Fly fishing for Bonefish

St Brandon Blog: 27 May – 6 June 2025

The ninth week on the atoll delivered some truly memorable fishing, with guests enjoying standout catches across the board. With cooler temperatures setting in and neap tides prevailing, we focused much of our time on the expansive flats and coral ridges that make St Brandon such a special destination.

Bonefish
Bonefishing was nothing short of world-class once again. The neap tides allowed for excellent access to shallow flats, where we encountered plenty of tailing fish in skinny water. A large number of quality bonefish were landed throughout the week. Returning guest Terry topped the charts with a stunning 9.5lb specimen—the largest of the week. First-time visitors Bill and Stu also made their mark, each landing solid 8lb fish during their second week on the atoll. These impressive catches are a testament to the consistent quality of this fishery.

Permit
The elusive Indo-Pacific permit made regular appearances, tailing and cruising the flats and coral ridges. Anglers had numerous shots at these challenging fish, and we’re thrilled to report that Terry—one of our seasonal regulars—managed to land a beautiful 6lb permit. The sheer number of permit sightings this week once again highlighted St Brandon as one of the premier destinations for targeting this highly sought-after species.

Trevally
Trevally fishing was full of excitement. Two striking bluefin trevally were brought to hand, including a 70cm beauty landed by guest Dave during his second week with us. Golden trevally, often spotted tailing over turtle grass flats, also made a strong showing. Our guests landed four of these prized fish on fly, a true highlight for any saltwater angler. While giant trevally were seen cruising the flats and ridges, none were landed this week—but the hunt continues!

Looking Back on Week 9
Week 9 brought with it unforgettable moments, great camaraderie, and excellent fishing. From the impressive number of bonefish to the thrilling encounters with permit and trevally, it was a week to remember. We had a blast hosting our guests and hope they enjoyed their time as much as we enjoyed having them.

Catch Summary – Week 9:

Bonefish: 215 (2 x 8lb, 1 x 9.5lb)
Indo-Pacific Permit: 1 (1 x 6lb)
Bluefin Trevally: 2 (1 x 70cm)
Golden Trevally: 4

Thanks again to everyone who joined us—we look forward to seeing you back on the flats soon!

Yours in fishing,
The St Brandon’s Guide Team

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St Brandon Blog: 20 – 30 May 2025

Hi there, and welcome back to St Brandon!

Week 8 on St Brandon delivered another unforgettable experience, with incredible fishing and fantastic weather. Our guests enjoyed exploring the flats, islands, and coral ridges of the atoll, making the most of every tide. As we moved into the spring tide cycle, we focused on skinny water flats during low tide and spent more time around the islands during the highs. With cooler water temperatures settling in, conditions were perfect for some top-class fishing.

Bonefish

Once again, bonefishing was nothing short of phenomenal. The spring tides provided ideal conditions for stalking tailing bonefish in shallow water, and our guests took full advantage. First-time visitor Bill landed an impressive 10lb bonefish—an exceptional catch for any angler, let alone on a first trip! Returning guest Dave also got into the action early, hooking and landing a solid 8lb bonefish. Both fish were outstanding, and we commend these anglers on their skill and patience.

Permit

Permit were spotted frequently throughout the week, cruising the flats and tailing along the coral ridges. While these elusive fish are always a challenge, our guests had numerous shots. Two were landed in Week 8, with Stu securing his first permit on his debut visit to St Brandon. Seasonal guest Terry also managed to land a 6lb permit—another fantastic achievement. The pursuit of permit continues to drive anglers’ dreams, and we’ll be gunning for more of these majestic fish in the coming weeks.

Trevally

The thrill of chasing trevally is a highlight for many of our visitors, and Week 8 didn’t disappoint. Giant trevally were seen in good numbers patrolling the flats and island edges. Dave added to his week’s success by landing a magnificent 101cm GT—a true trophy fish and a memory to last a lifetime. Bluefin trevally made several appearances, though only one was landed. Meanwhile, golden trevally were also seen tailing on the flats, and our guests landed three of these striking fish during the week. Trevally offer some of the most explosive action in saltwater fly fishing, and it’s always a joy to see them come to hand.

