Alphonse Island Seychelles Trip Report 2015
Alphonse Island Seychelles Trip Report 2015: The Alphonse group of Atolls is considered one of the most pristine group of atolls in the world. The three islands of Alphonse, St. Francios, and Bijoutier make up the group of atolls. Located seven degrees south of the equator, 400 kilometers south west of the capital island Mahe, and 1600 kilometers off the east cost of Africa, to say the Alphonse group of atolls is remote is an understatement!
Our week in Alphonse started out as the previous weeks had in 2015 at Alphonse, with unseasonable cloudy and rainy weather. The weather was very unsettled and clocking from all directions during the days. It was a sharp reminder that no matter how far you travel to fly-fish you can never travel out of Mother Natures grasp and often when the weather does not cooperate you just have to make the best of it!
The amazing thing about the Indian Ocean and Alphonse group of atolls is that even when the lights are out some amazing fishing still takes place. When the sun did show itself albeit not for long, everyone was able to see the incredible environment and the natural beauty that was surrounding us. The bonefishing was excellent throughout the week and despite the inclement weather there were eight and a half GT’s landed (see picture above!), multiple other species of Trevally, a couple of Triggers, wahoo, sailfish, a large Indo-Pacific permit and plenty of other species.
One of the big changes since my last trip to Alphonse was the newly developed blue water fishery. Full day and half day options are now available and offer a nice change of pace to the week of wading. These trips have been so successful that the crew at Alphonse have created a “Bills and Bones” slam. The slam consists of a bonefish and a sailfish on the fly in the same day! The ability to go out for a half day and cast to tailing bonefish and then get picked up and run outside the atoll into the deep blue and attempt to land a sailfish on the fly is something very unique and it a true testament to the fishery, not to mention the Wahoo and Tuna as by catch!
All of the controllables throughout the week were top notch! The staff were extremely helpful and the food was excellent ! Fresh produce farmed on the island and fresh fish were a constant on the menu all week. The guide staff did everything in their power to make sure we all had a memorable week. To say that Alphonse Island in running extremely well in all capacities is an understatement!
On the way out the plane ascended from Alphonse Island and circled around leaving St. Francios in plain site, I drifted off daydreaming about blue skies and the return trip next year! If interested in any of the WorldCast Anglers Alphonse Seychelles hosted trip offerings, please EMAIL US or call us at 800-654-0676. Next trip: TBD.
