WCA - Alphonse Island - Seychelles

Alphonse Island - SeychellesTrip Information Packet

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Pre Travel Information for Alphonse Island, Seychelles

Please read the following carefully to help plan your trip to Alphonse Island and the Seychelles. Please read it in conjunction with your itinerary. It is designed as a guide and reference point. If you have further questions please contact WorldCast Anglers at [email protected] Your Guides The Alphonse team of fly fishing guides is led by Fishing Manager, Devan Van Der Merwe. The guides are all professionals and have a very comprehensive knowledge of the areas in which they operate. All guides are English speaking and some of the guides are also fluent in French and Creole.

Safety on St. Francois is of primary concern. All the guides carry waterproof VHF radios. They are in constant communication with each other as well as the base on Alphonse. All of the guides are qualified coxswains and their boat handling skills are impeccable. The Alphonse Island guide team has worked very hard to help ensure that the fishery at St. Francois is protected from over fishing and all the guides are not only professional but some also hold qualifications in the field of ecology.

One thing you will notice is that distances to the fish are sometimes given in meters instead of feet. If you are having difficulty with the estimates and prefer distances in feet then just have a word with your guide. They will do their best to accommodate

you. Often guides will also reference distances in rod lengths

The guides pride themselves in being reputed as one of the best guide teams in the industry and take great care to ensure that the fly fishery on Alphonse is kept pristine for the benefit of their future.

The Arrival Day On arrival you will be met by the manager or a representative of the Alphonse Island management team and transported to the hotel by golf cart. There will be time for checking in and unpacking. Your fishing equipment will be collected from your room and there will be a comprehensive briefing and tackle setup by the team at the fishing office. The guide team will assess your flies and give advice on what can be expected in the coming week. The first afternoon is free, an unguided afternoon, so enquire with the fishing manager as to the tides and your best option should you wish to wet a line on Alphonse.

Alternatively, you can relax on the deck of the beach bar with an Indian Ocean cocktail. Dinner is served from 7.30pm in a relaxed atmosphere at the bar.

The Resort Guests on Alphonse generally stay in the suite A-frame chalets or the larger villas if that option has been booked. Both are near the fishing center and the beach bar and restaurant. Bicycles are provided for all guests and tracks around the island make for an interesting ride during time away from fishing or other activities. A driver and golf cart are always available




for those unable to use a bicycle.

There is a floodlit tennis court. Guests can play at any time with rackets and balls available at reception.

Standards of accommodation are good, comfortable and air-conditioned. Service is attentive and sincere led by island managers.

The bar is fun and perfectly positioned alongside the freshwater pool and beach. The dining facility offers a variety of traditional, fresh cuisine, with a heavy focus on seafood. The atmosphere on the island is relaxed and informal.

Bluewater Fishing There will be two bluewater boats available for chartering. One will primarily be used for fly fishing and the other for conventional angling. There will be NO conventional angling next to the reef as the aim of the conventional boat will be purely for targeting pelagic species.

Scuba Diving The Alphonse dive center will open for the 2015/16 season. This will be great news for those who have enjoyed the exceptional diving on offer around the Alphonse group of atolls. All diving equipment will be on site and there is the option for guests to be picked up on St Francois, taken out for a dive and returned to the flats for further fishing. Please enquire for pricing and terms.

The Fishing Day Breakfast is available from 6am. Most

guests opt for an early morning wake-up call around 5.30am-5.45am and start breakfast around 6am. Guests are provided with bicycles to ride to the fishing office and around the rest of the island. All fishermen meet at the fishing office at 7am. By then, the guides and staff will have organized your equipment to be transferred to the mothership which takes fishers to the flats. Please remember that if you are late, the rest of the group will have to wait for you.

Your rods will stay on the mothership for the remainder of your week. Fresh water buckets will be provided to rinse your reels at the end of each fishing day. Once everyone has assembled you will be ferried to the mothership to commence the 30-40 minute trip to St. Francois.

On entering the St. Francois lagoon and mooring area, you will be transferred to your skiff. Guiding takes place on a rotational basis allowing anglers to experience all facets of the fishery. Anglers will fish in pairs sharing a skiff and guide each day. Virtually all fishing is done by wading, with both anglers fishing simultaneously, so do not expect to be standing on the bow of a skiff all day.

The guides are skilled boatmen and casting from the boats for trevally is productive in certain situations and skiffs often need to be used for following hooked milkfish or big trevally. The guides have strict safety protocols and boat rules should be adhered to at all times.

Lunch is either on the mothership or on the



individual skiffs, depending on the client’s preference. All the small boats are equipped with flares, flotation devices, rod holders, storage compartments, and coolers. Soft drinks and desalinated drinking water are provided.

