FARQUHAR FISHING REPORT

This week eight guests from around the world gathered at the Farquhar Lodge, eager to chase bucket-list fish and create unforgettable memories on the flats.Day one immediately demonstrated the incredible diversity that Farquhar has to offer, as each fish caught was a different species. David kicked off his trip with a giant trevally, while his daughter, Maddie, began her week with a stunning 60 cm bonefish, setting the bar high for her fishing adventure. Andrew took a shot at catching triggerfish and successfully landed a moustache trigger on his first day.

Day two was another showcase of variety, Hannes added a solid 92 cm GT to his tally, while Bryan landed the second moustache trigger of the week. Andrew kept the momentum going from day one and landed the first bumpy of the trip, caught in ultra-shallow water while part of a tailing group. As expected, the bumpy made a powerful run, testing the limits of Andrew's gear. However, after some intense moments, Andrew was able to prevent the fish from escaping into the deeper, coral-filled areas of the lagoon. Maddie, with guide Cullan, added to the excitement by catching a fish that holds a special place in the hearts of anglers and guides alike—a permit. She made a perfect cast at a large group of permit near the white sandy beaches of the inside of the lagoon. While most of the fish were still closing the gap on the fly, a fish that was hidden from view suddenly took the fly and bolted, much to Maddie’s delight. A few moments later, she had successfully landed her very first permit, marking the group’s first permit of the week.

Day three seemed to tilt toward GT fishing, as the weather was perfect, and the fish appeared more active. Bryan, Matt, and Andrew each landed a GT, while Paul opened his tally with a remarkable 54 cm tailing moustache triggerfish, caught on foot in the surf. By day four, the focus shifted once again, with triggerfish taking centre stage. Matt, David, and Maddie all landed a moustache trigger each, while Hannes added a trophy 63 cm bonefish to his list, keeping the diversity alive. Day five was another mixed bag, with more fantastic catches. Andrew landed a trophy bonefish measuring 64 cm, while Hannes, on guide Cullan’s boat, landed a GT. Ronnie, also with guide Cullan, was able to catch a bumpy up on the shallow turtlegrass flats. Meanwhile, on guide Chad’s boat, Paul managed to land a GT and, to cap off a milestone moment, caught his very first bumpy.

On the final day of fishing, day six, Maddie landed another moustache trigger, earning herself a reputation as something of a triggerfish specialist by the end of the week. To finish the week on a high note, Paul, guided by Yousuf, landed a very rare fish on the flats of Farquhar, a catch few anglers have experienced. Yousuf spotted what appeared to be a GT on the surface and carefully polled after it. With the wind picking up and the angle of the fish tricky, Paul struggled to get a good shot. Yousuf then cleverly repositioned the boat upwind of the fish, giving Paul the opportunity for a downwind cast. Remarkably, the fish stayed on the surface, unfazed by the presence of the boat. Paul cast again, and this time, the fish took the fly. However, he was unable to hook it initially. The fish swam under the boat and continued on the surface, seemingly unconcerned. Yousuf expertly repositioned the boat once more, keeping the motor running, while Paul cast from the bow. When the fish saw the fly again, it took it, and this time, Paul made sure to set the hook with a big strip. To their surprise, the fish was not a GT but a 90 cm African Pompano, making it the first of the season! 

With this rare and exciting catch, the group’s week of fishing came to a thrilling conclusion, filled with a diverse range of species, memorable catches, and the kind of adventures that make Farquhar Lodge a truly special destination for anglers.