Two back-to-back weeks on Farquhar delivered everything the atoll is known for: wild diversity, determined anglers, emotional firsts, metre-plus giants and fish-filled flats. With tides ranging from pushing lows to productive highs, shifting light and classic Farquhar unpredictability, both groups of ten anglers experienced the full thrill of the atoll’s species-rich waters.
GT fishing remained a defining feature across these two weeks. In the first week, twenty-one GTs were landed, including a metre-long fish caught during a chaotic surf session when GTs surged across stingrays and sharks on the pushing tide. Chantal, Rick, Clive, Jean-Louis, Sebastian, Roy and Garret all added GTs to their tally, with Rick achieving multiple fish across several days — including a one hundred centimetre GT caught in knee-deep water with its back exposed.
The following week, another fifteen GTs were landed, highlighted by Mark’s personal best — a one hundred and fifteen centimetre fish caught after a dramatic rise from the lagoon floor and a high-pressure chase by boat. Nick, Mike H, Clive, Tom R, Patrick, Jeremy and Mike M also contributed to the impressive GT count.
Bonefish continued to provide steady action throughout both weeks, with a combined total of forty-six bones landed. Rick, Roy, Patrick and Tom R each landed trophy bones, some of which stretched the tape measure past the 60cm mark — all sight fished and landed on clear white-sand flats, possibly the best way to target this species.
Bumpies are always a hot topic on Farquhar and top of the target list for many anglers. A major highlight across both weeks saw a combined eight bumpies landed, including several dramatic encounters involving coral, broken lines and long fights. Rick completed a flats slam by landing his first bumpy, followed by Clive, Paul, Jeremy, Mike M and Jean-Louis, who each added the prehistoric parrotfish to their lists. Jan also ended his week on a high by landing his first bumpy on the final day.
Triggerfishing proved both rewarding and challenging, delivering one yellow-margin and three moustache triggers across the two weeks. Clive landed the first moustache trigger, followed by Sebastian with another caught on flies he tied himself. Chantal, who needs no introduction and loves triggerfishing — the self-proclaimed “queen of triggerfish” — landed a fifty-two centimetre yellow-margin, an exceptional trophy-sized fish. One of the finest moustache triggers of the season was landed by Mike M: a hefty 51cm fish tailing among bumpies on his final day, an unforgettable end to the week.
Paul, Fred and Mark all added to the species list, with Paul landing an impressive barracuda, Fred a well-deserved and large bluefin trevally, and Mark a special saddleback grouper. From Rick’s double flats slams and metre-class GT, to Mark’s personal-best GT, Chantal’s trophy yellow-margin, and Jeremy and Mike M’s dream last days, the fortnight showcased everything Farquhar is celebrated for — and moments that stay with anglers for life.