As we draw near to the end of another fantastic year, we’d like to take a moment to celebrate some of the incredible fish you, our customers, have landed while travelling with us. These memorable catches are a testament to the world-class fishing on offer across our carefully selected destinations around the globe.
At Sportquest Holidays, we take immense pride not only in the quality of the fishing we offer but also in the dedicated service and support we provide before, during, and after every trip. We know that great fishing can elevate a holiday into something truly memorable, and your stories, photos, and feedback remind us exactly why we do what we do. Whether it’s a first-time experience, a personal best, or ticking off a long-awaited bucket-list species, sharing those moments brings us genuine joy.
This year has delivered no shortage of special catches. While we can’t feature them all, we’ve picked out a few standout moments from the past twelve months that capture the spirit of what it means to fish with Sportquest. Because when you travel with us, you’re not just booking a trip – you’re fishing with the best.
Angler: Mark D
Species: Sea Trout
Weight: 20lb+
Location: Worlds End Lodge, Argentina
At the beginning of the year, our hosted trips and exclusive weeks resumed in Argentina, where many enthusiastic fly fishing anglers ventured to the barren plains of Patagonia to target the magnificent Sea Trout that inhabit the region’s famous rivers. Throughout the first few months of the year, numerous impressive fish were caught, but one that stands out is a beautiful fish weighing over 20lb, landed by Mark on the Irigoyen River at World’s End Lodge. A special fish, and one which was toasted back at the lodge with a glass of champagne alongside our CEO and host of the trip, Peter Collingsworth. Mark wrote:
“The chance to catch big Sea Trout in wonderful surroundings with passionate guides has been on my bucket list for some time. The trip surpassed my expectations in every aspect. The scenery was magnificent, the lodge was comfortable and hospitable, and the guides were willing and able. This fishing was tremendous – the fish were there but you needed to work for them and absorb the tips from the guides to give you the best chance. I learnt masses throughout the week. Memories were re-lived over a glass of wine after dinner with fellow anglers. Thank you Sportsquest. I will be back.”
Visit our tour page: Hosted Worlds End Lodge Argentina.
Angler: Stu L
Species: Giant Trevally
Weight: 30kg+
Location: Andaman Islands
Our solo-traveller trips to the Andaman Islands consistently deliver the goods, and our exclusive weeks this year were no different. Across all our weeks, some incredible fish were landed, including some truly breathtaking Giant Trevally. While there were many to choose from, a particularly memorable fish was landed during the latter part of the season, weighing in at an estimated 30kg+. Travelling rod Stu, fishing with his friends Andy and Nick, landed the fish on a surface popper after an explosive battle.
Visit our tour page: The Andaman Islands.
Anglers: Benjamin H & Darren M
Species: Sturgeon
Length: 7ft+
Location: Fraser River, Canada
The Fraser River in Canada is undoubtedly the best spot in the world for Sturgeon fishing, and ever since we reinstated our hosted trip to this stunning destination, it’s proven incredibly popular, selling out in record time. This year’s trip, taken by our sea fishing destination manager, Paul Stevens, didn’t disappoint, with good numbers of fish and those with a tremendous average size. There were so many highlights to choose from, but you’ll all agree this image takes some beating – a beautiful picture of a double hook-up (with two fish over 7ft). Our customer Kevin not pictured, but who joined us on our hosted week wrote:
Fantastic trip of a lifetime, and another fishing destination ticked off my bucket list. Canada, you were terrific, and the fishing was absolutely fantastic, with some big fish caught by all in my group. Big thanks to Paul Stevens for being a great host, and to our guide Teddy for putting us onto the fish during our week. I can’t wait to return one day. And I am looking forward to planning my next trip with Sportquest in due course.
Visit our tour page: Hosted Sturgeon Fishing Canada.
Angler: Jayne B
Species: Steelhead
Weight: N/A
Location: Kalum River Lodge, Canada
In the summer, over the last decade or so, our hosted trips to Kalum River Lodge in Canada are always a highlight, and this year was no different. With two sold-out back-to-back weeks, our anglers enjoyed a memorable time on the water. The catch stats were mind-blowing, with over 600 fish landed in the first week and over 800 in the second, made up of vast numbers of Pinks, along with some specimen Steelhead, Sockeye and Chum. While there were so many highlights, one in particular stood out: this lovely Steelhead landed by Jayne B.
David S, who was also on the trip wrote:
I’d been to Kalum River Lodge before, in 2019, and it is testament to its success that I returned despite a massive choice of holiday companies and destinations. If anyone had said I might catch a fish over 20lbs, it would be unlikely but fantastic. In the event, I was ecstatic to catch 4 Chum salmon over that size. It was the best week’s fishing of my life, and likely to remain so! The whole experience was superb – great single en suite accommodation, fantastic food, excellent guiding. I’d definitely recommend it.
Visit our tour page: Hosted Kalum River Lodge, Canada.
