The Seychelles, and Alphonse Island, is considered the crème de la crème of saltwater fly fishing and has been for nearly two decades – and with good reason. Nowhere else in the world will you find the abundance of bonefish or species variation and of course, GTs. In days gone by there were only a few operations to choose from, one land based and some motherships exploring the outer atolls. This has expanded considerably with no less than five separate operations to choose from, all of which have different focuses and pros and cons. All of them are accessed from the main island of Mahé which can easily be reached by direct British Airways flight from London or Emirates flights via Dubai.
Alphonse Island
It is one of the longest established fisheries in the Indian Ocean that began back in 2000 and is still one of the most productive and consistent fisheries in the world. Alphonse is located 45 minutes flight south west of Mahé in the Amirantes chain of islands. It has morphed and evolved over that time and is now a combination of top level accommodation for non-fishers and families as well as fishermen.
The island offers the finest accommodation of any fishing lodge in the world. Most of the fishing occurs on the nearby St Francois Atoll which is a wonderful mix of large white sand flats, channels, drop offs and coral finger flats. The majority of the fishing is wading although the operation is equipped with a new fleet of 16’ skiffs to move around the atoll with. You will not find a finer bonefishery anywhere in the world.
Once you have filled your boots with bonefish you can begin to hunt the other species such as giant trevally, bluefin trevally, triggerfish and of course milkfish. There really is nowhere else that milkfish are caught and landed on the fly with such consistency. They are one of the fastest swimming fish on the flats and hooking one will test you and your tackle. The island also has a bluewater boat to target offshore species.
To summarise Alphonse offers outstanding saltwater flats fishing with extremely comfortable accommodation (single room as standard), service and top quality food.
Alphonse Island in Video
Alphonse Island Fly Fishing Costs:
September 2019 to December 2020: US$9,840 per person based on a 7 night / 6 day fishing package in a Beach Bungalow (single occupancy), including internal charter.
January to December 2021: US$10,760 per person based on a 7 night / 6 day fishing package in a Beach Bungalow (single occupancy), including internal charter.
Alphonse Island Fly Fishing Availability:
September 2019 to May 2020
28 Sep – 5 Oct 19 NM 28th – 3 rods
5 – 12 Oct 19 – 4 rods
14 – 21 Dec 19 – 5 rods
8 – 15 Feb 20 FM 9th – 3 rods
22 – 29 Feb 20 NM 23rd – 2 rods
14 – 21 Mar 20 – 2 rods
25 Apr – 2 May 20 – 10 rods
September to December 2020
19 – 26 Sep 20 – 10 rods
17 – 24 Oct 20 – 10 rods
24 – 31 Oct 20 – 3 rods
28 Nov – 05 Dec 20 FM 30th Nov – 8 rods
12 – 19 Dec 20 NM 14th Dec – 4 rods
26 Dec – 02 Jan 21 FM 30th Dec – 5 rods
January to May 2021
02 – 09 Jan 21 – 7 rods
09 – 16 Jan 21 NM 13th Jan 21 – 8 rods
06 – 13 Feb 21 NM 11th Feb – 2 rods
20 – 27 Feb 21 FM 27th Feb – 2 rods
13 – 20 Mar 21 NM 13th Mar – 5 rods
20 – 27 Mar 21 – 10 rods
27 Mar – 03 Apr 21 FM 28th Mar – 9 rods
03 – 10 Apr 21 – 9 rods
24 Apr – 01 May 21 FM 27th Apr – 9 rods
01 – 08 May 21 – 10 rods
08 – 15 May 21 NM 11th May – 10 rods
15 – 22 May 21 – 10 rods
When selecting the right saltwater week it is important to make your decision based on the predicted tides so that you get the best shots at the species you want to encounter. With unrivalled knowledge of the Seychelles operations we will be happy to advise you on the best tides so you get the best fly fishing experience possible.
To discuss fly fishing on Alphonse Island and the best tides for your trip please contact Peter McLeod or Charlotte Chilcott, alternatively call our office on +44(0)1980 847389.