Fly Fishing Blog by Alphonse Fishing Co™

ALPHONSE ISLAND FLY FISHING REPORT | 13 – 20 APRIL 2024

We had another spectacular week showcasing a variety of species here on Alphonse and St. Francois!

Returning guest Tom Leslie has not had an easy ride when it comes to triggerfish. On a previous trip, he hooked his fair share but wasn’t able to land any. Everything changed this trip. On the day he arrived, he only had the afternoon to work with but grabbed the opportunity with both hands, bringing to net a massive 52 cm moustache trigger, which ate the fly at least three times before being hooked, fought, and caught. An epic start to the week and a fantastic first trigger! A few days later, Tom bagged his first-ever Indo-Pacific permit, another fish which has eluded him on a number of visits to the Seychelles Outer Islands.

Tom’s momentum was unstoppable. On his last full day of fishing, he hooked a massive 100 cm milkfish, another moustache trigger, and managed to wrap up a lovely flats slam. Tom celebrated accordingly that evening, and while enjoying some cold ones at the bar, he learned that his flight was only leaving quite late the following afternoon. He got hold of guide Graham Hayward, who told him they would go out for a morning session before his flight. Tom had no idea that making history awaited him.

Tom and Graham set off on one last triggerfish mission the following morning. Tom proceeded to tuck into the moustache triggers, bringing in a total of six, with the biggest being 51 cm. In addition to the moustaches, Tom landed two yellow margin triggers, the biggest coming in at 43 cm. These fish were all caught in the space of about three hours: incredible fishing and the most triggers caught in a single day in our fishing history. Congratulations to Tom and guide Graham on an extraordinary morning.

Angler Gavin Laidlaw is also no stranger to the flats of Alphonse. He started his week off with a stellar first day, catching a beautiful 42 cm permit, a massive 100 cm GT, and a bonefish for a top-tier flats slam. He carried on his streak on day two and netted himself another permit. He completed the week with two more GTs and a cracker of a milkfish. Congratulations on your epic week of fishing, Gavin!

Angler Gordon McHaney came to Alphonse from a trip to Farquhar, hoping to catch one of the elusive “gold bars” found on St. Francois. While walking on the Mon, his guide spotted two fish cruising the shallows. In a spectacularly un-permit-like fashion, one fish charged after the fly and made several attempts before swallowing it up. A nerve-wracking fight ensued, but Gordon succeeded, landing a beautiful 47 cm permit. This was the biggest of the week and a prize that left Gordon speechless but smiling ear to ear. Congratulations on your first Indo, Gordon!

There’s always potential for something special to happen when big fish man Ed Aremia is in town. Ed visited us after his trip to Farquhar and, as usual, was keen to go after the big GTs. The first fish of his stay was a thick 95 cm GT, a magnificent specimen. He then stepped up his game while fishing on Alphonse’s flats. His trusty guide, Yousuf, spotted a group of fish just off the edge of the flat: two good ones and one monster. Ed made the shot, and as one would hope, the big guy made a change and engulfed the fly. Ed fought valiantly and brought the beast to the net, measuring a mammoth 111 cm! Congratulations on your beast of a GT, Ed—the biggest of the week and another brute to add to your tally.

Congratulations to Lucas, who bagged a couple of GTs; Gary, who caught his first-ever moustache trigger; and Julian and Jim, who each caught GTs.

Thank you to all our guests for a fantastic week! We look forward to another exciting week of fishing with new guests. Stay tuned because we are expecting some big things!

Tight lines, Blue Safari Fly Fishing on Alphonse Island

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