Farquhar Blog: 16 – 23 March 2013

It’s our second week on Farquhar this year and after a phenomenal first trip the gears are in full motion. Neap tides were on the cards and we were expecting the Bonefish numbers to be up there. There’s a wonderful phenomenon that tends to happen on a certain neap tide, usually once or maybe twice a season: a massive, if not colossal school of bones pours into the atoll and will stay just long enough for every angler to be left astounded by it’s sheer mass, and of course, catch enough to fill his bone fishing quota for the rest of the year. As you may have guessed, this week was one of those weeks and I can report with certainty that many many gorgeous silver bullets were caught, although the exact number was lost long before the end of the first day.

This didn’t mean there wasn’t the classic, traditional style flats’ fishing around. On the other side of the atoll you could target large single Bones. They weren’t easy though, but if you brought your “A – Game” you were certainly rewarded. That’s the beauty of Farquhar. “These bones are too easy? Fine, let’s go to another spot.” And when we all got tired of the Bones, we turned our sights onto the Triggers and Bumphead Parrotfish…of which there were many.

While the fisherman’s prayer is usually an appeal to the powers that be to bestow good weather on it’s subjects, good weather can be a double edged sword. Sure, the visibility might be at its best, but soon enough it warms the flats, and most of the flats species don’t enjoy the warm water too much! We have our ways and means however, and when things got a little quiet we headed offshore.

To illustrate what can happen offshore, we’ll take the last day as an example. It usually takes some time to locate the fish, while we were hitting the marks, trying to establish which one is currently holding the fish. Kyle arrived on the scene to report that Jako and Ben had already landed a Milkfish, the second this week. Not long after Keegan radioed to say he had raised a few Wahoo and Dogtooth. Sure enough, a few short minutes later there was a yell on his boat, and a severely bent rod – one times Dogtooth Tuna on! Things were heating up.  Phil’s line slammed tight and a Wahoo tore off with the immense speed they’re so well known for. Many more swarmed underneath the boat. After the fish was landed and photographed, Joe expressed how badly he wanted to catch a Wahoo – a fish that he’d been after for quite some time but hadn’t managed to boat. The words had hardly left his mouth when again there was an explosion behind his fly and the Wahoo did it’s best to destroy Joe’s reel drag. Joe finally got his fish, an immensely rewarding feeling for the guide.

After landing a Rainbow Runner, huge Bonito and raising a Sailfish, the action slowed. We thought we’d head back to the wreck for some lunch, but we didn’t quite make it. A massive Doggie interrupted our lunch plans, and after a 45 minute fight boated the estimated 45 – 50 kg fish for a photo shoot, after which it was released and swam powerfully back to its dark watery lair.

And that was just before lunch…

Most of this week’s guests will be staying for another week, and who could blame them? The fishing seems to be going from strength to strength. Tomorrow is the start of another week, and if the last two are anything to go by, things are looking promising. Every week is so vastly different, who could possibly know what is in store for us.

I’ll keep you posted… James

Farquhar Blog: 9 – 16 March 2013

After two long weeks of working on boats it was a welcome relief to receive our guests this week. Ben Pierce came to Farquhar two years ago and decided it might be a great place to bring some of his mates and their partners. They immediately fell into the guides favour when they whipped out the “Simms Swag”. Cherished boots, buffs, caps and shirts were received amid oohs and aahs. The guides looked the part, now we needed to earn the image.

We knew things were looking good when on the first morning Jason Miller landed a trophy Triggerfish. Being a self confessed Permit nut he presented the crab to the Trigger with deadly accuracy time and time again. After a few dozen perfect casts the general feeling was that the fish wasn’t hungry, but Jason persisted and was rewarded by his first moustache triggerfish, and celebrated as if it was a 30lb permit.

As the week progressed the fish tally rose drastically as it tends to do at Farquhar. It didn’t take long for stories of big fish to circulate around the particularly lively dinner table. Ben soon had a few GT stories to add to his previous season, two to be precise, one of 110cm! He didn’t stop there though. I’m not sure if he was keeping chum in his pocket, but he seemed to attract the big barracudas. One he was lucky enough to land without a wire trace, the second managed to bite through but only after a long and intense fight.