A Week to Remember

Week 8 delivered everything an angler could hope for—diverse species, challenging conditions, and unforgettable catches. From big bonefish and permit to powerful trevally, our guests had ample opportunity to test their skills and enjoy the remote beauty of St Brandon. We’re grateful to have spent another great week on the water and look forward to welcoming these anglers back soon.

Catch Summary:

Bonefish: 117 (including one at 10lb)
Indo-Pacific Permit: 2
Golden Trevally: 3
Giant Trevally: 1 (101cm)

Yours in fishing,
The St Brandon’s Guide Team

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St Brandon Blog: 13 – 23 May 2025

Hi there, and welcome to our Week 7 fishing update from St. Brandon’s! This week brought excellent fishing conditions and plenty of action, with all our guests thriving in the pristine waters of the atoll.

With neap tides settling in, we spent more time targeting fish in skinny water across the expansive flats. The continued drop in water temperature created ideal conditions, and the fish responded beautifully.

Our Bonefishing this week was simply outstanding, with a total of 271 bonefish landed! The flats provided consistent opportunities to target singles and doubles cruising through the shallows. Many guests managed to land fish over 7lb, making for some unforgettable memories.

A special shoutout goes to first-time guest Heath, who landed a massive 12lb bonefish—a truly exceptional catch and a highlight of the season. Any bonefish in the double-digit range is a remarkable achievement. Well done, Heath!

Permit were frequently spotted tailing and cruising along the flats and coral ridges, keeping anglers on their toes. Three were landed this week, with Heath once again standing out by catching both a 6lb and 8lb permit. Guest Bailey, on his first trip to the atoll, joined the action with a lovely 4lb permit. These elusive fish remain one of the most sought-after species on the flats, and our team is always excited to see them landed. Excellent work to both anglers!

Chasing trevally is always a thrill at St. Brandon, and Week 7 delivered some great moments. Bluefin trevally, known for their aggression and striking coloration, were seen in solid numbers on the flats and coral ridges. Four bluefin were caught, with Heath once again making his mark by landing a huge 72cm specimen.

Giant trevally (GTs) were spotted prowling the coral edges and flats, but none were brought to hand this week. The hunt for these apex predators continues to captivate both guides and guests alike.

We also had a sighting of golden trevally tailing in turtle grass, and Bailey managed to hook and land one of these stunning fish during his first visit—another tick off the bucket list!

Week 7 was filled with memorable moments and diverse species. From incredible bonefish numbers to exciting permit and trevally encounters, the fishing was top-tier. We had a fantastic group of guests—both new and returning—and we’re already looking forward to having them back on the flats.

Weekly Catch Summary:

Bonefish – 271 (1x 12lb, 5x 8lb)
Indo-Pacific Permit – 3 (1x 8lb)
Bluefin Trevally – 4 (1x 72cm)
Golden Trevally – 1

Thanks to everyone who joined us for another unforgettable week on the water.

Yours in fishing,
The St. Brandon’s Guide Team

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St Brandon Blog: 6 – 16 May 2025

Hi there, and welcome to our Week 6 fishing report from beautiful St. Brandon! This week delivered fantastic action with a wide range of species to target, making it an unforgettable experience for all our visiting anglers.

Fishing coincided with the spring tides, allowing us to explore multiple islands, flats, and coral ridges throughout the atoll. With the water cooling slightly, the fish were active and thriving—ideal conditions for some world-class fishing.

The bonefishing was exceptional this week, with plenty of singles and doubles seen across most flats. The guests enjoyed nonstop action, landing numerous fish throughout their stay. A special mention goes to first-time guest Pete and returning guest Terry, who each landed impressive 8lb bonefish. Wes joined the fun with a solid 8.5lb specimen, while Steve landed the standout bonefish of the week—a fantastic 9.5lb catch. Bonefish over 8lb are true trophies, and we applaud all anglers for their outstanding achievements!

