ALPHONSE FISHING REPORT
This week started off a bit trickier than usual in the Alphonse Group, with a few days of low light due to cloud cover and scattered showers early in the week. However, these conditions gave way to postcard-perfect, glassy days to close out the week. The tides transitioned from peak neaps at the beginning of the week to enjoyable spring tides by the end, offering plenty of variety for both wading and fishing from the boat. There was no shortage of fish, with guides reporting numerous sightings of abundant species. Our guests' dedication and enthusiasm led to some truly remarkable catches, making it a memorable week on the water.
Angler Ben McC came to Alphonse to make his debut on the flats of St Francois, and with plenty of fly-fishing experience behind him, Ben was eager to give it horns and catch some memorable fish. His week was off to a cracker start when his guide took him on the search for some milkfish. Once some of these jet-propelled vegetarians were found, Ben got to work by making some great long-distance casts into the feeding group. Before long he went tight, and his Zambian agricultural roots showed, going to work and putting a heap of pressure on a large milkfish. After a typical tug of war with one of these beasts, Ben caught his first serious fish of his trip, a beautiful 95 cm milk. Once the milkfish bite had dropped off, the attention was turned to one of the angriest fish in the sea - the giant trevally.
Ben’s guide was polling along the Surfline on the Eastern side of St Francois when he spotted a black slab sitting above a stingray. Ben made an excellent cast a few rod-lengths ahead of the fish which stormed the fly on the first strip. Ben hit back as the fish ate with a massive strike, which then caused the geet to charge off after feeling the hook. Ben enjoyed a great tussle on the flats with the fish before he successfully brought it to the landing net - a cracker GT of 95 cm which would remain our biggest of the week. Later that day Ben ticked off a few bonefish to secure his first-ever flats slam on his first day on our flats, incredible work Ben!
The next two days there were plenty of opportunities. Ben found success again whilst fishing around the surf zone. On this day he started with a beaut of a moustache triggerfish measuring in at 47 cm. Once the push started and GTs began moving onto the flats from the surf, Ben added another 74 cm GT to his tally for the week. Ben made sure of a few bonefish to secure yet another flats slam! On his final day Ben went out to put the cherry on top of a fantastic week. With the surf having fired all week, that’s where Ben’s guide took him on this day. Ben fished superbly, ticking off another three GTs with the biggest measuring in at 82 cm. Congratulations on an epic week of fishing Ben!
Angler Lance C is no stranger to our flats system and made the most of his time out there, finding success with the triggerfish in particular. Of the five moustache triggers caught for the week Lance accounted for three of those. On the final day of his week Lance was rewarded for all his time and effort targeting geets during the week, landing a lovely 77 cm GT. Congratulations on your week’s fishing Lance!
Angler Alice B got more than she bargained for when she was waiting for some GTs in one of our biggest channels. Her guide had her armed with an eleven-weight fly rod, 130 lb leader and a massive brush fly specifically for GTs when he spotted some massive triggerfish swimming in the channel ahead of the boat. With no time to waste Alice made a cast with no real expectation of a bite. Much to the surprise of all on board, one of the bigger triggers charged the brush fly, and in doing so fired the rest of the group up to also come and harass the large fly. After a few strips one of the triggers committed and bit the fly. Alice went on and even with the heavy tackle the large trigger put up a great fight. Alice managed to land the fish which ended up being our largest moustache trigger of the week, a canon of 52 cm! Congratulations on this amazing catch Alice!
Well done to Andrew W who also ground through the tricky conditions to come away with our only yellowmargin trigger of the week, a stunning 39 cm fish as well as a well-deserved 70 cm GT. Angler Bernd H took advantage of the batfish which readily took his bluebottle fly when fished on the pushing tide, he managed to land two of these gorgeous fish during his week, the biggest of which was a beautiful 48 cm specimen. And finally, a big well done to Roman B who fished hard during his week and eventually got his 75 cm GT on his final day.