Fishing days are approximately 8 hours, starting on your arrival at the flats. The option of returning to Alphonse earlier in the day is only available should the entire group wish to do so. For safety reasons, all boats from the resort must be back in the mooring area at Alphonse no later than 5pm.

Please honor your guide’s request to stop fishing at 4pm and be prompt in your return to the mothership.

Fishing at Alphonse and St Francois St. Francois is uninhabited and the lagoon is approximately 7 miles long and 4 miles wide, consisting of firm white sand bottoms interlaced with channels and cuts. The number of people allowed to fish there is limited to 12 per week.

The uniqueness that sets St. Francois apart from many other bonefish destinations is the ability to wade over 10,000 acres of hard white sand flats in search of these ghosts. Even novices can spot and cast at fish with relative ease. Very few of the flats are heavily grassed although these areas can prove to be productive for larger bonefish.

The lagoon envelopes coral finger flats and coral heads allowing anglers to catch a number of the now 60 species available on

fly. The atoll is laced with a coral reef and has numerous bonefish that have had to stand up to the hardships of living over coral rather than sand and they fight especially hard to prove it. The surf that pounds this coral reef has numerous species of trevally. Sight fishing for trevally is one of the most exhilarating forms of fly fishing one will ever experience.

Bonefishing is best done when the tide is on the move and is least productive on the low tide. A typical session will involve wading from the skiff for a few hours either fishing to cruising or tailing fish. This will last for as long as the fish remain on the flats. On the dropping tide, huge shoals of bonefish can be targeted leaving the flats in what has been described as a continuous river of bones. The bonefishing at St. Francois is as diverse as the fishery itself and will cater to all levels of anglers. Whether you are after tailing singles or mudding shoals, the guides have the ability to make it happen. St. Francois is rumored to have the densest population of bonefish recorded worldwide.

Each flat varies during the tide and daylight hours. Some flats support very large bonefish and others smaller to average size, but a fair lagoon average would be about 4lbs. The largest bonefish caught, weighed and measured so far was 9.5lbs. The changes in the behavior of the fish and the opportunity for targeting the really big specimens make the fishing that much more challenging and entertaining. Average catch returns over the last 3 years are 10 to 12 bonefish per day and



depending on the fisherman’s skill often many more!

The factors controlling numbers of bonefish caught are weather, timing of the tides and, perhaps most importantly, the fisherman’s skill and the decision as to whether to go for size or quantity.

Fishing inside the St. Francois and Alphonse Atolls (and near the reefs) is fly fishing and catch and release ONLY. Barbless Hooks Please note that all fly fishing on Alphonse and St Francois is done with barbless hooks. Take a quality pair of saltwater pliers on a lanyard for pinching down barbs and aiding in hook removal. Barbless hooks are easier to remove once embedded in either the guide’s or your own skin.

Fishing Shop on Alphonse A selection of flies, suitable to the local conditions, is available for purchase (approx. $4.50-$5.50) from the Alphonse fishing office on the island. The shop also stocks a selection of leader material, lines, reels and clothing.

9, 10 and 12 weight rods are available for rental. They are top quality rods with Shilton reels and 300 yards of backing. The cost is US$40 per day or US$150 per outfit for the week (rod, reel, backing). Guests will need to bring their own line or purchase one from the shop (approx. $100). Please state on your Alphonse Questionnaire if you wish to rent equipment to ensure availability. A surcharge of US$150 will be added to your

bill should you break or damage the loan equipment.

Tackle purchases and guide tips should all be made in CASH and are payable at the Fishing Centre.

Tackle Requirements

Fly Rods: 9 foot high modulus graphite in 8 to 12-weight multi-piece are used for the various species of the fishery. For example 8 or 9-weight for bonefish, 10-weight for triggerfish, milkfish and smaller trevally and 11 and 12-weights for giant trevally and light offshore work. A spare bonefish rod is always a good idea.

Fly Reels: Anodized saltwater reels with reliable cork or disc drags to match the rod weight are preferred. A smooth strong drag is important in the successful catch and release of any species. For bonefish we recommend at least 150 yards of 30lb backing. For all other heavier reels at least 300 yards is recommended. Large arbor reels are better suited for saltwater fishing as they allow a faster retrieve rate. Note: If the fish is fought hard and landed quickly, limited stress is caused and the fish will remain strong as it swims away.

Lines: Weight forward floating lines are recommended for all line weights. Be sure to take spare floating lines for all your reels. The fish are generally not line shy so the color of the line is of little importance and is purely the fisherman’s preference. It may be worth your while taking a spare intermediate or sinking line for your 11 or 12-weight rod. Often the guides will have



anglers casting through channels or along the edge of drop-offs in search of the larger giant trevally.