The elusive Indo-Pacific permit—a dream catch for many—made several appearances this week, and our anglers rose to the challenge. A total of seven permit were landed! First-time guest Wes scored big on Day 1 with a 10lb fish, while seasoned visitor Steve matched that with another stunning 10-pounder. Mac, also on his first trip to the atoll, caught a beautiful 9.5lb permit. Any permit catch is notable, but to see multiple double-digit fish is something truly special—well done to all involved!

The trevally action was just as exciting, with fish spotted hunting and smashing bait across a range of habitats. Bluefin trevally were particularly active, showing up in strong numbers on the islands, flats, and coral ridges. Ten bluefin were landed this week, with Wes landing the biggest at 71cm, followed closely by Steve with a solid 68cm fish. While no giant trevally (GTs) were landed this time, the anticipation of hooking one keeps us all fired up for the next encounter.

Golden trevally also made a welcome appearance, tailing across multiple flats. Mac added to his growing list of catches with a beautiful specimen during his stay. These fish are as exciting to target as they are stunning to behold.

Week 6 was packed with memorable fishing moments, with both new and returning guests enjoying top-tier angling. From cruising bonefish to hard-fighting trevally and elusive permit, the atoll once again delivered on all fronts. We thoroughly enjoyed hosting such an enthusiastic group and look forward to welcoming them back soon.

Weekly Catch Summary:

Bonefish – 106 (2x 8lb, 1x 8.5lb, 1x 9.5lb)
Indo-Pacific Permit – 7 (1x 9.5lb, 2x 10lb)
Bluefin Trevally – 10 (1x 68cm, 1x 71cm)
Golden Trevally – 1

Until next time—tight lines!

Yours in fishing,
The St. Brandon Guide Team

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St Brandon Blog: 29 April – 9 May 2025

Hi there and welcome! Week 5 on the Atoll was full of excitement, with countless opportunities to target fish across the pristine waters of St. Brandon. As the weather began to cool slightly, we moved into neap tides—providing optimal conditions for extended time on the flats rather than around the islands.

Bonefishing Highlights

The bonefishing this week held true to St. Brandon’s world-class reputation. Anglers enjoyed consistent action, with plenty of singles and pairs cruising the skinny water across our flats. Quality fish were landed throughout the week, many falling in the impressive 7–8 lb range.

A standout catch came from Doug, who is on his first trip to St. Brandon. He landed a monstrous 10 lb bonefish, continuing the excellent momentum from his previous week. Dave also got in on the action, landing a solid 8 lb bone on the final day of his trip. Well done to both anglers on their fantastic fish—what a way to wrap up your time on the Atoll! A 10 lb bonefish is a rare and special catch, and Doug’s fish was truly one to remember.

Permit Fishing Success

Permit fishing remained strong throughout the week, with numerous tailing fish spotted across the flats, coral ridges, and island edges. The guests enjoyed several good shots, and a few remarkable fish were brought to hand.

Doug again rose to the occasion, landing both a 9 lb and a stunning 11.5 lb Indo-Pacific Permit. A double-digit permit is an extraordinary achievement in any fishery, and Doug’s success is a testament to the quality of opportunities available here at St. Brandon. Congratulations on such a memorable week!

Trevally Encounters

Giant trevally made their presence known, frequently seen shadowing nurse sharks and ambushing bait along the flats and around the islands. Despite multiple sightings, none were landed this week, but anticipation remains high for the rest of the season.

Golden Trevally added excitement to the mix, with several seen tailing in turtle grass on various flats. A few lucky anglers managed to land these stunning, hard-fighting fish. Bluefin Trevally were abundant again, often seen harassing bait schools throughout the Atoll. Although the hookup-to-landing ratio was low this week, the chase continues to thrill both guides and guests alike.

Looking Ahead

Week 5 was packed with action, and the variety of species encountered kept everyone engaged. As the water continues to cool, we’re optimistic about the coming weeks and what they’ll bring for our guests. A huge thank you to everyone who joined us—we thoroughly enjoyed sharing this special place with you and look forward to your return.

