Fly Fishing Blog by Alphonse Fishing Co™

ASTOVE ATOLL FLY FISHING REPORT |  10 MAR – 17 MAR 2025

This week, we had five anglers join us on the remote little atoll known as Astove. We were entering a spring tide cycle, which gives anglers access to fishing in the unique shallow inner lagoon system. During this time, species such as bonefish, indo-pacific permit, and giant trevally enter the lagoon to feed on its abundant food sources. The spring tides also provide opportunities to wade across the beautiful, vast turtle grass flats, offering chances to catch large giant trevally, bluefin trevally, titan triggerfish, yellow-margin triggerfish, permit, and bonefish in the surf zone. This week’s fishing conditions featured overcast days, with fewer giant trevally pushing up onto the flats. As a result, the anglers mainly focused on triggers, permit, and bonefish.

Day one started with the landing of a single bonefish and the loss of a few giant trevally during fights. Bill and Jim had an incredible start, each landing 20+ bonefish on their first day and continuing to catch plenty more throughout the week. Day two saw improved fishing conditions. Return guest Robert Gilchrist landed a 55 cm titan triggerfish with guide Donovan Dustin. Return guest John Horlock caught two giant trevally while popping the outside with guide Sean Callaghan, with the largest measuring 70 cm. Additionally, John Briggs caught three Indo-Pacific permit with head guide Enrico Aerts.

On day three, the weather began to shift, with constantly changing winds and thunderstorms in the area. Despite the tough visibility and the continued absence of giant trevally on the flats and in the lagoon, John Briggs managed to land another two permit with guide Donovan Dustin. John Briggs maintained his momentum on day four, catching another two permit and bringing his total to seven for the week. Bill and Jim, having lost six permit in the lagoon the previous day, remained determined. Jim finally landed his first Indo-Pacific permit, while Bill, unfortunately, lost another just moments before guide Donovan could get the fish to the net.

On day five, we finally started seeing giant trevally on the flats again. With high hopes, the anglers set out, but none managed to get a fish to take the fly. However, Robert Gilchrist landed an Indo-Pacific permit in the lagoon with guide Sean Callaghan, and John Horlock caught a permit with head guide Enrico Aerts. Later in the afternoon, John also landed a beautiful saddleback grouper offshore. Despite the conditions, the anglers managed to land two giant trevally, one moustache triggerfish, and nine indo-pacific permit. The abundant bonefish provided consistent action throughout the week, with a total of 122 bonefish landed.

Tight lines, Blue Safari Fly Fishing

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• Bonefish
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