made the trip.
