This photo essay was kindly provided by FlyCastaway:
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- The critical moment – before the bonefish and angler connect. The key to hooking up consistently with bonefish is to ensure your fly stays in the feeding zone. Strip only fast enough to keep it there until you feel the tension of the take. Do not lift the rod until the fish is firmly hooked!
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- Keep it clean – Bonefish are best known for their speed and determined runs. Keep your fingers away from that blur that is the reel handle!
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- The silver bullet – Note the streamlined body shape and position of their mouths. Bonefish are perfectly adapted to feeding on crustaceans and shrimps which crawl or hide on the bottom of shallow saltwater flats.
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- Tailing bonefish – This sight lures thousands of anglers long, weary kilometres to remote destinations such as St. Brandon’s and the Seychelles each year.
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- Picturesque pectoral – There’s a hue of exquisite, iridescent blue on a bonefish’s fins.
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- Ideal habitat – Note the colour of the bottom. Bonefish love to feed over flats that are a food-rich mix of sand and turtle grass.
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- It’s guided game – Fishing for bonefish successfully requires a firm understanding of tidal movement, water levels and location. Hiring a professional guide will cut years off the learning curve.
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- Reaping rewards of a great fishery – Wading and sight casting to bonefish of this size brings anglers from across the globe to St Brandon’s Atoll.
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- To the bone – Bonefish fight hard and fast from start to finish.
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- The right recipe – shallow water near drop-offs. Even very large bonefish (8 lb plus) will feed in ankle deep water given the right tide and the shelter of deeper water nearby.
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- Subtle technicalities – An angler showing the correct rod angle when the fish is nearly ready to bring to hand.
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- Hang ten – Not all flats are covered by sand. A flat such as this one has a shell and coral gravel bottom, which crabs are particularly fond of. Ditto bonefish and permit!
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- Off he goes – It’s always satisfying watching a big one swim away.
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- Bone of contention – St. Brandon’s has become a world renowned bonefish venue and for good reason. The numbers and average size of the fish are at times hard to comprehend.
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- A real beauty – of a bonefish about to be released. Note the width across this fish’s head!
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- Savouring the moment – A very happy angler releasing a St. Brandon’s bone.
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- Diamonds are for girls? – Bonefish have some of the most gorgeous scales found on any fish. These fish also have the ability to reflect the colour of the bottom when feeding over different coloured substrates.
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- Tropical cocktail – This is what fly fishing in the Indian Ocean is all about. Blue sky, clear water, white sand and big fish!
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- Get your ducks in a row – These three friends surely know what they are doing to enjoy the spoils from a special day out.
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- St. Brandon’s double up. Client and guide enjoying Indian Ocean bonefishing.
