Perfect weather, brilliant fishing and amazing people are all good ways to describe Alphonse Atoll over week eight of the season. Anglers were lucky enough to fish a full moon spring tide over the week which allowed anglers to fish for all species and walk the surf.
Day one was off to a good start for two experienced saltwater anglers. Christoph landed his first GT measuring 63 cm, the 63 cm fish was a tagged recapture which does not happen very often on Alphonse.
Over the last two years, a GT tagging program has been put in place to study the recapture rate, movement and growth rate of GTs around Alphonse and St Francois Atoll. Over the past two years of the GT tagging program, only 10 fish have ever been recaptured due to the massive number of fish present on the atoll.
Jorg who was Chris’ angling partner over the week managed to hook into a monster-sized GT on day one, the fish was estimated at around 120 cm in size but was sadly attacked by a massive lemon shark towards the end of the fight. On day two Chris and Jorg hit the water with vengeance and both managed to land a 77 cm and a 76 cm fish on the flats.
On day three Chris and Jorg managed to tick off their trophy bones. Both anglers managed to land 60 cm bonefish which weigh around 6 lbs. On day four Jorg managed to land a 60 cm GT on the surf guided by the legendary James as well as four bluefin trevally between the two anglers.
On day six history was made and the impossible happened. Jorg landed two GTs measuring 60 cm and 70 cm and Chris did what no angler has ever done before. Chris started by landing a trigger slam consisting of a Picasso triggerfish, a huge yellowmargin triggerfish and then a massive moustache triggerfish. Chris also landed a Golden Grand Slam consisting of a milkfish, GT, bonefish, permit and a triggerfish. This was the second Golden Grand Slam in the history of Alphonse Atoll fishing!
Nick and Mark Jensen also had a brilliant day on the water. Mark landed a massive 58 cm yellowmargin triggerfish followed by three GTs measuring 67 cm, 81 cm and 84 cm as well as a few bonefish which is a Flats Slam. Nick managed to land a 67 cm and an 80 cm GT.
Another fantastic week was spent at Alphonse Island fishing the St Francois Atoll. Memories were made and bonds were formed that will last a lifetime. Stay tuned for next week’s report as we are sure you won’t want to miss it.
Tight Lines from the Alphonse Fishing Co. Team on Alphonse Island.
Contact us
Every week makes us more and more jealous of the anglers out there! If you have any questions about Alphonse or would like to visit this saltwater fly fishing mecca for yourself, get in touch with us at 01603 407596.
Tight lines,
Peter
