Christmas Island Trip Report - February 6th

Christmas Island Trip Report – February 6th – 13th:

Christmas Island has always been at the topic of conversation as one of the most prolific bonefish destinations in the world. Anglers have been visiting the remote pacific atoll for decades to experience its incredible flats and wade fishing opportunities and the location was institutional in bringing the sport of fly fishing for bonefish to public eye. After a 3 plus year Covid based closure, Christmas Island is open for anglers to visit one of the best places on the planet to wade fish shallow sand and coral flats for bonefish and a diverse group of other species.

Christmas Island is located approximately 1400 miles due south of Hawaii and 144 miles north of the equator. It is the world’s largest coral atoll and it’s ecosystem supports a robust population of bonefish, triggerfish and trevally species. The island is truly a tiny coral dot in the middle of the Pacific ocean. It’s proximity to the equator, only 110 miles away, provides Christmas Island with stable weather patterns and almost 365 days of consistent conditions. With one flight visiting per week, one feels the remoteness of this destination as you step on the island and the weekly plane departs behind you. As we shuttled to the Christmas Island Outfitters/Sunset Horizon Lodge for a week of bonefishing paradise, we drove and weaved through the coral atolls palm trees, its remote countryside and local villages where we were greeted with friendly waves, big smiles and heartfelt welcoming hospitality.

Located 1,340 miles south of Hawaii, getting to Christmas Island isn’t as complex as one may think. It’s even easier if you are frequent traveler or visitor to Hawaii where you can add it on to the front or back end of your Hawaiian adventure. Anglers rendezvous in Honolulu and can choose to spend as little or as much time in the capital city of Hawaii that is complete with beaches, palm trees, dinning, nightlife and shopping and high-rise hotels. There is one flight per week that lands on Christmas Island that brings fresh anglers ready for their adventure and returns tired anglers back to reality – all via Honolulu International Airport. While this may be more dedicated than a simple flight to Cancun or the Bahamas, I welcomed a couple days and nights in Honolulu to break up the winter monotony of the Jackson Hole and Teton Valley winter season.

I’ve always loved to wade fish. Perhaps I just have a strong connection and roots to how we all started fly fishing. Maybe it’s the simplicity of the pursuit or just relish in the opportunity to be active and move around to find the best angle and presentation. Every year, I still make a strong effort every season to “ditch the boat” and head out on foot. I’ve always had Christmas Island on my list as I though it would be the perfect medicine for my wade fishing affinity and pleasures. I was truly excited to spend the entire trip wading solid white-bottomed flats that extended for miles and miles in the Christmas Island lagoon or the reef and rock of it’s oceanside flats and surf. It offered flexibility and activity to each day that one might not be able to experience in a saltwater skiff-based fly fishing experience. Go fast, go slow, spend some extra time in one spot or cruise on to the next area, you are at your own pace and cadence during your week while exploring the flats and reef of Christmas Island. The wade fishing opportunity also offers anglers of all skill levels alike to get closer to their targets and convert on more shots.

Without a doubt, Bonefish are the stars of the show for the dynamic Christmas Island fishery. Every day on the flats we encountered bonefish averaging in the 2-4 pound range cruising on white sand and tailing while eating crustaceans. The plethora of shots at fish were impressive and we spent little to no time blind casting. This was a highly visible game of spotting, stalking, wading and hunting! If you are like me, sight casting and visibly stalking fish never gets old – whether you are on day 1 or 7 of your trip. And for those that say bonefishing is easy, your pursuit and skill level will always be challenged when you encounter bonefish in 5-10 pound range in very shallow water. Christmas Island offers a fishery for all anglers. First time saltwater anglers will get the opportunities/shot needed to learn and develop their skill sets. Expert anglers will see challenging opportunities and selective feeding by large single or double cruising fish that haven’t made it to their size by being dumb or reckless. This creates one of the ultimate flats wade fishing experiences for saltwater anglers.

While Bonefish dominate the flats of Christmas Island, a multitude of different fish species that call Christmas Island home. The infamous Giant Trevally makes their presence know either by it’s size on the flats or ruckus in the water while it destroys bonefish, mullet and milkfish. There is a monster Giant Trevally that broke everything I had and is towing around my 12wt fly line and some 50lb backing as my white flag of surrender. As a new GT angler, I felt the power of a fish that could destroy all tackle and physically push you further than some of the largest tarpon I have landed. I had just learned the experienced GT angler adage of “sometimes you just can’t stop them.” The beautiful Bluefin Trevally pulls harder than is notorious GT cousin and tailing triggerfish test anglers accuracy and patience as they feed on coral heads and crabs. All of these diverse fish add to the mix and excitement of angling pursuit on Christmas Island. If you are fishing the lagoon by outrigger boat access or backcountry and oceanside flats via truck transport, anglers need to be ready for all species and situations.

There is nothing luxurious about anything at Christmas Island. Simply put, Christmas Island is for the “adventurous” spirited and dedicated angler. Accommodations at the Sunset Horizon are basic, clean and comfortable. The lodge features double occupancy rooms with full time power and good access to WiFi for a fee. It’s location on the beach on the ocean side of the island offers tropical breezes, spectacular ocean views and sunsets. The beer is cold and the food is simple featuring lobster, chicken, pork, rice and pasta. It truly is a “fish camp” with the purpose to provide a base location to explore the atoll, it’s massive lagoon complex and raw backcountry and oceanside flats. Fishing is the main priority and it’s refreshing to see a location and operation’s commitment and focus to your time on the water, the fish you bring to hand and the adventures you experience.

Christmas Island is a wonderland for the saltwater fly angler and Christmas Island Outfitters is there to make your dreams come true. If your interested in fishing for bonefish, trevally and other species on Christmas Island, please contact WorldCast Anglers for more information. Be sure to stay updated on the WorldCast Anglers Hosted Destination Offerings!