Angler: Adrian E
Species: Halibut
Length: 119cm
Location: Vesteralen, Norway
This year was a great year across all our sea fishing camps in Norway, with good numbers of all species landed, including specimen-sized Halibut, Cod, Coalfish and Plaice. While it was tremendously hard for us to pick out a singular special fish, one in particular stood out: a Halibut landed at Vesteralen. While it wasn’t one of the biggest fish we saw landed, measuring in at 119cm, it was one of the most remarkable. Travelling rod Adrian hooked and battled the giant flatfish for a good number of minutes, before realising it had actually taken both of his Coalfish deadbaits. You can watch some of the footage here.
Visit our tour page: Guided Vesteralen, Norway.
Angler: James B
Species: Atlantic Salmon
Weight: 13kg (107cm)
Location: Namsentunet, Norway
Back at the end of June, during week 26, our customer James, along with a group of other Sportquest anglers, visited Namsentunet Lodge in Norway. While they all landed some nice fish, James stole the show with this incredible 13kg (107cm) bar of silver and fish of a lifetime. The fish was landed from the mighty river Namsen on the Nedre Sanddøla/Mediå Beat and was safely released back to its watery home. Travelling rod Stuart, who caught his first Salmon, was also on the trip, and he wrote:
“This was my first trip with Sportquest, and I had a fantastic time. I caught my first Salmon, and most other guests caught too, including one that weighed over 25 pounds.”
Visit our tour page: Namsentunet Lodge, Norway.
Angler: Nigel and Anthony
Species: Bluefin Tuna
Weight: 300kg+ (Estimated)
Location: Valencia, Spain
Since their launch, our trips to Valencia in Spain have regularly featured amongst our best-selling offerings, providing anglers with the chance to enjoy sunshine, sand and incredible Tuna fishing, and that’s precisely what our anglers Nigel and Anthony experienced. During their holiday in June earlier this year, they enjoyed a red-letter session, boating two giant Bluefin Tuna weighing in at an incredible 200kg and 300kg. Nigel wrote:
“The fishing operation was very well run, and I caught the fish of a lifetime estimated at over 300kg+. My good friend and fishing buddy Anthony also landed a big one, which was estimated at over 200kg. Glad I caught that Bluefin – many thanks.”
Visit our tour page: Tuna Fishing Valencia, Spain.
Angler: Phillip B
Species: Sea Trout
Weight: 13lb
Location: Battle Hill Lodge, Iceland.
Back in the spring, our good friend and Sportquest regular Phillip enjoyed a fantastic week of Sea Trout fishing at the beautiful Battle Hill Lodge in Iceland. He landed 50 fish in six fishing days, with a dozen over 10lb and a top fish weighing in at just over 13lb. On one of his days, over 60 fish were landed between just four rods. Phillip wrote:
“Battle Hill Lodge is excellent for keen Sea Trout fly fishers. I fished on the Vantamont and caught 50 fish in 6 days. The top weight was 13lb, with another dozen in the 10-12lb range. All hard sea running fish in prime condition that fought hard and jumped spectacularly.
The guides were excellent and very helpful. The lodge was modern and comfortable, with great food and facilities. They also offered to disinfect my fishing equipment. Thoroughly recommended.”
Visit our tour page: Battle Hill Lodge, Iceland.
Angler: Steve R
Species: King Salmon
Weight: 20lb+
Location: Goodnews River Lodge, Alaska
Our sold-out hosted trip to Goodnews River Lodge in Alaska once again provided our anglers with a memorable week on the water. Mainly targeting King Salmon, the group landed 20 fish over 20lb, including a standout 40lb specimen. Alongside the Kings, there were also Chum, Sockeye, Humpies, Dolly Varden, an early Silver, and some incredible Rainbows up to 10lb. Our customer Oliver, who was on the trip, wrote a fantastic report of his week, which you can read here: Hosted Goodnews River Lodge Alaska, 2025 Fishing Report
Visit our tour page: Hosted Goodnews River Lodge, Alaska.
Angler: John B
Species: Atlantic Salmon
Weight: 27lb
Location: Oldero Lodge, Norway
Finally, at Oldero Lodge, our famed big Salmon fishing destination on the Lakselv River in northern Norway, travelling rod John enjoyed an incredible week and one he will remember for the rest of his life, breaking his PB on three separate occasions, banking fish of 17lb, 22lb and 27lb. John wrote:
“Just a few words about my fabulous holiday – Six Atlantic Salmon, three grisle, and three personal bests for me, 17, 22 and 27 pounds (103cm). Combined with a 5-day fly-drive to the Lofoten Islands. Perfect organisation and planning, glorious scenery. Friendly wildlife, and looked after so well by all the staff at Olderø Lodge. For me, the trip of a lifetime so far, I’m already looking forward to next year.”
Visit our tour page: Oldero Lodge, Norway.
