Trip report: Isla Holbox tarpon

We have just back from a hosted trip to Isla Holbox, Mexico in pursuit of the ultimate fly rod species the Silver King. Isla Holbox is a small island of the northern tip of the Yucatan Peninsula and has a reputation for its migratory tarpon fishing. Our group of 8 stayed at Isla Holbox Lodge which is a nicely run and comfortable beach front lodge. Fishing at the lodge starts early to ensure that you make the most of the calm early mornings chasing offshore migratory fish prior to the afternoon south easterly winds forcing the boats inshore to search for baby tarpon.



Our first two mornings went perfectly to script with the guides getting us into large schools of rolling tarpon. Finding the fish was easy but getting close enough to get a decent shot proved more difficult in the glass calm conditions on day 1. One lucky angler from Japan did get a good shot and found himself hooked into a fish around the 130 lb mark. I was lucky enough to be in the boat with Andy Congram on the second morning and watch as he hooked into a tarpon estimated at 140 lb. Watching a tarpon get 10 feet into the air is a great way to start the day. Andy put maximum pressure on this fish and boated it in approximately 30 minutes. Back at the lodge that evening we were over the moon with the prospect of another 4 days chasing big fish outside but the weather had other plans. The wind blew for the rest of the week and we did not get the chance to head back outside after the big tarpon but I saw enough on those first two mornings to draw me back again.



The remainder of the week was spent chasing tarpon in the mangroves and on the flats. Several of the group had some great sight fishing in 4-5 feet of water to tarpon in the 30-50lb class. Mark Nicoll managed to boat a 40lb fish in difficult conditions and Trev Bennett jumped a fish in the 30lb range. The baby fishing in tight to the mangroves was a bit hit and miss. Those boats finding schools of fish had some fun but those who missed out on tarpon spent time chasing snook and jacks.



For more information on fishing Isla Holbox please email us.

Ascension Bay fly fishing trip report

Isn't it great when a destination lives up to all the hype. John and Angela have kindly sent through a recent trip report and photos from a week down in Ascension Bay and the fishing sounded great......

Punta allen at last! After 2 flights, one coach ride and 22hrs we arrived at punta allen and where greated by our host Niki with the torch and the candles as the power goes off at 12am in this town, anyway straight to bed it was needed ! Then awake at 7am to the sound of the sea lapping on the beach. Its then you realise what a peaceful and tranquil place your in the lodge was just as discribed small clean with all you require just 20 paces from the sea.

No time to waste so down for breakfast and to meet our guides for the day Christian & Pedro then it was off on the daily ride to the fishing spots, James Bond style if requested!

Day 1
The first day was fish under the belt day with plenty of small bonefish happily obliging with a couple of shots at permit thrown in for good luck. Its amazing how quick the day goes when youe enjoying yourself and in no time we were heading back to the lodge.



Now Punta Allen is a pretty basic place but there are 2 stores, 3 bars/restaurants that serve cold beer and good food but as expected it is seafood orientated but just in case you want a change there is a nice crepe bar and a chicken barbeque shop. Dont worry you wont starve in punt allen!

Day 2
A change of guide today it was Manuel & Jesus (the best guides) this involved our first tarpon trip to the mangroves being poled through these small chanels looking for tarpon casting under trees and into trees but after a few tips and a bit of practice we got the hang of it. After a few hours and no takes things were looking grim then 3 fish were spotted moving towards our boat manuel launched into his most common phrase (long cast then strip). The first cast fell short the second was on the button the lead fish peeled off took the fly and bang our first tarpon was on and landed shortly afterwards. The rest of the was spent chasing permit with no luck but as usual the bonefish & the lady fish again obliged while avoiding that big cuda.



Day 3
The day I joined 2 clubs!! Manuel arrived saying today permit, but first we stopped off for some bigger bonefish near Casa Blanca. Now it was quite windy and after a few fish i got a bit cocky . Its at this time you find out your boating skills are not what you thought they were, it went one way I went the other and thats where i joined the over the side and in the drink club (very exclusive only 3 members) after a few laughs and some more bones it was of to find permit, after another boat ride we arrived on one of Manuel's secluded flats, no other boats in sight, now talking about sight these guys can see fish at amazing distances and manuel soon spotted our first shoal, after a lot of punting and some great coaching we got our cast in and bingo the fish took the fly 5 mins later our first permit was landed, not bid but perfectly formed, after a wet start our luck had changed. Anyway 10 minutes later the shoal reapeared we got a second cast in and permit no 2 was hooked and landed bigger but not a giant. So the grand slam was on and manuel set off to some of his secret spots in the mangroves and after 5 casts the tarpon obliged not 1 but 5 baby tarpon not one but 2 grand slams, just shows what a novice can do with the right guide!



