A fortnight of contrasts on Alphonse Island. Week one delivered pristine conditions, beautiful light, and the welcome of the neap tides. Week two arrived with hot, glassy weather and flats that fell strangely quiet, a humbling reminder of just how unpredictable saltwater fly fishing can be. Through it all, our guests found magic on the water.
Giant trevally have been scarce all season, which made what unfolded in the surf all the more memorable. Donald was poling the back of the breakers with his guide when three brutes appeared along the backline. He led the biggest by three rod lengths, the fish inhaled the fly, and the fight was on. After an intense tug of war, its silver flanks finally broke the surface, a magnificent surf zone fish measuring 107 cm. GT action stayed thin through week two, but Matthew put one to the boat on the blind cast, a respectable 70 cm fish that fought well above its weight.
The week began with a milky dream. A vast school of milkfish appeared feeding just inside the Alphonse channel, stretching well over 150 metres and leaving the western side of the atoll shimmering in silver. Dave was first to take a shot, and after pricking a few, came tight with his first ever milkfish. The fish tore across the flats, jumping like a tarpon, before his guide netted it after a gruelling 25 minutes. Jason was next, quickly humbled by the sheer power of these fish before finally burying the hook and landing his first. The milkfish madness continued the following morning, with Chuck and Troy both landing their first ever milkfish. Ford, clearly all in, decided one was not enough and landed a second right after his first. The largest milk of the week, a beautiful 101 cm fish, fell to Maddie as part of her flats slam. Congratulations to everyone who landed their first milkfish!
The triggers set aside their usual caution through the week, with a staggering 13 coming to the net and sightings well above average. Jason got the account underway, landing his first ever moustache trigger before sealing his flats slam on the sand flats the same day. Chuck, slightly intimidated by such a notoriously tricky species, hooked up with his guide’s help and watched the fish bolt for the rocks. His guide charged across the flats and got the angle just in time, securing a stunning 50 cm yellow margin trigger. Donald, after a few spooky refusals, finally found a fish willing to eat for his first ever triggerfish.
Father and daughter duo David and Maddie were the undisputed trigger whisperers of the week, accounting for 7 of those 13 fish between them. Maddie stole the limelight as angler of the week. On day two she sealed her flats slam in style with two moustache triggers in the surf, multiple bones, and the largest milkfish at 101 cm. Matthew was the only guest to find a trigger during the toughest stretch of week two, landing a beautiful 42 cm moustache in the surf, a wonderful catch in conditions that left everyone else scratching their heads.
The bonefish kept rods bending throughout the fortnight. Week one produced 221 fish to the net, the largest a chunky 68 cm, proving a vital ingredient in multiple flats slams. Week two saw a wonderful 271 fish come to the net, keeping spirits high for guests and guides alike. These ghosts of the flats were always there when it mattered most, a powerful reminder of the joy a humble bonefish can deliver when the going gets tough.
The pelagics continued to light up the deeper waters, with three groups heading to the blue water and returning with 14 tuna, 4 wahoo, and 2 sailfish, some taken on fly.
Two weeks, two very different stories, and a fortnight that captured the essence of Alphonse Island. From milky dreams and a trophy GT to humbling spring tides and the unshakable charm of the bonefish, this atoll continues to deliver exactly what we love about it. To every guest who joined us, thank you for sharing the water. We look forward to welcoming you back very soon.