Fly Fishing Blog by Alphonse Fishing Co™

FARQUHAR ATOLL FISHING NEWS | 1 – 8 NOV 2023

Farquhar welcomed nine anglers this week, it was evident on the first day of fishing that the GTs were out in full force and they didn’t let up the entire week, this in spite of the wind being up! Six giant trevally were landed on day one along with many of the anglers’ first bonefish. Since the GTs were around and feeding, the team of anglers set their focus on the gangsters of the flats. Another seven GTs were landed the second day with John landing seven across the opening two days alone, two of which were over 90 cm.

The pelagics were feeding too and we spent a morning giving the sailfish and tuna a run for their money. Three sailfish along with one yellowfin tuna were landed. Robert hit the bluewater and the flats to secure himself a Bill and Bone Slam. Alexey S took a different approach to the day and chased after the ever elusive permit, as hard as they tried, they didn’t manage to evade him this time and he landed himself the first of two for the week.

John took to the bluewater again midweek for another taste of the saily’s and tuna and landed himself an unexpected catch. A massive dogtooth tuna ate the fish he had on and he upgraded in style. The afternoon was a special one for Dennis and Alexey E who went on a mission for a big GT. Upon approaching the deep coral ridges that Farquhar is known for, a sizeable GT appeared in front of the skiff and Dennis wasted no time laying out a perfect cast. All it took was two or three strips and the squid imitation was inhaled. The fish was rather well behaved and seemed to stay just out of reach of the corals for the duration of the fight, the geet measured in a trophy 104 cm! Another 15 minutes or so went by and Alexey was up on the bow next when another about the same size presented a good opportunity. The size of the fish and they way it ate was almost identical to Dennis’ GT. However, after just a few seconds the fish pulled hooks. While assessing the situation a much bigger fish appeared on the surface next to the boat not even 30 seconds later. First cast and a hard refusal. Alexey water loaded the next cast at close range and landed it not even a metre from the fish with not much expectation of an eat due to the fish being within five metres of the boat at that point. The fish sipped the fly off the surface like a giant trout and began to empty the fly line from the reel. The fish was quick to run directly under the boat and break the top section of the rod off. After a few minutes of intense circling of the skiff around coral heads and ledges the fish was netted. A beautiful specimen of 116 cm and one that Alexey and guide, Chad, will remember forever. A especial first giant trevally on fly for Alexey.

The rest of the week saw the team catching many more GTs, racking the tally up to 25 for the week! Various other coral dwelling fish like marbled groupers, 11 for the week) and bohar snappers were also brought to hand. John ended his week with an epic catch, he landed himself his first ever Indo-Pacific permit, the cherry on top of an incredible week.

It seems that the season is heating up to another level with the most GTs and permit landed in a single week since the season started on Farquhar!

TOTAL CATCH STATS WITH 9 ANGLERS THIS WEEK:

GT 25
Bonefish 52
Sailfish 3
Indo-Pacific Permit
Dogtooth Tuna 1
African Marbled Grouper 11

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