Fly fishing in the Maldives - FOUR RESORTS NOW OFFERING FLY FISHING

Since 2011 we have spent a large amount of time looking at the fly fishing potential in the Maldives. We have now visited 4 different resorts and each offers unique opportunities to combine a family holiday with some opportunities to wade the flats for a variety of species including bonefish, giant trevally, bluefin trevally, triggerfish, info pacific permit, and many more. You can view our selection of Maldivian resorts here: Fly Odyssey Maldives Page.

Atmosphere Kanifushi: Our most recent visit took us to the island of Atmosphere Kanifushi. This is a new resort located a short seaplane flight away from Male. Unique in the Maldives this resort offers a Premium Plus Plan (all inclusive) while maintaining the high standards expected of a stay in the Maldives. It also has some great flats nearby where you can fish for bonefish, giant trevally and more.

Ayada: Ayada is located in the far south of the Maldives. An 1 hour 30 minute transfer takes you to this stunning Turkish inspired resort. No expense has been spared in finishing this resort and Spa and villa's are as good as we have found in the Maldives. From a fishing perspective there is a stunning flats system known as 5 islands. This has a superb bluefin trevally fishery with double figure fish regularly encountered on the flats. The bonefish numbers don't appear to be has high as other parts of the Maldives but regular encounters with Indo-pacific permit occur. This fishing is ideally suited to those anglers who like to explore by themselves.

Client Review:

All in all Mat it was great trip.  A good adventure, hard at times, scary (thunder and reef edge monsters) but when it came right it was great fun and all the sweeter for the hard work.  I would suggest it is not the place for a total novice but it will certainly teach you new things.  I found the trevally tricky to start with but soon found the secret for them.  It is a great location for some fishing while on a couples holiday, but I think it deserves a bit more than that and I would suggest some exploration during big tides may turn up some very interesting results.

Rob Evans, UK - March 2014

Kanuhura Resort and Spa: Kanuhura is a long established resort. It is set on a stunning island and is located on the same atoll as Atmosphere Kanifushi. This resort is ideal for both families and couples and offers all the usual activities expected of a resort in the Maldives. This resort offers guided fly fishing on the various local sand islands for bonefish and giant trevally.

Client review:

That's my Maldives fishing finished- just going to laze on the beach for my last 2 days. In all I fished 4 half days, landed 2 bonefish( lost a big fish of around 6lbs) , landed 2 small GT's( one was pretty big in my opinion but I guess small by GT standards), lost a GT of around 10lbs that I fought for 10mins on my bonefish outfit, and caught around 10 small bluefin and striped travally up to around 4lbs. Also caught a few queen fish, small grouper and white snapper. 

All in all a great holiday!

Kenny Johnston, UK - March 2014

Island Hideaway, Dhonakulhi Island: Dhonakulhi Island has been closed for refurbishment for the past 12 months. The resort has been updated and a large number of water villas built in the lagoon. We will be checking out to the new changes later in the year and finding out how the resort is planning ton developing its fly fishing program.

FOR ENQUIRIES REGARDING FLY FISHING OR POPPER FISHING IN THE MALDIVES PLEASE CALL US ON +44 (0)1621743711, EMAIL US AT: enquiries@flyodyssey.co.uk OR VISIT OUR WEBSITE: WWW.FLYODYSSEY.CO.UK

Maldives fly fishing

Just back from looking at some more fly fishing destinations in the Maldives. We again fished the Kanuhura resort for a few days before flying down to the remotest area of the southern maldives and visiting the stunning Ayada resort. Both resorts are ideally set up for family vacations, honeymoons or just a holiday in the sun.

From a fishing point of view both offer something different. Kanuhura has a boston whaler and trained up fly fishing guide. We have also established a pick up and drop off program for the DIY angler. We encountered good numbers of bonefish while there and had over a dozen shots at ind-pacific permit over a couple of days fishing. The permit here are as fussy as elsewhere but we had several fish very interested in our presentations. The GT's were not around in big numbers but was not a great tide week so this may explain only the few fish seen.

Ayada is a new resort located in the far south of the Maldives. They are in the early stages of setting up their fishing program which will include a gameboat, spotrfisher and flats skiff. We will be helping them over the coming months to establish their fishing operations. There are extensive flats areas nearby to the resort and we spent 2 days looking at these. The habitat is varied (shallow sand, turtle grass and ocean reef) and extensive. Despite the great looking habitat we encountered few fish and this was probabl;y due to a big weather system that came through during our visit.

When the sun shone we manage dot find indo-pacific permit, big triggerfish and a fair number of good sized bluefin trevally (10 lb +). While the flats screamed bonefish we didn't encounter any on this trip. However the area looks great and I am excited about a return visit to try and find out a bit more about that fishery.