Catch Summary:

Bonefish: 84 (1 x 10 lb, 1 x 8.5 lb)
Indo-Pacific Permit: 5 (1 x 11.5 lb, 1 x 9 lb)
Golden Trevally: 5

Yours in fishing,
The St. Brandon’s Guide Team

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St Brandon Blog: 22 April – 2 May 2025

Hi there and welcome to the fourth week of the St. Brandon season! We kicked things off with slightly warmer weather than usual and were hoping for a cooling breeze to bring some relief to both the water and the flats. This week saw us fishing spring tides, which meant limited time on the flats but more opportunities to explore the islands and their surrounding waters.

Bonefishing Update

Bonefishing proved a bit more challenging this week. The fish were holding deeper and moving in larger schools, rather than the classic St. Brandon singles and doubles cruising the flats. That said, we still saw excellent results, with over 50 bonefish landed throughout the week. The average size remained solid, with many fish in the 7–8 lb range.

A major highlight came from seasonal guest Jim, who has spent several weeks with us over the years. He kicked off his first week with a superb 10 lb bonefish—an exceptional catch and a rare sight! Doug also enjoyed success, landing a strong 8 lb fish on the flats. Huge congratulations to both anglers. A double-digit bone is a trophy anywhere, and it’s always a thrill to see such quality fish landed here on St. Brandon. It continues to reinforce our reputation as a world-class bonefish destination.

Permit Fishing

Permit sightings and encounters were once again plentiful, with good numbers of feeding and tailing fish spotted across the flats, islands, and coral ridges. These famously finicky fish gave our guests multiple opportunities, and the rewards were well-earned.

Jim opened his St. Brandon permit account in style with a beautiful 7 lb fish on day one, followed shortly by Doug landing a cracking 8 lb permit. It’s always special to see guests connect with this challenging species, and both anglers made the most of their chances.

Trevally Action

Giant trevally activity was a bit slower this week. We did spot a few giants moving through the area, but no solid hookups materialized. On the brighter side, Bluefin Trevally were more active, especially around the islands where we witnessed several fish terrorizing bait balls.

A total of three Bluefin were landed during the week, each measuring between 60 and 65 cm. While the numbers were modest, the pursuit of all trevally species remains a major draw for our anglers, and it’s only a matter of time before someone connects with one of the true brutes patrolling the Atoll.

Looking Ahead

As we wrap up Week 4, spirits remain high. The southeast winds are starting to pick up, which should help cool the water and create ideal conditions for the fishery in the coming weeks. We thoroughly enjoyed spending time with both returning and new guests—thank you all for joining us!

We’re looking forward to the rest of the season and many more memorable moments on the flats.

Catch Summary:

Bonefish: 58 (1 x 10 lb, 1 x 8 lb)
Indo-Pacific Permit: 7 (1 x 8 lb)
Bluefin Trevally: 3

Yours in fishing,
The St. Brandon’s Guide Team

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St Brandon: 15 – 25 April 2025

Our third week of the St. Brandon April–June 2025 season began with a gentle southeasterly breeze and a neap tide cycle, providing extended time on the flats—ideal conditions for stalking fish in skinny water. It was an unusual week, however, with only two guests making out to the atoll, as one guest was unable to make the journey.

Bonefishing Highlights

Despite the low guest count, the Atoll once again proved why it’s considered one of the finest bonefishing destinations on the planet. The flats delivered consistent action, with bonefish averaging a solid 5–6 pounds. Both Patric and Eli took full advantage of the calm conditions and crystal-clear waters, landing multiple quality bones. The standout fish of the week came in at 8 pounds—a trophy by any standard. Mike and Brandon also got in on the action, each landing impressive 8-pounders during their time on the flats.

