It is now up in the air about weather a return trip is even possible to the outer Seychelles islands in the near future.

It is a sad state of affairs when a small group of fly fishers can’t get together for a week of fishing because of pirates terrorizing the western Indian Ocean and now in the Seychelles itself. The government there has called in all vessels from the outer islands until deemed safe from the pirates. FlyCastaway has cancelled the remainder of this season’s trips or until further notice when they (and the government of the Seychelles) can assure safe trips to the outer islands. This happened just after our trip in March, 2009. I am glad we were able to experience Providence Atoll, but saddened by the fact that we were the last group to fish there for who knows how long.

FlyCastaway has cancelled the remainder of this season’s trips or until further notice when they (and the government of the Seychelles) can assure safe trips to the outer islands.

The MV Indian Ocean Explorer was hijacked and its captain and crew were kidnapped recently. It’s guests; a group of anglers, were just dropped off on a nearby island and were not taken with the ship. Lucky for them. This happened during our trip, close (comparatively speaking) to where we were fishing.. We did not know about it until returning home.

Read more details at http://www.scubaherald.com/indian-ocean-explorer-live-aboard-hijacked.
We wish the captain and crew of the MV Indian Ocean Explorer the best of luck. For the pirates, you don’t want to hear what I wish for them.

- New fly fishing destination -

ST. BRANDON’S, MAURITIUS, INDIAN OCEAN

Never to sit back on their creels, the guys at FlyCastaway have explored an area that may prove to be even more spectacular than the Seychelles as far as Bonefish size and numbers are concerned in addition to fishing for several species of Trevally and Indo Pacific Permit.

Below, read what they have to say about this new fly fishing discovery.

We have once again found a gem of a flats fishing destination in the Indian Ocean. St Brandon’s (Cargados Carajos Shoals) is a group of over 50 small islands, coral ridges and vast sand flats which is cut by three major passes and extends 50 km from north to south. Situated 268 nautical miles north-east of Mauritius’s main island this area is rich in fish stocks, flora and fauna. The magnificent condition of the coral and the lobster infested outer reefs is proof that other than a small population of Creole natives who live on Raphael Island in the north this area has had very little human interference.

After a long wait since FlyCastaway, a company that specializes in finding new and remote destinations, as well as organizing glitch free mothership operations in these areas, has once again found a gem of a flats fishing destination in the Indian Ocean. St Brandon’s (Cargados Carajos Shoals) is a group of over 50 small islands, coral ridges and vast sand flats which is cut by three major passes and extends 50 km from north to south. Situated 268 nautical miles north-east of Mauritius’s main island this area is rich in fish stocks, flora and fauna. The magnificent condition of the coral and the lobster infested outer reefs is proof that other than a small population of Creole natives who live on Raphael Island in the north this area has had very little human interference.

After a long wait since FlyCastaway’s first visit 5 years ago, the red tape has finally been cleared to legally allow international foreigners to visit the area. This exclusive deal allows for The Fly Shop to book trips with FlyCastaway to use the luxurious MV Gryphon for live aboard trips to St Brandon’s. Their 96 ft motor yacht is based out of Port Louis and boasts a top speed of 13 knots, has stabilizers, a large indoor and outdoor living area as well as a fully rigged game fishing aft deck.

There are 12 daily international flights into Mauritius and the airport is 45minutes away from Port Louis, which is the capital. Once everyone has settled into their cabins, the fully rigged and stocked Gryphon departs in a north-easterly direction along the Maskereina ridge on a 24 hour motor for St Brandon. The trip is a pleasant one as the stabilizers steady the roll and time flies as the card games and DVD’s are paused thanks to the occasional sound of screaming reels. On arriving at St Brandon’s no time is wasted as the guides put their vast Indian Ocean experience and planning into practice as you venture out to spend your days exploring the multitude of pure white sand flats and broken coral islands, all of which are infested with naive bonefish.

This will most certainly be the most spectacular bonefishing you will ever encounter as on most tides anglers can expect to see shoals of these shallow water speedsters as well as enormous singles and doubles. On FlyCastaway’s recent exploratory they landed Bonefish of up to 87cm fork length and weighing 15lbs. This fishery is also extremely well balanced and offers anglers a variety of species to choose from as there is plenty of Indo-Pacific Permit, a host of Trevally species including Bluefin, Golden, Yellow Dot, Green Spot and Giant Trevally of over 100lbs in weight.

The first part of the season runs from early October until mid December and the second part from early April until the end of May. As St Brandon is situated in the cyclonic belt it’s wisely rested from the end of December until late in May, which falls in the cyclone season. From June through to September the strong winter south-east monsoon winds blow incessantly which brings cold water onto the flats and makes fly fishing an unpleasant experience.

'09 Rates

The cost for the trip as quoted per person, ex Port Louis Mauritius is 5900 EURO.

Includes

• 9 Nights onboard
• Shared accommodation (2 pax per en suite room)
• All meals onboard the vessels
• Soft drinks, water and beerFishing Licenses
• 7.5 days guided fishing

Excludes

• International flights
• Ground Transfers in Mauritius
• Tackle & Flies
• Gratuities Wine and Spirits
• Medical & Travel insurance (This is of utmost importance as the islands of the St Brandon’s are remote)

If you are interested in this new destination, contact us ASAP to reserve your place and to receive additional information.

We are watching the pirate action in the Seychelles and if all is safe, possibly openingup operations again in March 2010. There have been no incidents for the past 2 months in the area.

We will post information about the opening as it becomes available to us.