The final leg of our journey involved a hop over the reef edge, right into the heart of a coral atoll. As ever, beggars can’t be choosers so we hitched a lift with a ferry full of workers (right). Once on dry land we had to arrange our sleeping quarters. Island life is basic at best and whilst the option of a bungalow was made available, tents seemed a much better idea if only you keep biting bugs away.
~Home, sweet home~
Arriving after dark in Tahiti then drawing the curtains back at first light it was nice to experience that tropical warmth which gave us a lasting first impression. Sadly, we couldn’t savour the view for too long as we needed to away sharpish, hopefully cadging a boat ride from a local fishermen heading out to an offshore atoll where rumour has it large bonefish lurk.
~Our taxi to the boat ramp consisted of this little runner~
~Just about ready for the off on a wet morning in Tahiti~
vv
Traveling to London Heathrow was a little ropey yesterday though eventually made it and our flight even left on schedule. We’re currently laid up in LA and boarding soon to the remote Island of Tahiti. Reports tells us that there is little in the way of communication out there, so it may be a while before you hear from us as were planning to camp on tiny islands for most of our stay…
The word is that South Pacific bonefish predate heavily on sandworms. Apparently these are pretty much an aquatic version of your good old, common earthworm found in our gardens… Though these do vary in appearance from the more obvious brown shades to vivid red and even a curious pale yellow/tan colour. I’ve frantically been tying imitations up all week and as ever started to stray from the prescribed patterns to all kinds of articulated variants, which in turn has opened a proper can of worms!
Four different sandworm patterns, but which one will the bonefish favour?
Mat McHugh of Fly Odyssey has teamed up with a group of French/Belgium marine biologist to help study the Giant Trevally and South Pacific bonefish inhabiting the shores of Tahiti. I’ve been asked along to assist with this project which I’m sure will involve a fair bit of fishing too. Currently, our dates are sketchy though I’ve been up to my neck in fur and feathers for weeks now tying up all sorts of fluffy concoction that will hopefully tempt these aggressive beasts. There’s light at the the of the tunnel now, giving me time to pack in readiness and finally catch up with blogs etc. Happy New Year and let’s hope 2013 is somewhat drier.
You need patterns like this outsized 3/0 Clouser to turn the heads of apex predators like Giant Trevally. Adjacent is a size 12 black dry fly that provides a sense of scale!
My 10-weight Helios took a knock at some point during a day chasing tarpon last week, which split the fighting butt cork (right). Electrician’s insulation tape came to the rescue as temporary field dressing (always handy to have in your bag). However, back at home I was able to carry out a permanent repair using epoxy resin.
Organising a spell of saltwater fishing requires input from many people if only to ensure everything runs smoothly. We enjoyed excellent accommodation with first class food at Casa Viejo Chac made possible by Manuel Chac. Our guides too were not only friendly and professional who had profound knowledge of this tropical environment, often pointing out all sorts of sightings and strange creatures. The whole package was brought together by Mat McHugh of Fly Odyssey who has already secured dates for 2013 for enquires and details email: enquiries@flyodyssey.co.uk Tel: 01621 743711
There are few better places to enjoy lunch than on the bows of skiff in Ascension Bay, Chucho and Oscar getting stuck in during a well deserved break…
(Left to right) chef Pepe and Marbella with barman Charly who provided us with a banquet of delicious food and drink during our stay
Our second group of 12 anglers were armed with 46 rods in total, enough to sink a small battle. Sadly they left some days ago and packing myself, I now know how gut wrenching it must have been for them. Three weeks odd of solid fishing can spoil a man when you definitely get into some sort of a routine. Strong coffee and fresh fruit for breakfast will be missed. So too the morning strolls along Ascension Bay. Naturally the fishing itself is going to leave a massive void, especially when practiced in shirt sleeves and shorts. Then there was the evening craic when we were blessed with Nigel Chambers, arguably one the greatest story tellers known to man… Unfortunately, his good friend and boat partner Selby Knox took the brunt of his poetic tales…the boys will be sorely missed.
~46 rods and reels take up a fair amount of space the minibus groaned when our second group departed~
~One happy chappy-JWS displays a fine permit~
Permit junkie James Warbrick-Smith invested a fair amount of time in search of this elusive, yet highly prized species. Following a series of tough days eventually his luck changed. Though skill was still needed to convert fleeting shapes into hooked fish when James managed to bag himself a brace of permit on consecutive days. Proof that if you stick to a game plan, persistence really does pay.
The pose might be the same,but permit No2 for JWS…!
~Despite being tired, 4ft of snapping teeth demands respect at all times~
Ambling along bonefish flats brings you into contact with all kinds of creatures. Whilst hunting a sandy shore one morning, a shark decided to get a slice of the action by trying to nab one of my bonefish, making everything else on the flat nervous. Handing my cuda rod to Chucho, he promptly dealt with this persistent offender, allowing me to get on with the serious job of sighting ghostly shapes and tailing fish.
Guide Chucho clutching a black tip shark which had previously given us the run around
~Another bonefish is safely released without the fear of nearby sharks~
