James Shanley and I fished together briefly on Astove when we arrived in the Seychelles last week. Today it was time for us to put the pedal down and fish hard all day together here on Cosmoledo. The weather was slightly improved over yesterdays stormy day. In fact it started with lots of blue in the sky. But it wouldn’t last long.
Our guide was Brandon Poole. Of all the Cosmo guides, Brandon may be the craziest about giant trevally. We zipped across the lagoon and got out of the boat on an island to walk and wade for GTs. James and I each carried our 12-weights. I stopped and made some blind casts at good looking spots. The guys went to a prime spot to wait for a GT to swim by. The young boobies watched curiously.
The first stop was a bust. We didn’t see a fish. A big squall brewed to the east and Brandon suggested we try to get to the next spot before it hit. No chance. We got in the boat and this baby caught us minutes later. Unable to really see, Brandon stopped the boat for us to blind cast and drift. Believe it or not James went tight on a beast GT but it broke his 100lb leader!
It was a struggle for the next three hours. Rain and wind pulverized us. Brandon walked the boat waist deep along his favorite flats. Then he hopped up on his poling platform on those rare occasions when the sun broke through. There wasn’t much going on. Brandon told us to be patient because eventually the tide would become more favorable for seeing fish. We kicked back and ate lunch.
The guides of Alphonse Fishing Company, in fact all over the Seychelles, are some of the best in the world. When Brandon seemed confident despite our three hour drought, I was too. Sure enough, after lunch James took the bow we started seeing GT’s.
The GT’s still weren’t jumping on the fly. James launched some great casts right on the money to the fish we saw. A few darted our way but turned off. But as I always demonstrate on this blog, be persistent and the fish will come. Before we knew it James was posing with a feisty GT.
After James caught his I got lucky and nailed one also. Between the two of us we had an hour where we each got about four fish to cast too. We each hooked and lost another. Though most played hard to get all the action was super fun.
The wind was insane near the end of the afternoon and the GT blitz seemed to have ended. Brandon suggested we spend the last hour fishing near the lodge just so we could get the hellish boat ride behind us. We agreed. Its not the soaking that bothers any of us, it’s the smashing waves that pound the boat and hurt your back. I feel a few inches shorter and it’s only the third day. In fact these boat rides hurt every inch of your body.
Once back James and Brandon walked the lodge beach for permit. I went out to the rocks and coral looking for triggers. My hike was more of an adventure and the only fish I caught was a three spot pompano. The guys didn’t see anything.
There were lots of GT’s caught this afternoon. Just like a lot of fish species around the world, when they are on they are on no matter where you’re at. TJ and Brian even got this double which shows how suddenly they all started feeding.
Its already raining again. We ended the fishing day just in time. Then huddled around the dining room tent with beer and wine. Once again, dinner was no less than phenomenal.
Of course I broke out the sharpies. Tonight I decorated James’s pack with a GT. Originally we were thinking a head-on triggerfish view but James has caught quite a few nice geets this week. A GT seemed most appropriate.
Amongst all this fun I’m keeping watch on my Astove puncture wound from almost a week ago. Its been swollen and sore and today started oozing clear nastiness. We have some doc’s in the group and Ken cleaned me up tonight and filled me with some disinfectant. You always need to be careful even with minor injuries because in the middle of nowhere you don’t want them to escalate.
This is a Yellow Dog hosted trip and if you ever want to go feel free to contact me or go directly to Yellow Dog. While my April Providence trip is full, it won’t be long before I set up one for 2023 or at worst, 2024. That’s all for today!
Be sure to keep track of my upcoming travels around the world!
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Jeff,
Sorry about the bad weather but the GT’s should help getting over this obstacle.
Merry Christmas!!!
Tad
I always thought I wanted to try the Christmas Islands but reading this blog really makes the Seychelles sound phenomenal.
Ha! Tad, you are correct! Merry Christmas to you as well
Matt, there is only one way to find out – do them both! I think you know someone that can help you get there!