Leaders: For bonefish 9 foot fluorocarbon tapered leaders in 12 to 20lbs. Make sure you have sufficient of these as the guides will probably use them for other species too. For example 20lb leaders are good for triggerfish and milkfish. Be sure to take spare spools of fluorocarbon tippet in 12, 16, 20 and 30lbs. For trevally the preferred method is to use a 9-foot section of 130lb fluorocarbon attached straight to the fly line by means of a braided loop. The importance of this is for abrasion purposes with the amount of coral around.

Fly Selection: The bonefish at St. Francois are not too particular about what fly you cast at them, but we do offer the following guidelines. When choosing the color of the fly, it is best to try and match the bottom coloration as closely as possible. If tying your own flies, do not overdress them. St. Francois bonefish prefer sparsely tied patterns.

Size: In most cases, St. Francois bonefish prefer patterns in size 4. If you are fishing in shallow water or where the fish are tailing, try sparsely dressed or unweighted patterns like the Lefty’s H2O, since it can typically be presented in a subtle manner. When fishing in deeper water (drop-offs and channel cuts), flies up to size 2 can be used with heavy lead or nickel dumbbell eyes.

A Typical Fly Box for Bonefish: We suggest that you take a minimum of five

dozen flies for the week with the majority in size 6 and the balance in 4s and 8s. Include flies with lead eyes, bead chain eyes, and some flies that are unweighted. This will allow you to fish flats of various depths most effectively.

The following are flies that have been top producers:

• Gotcha – with both bead chain and lead eyes, pearl, orange

• Christmas Island Specials in orange, pearl, pink, yellow

• Golden Knights • Pillow Talk • Spawning Shrimp • Chili Pepper • Bonefish Special • Marabou Shrimp in tan, pink,

white, orange. • Crazy Charlies in tan, white,

brown, orange, chartreuse • Bonefish Scampi • Pink Puff • Sili legs • Small Clouser Minnows – sizes 4,

6 in tan/white, brown/white, chartreuse/white, pink/white

• Cuban Shrimp - tan and cream, sizes 6 and 8

• Small Merkin Crabs • Fleeing Crab – 8s in cream/tan

Note: This is one of the best places in the world to experiment with different patterns. You are certain to have many opportunities to present a variety of flies to these fish. Not only do the Seychelles rank as a fly fisherman’s paradise, but a fly tier’s as well. Again, patterns should be sparsely tied.

More information on flies for trevally and



other species will be provided in the relevant sections discussing those species below.

Fly Fishing for Bonefish (Bones) Presentation, Techniques and the Fight Being ready for a rapid presentation is very important. Often you will not know which direction the fish are coming from with bonefish materializing out of nowhere. Have your line out and ready to cast so you can present the fly immediately. Your guide will call the fish using the clock face system as a means of direction. Even if you do not see the fish at first, it is worth trusting the guide’s judgment and making the cast. It is important to cast the fly in anticipation of where the fish is moving. NEVER aim directly at the target, always lead the fish and wait for him to come up onto the fly.

Bonefish Behaviour: Bonefish have three basic modes of behavior which you are likely to encounter. The angler’s presentation will be determined accordingly. 1. Tailing - while feeding with their snouts buried in the bottom substrate, bonefish will often stick their waving tails out of the water. As this occurs, you can usually throw a fly almost directly at them. Be aware that there may be more fish between you and your target and without properly surveying the area one may end up lining the first few fish. 2. Mudding - on the deeper parts of the flat, 1 to 3 feet, individual or groups of bonefish will often stir up the sand as they grub for food. This cloud of mud tends to make the bones feel quite secure and often

you can catch one after another without spooking the shoal. You may also find bones behaving in a similar manner around mudding stingrays. 3. Cruising - when bones are cruising, they are much more aware of their surroundings and therefore extreme care should be taken in presentation. When casting to cruising fish, remember to place your fly well ahead of the fish and let it settle until the fish is right on top of it. If the fly is placed too close to a cruising fish, it will immediately spook. Remember to create the desire for the fish to eat your fly. In other words, if the fly is fleeing the fish, this is a natural phenomenon and will probably induce a strike. On the other hand if a shrimp pattern falls from the sky and lands on a fishes head, he will inevitably spook. Similarly if the fly swims toward the fish, it will often spook. Try to apply this while fishing for all species.

