TRAVEL

ALASKA | ARGENTINA | BRAZIL | BAHAMAS | COSTA RICA
LABRADOR | LOUISIANA | PATAGONIA | SEYCHELLES
TIERRA DEL FUEGO

seychelles

In 2006, I took a long look at lifes calendar. A group of my friends and I decided it was now or never to finish off the list of locations we wished to fly fish in. Several years before, we had journeyed to Mongolia shortly after returning from Africa , all in search of exotic species. Next on the list was the Seychelles archipelago, 1000 miles off the coast of Africa in the Indian Ocean.

The journey began with an overnight flight to London, and after a day layover, another overnight flight direct to Mahe, capital city of the Seychelles. One more flight of an hour and we arrived at Alphonse Island. We were welcomed to the hotel by the manager and told what we might expect during the week ahead. The next morning we gathered and were ferried to the “flats” in a large and comfortable catamaran. Then we boarded skiffs, 2 fishermen to 1 guide. I thought I had seen some pretty substantial numbers of bonefish, having fished the Bahamas for 5 decades, but this did not begin to prepare me for what we were about to see. Hours passed as we watched and cast to a never ending shoal of fish slowly leaving the flats as the tide fell. It was possible to catch and release fifty fish daily – before lunchtime!

Other species we encountered were the magnificent Giant Trevally, Triggerfish, and Milkfish. The largest Trevally landed by the group was about 40lbs, the week before we arrived an 80lber had been landed! The guides were all excellent and caring, making sure we were safe and trip expectations were met. The whole experience was rated as 5 star. This trip began as a trip of a lifetime, a one time chance to experience exotic fishing in a far away land. It was so successful, that plans have already been made to return, with most of the group committed to returning. I have secured dates from the lodge and we will be returning 1-8 December 2007.

If you are interested in joining the next group, and would like more details, please email your request to harry@hanoverfly.com, we still have several spots open to expand the group. Australia and New Guinea will have to wait another year!

seychelles

"...milkfish, GTs, bonefish and miles of untouched flats ..."
–HR