Farquhar Blog: 18-25 Oct 2017
Farquhar Blog: 18-25 Oct 2017 (First week in the new lodge!!!!)
It’s with a great sense of excitement that we write this report from Farquhar Atoll. After nearly 18 months of clearing and rebuilding, the new lodge is now officially up and running and it looks terrific! The new layout offers more privacy for our guests when they want it and the large social dining and bar area is sure to impress all future guests, including those wanting to kick back whilst enjoying a cocktail and a chat about that great day out on the water. It really is so good to be home! Joining us on this momentous week were Rich, Millie and Jon from the Trouthunter along with a group of great friends. Despite some of them having fished St Brandon’s with us, this was to their first trip to Farquhar and they were clearly excited to get stuck into some world class flats fishing and enjoy their own private atoll for a week!
Day one had a strong south easterly wind blowing over the flats which kept the water cool and the fish hungry. Solid numbers of GTs were sighted across the atoll and despite it being the first GT fishing for many of our guests we managed to land a few, John and Ben both landing their firsts. One of the fish proved to be the fish we all dream about! A large fish was spotted cruising away over a white sand flat in the south, and after a few attempts the fish turned towards Robert. Robert made another cast and after two strips the fish tracked and inhaled the fly. It instantly bolted off for deeper water but after an incredibly powerful battle the glorious specimen came to hand. She was all of 120cm and a cracking way to start the week and our season! Congrats Robert! The Bones were around in good numbers on the eastern side of the atoll and provided good sport, whilst the Triggers too offered up some opportunities, it was just our friends the Bumpheads which were a bit scarce, the big tides no doubt keeping them off the shallower flats. All in all a great way to start our season!
Clear skies greeted us as we head out on day two, the last bit of the drop and the full push providing an extended GT session. This worked a treat and congratulations must go to Richard, Scott and Grant, all three of them landing their first ever GTs on a fly rod..awesome! The Bones were still around in good numbers which provided some great action, however despite multiple shots at our our friends the Triggers, they had the final say on day two. But Farquhar is never to be underestimated in terms of the species options it can deliver, firstly Gerhard landed a couple of Milks from the beach, following which Heidi managed to hook and land a beautiful Indo-Pacific Permit and finally Jeff enticed and most importantly landed a 92cm Napoleon wrasse. It was another really special day out on water!
Sadly day three dawned dark & menacing, the blustery conditions deteriorating as the day progressed. With intermittent cloud bursts and brief patches of sunlight, making the most of opportunities was going to be the key. Our guests took up the challenge and were rewarded with some good fish despite the trying conditions. More GTs were landed, special mention going to Grant and Scott for their double up on a GT and a Napoleon Wrasse. The Bones continued to feed aggressively in the icy cold water, and eventually our first Trigger of the season went to Ben. He didn’t stop there though and managed to land our first “SLAM” for the season by ticking off a GT, Bonefish and Trigger despite the very difficult conditions! Great job Ben!
Sadly the tough conditions did not improve. A dropping tide and extremely high south easterly winds made the lagoon and the outer reaches of the atoll inaccessible by boat, so with our guests still eager to head out we waited for the mid day low tide and took the tractor to the runway flat where we could fish on foot in safety. Conditions however had the final say and despite a few small fish coming to hand, the warm and obviating atmosphere of the lodge proved too great and we headed back!
Conditions improved slightly on day five which at least enabled to us head out across the atoll. The Bumphead Parrots made their first real appearance on the week, large pods being spotted tailing across the atoll. Rich stepped up to the plate and landed our first fish of the season, his 90cm specimen coming in after an epic battle. Good numbers of GTs presented themselves and despite too many departing prematurely, we did land some good ones. Grant in particular landed a great one, his 105cm specimen our second meter plus fish for the week. The fish was spotted hugging the back of a Lemon Shark, this time the bigger fish getting to the fly first thankfully! After a lengthy fight this incredible fish was landed. The Triggers continued to provide opportunities but proved skittish, the Bones however anything but with huge numbers of fish encountered!
Thankfully the break in the weather arrived on our final day on the water. With a midday low we had the chance to fish and it was phenomenal. Large schools of GTs had arrived in the lagoon from the open ocean, one particular group enjoying some mind blowing GT fishing. Wading the turtle grass flat Rich and Millie saw their flies chased and smashed continuously, some epic battles ending with broken fly lines but at the end of of it 10 fish between them. A special shout out to Millie for her perseverance! During the course of the week she had hooked plenty but things had not gone her way, this changed though with her tally for the day ending at 5, the biggest of which was a gorgeous 97cm fish! Truly a great session to be a part of and a great way to end our first week back.
So despite some really challenging weather, the atoll indicated it’s in great shape and with the new lodge setup we are sure to enjoy an incredible season! Thank you to all the guests who joined us this week, we enjoyed our time with you immensely and really hope to see you back next year!!!!
