Fishing Opportunities at Christmas Island
Bones, Trevally, and Pelagics all available

Most anglers liken to a certain style of fishing over their careers, and it's no secret that Christmas Island has drawn thousands upon thousands of flyfishers to its flats and shores.  From 7 weights to 14 weights, flyfishing is alive and well on Christmas Island.

8 and 9 weight saltwater fly-rods are the most common for bonefish use, though some daring individuals will use 7's.  10, 12 and 14 weights are also used for the Trevally.

Because the wind generally blows from the Southwest at a reasonable clip, the lighter rigs can be significantly more difficult to cast.

Though Bonefish don't take to well to the splash of a lure, Trevally are not the slightest bit afraid of them.  In fact, the splash of a good popper right in front of an angry GT often triggers an attack response leading to an aggressive hookup and a ferocious fight.  Anglers not familiar with this aggressive a strike, especially on fly tackle, might be best suited to begin their Trevally lessons by taking along a heavier casting setup, such as the Shakespeare Ugly Stik with Penn 850 or 9500 spinning reel loaded with 30 pound line (spend the extra dollars to get the abrasion resistant lines.....it might help with the coral)

After a sumptuous breakfast, your guide will come to the lodge and load your gear onto the pickup truck of the day. Once the sandwiches and drinks, plus all your gear is on board, you'll go for a nice drive from 15 to 90 minutes to the selected flat or shoreline section you'll be fishing. The air is clean, the breeze is refreshing, and anglers usually sit together in the back with their guide planning their strategies.

Once the first site is reached, one or two anglers will get out with their guide and head off on their own. The other guests will drive on down to the next location and do the same. The cooler will generally stay with the truck as a base camp as you and your fellow anglers and guides will go off to search for your quarry.

The water feels like a bathtub.

Suddenly, your guide stops, hunches over, points, and whispers, "Bonefish, 30 feet......cast." You draw on your practice from the past three months and set your fly to an area where you may or may not have even seen the fish he told you to cast to. Now, both leaned over slightly and with your rod tip in the water, you look for his hand signals out of the corner of your eye as you try and watch the fish. "Hold," "strip slow," and "strip fast" are the normal commands.

Anglers off for another day on the flats

With the focus now away from trying to hook the speedy ghost, you glance around for a second. You're alone in a turquoise lagoon, standing in a foot of warm water, and one of the fastest fish connected to your 8 weight. The inevitable smile comes across your face, and suddenly you realize why it is you work.

It's for moments like this.

Just as you get your wits about you and you take it all in, your guide whispers in your ear....."bonefish, 30 feet...cast." And you're soon lost in the moment again.

At the end of the fishing day, you'll ride back to the lodge where a quick shower will whisk away the salt of the day some cold refreshments and tasty appetizers will await. You and your group will soon be talking about the majesty of the island and sharing stories about how often you got into the backing on your reel, how many times you lost the fly, changed the leader, or the colors that were working.

The evening turns to night and after another scrumptious meal, you'll go to bed wondering just how much better things could be.