No matter what mode a given fish is in, always let the fly settle to the bottom. Bonefish feed almost exclusively on invertebrates and crustaceans living in the sand or coral, so it is unnatural to present patterns that are not right on the bottom. On deeper flats with bottoms free of coral, flies with lead eyes are best because they sink to the bottom faster. When you make your presentation to a fish, you want the fly to be resting on the bottom when you begin your retrieve; thus, when making your cast, plan it so that you give the fly time to sink to the bottom before the fish comes to the fly. If you are unfamiliar with what patterns to use in any given water condition, consult with your guide and he can help you make the best selection. The



amount of time the fly will take to sink will depend on the weight of the fly, water depth, and speed of tidal current (if any), so place your fly in front of the fish to compensate for these variables.

Take note of wind and water flow direction and allow for this in your presentation. Once the fish gets within a couple feet of the fly, 8 to 10 inch twitch strips seem to get the bonefish’s attention. After you see him turn on the fly, make sure you do not stop the fly as once again, a fleeing shrimp would not stop and allow the bonefish to eat it, keep stripping. Listen carefully to your guide as often he has seen the fish eat the fly before the angler has even felt it. Also the guide may ask you to vary your stripping technique from one presentation to the next.

Once the fish has eaten the fly, the angler will be required to set the hook. This is done by means of a line strike, which is just an extended strip. Do not ever strike with the rod as often the bonefish will miss the fly resulting in the angler pulling the fly out of the water and away from the fish. If the fish misses the fly during a line strike, you would have only displaced the fly by a few feet allowing the fish to relocate and possibly take the fly a second time. Once again this method of setting the hook should be applied to all fish species on Alphonse.

Once the hook is firmly set, raise the rod to around a 45 degree angle to the water. A fly rod is designed to cast a fly line and not to fight fish. The pressure of a fight should be displaced through the butt half of a fly

rod and raising the rod too high will result in very little pressure being placed on the fish. As soon as the fish begins to run, it is very important to get the fish on the reel by clearing any line that you have stripped in. The key here is to separate your hands i.e. the hand holding the rod and the line control hand should be as far apart as possible. Inverting the rod so that the reel points upwards usually minimizes the chances of line wrapping around the rod butt or reel. Once this has been achieved, control the line onto the reel. Occasionally the fish will run towards you, in which case you will have to quickly strip in more line to maintain pressure. Bonefish have rubbery mouths and very sharp hooks are important. Sharpen hooks with a hook hone after every three or four fish.

Change flies after two or three refusals in a row. A good general rule is: one refusal, check your fly; two refusals, change your fly.

Try to keep false casts to a minimum, and once you have a hook up, follow the fish where practical. Remember not to rip your line off the water if you need to make another cast. Water loading spooks many fish, however, done slowly it can be achieved and another chance created.

Spotting these elusive, well camouflaged creatures can be difficult, especially for the novice. A good pair of polarized sunglasses with amber-colored (brown) lenses and a long-billed hat with a dark underside are essential. The first day or two you may have to rely on the guide -



their exceptional fish spotting ability will leave you dumbfounded - but, in time, your eyes will sharpen, and you will see fish with increasing ease. Remember to use your guide’s abilities. He spends most of his waking hours on these flats ensuring that your trip is enhanced. Sometimes guides take their abilities for granted. Ask as many questions as possible and never be too proud to admit that you can learn from the guides, they are only too happy to help.

Fly Fishing for Trevally (GTs) St. Francois has the unique ability to offer more than 60 species of fish on fly which has created a buzz in the fly fishing fraternity as the most diverse fishery available and while bonefish make up a large portion of the marine resource, do not rule out the seven species of trevally present throughout the atoll. The three most common are the brassy, bluefin and giant trevally or GT. The brassy grows to around 12lbs but gives an excellent account for itself on a 10-weight rod. It is slightly longer than the usual trevally shape which gives it tremendous stamina. The bluefin trevally attains 18lbs and when caught in the surf can be a real handful. The giant trevally or GT is the real king; reaching weights of 150lbs (bring a 12- weight rod). The biggest GT landed on St. Francois was estimated at 115lbs. 20 to 40lb fish are relatively commonplace and can be found cruising the flats in search of mullet and bonefish or on the edge of the reef. Their ability to close on a fly or lure at warp speed is legendary and the strike of even a modest-sized fish is enough to keep you coming back for more every day.

While bonefishing, the guides will be happy to carry an extra rod for trevally.

Tackle requirements: Fly rods should be stiff, fast-action graphite 11 to 12-weight models, with a fighting butt and even a fore-grip midway between the regular grip and the first stripping guide, which helps fishermen lean into powerful fish.

Reels: Should be heavy-duty models that can hold at least 300 yards of 50lb dacron or ideally gel spun backing. Big trevally will typically head off in a certain direction and there is little you can do to slow them down until they decide to stop.

