Fly Fishing for Giant Trevally Christmas Island

Escorted GT Fly Fishing Christmas Island

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I am in a fortunate position and as some say, have a dream job. One question that is asked many many times is where is your favourite destination in the world and why?

The simple answer is I love them all, however one always stands out for some reason and this is just one such tour and in fact I would probably hold it at the top of my top ten list of destinations. Why? It is not the easiest place in the world to get to, there is nothing else to do there but fish, the accommodation is basic, but to me that is the whole point. There is hardly any remote fishing places left and the back to real basics approach just the fish and me is what truly shines through on this fishing experience.

Our trip in 2010 only added to my love and passion for this destination and what a trip it was, we managed to hook and land 32 GT’s on the fly only. The majority of the fish weighing (As we weigh our fish not like others) between 20lb to 80lb plus. One customer Mr Patterson even had chances at casting his fly at a 120LB plus fish. (I was with him at the time and even I was shaking and it was not my turn) We managed to smash two 12# fly rods and trash 10 fly lines and well for flies it’s a good job Mr Patterson had been busy in the evenings tying his GT specials. So it will come as no surprise we will be hosting a trip back in December 2011 on the perfect moon phase and top guides.

We have also seen other operators in the UK now trying to promote another lodge on the island, please do not confuse the two operations there is NO comparison. Our operation has been established for over 8 years and only uses top guides. Also we do not use false economy to try and promote this destination; all our trips are based on 2 anglers per boat EVERY day with one guide. Competitors are offering 4 anglers to one boat with 2 guides, this means that 2 anglers and 1 guide will be dropped off on a flat to fish while the other move to a different area. What if you want to move again (Which you need to do), what if someone has had enough or worse gets sick? They also offer areas accessed by 4 wheel drive, these are unless you want to just chase small Bonefish second rate areas. We believe what is the point travelling around the world and then trying to save a few pounds, when it will effectively half your efficiency while fishing?

Christmas Island is the largest atoll in the Republic of Kiribati. This island is not only one of the most remote and beautiful islands you could ever wish to visit, it’s also home to a huge Bonefish population. However, it is the several species of Trevally including the giants of Christmas Island, the GT's, (some of which can be over 100lb) that we all go for. Imagine a giant mean eating machine attacking your surface popper again and again; once hooked you helplessly hold on! Then you pray that you can stop them before they reach the reef or you run out of backing. But pray hard, as once you nearly have them in, these fish are likely to just turn around and run out again and again. All of this will certainly leave your arms aching and sore, but believe me; you will surely have a big smile on your face.

There are two main ways for fishing for the GT's. First is using large surface poppers 8" to 10" with stepped up rods and big fixed spool reels. This is hard work but either fishing from the shore casting out over the reef or on days when you are out on the boat, fishing sunken reefs produces fantastic results. On a recent trip, we set some new lodge records with up to 18 GT's from a boat in a day. A total of 106 GT's in the week with 4 fish over 100lb the biggest around 125lb, but that's not all, on days from the boat customers also had Yellowfin Tuna to 120lb, Sailfish and Wahoo all on surface poppers.

The second way is to fly fish for them. This can be achieved either by fishing from the boat close to the shore casting surface fly poppers and double hand stripping them back as the GT's like a lot of noise and poppers that move very fast. You can also use a lure rod with out hooks and try to switch and tease the GT's out of the reefs. The other method is to fish inshore with over 250 miles of saltwater flats, lagoons and channel's. Fishing will be done while wading and entails sight casting to visible fish in shallow water. For anglers keen on the challenge of Trevally, (Giant, Golden, Blue Fin, and Striped) our guides are highly skilled and passionate in their pursuit. While a somewhat higher stakes game than Bone fishing or lure fishing, the results are often spectacular!

Peter Collingsworth
Operations Director

information

FISHING METHODS

Satwater Fly Fishing, Popper Fishing, Trolling

SPECIES TO CATCH

Bonefish Season: All Year Peak: Oct to Feb Weight: 1lb to 12lb Average Weight: 3lb	Bluefin Trevally Season: All Year Peak: Oct to Feb Weight 1 to 40lb Average Weight: 8lb	Giant Trevally Season: All Year Peak: Aug and Feb Weight: 5lb to 140lb Average Weight: 37lb
Yellow Fin Tuna Season: All year Peak: Sept to Oct Weight: 10lb to 200lb Average Weight: 22lb	Saifish Season: All year Peak: August, Dec and Jan Weight: 40lb to 170lb Average Weight: 85lb

Note: these figures are complied with catch reports over 5 years, however they can be effected by adverse weather.

quick check

TOUR INCLUDES

Transfers, accommodation and guided fishing.

WHAT’S EXCLUDED

All flights, Holiday insurance, personal items, fishing tackle, laundry service and local tips (recommendation $20 AUS per person per day for your fishing guide. $40 - $60 AUS for the week per person tip for the lodge staff).

OPTIONS

Seat upgrades available with British Airways.

VISA

A machine-readable passport with at least 6 months before expiry. No visa for UK citizens required.

Note: Because your flight will involve traveling into the USA, you will be required before travel to complete an Electronic System Travel Authorisation (ESTA) online, which is compulsory for all USA Visa Waiver Programme (VWP) travellers before boarding an air or sea carrier to the USA. For full information and apply online visit our ESTA information page.

MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS

Yellow Fever, Cholera, Malaria and Typhoid.

PLEASE NOTE

All details of visa and medical requirements are correct at time of press. However, please check these requirements for changes before you travel.

DEPARTURE TAX

There is a $20 AUS departure tax payable upon leaving Christmas Island.

FLIGHT ROUTE AND FLIGHT TIME

UK – Los Angeles (approx 11hrs). Los Angeles – Honolulu (approx 6 hrs). Honolulu – Christmas Island (approx 3 hrs).

BAGGAGE ALLOWANCE

(WT) 2 checked in items 23 kg (WTP) 2 checked in items 23 kg (C/F) 3 checked in items 23 kg. British Airways permits each passenger to check in one piece of sporting luggage i.e. a rod holdall, but must not exceed 23 kg.

TRANSFER TIME

Honolulu airport – Outrigger Reef Hotel Spa (approx 30 mins)
Christmas Island airport – Resort (approx 30 mins)

other activities

HONOLULU ZOO

For a glimpse of some of the world's most exotic wildlife, head to this delightful zoo on Waikiki's eastern end.

HY'S STEAK HOUSE

Intimate, subtly lit, and genteel, this well-respected steak house is a special-occasion favourite, thanks to its refined ambience and great food.

An Amazing Week For The Customers At The Farquhar Lodge, Seychelles!

Escorted GT Fly Fishing Christmas Island