MAURITIUS - Flyfishingtails

Mauritian Climate
Situated near the Tropic of Capricorn, Mauritius has the advantage
of a subtropical climate. The climate is fairly acceptable to everyone
and the heat is never unbearable.
There is a warm, dry winter from May to November and a hot, wet,
and humid summer from November to May. The temperature on the
coastal areas varies between 22°C in winter and 34°C in summer. The
sea temperature varies between 22°C and 27°C. In the central part
of the island, the maximum daytime temperature varies from about
19°C in August to about 26°C in February. The western and northern
regions are warmer and relatively drier than the East and the South.
The Cyclone season generally occurs between January to March.
Tropical cyclones are a common occurrence in Mauritius and tend to
disrupt the weather for only about four days per year bringing a lot
of rain in the region.
The sun rises at 5.00am and sets at 7.00pm in Summer and in Winter,
rises at 6.00am and sets at 6.00pm.
Mauritius is the most developed of the Mascarene Islands, but with
a bit of effort and resourcefulness you can escape the crowds and
find your own patch. The smells, noises and bustle of the mercantile
capital Port Louis, Africa’s wealthiest city, are never far away.
The island of Mauritius is also well known for its production of rum,
derived from the sugar cane that forms 90% of the islands agricultural
crop, as well as being renowned for having been the only
known home of the dodo.
The Bonefish (Albula Vulpes)
There is not really anything new to say about bonefish except to
confirm that all the hype is for real. Where do you go in fly fishing
challenges after trout, well...bonefish.
Bonefish are by far the most popular and exciting light tackle
inshore species available to fly anglers. Its blistering run melts off
backing, sending it ripping across shallow flats creating a jet like
sound as its mercury silver body bounces light off the tropical skies.
The magic of landing your first ever large bone is
a similar feeling to the first 3kg plus trout except
the gear is heavier, the water warmer and the
fight is longer and harder.
It is hard to imagine being spooled on an 8
weight with 300m of backing on 10lb fluro tippet.
The places where bonefish live are magical and
the opportunity to fish for them should not be
missed. Bonefish flies vary with location, water
depth, current speed, size of fish and the fishes
feeding pattern.
Did you know?
The air quality in Mauritius is one
of the best in the world. Mauritius
ranked second in an air quality
index released by the World Health
Organization (OMS).
St Brandon’s undoubtedly holds the best bone fishing in the world.
Huge numbers of bonefish inhabit these flats with the average size
of the fish being 6lbs and plenty fish between 8lbs and 10lbs. A
day with close to 50 bonefish is not uncommon in the St Brandon’s
atolls, with fish in the ten pound plus range being frequently
spotted.
Techniques
There is not really anything
new to say about bonefish
except to confirm that all the
hype is for real. Where do you
go in fly fishing challenges
after trout, well...bonefish.
When choosing a reel, one should look for a high quality saltwater
reel with a smooth drag that can fit a full weight forward warm
saltwater floating line to match the weight of the rod, together with
about 250 yards of 20-30 lbs backing. Use tapered leaders ranging
from 9 - 12 foot with a tippet breaking strength of 15lbs.
All fishing is done by wading on the flats and sight casting to
bonefish. They are spotted with the help of a good pair of polarized
glasses. The fish are led by a couple of feet so you don’t spook
them and short sharp erratic strips are best. The hook must be set
by a light line strike as well as a side movement of the rod. The hook
point penetrates far better than a lifting rod strike and results in less
fish being lost.
Fishing for bonefish at St Brandon’s can at times be ridiculously easy
and at other times more challenging, so casts can range anything
from 10 feet to 110 feet.
7
Garreth Coombes with
a monster bonefish