Lines: Should match the designated rod weight, however if you are not used to casting a 12-weight rod with a heavier fly it often helps to upload your rod with an extra line weight i.e. WF13F on a 12- weight rod. Floating lines will be used in most instances. Be sure to bring a spare spool with and intermediate or sinking line in case the guides want to fish the channels or drop-offs.

Leaders: We recommend a straight shot of 130lb abrasion-resistant mono or fluorocarbon, 6 to 9 feet long. For the sake of conservation, we do not promote the lengthy fighting of fish on light leaders or tippets and therefore do not encourage IGFA leaders. Trevally have sizeable denticles in their mouths and sharp gill plates which can slice through line. They also have scutes on the wrist of their tails which are extremely sharp and will go through a leader in no time. It is for this



reason that we also recommend you bring a glove for handling trevally once landed.

Flies: A good selection of trevally flies are available from most reputable fly fishing stores but a few important factors still render a fly either useful or useless. First and most important is the hook. Make sure the fly is tied on a big enough hook that has the strength to endure an extremely hard battle. Pure stainless hooks are useless and usually the nickel or cadmium hooks work best. They may not last as long in your box but at least they will not bend open during your fight with a fish of a lifetime. The hook gape is important. Many fly tiers use excessive epoxy or build the head of the fly up too much, closing the gap of the hook. We recommend flies tied on 4/0 to 8/0 hooks. The following hooks are a good choice. Mustad Tarpon or Big Game series, Owner and Gamakatsu SL12S.

Trevally will generally take any fly if it is on the hunt for food but most flies out there are tied to catch fisherman and not fish. Stay away from the flashy flies and try to be as imitative as possible. A certain amount of flash is important but one can see when a fly is over dressed with flash. The patterns to look for would be streamers, clousers, tarpon bunnies (custom tied to fit the description above), big crabs and squid patterns.

The colors that work best are tan, olive, brown, black, purple, orange and chartreuse. Trevally are opportunistic feeders searching for an injured or unaware victim. They will generally eat

anything from mullet and bonefish to crabs, shrimps and cuttlefish or squid. Most of their prey are of natural colors and do not represent the flashy, extravagant colors we are used to seeing in shops. Bob Popovic’s Semper Fleye is one of the most productive patterns available for GTs. Also James Christmas’ NYAP (crease/popper) which has been effective the world over since he designed it whilst guiding at Alphonse Island!

Techniques for Trevally Trevally are hunters and spend most of their day looking for food. They enjoy the freedom of the open flats on high tides, channels during mid tides when the water is rising or ebbing, drop offs and reef edges on the low tides and first movement of the push. Your guide will assess the tide and provide you with the best opportunity to target these fish. Patience is key, remember we are not fishing in an aquarium and sometimes long waits are necessary to find the fish either cruising the flats or through channels or feeding in the surf. If you make the decision to fish for trevally then pick up your 12-weight, put all other rods away and focus on just trevally. They are extremely fast and require an angler to be on top form, swapping rods will only leave you flustered as you watch your target swimming out of range.

If you think you are stripping too fast, strip faster. The fly can never be moving too fast for trevally. Once again we apply the rules of nature. Baitfish and fleeing prey do not move in short bursts or stop to see how close the fish is behind them so your



fly needs to act appropriately. Make as long a strip as you can as quickly as possible.

Now this is the greatest reason why anglers miss trevally - the strike. A general rule of thumb is to keep stripping even after the fish has eaten the fly. Once you feel the fly line burning through your stripping finger on its way out, you know he is hooked and you can control the line onto the reel. Once on the reel, lean into the fish with a low rod angle, tighten up your drag and listen to your guide. He will advise you on the best way to fight and land the fish. You may have to use the boat and in the interest of conservation and landing these fish quickly, this is recommended.

A good set of stripping gloves or finger guards is recommended for continuous stripping causing line burns on the fingers. Do not forget your glove for tailing fish.

Milkfish At certain times of the year, milkfish feed on plankton near the surface and are then enticed to eat flies. They are incredibly strong fighters and the use of a skiff is necessary to land them. Once again, it is imperative to listen to your guide whilst fishing for these phenomenally strong fighting fish as they have the experience of landing and fighting them.

Rods: A fast-action, high quality 10 to 12-weight is best suited for these fish allowing for repetitive casting, fighting the fish more aggressively and landing them quicker.

Reels: Reels should have a smooth drag and large arbor with capacity of 300 yards of 30lb backing.

Line: A weight forward floating line is best suited.

