Fish Tails Spring 2016 Flip Book

WELCOME TO OUR SPRING 2016 NEWSLETTER
FishTails...
BILL LATHAM joins Aardvark McLeod
Having spent
his whole life in
the chalkstream
valleys, Bill
grew up fishing
with the likes of
Frank Sawyer
and Charles Ritz.
He has guided
and tailored
chalkstream
fishing for the
last 16 years
and his depth
of knowledge is
second to none.
Spring has finally sprung
and 2016 is shaping up
to be full of promise. The
salmon season is nearly
upon us and Iceland has
proved to be the top contender with barely a rod left
across the country. With heavy snow over the winter we
anticipate a normal water year full of silver. This summer
Alex will be concentrating on the large sea trout in the
Laxa I Kjos and exploring some new trout venues.
Steff has returned from a fascinating trip to Argentina
this February visiting Aurelia Lodge on the Rio Grande
and our new river the Irigoyen. Its re-emergence has
been met with huge enthusiasm with much of the 2017
season sold already. Charlotte has tested herself on the
flats of Alphonse in March and will be exploring Sudan
and Tanzania this season. I will realise a dream by finally
visiting Providence Atoll in April after an eight year wait.
Our chalkstream programme is gathering momentum
with Bill at the helm. We have access to most of the wellknown
beats, crowned with our own piece of the River
Avon on the Heale Estate. If you are looking for a day
or wish to sharpen up
your skills before
your next trip then
please let us know.

Argentine sea trout
with a twist (or tango)…
The Rio Grande is without doubt the finest sea trout river in the world when you
start number crunching. No other river will give the enviable amalgamation of
numbers and size that the Rio Grande will. Indeed, even this season with very
low, clear water – tricky conditions at the best of times – most lodges were still
averaging around two landed sea trout per rod per day. However, are numbers
everything? After all, there are certainly prettier places to spend a week.
I fully admit to being a sea trout addict. It’s an affliction I have lived with since my
first silver tourist leapt clear of the water some 25 years ago. Nowadays for me it is
often the challenge of the reward that captivates me more than a record sheet. It’s
nice to have that feeling that you deserved a fish, rather than monotonous casting
finally resulting in a pull. None sings truer to this equation than the Rio Irigoyen.
Located near the town of Tolhuin – equidistant between Ushuaia and Rio Grande
– the Irigoyen meanders gently through lenga and Antarctic beech trees before
emptying into the Atlantic Ocean on the toe of Tierra del Fuego. Whilst its path is
one of a lowland river it retains a gradient anglers adore. Every corner is a holding
pool and every meander displays that classical ‘pool-run-riffle’ combination.
Wherever a logjam or deep undercut bank is found rest assured a sea trout is not
far away and every pocket must be picked to find a willing participant.
The fishing style is more akin to high-sticking for trout. Short, accurate casts are
needed, followed by good line control to achieve the perfect depth. Misjudge the
cast and you either fall short, lose a fly or your fly passes over
the taking spot before the fish has a chance to intercept
your offering. It is technical, thought inducing, but
manageable and ultimately rewarding.
Leave your double handers at home. The Irigoyen
is a mere 10-20 metres wide in most places and any
rod longer than 10 ft becomes a hindrance. Forget
overcomplicated setups too; it is pleasantly simple.
You only need a floating line, a good selection
of sink-tips, some 15, 20 and 25 lbs leader and
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you’re good to go. Likewise, nothing
overcomplicated on the fly front either;
strong hooks are a must, as is tungsten
on the nymphs to achieve the required
depth. In the evening a sunray and a
leech will see you through.
Don’t let the size of the river fool you.
Sea trout to 117 cm have been recorded
in recent years and fish of over 20 lbs
are encountered most weeks – landing
them is another matter. The river is full
of structure and it is these features that
the fish call home. You must dance with
the structure to tempt the fish from
their lairs.
The river is serene and every day spent
on the riverbank is a joy. However, this
serenity is soon overcome by adrenaline
and panic as a fish takes, landing them
is never guaranteed. The structure that
the fish live in can soon become home
to your fly and leader. It is a game of
tug and war – sometimes you win,
sometimes you lose.
Sunny and windless day? Hardly ideal
sea trout conditions. Fear not, head to the
beach. In the estuary and the sea pools on
an incoming tide you will find a peculiar
fish called the robalo - they are the only
fish in their genus and family. They take
the fly readily and provide great sport
when the fishing on the main river may
be ‘dour’.
If the idea of an intimate, private river
with good but challenging fishing for
big sea trout sounds exciting then you,
like I will love the Irigoyen.
We are the exclusive worldwide agents for World End Lodge on the Irigoyen – the only
lodge to be found on the river’ from source to sea. The lodge operates on a strict four
angler per week basis and the 2017 season cost is US$5,990 to include fishing licence and
single room as standard.
Contact us on +44 (0)1980 847389

