Alphonse is legendary as one of the finest Seychelles saltwater fly fisheries in the world. The flats of nearby St. Francois Atoll offer over 10,000 acres of perfect wading, limited to just 12 rods a week.
Alphonse offers a veritable paradise for the flats angler, including schools of large bonefish patrolling the vast area of white flats in huge numbers. Indian Ocean permit offer all the challenges of their Atlantic cousins, while powerful triggerfish crunch crab patterns on the reef and flat edges. Anglers are guided by experienced guides using the latest skiffs and equipment in the pursuit of the vast number of species to be targeted. With more than 60 species landed on the fly each season, Alphonse offers bonefish in extraordinary numbers, trevally, milkfish, triggerfish, Indo-Pacific permit, and a host of other reef and flats species.
Nearby 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 10 per week. The uniqueness that sets St. Francois apart from many other destinations is the ability to wade over 10,000 acres of hard white sand flats in search of these ghosts and allowing even novice fly anglers to 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 bonefishing at St. Francois is as diverse as the fishery itself and will cater to all levels of anglers. Whether you’re 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.
St. Francoise has seven species of trevally present throughout the atoll. The three most common are the brassy, bluefin and giant trevally. 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!
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 for these phenomenally strong fighting fish as they have the experience of landing and fighting these fish.
The experience at Alphonse Island and fishing at St. Francois is remarkable, and the sort of trip that one never forgets; from fine foods to spectacular scenery and some of the absolute best saltwater fly fishing the world has to offer.
Headed out on your next adventure with us? The Fly ShopⓇ has you covered. As a thank you to our travel guests, enjoy 15% off all retail purchases for a year! — the perfect chance to gear up before your trip.
Whether it’s flies, leaders, apparel or a new rod and reel outfit, we’ve got everything you need to make your journey more comfortable, more successful, and more fun. (some exclusions apply)
