CHRISTMAS ISLAND
The Fishing
Christmas Island has a myriad of diverse habitat and endless flats and is considered the top bonefish destination in the world. The lagoon system is a bonefish nursery with endless deep cuts and channels with huge flats that have the food they need. It is perfect bonefish factory. A flyfisher could spend a lifetime trying to fish every flat available and still not sample the entire island. Christmas Island has the rare mixture of fishing opportunities that caters to both the novice and expert bonefisher. One flat can have large numbers of schooling fish while another flat is capable of having single or paired fish pushing ten pounds or above. On fact is constant, you will get plenty of shots at bonefish during your stay here. The "bonefish mystique" may be gone by the end of the week but it will be replaced by a understanding of these speedsters that will help you fish for them anywhere in the world. The problem is you may not want to fish for them anywhere else!
The angler has the opportunity to fish ankle deep "skinny" flats, deep big fish flats or even ocean side flats that have a unique feeling all their own with waves crashing at your feet and bonefish washing up on the shore break. Even small isolated "pancake" flats provide an interesting chance to hook an immense bonefish or giant trevally.
The variety of fish will keep your spirits up as well. Some of the flats will have drop-offs Where these huge trevally cruise in search of their next meal. Throw a streamer out into that blue hole and hang on. The giant trevally will eat bonefish which should give you some idea of their speed and strength. Bring a big rod for these brutes (maybe an extra one just in case!).
Bonefish, the sleek, silvery occupants of the flats, can attain speed above twenty miles per hour, and are the top billing but Christmas Island is home to several species of trevally some of which can run over 100 pounds. Most trevally will run from 5-50 pounds depending on the specie. These hard striking cousins of the Jack Crevalle can be taken on a wide variety of streamers and top water poppers. You will not forget the surface strike of a large trevally!
A typical day of fishing the flats is about 10-15 fish, a great day is thirty fish. I have experienced 50 fish days! There are huge numbers of bones here because of the unique habitat. The island's lagoon is a maze of shallow water flats with channels bordering most of them. On some days It is common to sight and cast to fish every five to ten minutes. Beginners and experts will enjoy the island as each day holds something new. Some people seem to think that Christmas Island has only small bonefish. It is true that there are lots of small fish, but if you separate the numbers of trophy fish that you will see each day it will rival anywhere in the world. Most trips come away with a few fish each week in the 8-10 pound range, that just isn't small!!
The flies we use here are unusual by bonefishing standards in that they are very sparse and colors like yellow and orange are the most important. The guides like you to use a long slow strip and a line strike to nail these guys. The fishing can be so good you want to shake off that small fish to get to the bigger ones in view.
For a change of pace, off shore
fishing is available for tuna, wahoo, dorado, billfish and other
saltwater demons. If the group decides to we can go offshore just about anytime. The boat that we travel in to the flats is also used offshore. Most of the fishing is trolling until a school is located and you can cast from the deck. No other lodge offers this without charging extra. If part of the group would rather fish the flats while others go offshore - no problem, the boat can drop you and a guide on the flat while the rest heads out of the lagoon. We can customize each trip easily adding guides extra boats, anything you need. If I haven't convinced you yet, call me and I'll give you some references that will sound like another fish story. The fishing here will not disappoint you, this maybe Fly Fishing Heaven after all!
CHRISTMAS ISLAND!
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