Leaders: Leaders are made up in a 20 to 30lb class. They require some skill and if you just take the necessary tippet materials, the guides will be happy to tie them for you.

Flies: The Alphonse fishing office will have the milkfish flies available for sale should the fish present themselves.

Triggerfish (Triggers) The very same rods and reels apply to triggerfish as used for milkfish and smaller trevally. Namely a 10-weight rod with matching reel and floating line. The triggers are coral dwellers so 20lb leaders are necessary. Once again the guides will be happy to tie them for you.

Take a good selection of crabs and sliders with you. The following flies work well for triggers and should be used as a guideline. Make sure your flies are tied on extremely strong hooks size 2.

• Fleeing Crab – 2s in cream/tan • Velcro crabs – 2s in tan (chartreuse

legs), olive, black (orange legs) • Merkins in tan, olive, brown • Flexo crabs in orange, olive • Borski sliders • Turneffe crabs

Species Bashing The term ‘species bashing’ refers to a form of fishing that takes place using small



clousers around coral heads and drop-offs with sinking or intermediate lines. This can produce numerous species of fish from wrasse, snapper and grouper to garfish, goatfish and numerous other species. It is a great way to pass time during slack tides and can be tremendous fun. A 10-weight rod can be used with 20 to 30lb leaders and a variety of small clousers tied on 1/0 to 3/0 hooks.

A Note on Conservation Guides and staff at Alphonse pride themselves on their ability to conserve their fishery. It is for this reason that Alphonse still exists and, unlike many other fisheries of the world, remains relatively untouched. Please pay careful attention to the following that may result in a more productive fishery for the future:

• All flies are fished barbless. • Leaders are heavier than in other

destinations to land fish quickly and release them when strong.

• Do not collect any shells, even the dead ones provide a home for other creatures.

• Do not touch anything on the flats without consulting with your guide first.

• Fish will be handled as little as possible to preserve their protective slime layer and hence reduce the chances of predation after release. You will notice the guides slipping their hand down the leader, finding the fly in the fish’s mouth and with the help of barbless hooks, slipping the fly out gently without handling the fish.

• If you need to handle fish for photographs, be sure to consult with your guide first and make sure you wet your hands, especially if

you are wearing sungloves. • After prolonged fights, fish need to

be revived. It is a misconception that anglers need to release fish as soon as possible after a fight. They are still swimming on adrenalin and if they are not given a chance to rest and reduce their adrenalin levels whilst in hand, they will take the chance to do it over a drop-off or in deeper water, increasing their chances of being predated on. If the fish is held upside down in the water, it will remain calm and after a few minutes it can be released.

• If you need to take a picture, make sure the fish is rested before removing it from the water. If you can imagine running a marathon and having someone dunk your head into a bucket of water at the finish line and holding it there, this would be the same affect for a fish out of water i.e. taking away its oxygen source before it had time to catch its breath.

• Any fish being chased by a shark during a fight should immediately be broken off. Its chances of eluding the shark are far greater half way through a fight rather than at the end. Remember, a shark will hang around long after you have landed that fish and tired it out.

Attention: Novice Saltwater Fishers...

Although the bonefish at St. Francois are not as wary as at many other flats locations, the ability to make fairly long and especially accurate casts will play a vital role in your overall success. Try to develop a cast of about 70 feet. If you can cast 70 feet, you will be able to make most casts effortlessly. Also, in saltwater, many casts are made into or across the wind, so



the ability to make a longer cast becomes important. A 70-foot downwind cast might be only a 30-foot cast into a stiff breeze. We strongly recommend that you take a few casting lessons to perfect the double haul as well as your accuracy and technique. Then practice casting (in the wind if possible) for at least 30 minutes a day.

Clothing for the Fishing Day Light weight long-sleeved shirts and long trousers that can be zipped off are recommended. A dark underside to the bill on your hat is important as it enhances the fish against the white sand. Sunscreen with a minimum protection of factor 30 is required for any exposed skin areas with factor 50 strongly recommended. A buff or sunclava is of great importance for sun protection of your face. Even though a hat is worn, reflection from the water can burn badly. Sun gloves will help protect your hands during the day.

Clothing in the Evening Everything is informal on the island. Guests should dress casually for dinner.

Alphonse Island and agents cannot assume any financial responsibility for consequences incurred if this information is not provided by you to all members of your group.

Inoculations and Health No inoculations are required. However, you may want to check with your doctor for their recommendations on health precautions for travel to the Seychelles. Some travelers elect to protect themselves against hepatitis A with an immune globulin injection (short-term protection) or the longer lasting vaccine. Other inoculations may be required if you are planning a trip extension to parts of Africa.

