Fly fishing for Redfish and Permit

One of our regular clients has spent another fortnight away chasing redfish in Alabama and permit in Mexico and has sent through some pictures of some memorable fish. During his week in Alabama he landed a good number of redfish in the class of that shown below.

For his second weeks fishing Mike was joined by another regular permit hunter, Jonathan Hey. Between them both they managed 6 permit for the week with another couple of fish lost fishing the remote and unique location of Espiruto Santo Bay.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON REDFISH FISHING IN ALABAMA AND PERMIT IN MEXICO PLEASE CALL US ON +44 (0) 1621 743711 OR EMAIL: enquiries@flyodyssey.co.uk

Fly fishing the Maldives: Client report

Always good to get some feedback from a client who has had a good trip. For those looking at taking the family away it is hard to go past Dhonakulhi island in the Maldives for a family stay with some saltwater fly fishing. We established this destination in 2011 and can help with all arrangements to the island to ensure you get the best out of the fishing opportunities in the Maldives.

Hi Mat,

Further as per our phone call just now, wanted to thank you again for organising such an epic Holiday. Jo, Hector and I had an fantastic time.

We had rising to high tides during the morning over our stay and falling low tides in the afternoon.

I'd spend the mornings fishing for bluefin trevally and GT's. Alot of this I could do from the beach outside our villa. The afternoons I'd wade one of the two flats on the island.

The Bluefin fishing was exceptional. I would either sight cast with bait fish patterns to larger fish cruising the beach edge or cast to scattering bait fish which would usually result in a hook up. When the fish were feeding it was frantic and you could expect numerous fish in a short time. Fish of 3-4 pounds were common and they would take me into backing, larger fish would do a bit more damage than that - I was broken off a few times! They are beautiful fish.

Over the high tide there were a regular supply of GT's whether I was on one of the flats or on the beach outside our villa. As you know, being a saltwater novice, I was a bit worried about being able to spot them. This is the easy part of GT fishing, you could probably do it without polaroids! They are like sunken drifting filing cabinets. Outside our villa I'd see them about 100m up the beach in ones, twos sometimes gangs of 4 or 5. On the sand flats you'd usually see a large dark shape emerge from the darker coral areas surrounding the sand, they seemed on average to be larger and come in only ones and twos on the flats. More often than not i'd stuff up the cast when sprinting into position but a couple of times I got it right and got some decent follows with the fishes backs coming right out of the water before veering off last moment, really is heart in mouth stuff. Unfortunately the only 2 hook ups I got were on a tiny popper I was fishing for bluefin with 15lb line! The leader was snapped like cotton thread.

During the afternoon the sandflats would be wadeable at about knee deep. There were less fish than high tide but  more varied spiecies and all fish that were caught were seen first. I found striped, gold spot and golden trevally on the flats, a well placed weighted pattern with some flash would usually do the trick. Striped trevally were propbably most numerous, they feed in the sand and have a striped back so from a distance I often mistook them for bonefish. I'd generally catch less in the afternoon but it was true flats fishing and each fish felt like a real achievement as I had no guide to spot for me.

Bonefish were absent the majority of my stay, I can only assume this was to do with the fact it was a full moon week which had been highlighted to me as a factor before. I actually didn't see a bonefish till my last afternoon on the flats when I saw a large shoal. I managed to hook one and lost it. On our leaving day as I was walking down the dock to our boat just off the beach to our right I saw about 4 or 5 bonefish feeding - large ones! Think they were giving me another reason to come back, not that I needed one.

As you know Hector is only 4 months old, so any holiday was a going to be a potential challenge. A saltwater fly fishing holiday almost unthinkable, but the villa, butler service, staff and resort in general were all geared towards making life as easy and relaxing as possible whether you want to go fishing, go for dinner or any of the other activities available. Being unguided presented me with both a challenge and the ability to arrange my time around my family. Jo tells me the spa is also amazing.

I don't think there is any other saltwater fishing location that is so family friendly.

I will be returning as have unfinished business with the GT's.

Unfortunately we didn't pack our camera charger so only have pics from the first day which attached.

Thanks again, NZ next up in Feb - can't wait.

Dorian

 FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT US ON +44 1621743711 OR EMAIL: enquiries@flyodyssey.co.uk

Client visit to Florida Everglades

One of our regular clients decided to stop-off and fish the Florida Everglades on his way down to Playa Blanca Lodge in Mexico. Looks like a worthwhile stopover for a few days warm up before the permit fishing begins. Day one Jonathan had a backcountry slam which includes a trout, redfish and snook. Day 2 Jonathan bettered that with a backcountry grand slam adding a tarpon along with the three fish above. Pictures below....

FOR MORE INFORMATION FISHING THE FLORIDA EVERGLADES OR THE KEYS CALL US ON +44 (0) 1621743711 OR EMAIL: enquiries@flyodyssey.co.uk    www.flyodyssey.co.uk

Argentina Golden Dorado: Small streams and clear water

There is only a small number of operations that offer small, clear water stream fishing for Golden Dorado. Bolivia is one country that has received much publicity over the past few seasons. There is a location in the Salta provience of Argentina that also offers sublime clear water fishing for Dorado. The tributaries of the mighty Juramento river offer first class opportunities of big Golden Dorado in a small clear stream environment at certain times of year. Check out some of the following images from a recent trip on one of these tributaries.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT FLY ODYSSEY AT +44 (0) 1621743711
OR EMAIL: enquiries@flyodyssey.co.uk    www.flyodyssey.co.uk