Fly Fishing Blog by Alphonse Fishing Co™

ALPHONSE ISLAND FISHING NEWS | 02 – 09 DEC 2023

Another exceptional week of fishing unfolded on St Francois Atoll, characterized by favourable neap tides that ensured ample water throughout the fishing days. The triggerfish, in particular, made a notable appearance in abundant numbers, adding to the excitement. Despite intermittent storms, the overall weather featured calm winds and the radiant glow of the sun.

While triggerfish can be pursued on any tide on St Francois, the preference for neap tides was evident among both guides and guests. The slower drops and pushes resulted in weaker currents, allowing triggerfish to feed more comfortably along grass lines and finger flats. Right from the start of the week, it was evident that the triggers were in a feeding frenzy, providing our guests with an exhilarating experience. Even in their fired-up state, triggerfish present a formidable challenge to fly fishermen with their robust jaws, sharp teeth, incredible speed, and a knack for seeking refuge in coral. Despite the challenges, the allure of these fish kept anglers returning for more.

A returning angler, Alan Olivier, showcased his expertise in targeting triggerfish. His patience faced a stern test on the first day when he hooked up and lost 15 fish! Undeterred, he returned the next day with renewed determination. Guided by Reece, Alan spotted a massive yellowmargin trigger tailing and feeding in deep water. A well-placed cast led to an electrifying moment as the fish charged the fly, only to wedge itself in a nearby coral head. Reece, with his skill and experience, dove into action, making several attempts to free the fish. Eventually, success prevailed, and both angler and guide erupted in celebration as they realized the magnitude of the catch—an astounding 54 cm yellowmargin trigger, the largest of the season. Congratulations to Alan and Reece for this remarkable achievement.

Alan’s stellar week continued as he went on to catch a moustache triggerfish and three GTs, with his biggest giant trevally measuring an impressive 94 cm, the largest of the week. Well done to Alan on an incredible week of fishing!

Chris Burgess, journeying from Australia to Alphonse Island for the first time, was awe-struck by the abundance of fish. He chose triggerfish as his primary target and made a remarkable impact. On day one, Chris landed the largest moustache triggerfish of the season, an enormous 56 cm specimen. The following day, he achieved almost the same feat with another giant, a 55 cm triggerfish. Not to be outdone, Chris’ wife, Este, joined the action and landed her first moustache trigger. Congratulations to Chris and Este on these extraordinary catches!

Special congratulations are also in order for James, Edward, Rafael, Mark, Mia, and Abbey for their successful GT catches during the week. Roman and Adam also had their share of triumphs, landing moustache triggers.

The sailfish remained cooperative for those venturing into the deep blue with a fly rod. Five anglers targeted these high-speed predators, and all five managed to land a sailfish on the fly. Edward, David, James, and Phil deserve special mention, with an extra nod to Mark for achieving a ‘Bills and Bones’ slam, a feat rarely accomplished in any other part of the world—catching both a sailfish and a bonefish in the same day!

Anticipation is high for another epic week of fishing, and we can’t wait to share the upcoming stories in next week’s report. Stay tuned!

Tight lines, Blue Safari Fly Fishing on Alphonse Island

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