The Jewels of the
Indian Ocean
ALPHONSE ISLAND & ST
FRANCOIS ATOLL
When stories of Alphonse first started to
circulate in saltwater fly fishing groups
over fifteen years ago, it was of an
untouched atoll, teeming with fish and
a nearby second atoll, St Francois, that
could offer everything a flats fisherman
could wish for. Hard white sand flats,
finger flats, pancake flats, an accessible
surf zone on the right tide and an even
wider variety of species to fish for all
added up to something special. Now the
two atolls still retain their untouched
charm whilst, at the same time, offering
resort like accommodation and service.
Like little Bijoutier island between
Alphonse and St Francois, Alphonse itself
is a rare Jewel in the fishing world, as it is
an ideal location for non-fishing partners
and families. Diving and snorkelling are
first class and with kayaks, bicycles and
a tennis court, there is plenty to do. For
the fishermen, St Francois offers some
of the finest bonefishing in the world,
various triggerfish, Indo-Pacific permit,
milkfish, sailfish and a whole host of reef
and trevally species.
Farquhar Atoll The isolated atoll of
Farquhar offers a remote fishing experience,
but from a land based operation. This
fishery will challenge you as a fisherman,
teach you a huge amount about giant
trevally behaviour along with numerous
other species and offer you some unique
experiences not to be found anywhere else.
Although the GTs may not be as numerous
as Cosmoledo or Astove, some of the largest
specimens are here. It is a technical fishery
and under the expert tutelage of the guides
the results can be hugely rewarding. The
species variety is fantastic from bonefish,
triggerfish, golden trevally, permit and the
truly unique bumphead parrotfish to an
excellent bluewater fishery 300 yards from
the flats. The guide team are outstanding and
the accommodation and food has improved
out of all recognition over the last few years.
Farquhar sits nicely in a niche all of its own,
and will continue to attract those
that wish to explore her vast flats.
Contact us on mail@aardvarkmcleod.com

www.aardvarkmcleod.com
Astove Atoll
Further south, Astove Atoll
is still teaching its guides
and guests what it has to
offer as this year is only its
second season of operating
as a destination in its own
right. It is exclusive to six
anglers per week staying in
single rooms in the newly
renovated coral house
on the island. This small
atoll is very different to its
neighbours, with a central
lagoon that is a magnet for
both prey and predators.
What makes Astove unique
is the proximity to the drop
off. Big giant trevally hunt
in these waters as they have
easy access to the bonefish
and smaller species that
feed in the lagoon and
amongst the mangroves.
Astove sees decent numbers
of GTs landed every
season, with a higher
average size than on many
of the other atolls. Not
for the faint of heart or
unsteady of foot, this atoll
has to be on the list for any
GT focussed angler.
St Brandon’s Atoll A long way
from anywhere, lying north of Mauritius,
is the atoll of St Brandon’s. The journey
to get there is part of the experience itself
and currently, by boat is the only way in.
The new lodge is now complete; very
simple with shared accommodation but
this atoll, like many others, is all about the
fishing. Everything about St Brandon’s is
big; the atoll itself is huge and it has quite
rightly developed a reputation for its
skinny water bonefishing and it is unique
in the Indian Ocean in having consistent
numbers of double figure bonefish. Indo-Pacific permit, golden
trevally, yellow spot and bluefin trevally are your main target
species. With these larger specimens come larger predators;
giant trevally that live up to their name. Whilst not here in the
numbers seen further north in the Seychelles, it is rare that a GT
under a metre is landed here. Don’t expect to see them every
day but be ready when you do; as it maybe the fish of a lifetime.
Cosmoledo Atoll
One of the earliest remote atolls to be fished,
but left unfished for several years. Once more
intrepid anglers are able to head south to
Assumption Atoll, hop on a liveaboard and set off for the atoll that has
a deserved reputation as the GT capital of the Indian Ocean. No other
destination can offer you so many GTs in one area. They may not reach
the size of the bigger fish on Farquhar or Astove but they outweigh that
in terms of their sheer numbers. Like Astove, Cosmoledo is a challenge
but the rewards are great. Attrition on kit, flies and legs can be high
but there is nowhere better to get your GT fix; this is the GT capital of
the world. The new liveaboard from November this year is the smaller
more comfortable Lone Star and with rod numbers reduced to make
the most of the boat, there will be more GTs to go around.
Providence Atoll In the early days of fishing the outer atolls, Providence Atoll
was the last one to be explored. This huge atoll measures 46 km in length, north to
south and 16 km in width. Like Cosmoledo, Providence has a reputation for good
number of GTs marauding across the flats, but unlike the Aldabra atolls, Providence
also has a fantastic population of bumphead parrotfish alongside large schools of
bonefish and triggerfish. Unlike Farquhar though, milkfish are found cruising
over the sand flats eating green weed similar to Alphonse. Operations
have been considerably refined since those early days and trips now
operate from Mayas Dugong, a purposely refitted vessel previously
used for the Cosmoledo liveaboard operations. Providence represents
the next step in the evolution of the Indian Ocean fisheries.