Permit Fishing

Permit fishing, as always, tested our patience and precision. We encountered a fair number of these elusive fish and had multiple opportunities throughout the week. The highlight came early, with both Patric and Eli landing their first St. Brandon permit on day one. Eli’s fish, a stunning 11.5-pounder, was the standout, while Patric brought in a beautiful specimen at 7.5 pounds. Despite numerous shots, the permit weren’t in a particularly cooperative mood, and while we managed to hook five fish in total, two were unfortunately lost before they could be landed.

Trevally Encounters

The Atoll’s resident trevally species made a few appearances as well. We saw a fair number of GTs and Bluefin Trevally throughout the week. Opportunities came and went, but conversions proved challenging. By the end of the week, we managed to land just one Bluefin—a reminder of just how humbling and rewarding this fishery can be.

Final Thoughts

Though guest numbers were limited this week, the quality of fishing and the solitude of the flats made for a memorable experience. The remarkable bonefish action and frequent permit sightings left a lasting impression on our guests, and we were thrilled to be part of their journey.

As we wrap up another week in this remote corner of the Indian Ocean, we remain eager for what lies ahead. With prime tides and exciting guests on the way, the rest of the season promises to be just as rewarding.

Catch Summary:

Bonefish: 39
Permit: 3
Bluefin Trevally: 1

Until next week,
The St. Brandon FlyCastaway Guide Team

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St Brandon Blog: 8-18 April 2025

Welcome to Week 2 of the 2025 St Brandon season. Our week began with fishing over spring tides, and the group was treated to calm conditions and excellent light—ideal for sight fishing on the flats. The atoll once again lived up to its reputation, with several special catches coming to hand throughout the week.

We experienced excellent bonefishing, especially in terms of average size, with many fish landed in the 5 to 6 lb range. A few larger fish were also brought to hand, though some true giants managed to get the better of us! Notable catches came from Tim, Rex, and Steve, with the largest bonefish of the week landed by Tim—a trophy 11 lb specimen—and Rex with a beautiful 10 lb fish. Congratulations to both anglers for taming these speedsters! It’s an exciting sign of what the weeks ahead may hold.

Once again, good numbers of Indo-Pacific Permit were encountered across various locations while wading these magnificent flats. All our anglers enjoyed multiple shots at these notoriously tricky fish and landed five Permit in total for the week. Steve fooled his 8 lb Permit with a spot-on cast late one afternoon, while Brian managed to trick a beautiful 7.5 lb specimen. Well done, guys—great fishing!

The warmer conditions this week brought several Trevally species into play. Some guests had shots at GTs (Giant Trevally), though these fish proved just as elusive as ever—reminding us why they’re among the atoll’s most challenging targets. Big bluefin trevally were seen in good numbers, especially along the eastern coral edge and around the islands. We successfully brought eight of these stunning fish to hand.

This wrapped up another fantastic week on St Brandon, with all of our guests experiencing what makes this atoll so special. We thoroughly enjoyed hosting this group and look forward to welcoming them all back in the future.

Catch Tally for the Week:

Bonefish – 83
Indo-Pacific Permit – 5
Bluefin Trevally – 8
Golden Trevally – 1

Tight lines,
The St Brandon Guide Team

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St Brandon Blog: 1 – 11 April 2025

Hi there, and welcome to the start of our 2025 season on what is arguably one of the most remote and incredible fisheries in the world—St Brandon’s Atoll.

We welcomed our first group on Raphael Island, and it was great to see a crew of excited, ready-to-go guests. This group was with us for two weeks as part of our back-to-back fishing package, and everyone was eager to see what 14 days on this world-class fishery would bring.

The week fell over neap tides, which allowed us to fish certain areas of the atoll for longer periods compared to spring tides. All our anglers enjoyed multiple opportunities, targeting the happy, skinny-water bonefish of St Brandon’s—tailing and feeding along the sand and turtle grass sections of one of our main flats. The neap tides allowed for extended time in these areas, and we saw some great results. Multiple bonefish were caught throughout the week, ranging from an impressive 7 to 9.5 pounds. Rex came heartbreakingly close to the double-digit mark with a beautiful 9.5 lb bonefish that fell for a well-placed spawning shrimp.