Water Consumption There is a desalination plant on Alphonse, and water from the taps is safe to drink.

Luggage Restrictions The charter planes from Mahe to Alphonse Island vary in capacity. Checked luggage is limited to 15kgs (approx. 33lbs) per person plus hand luggage of 5kgs.

Charter flights for the 2015/2016 season will be full and Mason’s Travel has been asked to enforce the weight restrictions. Anything over the weight limit will have to be left behind on Mahe at the client’s expense. There is no option to pay for overweight. Alphonse Island Lodge and their agents cannot be held responsible for the storing and/or loss of goods due to luggage being left behind.



Remember a daily laundry service is available on Alphonse Island so limited clothing is required. Luggage must be soft- sided as it packs more easily on the charter plane. If travelling with extra luggage for trip extensions before or after the fishing, then pack it in a separate bag luggage storage facility at the airport which Mason’s Travel will show you.

Tickets and Tax Most airline tickets issued include a $40 departure tax. Please check with your ticketing agent prior to your departure. If this tax has not been included, the $40 must be paid prior to leaving the Seychelles.

Safety and Communication on Alphonse Each chalet has a phone service. Local and international satellite services are operated by Cable & Wireless. There is Wi-Fi in the beach bar area and also internet in the communication room. Guides carry a two- way radio at all times for communicating with each other, the mothership and the base. Personal flotation devices and flare kits are on board each skiff, together with basic first-aid kits on all skiffs and a comprehensive first-aid kit on the mothership. All guests are required to sign a standard indemnity form on arrival.

Electricity Supply The island has 24-hour electrical current (240 volt, 50 cycles AC). Plug sockets in the bedrooms are of the UK 3-point, square-pin type. The island has some adaptors suitable for US and South African plugs. The bathrooms have 110/220v plugs suitable for shavers.

In Case of Emergency For emergencies call Amith on +248 252 15 03 or the phone number for Alphonse

Security in the Seychelles and on Alphonse The Seychelles is a friendly and peaceful country that is well policed. There is very little crime of any kind. Visitors are encouraged, however, to lock their hire cars and keep a watchful eye on belongings when swimming or touring whilst on Mahe/Praslin. At Alphonse Island it is advised to lock the chalet doors. All valuables, including money, credit cards, passport, etc can be left in a safe in the chalets.

Advice on Tipping Alphonse Island staff. We suggest leaving about US$200 per person with the manageress. Tips will be distributed on an equitable basis. Fly fishing guides. We suggest approximately US$400-500 per rod. The guides work on a rotational basis so your tip will be divided among them. Please refrain from tipping guides individually. Please leave guide tips and payment for any tackle purchases in CASH with the fishing manager at the Fishing Centre.

Conservation Levy There is a compulsory Conservation Levy of US$175 per rod per week and US$70 for a non-fisher. This is payable in cash. Funds are used to support the Island Conservation Society, a not-for-profit



organization, which implements science- guided conservation and sustainable management across the Seychelles archipelago.

Currency It is suggested that you do not buy local currency except possibly a small amount for taxis when on the mainland. Taxis will accept payment in Euros or US$ but will usually give change in local currency. We suggest taking notes in small denominations to pay the exact fare. We suggest negotiating taxi fares beforehand.

Drinks and incidentals on Alphonse are priced in Seychellois Rupees (SCR). The hotel accepts US dollars (no bills prior to 2006 as the banks do not accept them), Euros and £ Sterling as payment plus all major credit cards except AMEX. Note that a 5% processing charge will be added to all credit card payments. Local currency is not accepted at the hotel.

Duty Free Allowance 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars, two liters of spirits and one liter of wine (very expensive in the Seychelles).

Weather The Seychelles is typically hot and somewhat humid. Temperatures vary between 26C-30C with midday temperatures near 29C (85F) but there is usually a steady breeze to keep things comfortable on the flats. Evenings are also invariably warm with the exception of the first few weeks of the season, when there may be a strong, cooling breeze. The Fishing Season at Alphonse

The main fishing season runs from October to the first weeks in May when the prevailing wind is from the northwest. The climate is tropical and rain can occur in almost any month. You may have a day or two where clear skies and rain alternate. Fishing during these weather patterns, however, has proven to be extremely productive.

Hours of Daylight Due to its proximity to the equator, there is no real twilight in the Seychelles. The sun rises quickly at 6.15am and sets with equal swiftness at about 6.30pm. It is dark by 7 o’clock! This varies by only minutes throughout the year, giving nearly a full 12 hours of daylight 365 days a year.