Sarah Davies landed her first GT, but only after she had practised her big fish skills on two large dogtooth tuna. Bob (a larger than life character and Woodstock veteran) was not to be out done, and managed to pick a Sailie out of a massive school of Bonito. In typical Sailfish fashion it went buck wild and then mysteriously the backing parted.  Two fisherman and their guide stood gaping open mouthed at the fish’s wake for several minutes.

We thought the week was going really well after we got two more Triggers and when Justin landed a 10lb 32 inch bonefish- certainly the biggest we’ve seen on this atoll- we thought it couldn’t get any better. And then we woke up on the last day of the trip to the most perfect conditions you could possibly hope for in the Seychelles. We knew something special was going to happen, and sure enough by 12 o’clock in the afternoon we had landed two beautiful Milkfish. A feat that most fly fisherman don’t reach in their deepest daydreams. The fight between fish and angler was a mammoth one, the fish weaving the boat through fields of coral gardens. Finally Jako sent the message that stated simply “boys, we have a milkfish on the boat”. Boy did we all go crazy! After everyone had jumped up and down and high fived we sent our congratulations to Jako and Jason as well as Jeremy (Jason’s brother, who gave moral support and helped steer the boat and man the radio while Jako had his hands full). Only a few minutes later Scotty came on the radio and said: “Where have you guys been?! Dipose was full of Milkies, Lan landed one first thing this morning!”.

So the fishing on our first week was amazing, but it was only a portion of what made the week truly memorable. There was never a dull dinner, the stories flowed and laughter carried over the moonlit water in the bay. The guides would always walk back to the house after dinner saying amongst ourselves “Jees, what a lekker bunch of people” and we always meant it. We’ve made friends, and the group caught a whole ton of special fish- in the end, that’s what it’s all about, isn’t it?

Farquhar Blog: Pre Season 26 Feb – 9 March 2013

It feels like we’ve just left, but after a glorious festive season we’re back at Farquhar and this season we’ve come prepared. Those of you who are boat owners know that no matter how much you look after your boat, the maintenance piles up and soon a major overhaul is inevitable. We’ve been allocated 2 weeks to work exclusively on boats before our first clients arrive.

We’re one week in and so far the only trouble we’ve had was getting the 310kg’s of boat spares onto the plane. Somehow we got all the spares onto the Island and with our mechanic, Allen Babich, leading the charge we plunged straight into graft.

To illustrate exactly what “overhauling” entails: motors off; hulls patched, sanded and antifouled; every hinge, hatch and fitting taken off, sanded and refitted with new stainless steel screws; new fish finders installed (this entailed fabricating a new dash for the console); Re wiring and installing new bilges; epoxying and filling cracks and holes and broken rod holders; re painting and cleaning until the boats look brand new. Most steps require us to move the boat from a stand onto a trailer, then back onto the stand and then BACK onto the trailer, with pure guide power! Allen serviced the engines and could add a list of things like the one above.

It may not sound like much, but consider it was done with a bare minimum of power tools and mostly with man power in the humid tropical sun. We’re halfway through. Two boats are done, two more to go. And the guiding hasn’t even started! Next time you think romantically about how cushy our jobs are as guides, have a second look at the boats we use, and how much work has gone into them.

We’re keen to get the job done and start the season with mint boats, so we can put all energy into finding the fish. Hope you can join us.

James Topham

Farquhar Blog: 24 November – 1 December 2012

At 9 o’clock in the morning on the first day a shark ambled across the path of a flyfisherman and his guide. There was a black smudge 10ft behind the shark. The fly fisherman cast the 12wt line with a large black brush fly attached to the end of 130lb fluorocarbon. The 12wt is heavy and unfamiliar, and the cast lands short, very short. The fish flinches momentarily, but then continues to swim in the sharks wake. The fish is has now passed their right angles, and they begin to chase the fish down. Heading north along the shallow water flat fringed with white sand and palms is a large black tip shark, a GT, a fly fisherman and his guide. The guide keeps telling the fisherman to quicken his pace. The fish is slowly slipping out of casting range. The guide splashes the water by his side and the GT turns to investigate the commotion. “Now! Cast now!” the guide yells. The second cast land perfectly in front of the fish. The fish takes off like an F16 off an aircraft carrier. “Strip strip strip!” the guide yells again. The fish plains along the surface of the water and its gaping mouth snaps over the fly audibly. The fish turns and yanks the rod straight. It won’t stop running for the next 150yrds. To make sure the fish doesn’t get into the corral, the guide cranks the drag on his clients reel. The full drag doesn’t slow the fish, but it nearly pulls the fisherman off his feet, and he has to take a few hurried steps forward to recover. Eventually the GT does a somersault and the battle is over. After photographs the fish is released with much back slapping hand shaking. It’s the fisherman’s first saltwater fish on fly. “Second cast on the first morning” the guide grins “it’s going to be a good week!”.