The first week also brought numerous opportunities to target the atoll’s famous Indo-Pacific Permit. Many fish were seen around the islands and on the flats. Brian and Tim both managed to connect with solid 10 lb Indo-Pacific beauties. This also marked Tim’s first-ever Permit—a dream come true. Your first Permit is always a special one—well done, Tim!

The trevally fishing started to pick up later in the week as we transitioned into spring tides. The increase in current and water movement brought in good numbers of bluefin trevally, and guests had shots at some cracking fish in the surf zones on the atoll’s eastern edge, as well as around the islands. We managed to land a few of these electric blue speedsters, all ranging between 65 and 70 cm.

During the week, we also encountered a couple of monster GTs that call St Brandon’s home. Unfortunately, we weren’t lucky enough to connect with any of these true giants. However, we did bring two to hand—the biggest being a respectable 89 cm GT landed by Steve. Congratulations, Steve!

The first week of the season has definitely given us a positive outlook on what lies ahead. The atoll is clearly in a healthy state, with plenty of fish seen throughout the week. We’re looking forward to what the coming weeks will bring on this epic fishery.

Catch Tally for the Week:

Bonefish – 141
Indo-Pacific Permit – 6
Bluefin Trevally – 15
GT (Giant Trevally) – 2 (1 x 89 cm)

Tight lines,
The St Brandon Guide Team

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Providence Blog: 22 – 29 April 2025

The last group of the season brought a fantastic mix of youth and experience, with some anglers making their first trip to the Seychelles. With high hopes and favorable weather, the week delivered memorable moments, personal milestones, and impressive catches.

Day 1:
Clear skies welcomed the group, and the action started early. Steve and Charles each landed a GT, with Charles’ fish measuring a solid 93cm. Guy and Ted had a productive day, each landing two bonefish and a trigger. Kohl landed his first GT, while Grant celebrated his first triggerfish. Keith rounded off a strong start with a trigger and his first-ever GT—a remarkable fish measuring 111cm.

Day 2:
Despite strong winds, the anglers pushed through under sunny skies. Kohl added a GT and a trigger, while Keith landed two more triggers. Grant added another to his count. Guy and Ted both landed their first GTs, with Guy bagging two. Phillip also joined the GT club with his first, while Steve added a trigger and a bumphead parrotfish. Rich had an excellent day, landing two GTs (one at 90cm). Charles and Dan also landed GTs, but the highlight of the day was Malik’s pair of GTs, including a standout fish measuring 115cm.

Day 3:
Cloudy, windy conditions made for tricky sight fishing, but perseverance paid off. Steve and Rich teamed up to land seven GTs between them, with Rich also landing an impressive 80cm bluefin trevally. Ted landed his first bumphead parrotfish, and Guy added another GT to his tally. A variety of other species kept the group busy and rods bent throughout the day.

Day 4:
Wind and patchy clouds lingered over Providence, but the catches kept coming. Dan landed his first bumphead and a GT, while Charles caught a beautiful napoleon wrasse. Grant added his first GT, Steve followed up with another, and Guy also brought in a solid napoleon.

Day 5:
Sunny skies and continued wind made for another great fishing day. Steve was on fire, landing three GTs, the largest at 93cm. Rich, Phillip, and Ted each landed GTs, while Dan brought in a quality 90cm fish. Keith and Kohl also caught GTs, and Grant capped off the day with two more, including a 100cm trophy. A fantastic performance across the board.

Day 6:
The final day brought calm winds and bright skies—ideal fishing conditions. Dan got into the action early, landing two GTs, and Charles added another. Keith and Kohl both brought GTs to hand, with Kohl landing two. Grant closed out the week in style with four GTs and a napoleon wrasse.

As the season comes to a close, it’s not just the numbers that stand out, but the shared experiences, laughter, and camaraderie. The final week delivered excellent fishing and memories that will last a lifetime. Until next season…

Weekly Totals: