Farquhar: 9-16 Nov 2011

After a week off which was spent servicing the boats and looking into some less explored areas of the atoll, we were well rested and rearing to accept our new group of guests who arrived on their own private plane. Now that’s how to go fishing!
The first day out on the flats we were back in business with Farquhar again showing why it is so highly regarded as a flats destination. Jack Brotherton stormed into action and landed a gorgeous GT of 114 cm, with Tim Hammond following suite with another impressive specimen of 97cm. The bar for the rest of the week had certainly been set high! The second day however saw us experiencing some tough conditions, with intermittent rain and some cloud cover making spotting fish and the coral ‘bombies’ slightly trickier than usual. That being said we were still able get the guys into some good fish, with some nice GTs, a few Bluefin and Bumpies coming out.

Thankfully the weather improved on the third day which enabled us to see a lot more of the GT’s which were preferred item on the menu. But the fishing on Farquhar is not only about GT’s and Murray Collins can bare testament to this. He managed to hook into a Nurse shark which would have weighed well over 100kg, however landing and photographing a fish of that size on a fly rod is never easy and although a valiant effort ensued the large shark finally broke off just as it was leadered. A noticeable mention must also go to Jack and Shaun, who landed two rare Golden Trevally. After returning to one of the lesser known areas of the atoll we had visited the week before, the sight of large Golden Trevally tailing in and amongst a shoal of Bumpies is a sight which will not be forgotten easily. Two of these impressive looking fish were landed, one of which measured 84cm and the other 76cm…great specimens that’s for sure!

With the sun out and good conditions prevailing, GTs and Bumpies continued to make their presence felt as the week progressed, sadly however not all were landed. Will hooked four really good Bumpies one of which broke his fly line, two of which straightening the hooks and a third actually breaking the hook itself. Will’s words after the fourth disaster were simple and profound: "….the story of my life". 
The session of the week belonged to Jako along with Tim and Shaun who experienced GT carnage, which is putting it mildly. Three broken fly lines, two broken braided loops, two straightened hooks and 16 memorable GTs later and it was evident ‘Tripod’ was on fire. 15 of the GTs measured over 90cm with Shaun landing a fish of 103cm and sadly losing one of 130cm plus". It will be a day and week of fishing which is certainly not going to be forgotten..

A total of forty one GTs were caught and released, two of which were over a meter. Add the two rare and impressive Golden Trevally, some really nice Bones,a few Bumpies, a vast array other species and a terrific bunch of guys and you have a top class week all round.

Looking forward to next week already!
Cheers
Brad