A Good week it was! The action didn’t stop there. Many of the guys wanted to pursue bumpies, so a few days were dedicated to “the water buffalo”. Being a big game hunter of the old school, Simon Rogers naturally gravitated towards the quite stalking and targeting large “animals” in great “herds”. Unfortunatly, after being bitten off a few times, and on one occasion losing a fish after half an hour Simon decided it might be time to move on to some other game. I’m sure after losing some of those fish he wished he had his 458 at hand.

Mike Harker & Tim Hammond managed two fine specimens of this large, powerful and somewhat peculiar fish. They can be proud to join a club of very few fly fisherman in the world to have caught such a brute.

Many world class bones were also caught this week. A St Brandon’s sized amount of Bones moved into the atoll and we have quite a few pictures where all four clients plus a guide or two are lifting fish from the net. There were also some beautiful singles taken, and after a week or to of being scarce and very picky it was great to get a few solid Bonefish sessions under our belt.

The GT mentioned at the beginning of this entry may have been the first, but it certainly wasn’t the last. Although not around in huge numbers, everyone managed to get their fish one way or another. Simon Rodgers, after his frustrating Bumpie experience compensated by catching the largest fly caught GT ever at Farquhar. I’m going to say that again: the biggest GT on fly we’ve ever landed at Farquhar. As if that’s not impressive enough, the fish was caught on the flats, and was landed without the assistance of the boat. Only a handful of fish of that calibre have been landed without assistance in the Indian Ocean. It truly was a wonderful occasion, one I’m sure Simon or his guide Warren Deysel will ever forget. Somehow, everyone knew about the fish before we had returned to the lodge that evening. “Bush telegraph” I guess…

Until next week!

James

Farquhar Blog: 17 – 24 November 2012

Perhaps this entry shouldn’t be about the entire weeks fishing. I think I should rather save your time and my words, for just one day that I personally won’t ever forget. I don’t mean to suggest that the other five days were uneventful, they were anything but, it’s just that this day, this particularly magical day, over shadowed all the others by such a fantastic margin.

By the time it took the guides to stumble from their beds to the coffee station, we knew it was going to be a day for a spot we like to call Mexican. The tell tale signs were tides shifting off neaps, a lagoon that looked like a bowl of hard jelly and the fact that it was six in the morning and we already had beads of sweat running down our temples. All four of us sat down with our coffee, looked out into the hazy horizon and simultaneously said “Mexican”.

As part of the normal routine I packed kit and lunch as well as two P.E. gentlemen (Phil Kolby & Ken Bateman) into my boat and began the run to a spot well known for holding some decent bonefish. During the run down Phil told me of their previous trips to the Seychelles and how each one had been plagued by the worst luck imaginable. By the time we got to the desired spot I was determined to change their bad streak. A few large bonefish later I was already feeling that things were going our way, and when the tide started dropping with conviction I tore the guys away from the bones to play the ace up my sleeve.

A short run over the glassy water and soon we were atop the long ridge. The water was crystal clear, and 15m below the boat we could see powder blue surgeons in large loose shoals cruising amongst the sandy cuts in the rock. The teasing plug went out, and sure enough a group of black GT’s exploded around the hookless lure. We missed those ones, but the P.E. boys knew what to expect now… A few teases later and another group of half a dozen or so GT’s raced towards the boat. This time the flies were in the right place. One fly line slammed tight, and then another- a double up. Unfortunately it didn’t last long. Not far into the run a hook pulled. One GT was however boated, and moral was high.