A SEASON ON THE
Chalkstreams
The joy of chalkstreams is that they offer an almost year-round resource to the fly
angler, with each season offering a different and wonderful experience. Due to the
unique makeup of these chalk based streams and rivers they are rarely affected by
adverse weather, except in the most extreme cases, unlike their freestone cousins.
Spring marks the beginning of the brown trout season to this part of the world; and
much like the hedgerows, forests and fields the rivers have come alive too. As spring
progresses the dry fly fishing reaches its peak, starting with the large dark olives at
the beginning of April and rounded off with the spectacular clouds of mayfly towards
the end of May.
Summer is often referred to as the dog days due to hot, sunny and tough conditions.
For those willing to fish early and late in the day it can offer some of the most
memorable fishing. Fly hatches often occur early in the day and then, following a
nice long relaxing lunch, those returning to the water in the evening can be greeted
by impressive columns of dancing spinners and
gyrations of newly hatched caddis.
Autumn is a time of beauty on the chalkstreams
as nature puts on its final flourish before winter
spreads through the valleys. The brown trout feed
intensely in the autumn, stocking up one last time
before the spawning season. For the angler this
is a wonderful time as upwing insects and caddis
Contact us on +44 (0)1980 847389

oth hatch freely through these final months offering
some spectacular dry fly fishing.
Winter, whilst a quiet time on the rivers thereare
still those who brave the colder weather to fulfil
their desire to be by the water. The brown
trout season may be over by this time
but this is the season of the Lady of the
Stream, the grayling. They may not
have the fight of the more sporting
brown trout but they can be
challenging and can offer hours of
enjoyment throughout the long winter months.
We are delighted to offer an ever increasing
range of domestic fishing, including our
own beat on the Hampshire Avon,
throughout the chalk belt of Southern
England. Whether you are a single
angler, a group of friends or are
looking for a professionally
organised corporate day
why not join us for a
memorable time on
the water this
season.
Contact us on mail@aardvarkmcleod.com

