Providence: Feb 3-9, 2027 (Sold Out)

While diversity on Providence is every bit as good (if not better) than any island found in the Seychelles, it is the overall lack of accessibility and pressure that truly makes this fishery unique. Having been completely closed and un-fished for six long years, the atoll was once again opened in the fall of 2015 for a very small window of only four weeks. 

The main reasons to fish Providence include the large numbers of aggressive Giant Trevally (GT’s or “Geets”), the freakish and colorful bumphead parrotfish, several different types of triggerfish, and the largest bonefish in the entire Seychelles. There are also dozens of other species that are readily available and catchable, including milkfish, bluefin trevally, permit, sailfish, grouper, snapper, cuda, and many more. The Geets range in size from 20 to over 100 pounds, and – once found – almost eat with reckless abandon and total and complete violence. Since almost all of the Geet fishing is done while wading, this is truly one of the most exciting species that can be pursued and caught on the fly. As for the bumphead parrotfish (“Bumpies”) there is no finer place in the world to target and catch these outlandish and exotic fish. They are found in huge numbers all throughout the waters of the atoll, and indeed this is the fishery where Bumpy fishing on the fly was first pioneered and developed. The bonefish found in the northern waters of the atoll (near Providence Island itself) are both large and numerous, and the average size easily runs into the five-to-six-pound range. While trophy, double-digit bonefish are rare throughout the Seychelles, they are very much a possibility when fishing Providence. And finally, triggerfish are another huge part of the Providence fishery, where several different trigger species are found all throughout the shallow waters of the atoll.

There are other fisheries in the Seychelles that are easier to access, less expensive, and offer a higher degree of comfort or land-based amenities. When it comes to exploration, adventure, and remote fishing, however, there is no destination that is more “out there” and wild than Providence Atoll.

Farquhar: Feb 10-17, 2027 (Sold Out)

The fishing at Farquhar has over the past few years become synonymous with the term “fly fishing paradise.” Since first opening, this destination has given a select group of anglers the opportunity to fish some of the finest and most productive flats the Indian Ocean has to offer. These flats are characterized by hard white sand, turtle grass, and broken coral, which all combine to create a situation for very easy wading. Overall, Farquhar is best known for its impressive diversity of species, including bonefish, various trevally species (including trophy-sized giant trevally), the finicky Indo-Pacific permit, triggerfish, barracuda, Bumphead Parrotfish, milkfish, and more. 

If stalking bonefish in skinny water, throwing crab flies at colorful tailing triggerfish, or trying to maintain your composure as a large GT charges your fly sounds interesting, then Farquhar is certainly a venue that should make the top of your list. Aside from fantastic flats fishing, there are also some legitimate bluewater opportunities, as deep water begins very close to shore. Here the most common bluewater species encountered are giant trevally, barracuda, wahoo, yellowfin, dogtooth tuna, grouper, bohar snapper, and sailfish. Whether it’s on the flats or offshore, the guides of Farquhar will help you identify your desired target species, access the areas they frequent, and explain the correct techniques with which to catch each species. They will without question go the extra mile to put you on to the fish of a lifetime. The first part of the fishing season on Farquhar traditionally runs from early October to late December. The second part runs from late February to early May, with a break over the Christmas and New Year’s holiday. These are the peak periods, as January is one of the rainiest months in the Seychelles. (From middle May to October, the strong southeastern monsoon winds blow incessantly. These winds bring cold water onto the flats and make fly fishing a fairly unpleasant and unproductive experience.)