There wasn’t enough time to celebrate though. We were on the fish, and we needed to make proverbial hay. After a quick photo the fish was returned to the cool blue and I was back on the teasing rod, while the fishermen stood poised with their rods cocked and ready for action. Again and again groups of GT’s would come up from the depths. Fish after fish was boated, photographed, and hastily returned. For hours reels screamed and they danced around the boat, sometimes staying out of each other’s way while a fish was fought, sometimes avoiding each other’s lines while they both fought a fish.

At one stage I had a minute to look around while the guys dealt with bent rods. All four of the boats were spread out over the reef. If I looked very carefully I could see at least one bent rod on each of them. All of a sudden I got an idea of how many GT’s there must have been along the reef. If I wasn’t already drenched with sweat the thought of hundreds of GT’s swimming below me would have got me pushing beads.

And so the day went, until an hour before we were due back at the lodge. The fish were around, but the crew couldn’t throw another line, or reel in another brute. Just as well, because by the time they called it, my hands and arms were at the very end of their threshold.

What a day!

James

Farquhar Blog: 10 – 17 November 2012

A couple weeks ago, I wrote about a strange phenomenon in the form of a plague of swimming crabs. These crabs, so abundant that a pilot geo-mapping the atoll for the government said there was a long reddish brown oil slicks extending far off shore, have now all left. The current has dispersed them, and the fish that were gorging on them offshore have had to resume their feeding habits i.e. the GT’s are back on the flats.

The score was 11 GT’s landed this week, with 27 others managing to escape capture by breaking lines, spitting the fly or other scenarios that might have been amusing if they weren’t so heartbreaking for both clients and guides alike. In all, the numbers are extremely encouraging, although it would have been nice to have landed a larger percentage.

Farquhar is well known for its species, and although the primary target this week were GT’s, the anglers concerned found time to have a throw at a few other offerings. Both the Moustache and Yellow Margin triggers were landed. After throwing every crab pattern under the sun at the Triggers and getting no reward, we thought the fish had stopped feeding entirely and were simply tailing just to provoke us. To say there was some celebration when those two triggers were finally landed would be somewhat of an understatement.

 A Bumphead Parrotfish was also landed, sadly however in the usual fashion of fishing for Bumpies, many many fish were lost. Fishing for a very large fish with a 9wt and 17 – 20lb is always going to be a challenge, add to the fact that this large powerful fish has bolt cutters for a mouth, and feeds in close proximity to corral gardens and you begin to understand the odds are most certainly stacked against you. The reward when you land one does however makes it all worth it, and you can be sure not many other fly fisherman around the world have held such a magnificent fish.

In true Farquhar style, there were hundreds of other fish landed, and some big ones too… large Bohar snapper, Grouper of ever shape and colour, large Bluefin and Bigeye Trevally were all landed in profusion. Another good week on Farquhar!

Cheers

James

Farquhar Blog: 27 October – 3 November 2012

During certain periods of the season we feel like we have learnt as much as there is to know about Farquhar, but every now and then but we’re reminded of how wild it can really be. “Davy Jones” decided to throw us a curve ball this week in the form of a plague of swimming crabs. These crabs- rusty brown in colour, drab and docile in temperament- make an easy meal for GT’s and other predatory fish. So while yours truly was sitting on a storm ridge in the middle of the wild surf, telling his clients with absolute confidence that the GTs were going to appear as the tide turned, the GT’s themselves were swimming around in a crab soup offshore. We’re a vaguely intelligent bunch though, and so promptly headed offshore to get stuck into the large numbers of fish which were holding just offshore. The result was 4 GT’s, 2 of which were caught by Garth Robinson, 1 by Basie Vosloo (of Gates Head fame) and the last by Eugene. Of course, there were a few GTs that hadn’t received the memo and Nick promptly put Murray Collins in front of a 97cm fish on the flats. Murray capitalised. Fish was landed and released safely. Happiness!

There were plenty of other fish species out there in the deep. As with last week, the Sailfish were gale force and Jack Brotherton was one to benefit. With the calm composure of only a well trained pilot he plopped the fly behind an electric blue fish, which promptly turned and ate. Jamming the hooks into its jaw and playing it like a pro throughout the manic jumping and running, the fish was soon landed and released.

Since the GTs had decided to replace their piscavorous diet for a crustacean, we turned our efforts to catching another beast of the flats, the Bumphead Parrotfish. Dave Phipson kicked things off by catching a 40lb+ “Bumpie” right off the bat. A few minutes after jumping off the boat he put a cast in front of the tailing brutes and picked up a fish without much hassle. After an intense half hour fight the fish was landed. Not bad for his first salt water fish on fly.