 FOR MORE INFORMATION ON FLY FISHING IN THE MALDIVES PLEASE CALL US ON +44 (0) 1621 743 711 OR EMAIL: enquiries@flyodyssey.co.uk

Two New Maldives fly fishing destinations

With the popularity of the fly fishing program we set up at Dhonakulhi island in the Maldives we are excited to announce that we have now found two new destinations in the Maldives to add to our portfolio.

In mid July we visited two stunning resorts, Six Senses, Laamu in the South and Kunuhura in the North. Both these resorts provide unique luxury accommodation and have extensive flats systems nearby. We found all the usual tropical Maldivian species (bonefish, bluefin trevally, titan triggerfish and GT's). We even ran into several into-pacific permit (as fussy as there Atlantic relations).

There are some great deals to be had for the remainder of the year so if you are interested in a family holiday to the Maldives with some nice flats fishing nearby then please email us at enquiries@flyodyssey.co.uk or call us on +44 (0) 1621743711.

Some images from our recent trip below.

Fly Fishing Maldives : Client reports, Dhonakulhi island

We have had a number of clients fly fishing in the Maldives over the past month. Everyone is hooking and landing some good fish including GT's, bluefin trevally and bonefish. Some nice comments below:

Mat,

Great place, family enjoying this place thoroughly. Kids having a ball, released some baby turtles, easter egg hunt, snorkelling etc.  handline fishing competition with my boys v our butler tomorrow afternoon on the dhoni.

Haven't spotted many GTs, but the one I spotted on day 1 was huge, at least 25 kg cruising the cuts along the flats on rising tide.  Scared everything on its path.  As ever, fumbled the cast...one shot only. I had 10 bonefish on the corner of the flats, 3 bluefins from the flats, 2 island / orange spotted trevallies on the flats and a whole host of snappers , groupers from the corals.  

On dhoni, had the big sweet lip on a handline (flyfishing without the rod!), jobfish and white snappers and a big triggerfish.

Overall, a very enjoyable holiday and i even managed to film 2 bonefish swimming onto the flats in amongst the mulllets,  while snorkelling.  

Mr Ling, HK

--------------------------

Mat,

Back from the Maldives - what an awesome place! All I can say is that I am now addicted to GT fishing from the beach. Where else in the world is this possible? 

Caught a dozen or so good sized bonefish, and numerous trevally species. All in, I probably had 10 species on the fly, including hooking (and losing) what I thought was a permit - possible?. Didn't see many GT on the south beach, so spent most days fishing the north. The tides weren't great for early morning or evening fishing as very low at these times. Therefore spent the time after breakfast when tide was on its way up. Cast to 6 or 7 GTs, with two takes. The first time I saw a GT (up close) was following a shark, I cast and it followed, then surged forward and took 4 yards from the end of my rod! I couldn't stop the fish as it bolted 300 yards, and broke the leader. I suspect that it was inexperience on my part if truthful. I had no idea of fish's weight but later saw a similar sized fish at breakfast and was told 30-35kg by my butler (who loved his fishing). I had another follow and even a take from a smaller fish, but it didn't hook. Still, it was the most exciting fishing I have ever experienced.

Thanks for all your advice and looking forward to my trip to Oz.

Mr Barclay, UK

                                 Photo: Courtesy J. Ling.

THERE ARE SOME GREAT DEALS ON THE MALDIVES THROUGH UNTIL THE END OF SEPTEMBER. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON FLY FISHING IN THE MALDIVES CONTACT US ON +441621743711 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

Fly fishing in the Maldives: October Update

Have just returned from Dhonakulhi island Maldives. We spent the past 10 days helping to educate the locals about fly fishing and provide some skills to assist anglers visiting the resort. Managed to get some fishing done as well and landed a couple of GT's. We had a number of anglers fish the island in September with reports of a 10lb bonefish landed and some big GT's hooked and lost.

Toby Coe has uploaded his images from a visit to Dhonakulhi island in October 2011. You can view his outstanding images at his website Toby Coe Photography. Below is a photo of Toby and a decent Giant trevally from the October trip in 2011.

We are now exploring several other atolls with huge potential in the Maldives and will report back on these soon. For booking information on fly fishing at Dhonakulhi Island please call us on +44 (0) 1621743711 or email enquiries@flyodyssey.co.uk

Maldives Fly Fishing: Dhonakulhi Report

Duncan Goldsmith reports on his recent fly fishing trip to Dhonakulhi Island in the Maldives..