Day 4
Manuel arrived early today with the words big permit then away we went on one of is long boat rides to the more isolated spots. After about 20 minutes manuel spotted the first shoal only small fish but this man is fanatical and the chase was on 3 casts later our first permit was landed. Manuel decided to move to deeper water within the hour Manuel has spotted the shoal and sure enough they were bigger fish both jesus+manuel sprung into action and after a lot of grunting and punting we were in the position for the shot, away it went and landed good closly followed by the usual strip ,fast ,slow ,stop slow strip you got him and yes we had but the tippet had other ideas and away he went.

Its not until your on the boat rocking and rolling in windy conditions with the fanatical guide shouting orders at you and a shoal of permit in front of you that you realise your casting could be better and you should have practiced a bit more!
Anyway we regrouped and they regrouped and another 2-3 shots came and went. Then out came the pliers and manuel cut the eyes off my best crab fly the next shot came followd by manuels instructions the fish obliged and 40 mins later a nice big permit was on the boat (me and manuel both with big smiles), the day continued in much the same way with a couple more takes and another loss, fish 3 anglers 2 hum! but as usual when the permit didnt show the bonefish did.



Day 5
A relaxing day catching bones snappers and small jacks in calm conditions punting after the large shoal in shallow water. Then all hell broke loose and another shoal of permit appeared yes the guides went mad, the casting went to pot no takes today.



Day 6
Started slow wading for bones no luck so off on another boat ride looking for snook ,first cast the fly was followed by a small shark then we spotted a lone big bone and he was hungry he took the fly and after a good fight was soon in the boat then released. This was followed by 2 snook from under the mangrove bushes, then we were off for tarpon but after a couple of hours and a few takes with no luck the third strike happened he didnt get away and we were on for the super grand slam. With permit on our minds we headed back towards our base and to my amazement sure enough Manuel spotted another shoal but after a long chase and no takes they vanised as quickly as they had appeared. So off we set on the final leg of our trip back to the lodge then we stopped on the edge of the deep water and there they were a shoal of big permit, again both manuel and Jesus went into action and worked hard to get into position for the cast. The first was poor the second was good the strip was good the fish took the fly I set the hook the fish had other ideas turned over spat the hook and was away, and that was the end of the super grand slam and our fishing trip. As you proberly realise the trip won't be forgotten! So was Punta Allen worth the long trip well that's a resounding Yes. So its thanks to Manuel for his patience and his tips for the novice anglers, and its thanks to Mat for organising the trip. We will come back!

Cheers John + Angela

For anyone interested in fishing Punta Allen we have 3 hosted trips in late November/early December with some places still available. Please email me for more information.

Fly Angler Magazine: New Caledonia article

For those who love saltwater fly fishing you will be interested in a quality publication coming out of Australia called Fly Angler. This magazine showcases much of Australia's great saltwater fly fishing while also offering a sampling of the native freshwater species available to the fly angler from downunder. There is always a great selection of fly tying articles and some casting thrown in. Fly Angler also showcases some of the best saltwater destinations to be found around the world and has recently published an article on several of our trips to New Caledonia. Click Click here to read the pdf version.

We have one space left on a trip hosted by Peter Morse between the 31st July and 7th August. For more information please email me.

Corrientes Dorado fly fishing

Here is a report from Argentinian guide Nicholas Thomson who spent a few days showing Fly Odyssey client Charles Butcher what Golden Dorado fishing on the Corrientes is all about.

The trip began in Buenos Aires where we got to talk and know each other. Th bus up to Esquina arrived early so we had a short nap before going out fishing. By half past seven we had some breakfast and we left to meet with our guide. He took us south where we could find good clear water spots, due to the amount of water the parana was dropping into the other channels. The parana feeds allot of these smaller rivers, and this time it was very high, so we where fishing inside the islands where most of the activity was. To make a long story short, in the first day Charlie hooked a Dorado on every spot the guide took us, landing 4 of them.



He was amazed by the size of these fish and also about the fight these fish put when they hit your fly!! I have to say that in the first day we where blessed with the weather, we had a very nice sunny day, making the scenery more attractive, and I think that was what amazed Charlie the most!!



The second day started with heavy rain, so we decided to take it easy and wait a bit for the weather to get better.... Before mid day we where back in the boat, with some waterproof jackets and pants, which the guide provided us. Weather was cold so we had to fish deeper. This time we drifted through some canals, having some stikes. We arrived to a spot with some clear water where I caught a 13 pound Dorado. When we got back to the hosteria we where staying at, we found that they where making a big Asado for some guys from Uruguay, and we where invited so we gladly joined them, finishing the trip with some good wine and a superb asado.

Cheers
Nick

For an authentic Dorado fly fishing experience at a great price please Contact us.