John Robinson didn’t have the same luck. Hooking the fish was no problem, but the fish seemed to gain the upper hand time and time again. This had nothing to do with skill, and everything to do with luck. The fish would wrap around a bommie (which Jako would try swim out… without success) or his lines would part. Rods broke and lines parted. This put things into perspective. Yet, despite these challenges 5 Bumpies were landed during the week.. Garth, undeterred by the challenges of one of the toughest fish you could land of a flat, landed two.

Some big Triggers were on the flats this week, and they were hungry. Sadly not all were landed but that’s why we love these charismatic fish. They put your skill and tackle to test every step of the way.

All in all another very enjoyable week. Tremendous diversity and trophy fish, these are the reasons why Farquhar Atoll offers some of the finest saltwater fishing on the planet.

Until next week

Cheers

James

Farquhar Blog: 20 – 27 October 2012

Sailfish, Permit, Dogtooth Tuna, GT’s, Bumpies, Triggers……
It’s week two on Farquhar atoll, with good friend and head guide Jako Lucas rejoining the team.. On the first day he teamed up with Mat Harris to land a rare Farquhar Permit along wth a Bumphead Parrotfish.  Unfortunately the hook pulled on a GT that would hve capped off a red letter day. The big fish continued to come in during the course of the week. Mathew Cahill had a great offshore day, landing a 108cm GT. The fish smashed a poodle off the surface and shot down to the edge of the 25m deep reef, ultimately being landed and photographed. Henna Powers also landed a meter GT, a well deserved fish. The fish was sotted cruising along the edge of an island. Henna ran in front of the fish, sent a long cast into the path of the beast. As planned, the big GT raced up to the fly and devoured it…..that’s how it’s done!  Other offshore species included two Dogtooth Tuna (both (smashing large flies stripped along the surface) together with a monster Sailfish landed by Chantel. It was a massive relief for the guides to finally land one of these gorgeous fish. After teasing up at least a dozen, and losing a handful, this fish was particularly rewarding for both guide and angler.

This week saw some exceptional fishing for Bumphead Parrotfish. Chris Bladen (well known sculptor and long time FlyCastaway friend) excelled with the Bumpies. He landed both of the first fish two he hooked, a serious achievement considering it usually takes a few tries to get the hang of it. Keep an eye on his website to see if a Bumpie sculpture crops up. Chris also hooked one of the biggest Yellow Margin Triggerfish I’ve seen on the flats. Its strong jaws proved too much for the hook his crab pattern was tied onto. After a lengthy fight the line went slack, and what returned looked like a bent paperclip. It was a bitter pill to swallow, not only because it was a trophy fish, but because it took so much skill and patience to hook it in the first place.

Farquhar is famous for its diversity, and this week was no exception. Anglers that were prepared to target something different were rewarded, not only with numbers of species, but strong fish of exceptional size. All in all it’s been a great week, with many a smile and laugh being shared amongst some great people. Keep an eye out for Matt Harris’ photos, which should be published soon. He gave us a short preview, and they’re mouth watering!

See you on the water

James

Farquhar Blog: 13 – 20 October 2012

Our guests from the first week on Farquhar during the 2012/2013 season have just left us and it’s time to take stock of the fishing experienced over the past few days. As with the first week of every season, everyone was eager to see which species were around and where. Most notably we were very keen to see whether in fact the GT’s would again be congregating around one or two of the islands. Last season we witnessed large numbers of GT’s assaulting the Noddy Terns as they returned to the island to feed their chicks…..hard to believe I know but it certainly happened. Great news is that both birds and fish are around and so it looks like we are in for another exciting GT fishing season.

But back to the fishing. In truth, the weather during our first week was pretty tough, with some unusually strong winds making casting the 12wts quite an effort. The group however hung in there and with the variety of species found on Farquhar everyone got stuck into the huge variety of fish found on both on the flats and offshore.

The Bonefishing as per usual was of a very high standard, with fish being caught in an array of environments and scenarios. Whether it was casting to large schools on pure white sand flats on the inside of the lagoon or tempting the larger singles and doubles in the surf zone, one thing is for sure, the Bonefishing at Farquhar is as consistent as any destination in the Seychelles.

