Imagine an east coast mirror like silverish coloured sand whiting on steroids but the average size is 3kilo and 45cm long, and the biggest are up to 9kg in weight, these monsters can be close to meter in length!
Oh my, oh my! Bring that on – will probably bust off every time on these bigger versions but the visual fly take in shallow gin clear water, the hook up and that first blistering run will be enough! (regardless of the low chances, always hoping to get one larger version one to hand!)
This is what bonefish are, found in tropical regions all over the world, particularly where I am going as my 60th birthday present – thanks to my wife who has planned a trip for the family to the Cook Islands and
after a 45minute flight from Rarotonga on the main island, you will find us in Aitutaki for a week in early April, while a friend looks after our house and all our animals.
It is incredible to think that I will be in Aitutaki and casting the flies in the images attached to these fish. To say I am excited is saying something!!! I have dreamed of this location and its oversized bonefish since I started saltwater fly fishing 40 years ago. It was on my bucket list for so long, I was beginning to see it as the holy grail of my fly fishing – one I might never attain. I don’t care about the dogtooth lurking just offshore, nor the oversized GT’s at the entrances to the lagoons – just the bonefish!
This spectacular fish is also called "ghost of the flats" as they disappear into the water, you most times only see their shadow on the sand. Last time I chased them was on Kiribati 20 years ago but Aitutaki bonefish are on another level - not the numbers but average size wise! Presentation needs to be right on target, the flies the right size and colourations
So, sorry to bore you if you don’t fly fish but updates and videos to come
For the last 8 months since my 60th birthday and my lovely wife telling me what she wanted to do for me – I have been research and planning the trip – particularly the flies – so many wonderful anglers with so much wisdom and experience that I have drooled over. I started with a heap of fly recommendations – whittled them down to my ideas of what I would need and could tie. Significantly adding my touch of 3D printed bits for prawn and crab flies. (I teach high school CAD skills and 3D printing in Darwin)
below are the flies ihave tied – squimps, charlies, gotchas, specials, crabs, and heaps of shrimp imitations, guide recommended yellow white clousers and more. Mostly in sizes - #6s, #4s and #2s. I tied way too many flies for a week but hey – it’s what fly fishers do, particualrly those who are avid fly tiers as well!!
I have included one or two flies for larger species - just could help myself but I won't take my 10w, as if I can't get them to hand on my on my 8weight rods - at least the first few minutes will be fun!