Having returned from the Maldives, I’ve just had time to down load the pictures from my camera, and spent a happy half hour reliving the experiences of my favourite salt water trip to date.

The resort and the facilities could not be bettered. That sounds a pretty big statement, and I know everyone’s idea of ideal is different, but that’s mine, and I’m sure I wouldn’t be alone in that. To achieve the level of service and attention to detail, but maintaining the tranquillity and feeling that you are on your own island is incredible. And that’s how it feels – that you are on your own island.



True to form we covered the available work surfaces in the villa with enough fishing tackle to start a small business. I like to try as many different types of fishing that a place has to offer, but as usual, the week disappeared so quickly, some of the gear will have to wait till next time. The accommodation was of a very high standard and I couldn’t have added anything.



Fly fishing consisted of either stalking the variety of flats species on offer, including some stunning blue fin, striped and spotted trevally, that gave exceptional sport on light tackle, to targeting the GT’s. This has to be some of the most exciting saltwater sport available, and whilst it was my first opportunity to pursue them, wont be the last! Watching an 80lbs GT approach you, and then home in and smash into the fly has to one of life’s top fishing moments. Sadly, the one fish I managed to hit wasn’t hooked hard enough but I was.

Switching to the boats for a couple of trips added a variety of other species to the rapidly growing tally. Goat fish, more blue fins, a variety of snappers, grouper and needle fish, and two GT’s all falling to light and heavy spinning tackle, mainly using poppers on the surface. I think everyone in the group achieved success in some form. The potential for trolling, jigging or plugging for other deeper water species was obvious but we didn’t explore it, as was the potential to use fly fishing tactics while drifting.


It seems to have become a tradition to indulge in a spot of night fishing and the resorts service pier didn’t disappoint. More fish were added to a list of species that we estimated had now past the 30 mark.

The fishing was challenging, which is how I like it. The opportunities to target a variety of species using different methods were endless. The surroundings in which to do it were stunning. It is the sort of place that you would always be learning.



The format was relaxed. An exceptional breakfast buffet usually setting us up for the day as we discussed who would fish where. The evening meal was of an equal standard and again, very casual and relaxed as we swapped accounts of the days events.

Its always an interesting test of your experience of a place when you get the inevitable question ‘ would you go back?’. Some places I’ve been I would say no, I’d rather try somewhere different. Some places I’ve earmarked for another visit at some stage.

My response to this trip is easy – I’d go back tomorrow!

Dhonalkulhi island, Maldives fly fishing report

We were please to have the following feedback from a recent clients trip to our new destination in the Maldives at Dhonakulhi island. Gilly and husband David managed a good number of bonefish, trigger fish and various trevally species. David finishing off his trip with a fine Giant trevally in the 40lb + class. Gilly, a fly fishing guide in Hampshire on the rivers Test and Itchen (Gill Bate) is also the first lady we know of to have caught bonefish in the Maldives. A great achievment.

Dear Mat,

Lovely to chat on the phone earlier and as I said, thank you so much for arranging such a truly AMAZING holiday. We both agree that it was probably one of the best holidays we've ever had and it will be hard to find somewhere as fabulous.

Our flight over was uneventful, as was our time at the main airport were we were collected immediately by the Island resort staff and escorted to the air-conditioned lounge for our flight over to Dhonakuli. There were absolutely no problems of any kind at the airport and you would not have been aware that there had been any sort of trouble in the capital, in fact there were no police or military presence that I noticed.

The resort was beyond our expectations and the attention to our well being at all times was paramount to the resort staff. The fishing was wonderful and we loved being guideless, it made for a much more relaxing holiday and also we felt like fishing adventurers, changing where we would fish, at what time of day, trying different patterns and discovering what worked and also catching an endless variety of species. I loved the blue trevally, such beauty and power and the bonefish were fabulous.
It did occur to me that I could be the first woman in the world to have caught a bonefish on a fly in the Maldives. How awesome would that be!!!!!

I hope that you have a fantastic time, actually I know that you'll have a fantastic time.

Gilly.x

Some photos of their trip.


Gilly with a nice striped trevally


Gilly and a cracking bonefish


David in a battle with Giant trevally


Mission accomplished.


Maldives Giant trevally.

We will be returning to the Maldives next week so keep an eye out for more reports soon. For more information on fly fishing in the Maldives please email us or call on +44 (0)1621 743711.

Maldives Information Day Farlows, Pall Mall 20th December, 2011

On Tuesday the 20th of December we are pleased to be hosting a Maldives fly fishing day at Farlows, Pall Mall, London. This day is being supported by Island Hideaway Resort, Dhonakulhi Island and Fly Odyssey and will be showcasing the only resort offering fly fishing opportunities in the Maldives.