General Packing Checklist When packing, remember there is a strict luggage weight restriction and for this reason there is a daily laundry service available at a very reasonable price. You should consider taking: For fishing…

• 2 or 3 long-sleeved fishing shirts for sun protection. Quick drying material in light colors. (ie. Simms, Orvis, ExOfficio)

• 1 or 2 pairs of fishing trousers. Quick drying material in light colors.

• 2-3 quick drying underpants to prevent chafing when worn under fishing trousers. (ie. Under Armor, ExOfficio)

• Fishing hat - light-colored, full- brimmed or front/rear visors style with dark under bill to aid in sighting fish (enhances polarizing qualities of sunglasses).

• Lightweight rain jacket - you will



be glad to have this if a squall blows up as it can get chilly very quickly even in this warm climate.

• Footwear for wading - It is very important to have comfortable, no- nonsense wading boots. There are several varieties of flats wading boots specifically designed for this type of fishing. We recommend Simms wading boots.

• 2 pairs of socks to wear under wading boots. They will provide protection against chafing and blistering caused by sand and coral inside your boot.

• Neoprene gaiters/gravel guards are practical for keeping sand and coral bits from entering your wading boots.

• 1 pair rubber-soled, non-slip boat shoes or sandals (useful if changing into wading boots on the mothership)

• Sun gloves • Buff/Sunclava

For evening wear…

• 2 lightweight shirts • Shorts • Shoes worn for travelling or

sandals will be suitable footwear • 1 cotton sweater/sweatshirt

(optional) Fishing Accessories Checklist

• Hip packs are best for carrying your fly boxes, leaders, and spare water bottles.

• Polarized sunglasses - amber (brown) is the top choice. Take two pairs and do not skimp on the quality.

• Water-resistant backpack/boat bag for carrying cameras, film, excess tackle, rainwear and snacks on the mothership. The guides have

waterproof backpacks and will happily carry your camera for you whilst wading.

• Clippers for cutting monofilament • Hook hone • Fly line conditioner • Quality saltwater

pliers/Leatherman • Reel covers (neoprene) • Waterproof adhesive tape for your

stripping finger • Neoprene reel spool ‘minders’ or

velcro strips come in handy as a means to secure two or three rods and reels, which are sometimes broken down while riding in the boat

• Kleenex/optical cleaning paper for cleaning saltwater off glasses, cameras, and fishing tackle

• Hand towel or wash cloth (for wiping hands)

• Tape measure Optional

• Kevlar glove (for tailing trevally) • Zip-loc bags - large and small

Miscellaneous

• Camera gear - a waterproof digital camera is invaluable. Be sure to take spare batteries with you as none are available on the island.

• Snacks - because you lose a lot of salt, many people enjoy snacks out on the flats or with a cocktail in their room - crackers, chips, salted nuts, etc.

• Insect repellent - for outdoor use in the evening

• Small torch • Travel alarm clock (optional; hotel

offers wake-up call) • Medicines that you normally use -

ask your doctor about sun sensitivity and your medications



• Lomotil or Imodium - also, ask

your doctor about Cipro aspirin/pain pills

• Mercurochrome, antibiotic ointment; hydrogen peroxide and cotton balls: important for coral cuts that become infected quickly.

• Plasters, tweezers • Plenty of waterproof SPF 30 or 50

sun protection lotion; lip balm with sun protection

• Motion sickness medicine (just in case)

• Plastic refuse bag for transporting wet clothing and footwear in your suitcase going home

Insurance WorldCast Anglers strongly recommends that guests take out travel insurance and trip cancellation insurance. Please see WorldCast Anglers’ Booking Terms & Conditions.

Existing Medical Conditions It is a condition of booking that fishers indicate on the supplied Fishing Questionnaire, any existing medical conditions that may affect their ability to undertake the activities and travel of holidays booked with WorldCast Anglers. WorldCast Anglers reserves the right not to accept bookings from those who it deems may not be physically suited to certain locations, activities and travel requirements. In this case, WorldCast Anglers will attempt to offer a suitable alternative if appropriate. WorldCast Anglers is under no obligation to give explanations for not accepting bookings and having accepted a booking cannot be held responsible for any disclosed or

undisclosed pre-existing condition related incidents.

We hope the above information helps to enhance your fishing at Alphonse.

Tight Lines!

Dates

• December 10th-17th, 2016

Pricing

• $9,200 USD per person for double occupancy lodging and shared boat

• Includes: flight from Mahe to Alphonse Island ($700), six days of guided fishing, seven nights lodging and all food and non-alcoholic beverages

• Not Included: international airfare to and from Mahe, any bluewater fishing, bar tab, gratuities and the Conservation Levy ($175)

• Host: WCA President Mike Dawes


WCA - Alphonse Island - Seychelles

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