Until next week
The Farquhar Guide Team
The second trip of our season saw some truly exceptional Bonefishing take place on St Brandon’s! With over 30 Bonefish in the 6lb range landed during the first morning session everyone got a chance to shake off the cobwebs and get the crossing well and truly out of their system. We also managed to get the guys into position for some great shots at Permit but none of them stuck unfortunately. They also enjoyed some memorable Bluefin Trevally action with Ian landing the largest fish of the day, an ‘ice blue’ 72 cm fish hooked only a rod length from the shore after it tore in and devoured his fly. After a tough fight the fish was brought to hand, capping off a great first day on the atoll!
With some icy cold water spread out across most of the atoll the superb Bonefishing continued into Day 2, with well over 25 fish landed at an average size of 6lbs. Various Trevally species were encountered throughout the day as well, the Bluefin fishing in particular really heating up; many Bluefin were landed throughout the day. Don Armstrong landed the largest fish of the day, his highly aggressive fish measuring 71 cm nose to fork.
The third day proved to be a very special one, full of action. We landed forty Bonefish at an average weight of 6,5 lb. The crazy Bluefin Trevally action continued and by the end of the day we had landed 10 fish measuring over 60cm. Our arch rival the Giant Trevally provided us with an opportunity when Ian Bailey hooked a very large fish! The fish charged and ate the streamer in an extremely ferocious manner before turning straight towards some coral. Sadly there was no stopping this monster and with his fly line and a substantial amount of backing off his reel, the line went limp as the fish cut him off. Heartbreaking for Ian and his guide! The day however did end with one very special fish being landed, Jim hooked and landed his first ever Permit. After fishing at three separate pods of tailing fish for well over an hour, Jim sent out a perfect cast and on his third strip the fish tailed hard on his fly, before he came right and the fish tore off into the distance. A long and anxious fight ensued, but finally a trophy 15 lb fish was landed much to Jim and his guide’s relief. Congrats Jim!
There were multiple shots at the atoll’s very large GTs on Day 4, sadly however these top predators coming out on top on this occasion. The Bonefishing however provided phenomenal fishing for our guests once again, with over 35 fish landed during the day. The Bluefin were all riled up and making pigs of themselves due to large numbers of baitfish around the raised areas on the high tide and the clients got stuck into good numbers of these aggressive predators. A few of the anglers had some great shots at Permit, but by the end of the day the fish had had the final say.
With the great conditions continuing into Day 5, the fishing proved nothing short of spectacular. There were over 40 Bones landed during the day with the average weight stretching the scales to 6.5lbs. Many of the anglers also enjoyed great shots at the Permit, possibly due to some lower tidal movement, but Permit being Permit, shots aren’t always enough to get it done! The Bluefin Trevally fishing kicked up a gear with many coming to hand, five fish in particular of special mention as they weighed between 12 – 14 lb. With the Bluefin being around in such abundance it was only a matter of time before someone would get into a tussle with a very large GT. Sean proved to be the fortunate angler, the monster 111cm fish hooked and landed very close to the eastern reef edge. After an intense battle and some serious running from his guide, the beast was tailed and some great photos were taken before the fish was sent back to harass the high numbers of baitfish and Bonefish which were congregating in the surf zone. What a great fish Sean, well done!
Day 6 started off with some more phenomenal Bonefishing, with 40 fish between 6-7lbs landed by the clients. It must sound monotonous saying this almost everyday, but that really is special fishing anywhere in the world and if one considers all of it is done on foot in ankle to knee depth water you know you are in a special place. The Trevally were out in force once again, with many good sized Bluefin coming to hand. Unfortunately Don lost our second large GT for the week while fishing a section on the eastern edge of the atoll. His day did improve though! Firstly he landed two trophy size Bluefin Trevally, 71cm and 74cm respectively, however his major consolation came in the form of his first Indo-Pacific Permit, the fin perfect fish weighing 10lb! Well done Don!!!!
The final day of the trip brought a fitting end to a great week on St. Brandons. Over 60 Bonefish were landed throughout the day, on average the fish weighing an impressive 7lb. Jim pinned a super strong 8,5 lb fish, before Doug stole the show with a 10lb beast. The fish was spotted and cast to as it slowly snaked it’s way up a turtle grass finger, a few short strips and he had a solid connection. It ran him deep into backing before steady pressure eventually brought about it’s entry into the net. A few quick snaps were taken and the fish was swimming off in no time. A truly special fish Doug, congratulations!
The Permit were out in good numbers again and with his last cast of trip, long time Seychelles client Rob, hooked and landed his first Indo-Pacific Permit. After having a few good shots at tailing fish, Rob put in a spot-on effort and within three strips he went tight. The fish fought hard but Rob would not give an inch and soon the 5lb fish was safely in the net. Awesome job Rob! There was plenty of Trevally action as well, most of the clients enjoying some excellent shots at GTs and ferocious Bluefin Trevally. Ian landed our largest Bluefin for the day, the electric blue specimen measuring 76cm. With this great moment the second week of the season came to an end. We had a great time hosting some old friends and making a few new ones and look forward to having them out with us on the atoll in seasons to come!