As a new week of fishing dawned on the gorgeous heart-shaped atoll known as Astove, we were joined by four anglers: Toby and Alexander, who run Fins and Feathers out of Montana, Gary from South Africa, and return guest Christopher from the United Kingdom.
Toby and Alexander had a splendid day of fishing on Day One with Astove guide Don, where Toby caught two Giant Trevallies measuring 70 cm and 78 cm, while Alexander went on to complete his first slam for the week with an Indo-Pacific Permit, Milkfish, and Bonefish. Christopher went out with head guide Enrico on his first day and had several shots at Giant Trevally, even witnessing an incredible sighting of 12 Giant Trevallies following about 18 stingrays on the turtlegrass around the iconic Paulie’s Island, just off the southwestern corner flats of Astove. Although Christopher had a tough day of angling, he managed to finish with a 61 cm Giant Trevally.
On Day Two, Christopher was determined to correct the mistakes made on Day One. He headed out with guide Gary, doing the long trek from Paulie’s all the way to the mouth and up the lagoon system toward South Mooring, where lunch was only going to be served at around 14:30. Despite the long walk and late lunch, Christopher remained focused on the goal and managed to complete a slam for the day, catching an 82 cm Giant Trevally, a 34 cm Permit, and a respectable-sized Bonefish.
Toby and Alexander spent the day fishing with head guide Enrico, and even though there were fish around, things didn’t seem to go as well as Day One, with a few missed opportunities and getting rinsed by a few big Bonefish in the surf zone around North Point. However, they did manage to catch some good-sized surf-zone Bonefish, and Alexander eventually pinned and landed a 36 cm Moustache Triggerfish—one of the species he was most eager to catch during his trip to Seychelles.
Days Three and Four proved tough, with very few shots presented on the flats. Even though the weather was prime and visibility was excellent, the dropping tide wasn’t fishing as well as the previous two days, and the pushing tides were equally slow and tedious. Some guides opted to fish the lagoon, which was also slow for Trevally, though it did hold a few Permit circulating through the system. Christopher managed to scratch one out on Day Three, catching a 74 cm Giant Trevally with guide Don.
By Days Five and Six, the fishing picked up again, and there were definitely more fish around. Although most of the anglers struggled to land fish on Day Five, Toby and Alexander had an incredible day with Astove head guide Enrico. Toby landed a 70 cm Giant Trevally out of a pack of six sitting on about 14 rays pushing up a cut on the eastern side of the atoll between the dune and the pole. At the same time, Enrico stood with a Moustache Triggerfish already in the net—one that Alexander had just landed moments earlier.
While Toby was tussling with the 70 cm Giant Trevally, another Trevally attempted to eat the fly straight out of the fish’s mouth! Alexander was instructed to grab his 12 wt rod and cast to the second Trevally, though things didn’t go quite as planned. Once the chaos settled and Enrico finally pulled out his camera, they snapped some memorable shots of the father-and-son duo with their catches—a Giant Trevally and a Moustache Triggerfish.
Already buzzing from the day’s events, Alexander wasn’t done yet. He went on to land three Moustache Triggerfish that day, the biggest being 41 cm. He also caught two Giant Trevallies, the largest measuring 72 cm, a respectable 61 cm Bonefish, and later completed the Super Slam in the lagoon once the rising tide pushed them off the surf.
Day Six was another fantastic day on the flats of Astove. Toby landed a 65 cm Giant Trevally, while Alexander caught another Giant Trevally and three more Moustache Triggerfish with guide Gary, earning him the title of Triggerfish King for the Week.
After a tough week of searching for trophy-sized Giant Trevallies, Gary managed to complete a slam on the last day of his trip with head guide Enrico. His slam consisted of two Giant Trevallies, the largest at 70 cm, a Moustache Triggerfish, and a Bonefish.
Well done to all the anglers for their amazing catches, and we hope to see you out here again for another session!
Tight lines,
Blue Safari Fly Fishing
CONTACT US
If you would like to learn more about this fishing that is on offer at Astove Atoll, you can contact our saltwater fly fishing expert Peter Collingsworth on 01603 407596 or via email at peter@sportquestholidays.com where he can discuss this trip in more detail.
