Fly Fishing Blog by Alphonse Fishing Co™

ALPHONSE ISLAND FLY FISHING REPORT | 08 FEB – 15 FEB

The week at Alphonse Island began with excitement as anglers gathered for a week of fishing in the stunning waters surrounding St Francois atoll. The atoll, known for its clear waters rich with flats species, promised a week full of action, and it certainly delivered once again. The weather was beautiful for the first few days, but some rain and wind crept in for the last two. Nonetheless some massive spring tides meant that plenty of water was moving and opportunities to fish for all of our usual species.

The week started with some fantastic bonefish action, a customary practice in the early days of the week. A total of 168 bonefish were caught, and each one shows off ridiculous speed and power. The bigger bones can be very tricky, making them a real challenge for the anglers. Particularly on the dropping tide, the flats were alive with movement as the anglers worked their way through the shallow waters, a perfect scenario for catching bones. Every time a bonefish was caught, it was a cause for celebration, as these fish do not give up even once finally in the net.

While bonefish were plentiful, the biggest excitement of the week came from the giant trevally’s. These beasts are powerful and fast, making them a true test of skill with a fly rod. Seventeen GTs were caught throughout the week, and each one is always a memorable catch due to the strong fight but more often due to the epic way they eat a fly. These fish can grow to impressive sizes, and anglers knew they had to be ready for a real battle at all times.nOne angler, Stephan, made a splash when he landed the biggest GT of the week— a solid 74cm fish. The fish was seen in the surf zone, cruising in the shallow water between the waves. Stephan has landed many geets in his trips to the Seychelles and made no mistake with his fly presentation and hookset on this fish.

Donald Stewart had a particularly exciting week. Not only did he catch an 81cm milkfish—a rare catch this week—but he also landed two nice GTs measuring 69 cm and 63 cm. Donald’s ability to land such a variety of fish made him one of the standout anglers of the week. Matt Prest, too, was in the spotlight, landing three GTs of his own, including one that measured 73 cm, another at 70 cm, and a third at 65 cm. Matt’s steady approach and patience in landing these fish earned him plenty of respect, and shots at the bar.

Mike Berard, was keen on going after some of the smaller but equally challenging fish, and was delighted to hook the largest yellow-margin triggerfish of the week at 48 cm. Zander’s 39 cm moustache triggerfish was another memorable catch. Meanwhile, Ross added two moustache triggerfish to his tally, with the largest measuring 46 cm. These triggers didn’t come too willingly this week so a big well done to the anglers who persisted with these spooky creatures. Karen had a special moment when she caught her first-ever moustache triggerfish, measuring 49 cm. Catching your first fish of a new species is always a memorable moment, and Karen’s joy was clear as she admired her special fish.

Peter Minter’s week was truly unique. On one unforgettable day, he managed to catch a flats slam—a giant trevally, a 45 cm yellow-margin triggerfish, and a bonefish—all in one outing. A flats slam is a very impressive achievement, and Peter’s skill in landing all three fish had him absolutely stoked. It’s not every day you catch such a diverse mix of fish, and Peter had plenty of stories to tell when he settled around the pub.

Brian, Alistair, and Willie also had their share of exciting catches. Brian managed to land two solid GTs, one measuring 64 cm and the other 65 cm, while Alistair caught two GTs of his own, at 67 cm and 66 cm. Willie, not to be outdone, landed a 65 cm GT. These catches showed the variety of skill on the waters, with each angler getting their turn to reel in something special.

Janie, who was fishing at Alphonse for the first time, had an unforgettable moment when she caught her first-ever Giant Trevally. It was a 66 cm fish, and her excitement was contagious as she proudly held it up for the camera. For first-time anglers like Janie, it’s a memory that will last forever.

Devin Johnson and Scott Amero also contributed to the week’s success and had a great time out there on the flats. Devin managed to catch a GT along with a gorgeous 35 cm yellow-margin triggerfish, while Scott Amero landed two GTs. Both Devin and Scott enjoyed every moment of their fishing adventure. As the week came to a close, the anglers returned to the lodge to share stories, laughs, and some cold beverages. Some of them had set new personal records, while others simply enjoyed the beauty of the island and the thrill of the hunt. The week was full of great memories, and the fishing at Alphonse had once again proven why it’s such a special place for anglers from all over the world. Stay tuned for more stories from a new week!

Tight lines, Blue Safari Fly Fishing

EXPLORE OUR FLY FISHING SPECIES

Fly fishing tips, facts, flies, tides, rods & more

• Bonefish
• Indo-Pacific permit
• Triggerfish
• Yellowfin tuna
• Milkfish
• Bluefin trevally
• Barracuda
• Giant trevally
• Wahoo

EXPLORE OUR SALTWATER FLY FISHING DESTINATIONS

• Alphonse Atoll
• Astove Atoll
• Cosmoledo Atoll
• Farquhar Atoll
• Providence Atoll
• Amirante Islands