Fly Fishing Blog by Alphonse Fishing Co™

ALPHONSE ISLAND FLY FISHING REPORT | 26 OCTOBER – 07 NOVEMBER 2025

The transition from late October into early November brought two weeks of unforgettable highlights across Alphonse and St François. While giant trevallies remained elusive on the flats, the island came alive with unusual species, determined first-time catches, and some of the most exhilarating bluewater sail fishing action we’ve seen this season. From batfish and permit on sandy shores to milkfish and multiple GT firsts, these weeks revealed just how diverse and dynamic the Outer Islands can be.

The GT fishing proved tough for the anglers, with congregating baitfish offshore keeping them off the flats. A few determined first-time guests persevered though, with Sergei, Visilli and Ivan each landing their first GTs. Guy followed with a beautifully conditioned 91 cm GT amongst the coral fingers of the inner lagoon. A lemon shark provided some entertainment and stress, but with some skill and hard pulling Guy won the battle and landed a phenomenal first GT. Well done on your first’s guys. Vladimir, no stranger to catching GTs also landed a respectable fish of 81 cm.

With GTs scarce, anglers shifted focus to some of Alphonse’s more unusual and rewarding species. David, a well-known returning guest, targeted batfish and succeeded in landing two, both on a bluebottle fly, fast becoming a special species to tick off and part of the main target species here on Alphonse. The permit action was equally impressive, with Vladimir landed a stunning 49 cm Indo-pacific permit tailing behind a porcupine ray on Bijoutier. His son Alexander followed in his footsteps during a quick afternoon session around Alphonse, landing his very first permit.

As November rolled in, conditions turned glassy and the milkfish appeared in force. Their nervous water lit up the lagoon and offshore scum lines, setting a fresh wave of anticipation amongst the guides and anglers alike. Several long-time returning guests, with years of near-misses finally ended, Greg, who has fished Alphonse for a decade, landed his first milkfish turning his famous “one that got away” stories into a well-earned victory. Chris and Simon also celebrated their first milkfish after three years of trying, proving once again how patience and optimism can change everything.

Bone fishing remained consistent as ever, with nearly four hundred bones landed across the two weeks. Among them, yet another standout moment came from young Alexander, who, while fishing for bonefish, spotted an Indo-Pacific permit hidden among the shoaling fish. With a perfect cast and slow strip, he landed his second permit of the fortnight — a golden surprise gliding off the back of a porcupine ray.

While the flats required persistence, the deep blue delivered spectacular rewards. An influx of baitfish around the atolls drew in impressive numbers of sailfish, tuna, and wahoo, sparking immediate excitement among the anglers. One morning, a family of five boarded Suli to try their luck at bluewater fishing and all five landed their first sailfish on fly, a milestone few families could ever claim. Many other guests followed suit, each returning with stories of their first billfish and some pushing further to land multiple sails in a single session. Jay, having watched the action unfold for days, headed to the bluewater and in one remarkable session landed six sailfish on fly, a feat he will remember for years. Soon after, seven more guests landed their first sailfish — with a few even hooking their first wahoo in the chaos.

These two weeks on Alphonse showcased resilience, variety, and the pure unpredictability that makes the Outer Islands so remarkable. While giant trevallies kept mostly to the deep, the atolls rewarded anglers with first GTs, a couple of permit, milkfish milestones, and some of the most memorable sailfish sessions of the season. From father-and-son permit triumphs to a family of five landing their first sails, the period was filled with excitement and stories that will be told long after the season ends.

Tight lines, Blue Safari Fly Fishing

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