Fly Odyssey has helped to establish the only land-based fly fishing opportunities in the Northern Maldives at the barefoot chic resort on Dhonakulhi Island. The Dhonakulhi Spa, resort and Marina offers a range of luxurious accommodations to suit all budgets. This Maldives location is ideally suited to both the dedicated fly fishermen and also for those who wish to combine a few hours tropical fly fishing on a holiday with spouse or family. Our recent visit to the island resulted in good numbers of Bonefish to 6lb and Giant Trevally up to 45lb along with some of the best Bluefin Trevally fishing we have found anywhere in the world.

In store will be Gerrit Chng-Luchau representing Dhonakulhi Island resort and Spa. He will have brochures detail each of the luxurious rooms available on the island and will be able to discuss bookings for 2012. Mathew McHugh from Fly Odyssey will be in store to discuss tackle requirements and logistics for a trip to the Maldives.

To find out more about this new and exciting destination please come by the store from 10AM.

For more information please contact Farlows on 0207 4841000 or Fly Odyssey on 01621 743 711

Maldives website pages now online

You can read more about our Maldives fly fishing options and view a selection on images of the resort and fishing on our Maldives fly fishing webpage which can be found at the following links:

Fly Fishing Maldives

Fly Fishing Dhonakulhi island



For more information please email us or call on +44 (0)1621 743711.

Fly fishing in the Maldives

Over the years we have had many requests about fly fishing opportunities in the Maldives. We also get many requests for tropical holiday locations that are suitable for the family and non fishing partners as well as for the angler. Well, we have just returned from Dhonakulhi island in the Maldives and think we have found a location that offers much for everyone.



From the moment you arrive until the day you depart nothing is too much trouble. The island is one of the most relaxing locations I have had the pleasure of visiting. From the bar that sits over the water where each evening you can view the fish feeding, the two restaurant's with glass bottom viewing of the pristine underwater world, the unique butler service who will take care of any needs during your stay, and the huge variety of water sports (diving and snorkelling) and Spa facilities make this a special place to visit.



From a fly fishing perspective we spent 7 days exploring the areas around Dhonakulhi island in search of giant trevally, bonefish and any other species that would be on the radar of most fly fishermen. What we found was a first class trevally fishery with good numbers of Giant, bluefin and goldspot/striped trevally. On both sandflats and on the edge of reef trevally were a constant. Fishing the edge of the reef proved the most challenging. Daily we targeted giant trevally in the 40-100+lb range. Mornings produced excellent numbers of fish cruising the reef edge, herding the schoals of mullet and snapper hard against the reef. The fish proved more fussy than you would expect for giant trevally. Consistently they would charge the big 6/0 flashy profile fly's. A number of fish ate and one bust off on the coral but generally there would be a refusal at the last minute. Maybe we were fishing too heavy (130lb leader), or maybe just didn't have the right fly for the job but the fishing was as exciting as it gets and I look forward to getting back out there to try and unlock the secret to these fish because they were huge!!



The bluefin and striped trevally were found cruising the flats/beaches and sand islands in good numbers. These are great fish to target with a 7 or 8 wt rod and baitfish pattern. I had recently got hold of the new SAGE ONE saltwater 7 wt and it was a great stick to target these fish with.





Bonefish were high on our priority list and while there is a few reports of bonefish in the Maldives the information is quite patchy. While the habitat on the satellite images looked great you just never know until exploring new water what you will find. What we did find were good numbers of bonefish with a good average size of 4lb with the biggest pushing 6lb. The fish were generally found coming off the edges of the deeper channels up onto the sandflats.







On the same flats giant trevally would be found on the back of reef sharks or travelling as singles or pairs of fish. Early morning they would also be found cruising the beaches and angling writer and photographer Toby Coe managed this good fish of around 45lb.





One of the best parts of a stay at Dhonakulhi island is the fact that your family and children get to experience why we all love saltwater fly fishing so much.



For the week around 20 species of fish were landed on fly including those mentiones above as well as bonito, picaso triggerfish, coronation trout, various cod species and a solitary goatfish. According to the local diveteam based on the island Indo-pacific permit are also commonlu encountered in the lagoon and good numbers fo sailfish and dogtooth tuna are also found close to the resort. We will continue to explore the fly fishing opportunities at this location over the coming year and believe that we have only just scratched the surface.

In summary Dhonakulhi island (Island Hideaway) makes the perfect destination for both family and angler. For more information on fly fishing in the Maldives or if you are planning a family holiday to this part of the world please get in touch and we can help to tailor a package to suit your needs.

For more information please email us or call on +44 (0)1621 743711.