The Triggerfish and Bumphead Parrotfish too are around in good numbers which is a real treat. Arguably two of the tougher fish to land on a fly, this week in particular contained multiple war stories, with quite a few being lost prematurely. Tippets popping, hooks bending/breaking, these are just a few of the reasons why these colourful characters are so highly regarded by the flats angler.

And then we get to the bluewater fly fishing. Sailfish, Yellowfin Tuna, Dogtooth Tuna, GT’s, Rainbow Runners and even the odd Marlin were all present and hungry. Multiple hook ups, screaming reels and general pandemonium ensued as the denizens of the deep tore into our feathered offerings. A special mention must go out to Tom Pienaar who landed his first “Sailie” after watching the impressive free swimming fish eat his fly without being teased. Another extremely notable mention must also go out Justin Williamson who landed an enormous Dogtooth Tuna…the pics say how special it is!

In total 17 GT’s were caught this week, as well as two “Sailies”, a host of Bluefin Trevally, Groupers, Snappers, Bones, Yellowfin Tuna, Rainbow Runners and a host of other species were landed. A BIG thanks to all our guests on the first week namely Dirk, Justin, Tom, Izzy, Gary, John, Allen, Clay, Don, Stuart and Michael. We really hope to see you guys on Farquhar with us again sometime soon….there is certainly some unfinished business we need to take care of!

Farquhar Blog: 2 – 9 May 2012

The last week of the season has unfortunately come a knocking. Thankfully however we had one of our loyal group of Russian clients on the week, so we knew we were in for one hell of a week both on and off the flats. As always the group was keen to get stuck into some quality fishing, with the infamous Bumphead Parrotfish sitting on the top of their wish list. As the week developed however, the guys quickly found out Farquhar has plenty more to offer than just one species.

First day on the flats and the search for the infamous Bumpy was on. Locating the schools was no problem, it was getting them to eat which can prove tricky….and so it proved for this day at least! Boha’s, Bluefin and Bonefish made up the day’s catch, along with another meter long Farquhar GT which was landed by Steve Estela. What a way to start the week, congrats Steve. And with that, the tone for the rest of the week had been set.

Day two and things were heating up, fishing wise that is. Nikita got stuck into and thankfully landed a ‘Bumpy’ with another being lost. Rodiun and Nikita each pinned a GT off the flats with Steve once again in the action landed his second good sized GT in two days. This quickly changed to three when Steve landed a third, a real beauty of 105cm.

And then it happened. After years of being denied, Ilya landed his first Bumphead Parrotfish. Well done Ilya, we are sure it was worth the wait. The Bonefish too were providing consistent sport as well and the guys took full advantage of these infamous fighters. Pieter and Victor decided to head offshore late in the day and were rewarded with a monster Barracuda which put on one hell of fight before being landed.

Young Dimitri also got stuck into the action landing his first his first GT despite some tough casting conditions. Ilya then hooked a good Napoleon Wrasse, Cameron having to swim in after it after it had wedged itself into a crevasse.  The group was racking up the species and

Soon our second last day had arrived and things were far from slowing down. Dimitri landed a solid GT of 108cm, which was made possible by the help of his guide swimming out to untangle it from the coral. This gorgeous fish ended up being the biggest for the week and one of the heaviest for the season. In stead of taking it easy, Dimitri continued his form and promptly landed a Trigger and a Bonefish….. Farquhar Slam number five for the season! Steve too had his chance at the Slam by landing a Trigger and a 102cm GT, unfortunately as luck would have it the Bonefish us down.

Last day of the season and the guys were out to make it as memorable as possible. The last chance to get the species of fish that had been eluding a few guys during the week. Steve made up his mind, made the cast and hooked his Bumpy to end the week on a high. Ilya then sealed the trip with a 100cm GT….a golden moment for sure!

An epic week of fishing and fun was had. Three Bumphead Parrotfish, eight GTs (5 of which broke the meter mark), some Triggers, plenty of Bones and a huge array of other species made up one superb final week of fishing. With the boats out the water and their covers on, we can only imagine what next season has in store for us.

Until October later this year…..Tight Lines!

The Farquhar Guide Team