Sette Cama, Gabon
Fishing dreams come true...
For over two decades Gabon has been on my radar for an unforgettable
angling adventure. Finally the dream became reality and what an
adventure it was!
“Welcome to Jurassic Park,” was the greeting from Keith Eldridge, a regular
angler from South Africa and veteran of Sette Cama Lodge and the Gabon
fishing scene. I thought his comment was a little tongue in cheek. How little
I knew...
The fishing – six full days of mayhem…
The day starts at 0330 with a wakeup call, quick breakfast of coffee and
toast before heading out in pitch darkness to the river mouth for
the first session of the day. Depending on tides the best time
for fishing in Gabon is in the early morning from dark until
a few hours after sunrise and then again in the evening
from last light into dark. This makes for some very long
days, but having a siesta every afternoon certainly
helps. Another option is to start the day fishing light
tackle from a boat in the lagoon chasing white fin
jacks, juvenile snapper and Guinean barracuda.
I fly fished for the jacks and had great success on
small clouser minnows. Others in the group had
good top water lure action on poppers and stick baits.
www.aardvarkmcleod.com
By Peter Gibson
Gabon has the longest stretch of untouched coastline left on the African
continent, with massive nutrient-rich estuary systems. It offers the
avid saltwater fishermen the opportunity to experience the thrill of
targeting the numerous and unique species of West Africa with spin, bait
and fly tackle. The abundance of large and aggressive game fish is
complimented by Africa’s most pristine rainforest which creates the
backdrop to this one of a kind saltwater fishery.

The big fish come to play after dark…
Standing in a surf line with waves crashing and water
tumbling around you in the dark is initially a sensory
overload. Big fish come to hunt their pray in a few feet
of water and I experienced seeing big tarpon and African
cubera snapper in knee deep water only metres away from
where I was standing.
Giant African threadfin are one of the main trophy fish in the Gabonese waters. They
are very strong once hooked and can grow in excess of 100 lbs. They are a beautiful
looking fish with a large forked tail and stunning gold and yellow colouration. These
fish will strike a lure or plug and can also be caught on bait. The more rain the better
for threadfin, preferring the fresh tannin stained water leaving the river mouth.
The tackle
In the surf and river mouth I mainly fished with two spinning outfits; one medium/
heavy with 50 lbs braid and one very heavy with 90 lbs braid. Serious reels with decent
drags are a must. I also had a fly rod ready in case the jacks started to bust bait along
the edge, which they did every fishing session.
I also took a 13’ beach casting rod for bait fishing. I really enjoyed the bait fishing as
it’s not something I have done many times over the years being a seasoned fly angler.
I enjoyed the anticipation of not knowing what might devour the bait at any moment.
Head guide Mark Murray, an expert rock and surf angler in his own right, was very
happy to help rig bait and explain this technique in depth.
Sette Cama is a truly wild place located at the edge of Loango
National Park and the Atlantic Ocean. Wildlife is in abundance here
and the main feature is the elephant population. They regularly
frequent the camp and are seen on most days travelling to and from
the fishing. One night, in camp, I watched an elephant feeding just
20 feet away from my bedroom. On another occasion a bull elephant walked just 50
metres behind us as we fished in the dark.
Hippos, leopard, forest buffalo and red river hogs are also present along
with an abundance of birds and monkeys. The wildlife made for some
incredible moments… Seeing fresh hippo tracks in the sand by torch
light when heading off fishing certainly got the heart racing,
knowing an animal with the reputation they have had only
moments before been walking on the very same spot. Sette
Cama is a wonderful untouched part of our world and if
you like the sound of visiting the extreme edge of sport
fishing then this is the place for you. Be prepared to
fish hard, become sleep deprived, be bombarded
by sensory overload, but above all feel alive! I
can’t wait to return and now agree with Keith
when he said welcome to “Jurassic Park”.
Contact us on +44 (0)1980 847389

The Ultimate Gamefish
of Central America
The rainforest filled narrow strip of land that
separates the mighty Atlantic and Pacific oceans
and North and South America provides a base
for some of the finest bluewater fishing on the
planet. From roosterfish,
dorado and sailfish to the mighty
marlin, this is the place to visit.
Guatemala and Costa Rica are the scene of
not only excellent fishing but also a plethora
of non-fishing activities and eco-exploration
too. They offer a diverse range of fishing for
conventional and fly anglers alike. Like the
ecologically rich lands, the seas in this area of
the world are filled with small baitfish to the
biggest of bluewater species. Alongside the
offshore fishing these countries are famous for,
the inshore fishing can also be excellent for
both disciplines. The action is often fast and
furious as these hunters attack small packs of
baitfish along contours close to the beaches and
surrounding structure.
The real draw of these locations is the offshore
fishing for sailfish and marlin. Once you have
experienced these greyhounds of the ocean it is
easy to see why they are held in such high regard.
Sailfish and marlin appear out of the depths
slashing at teasers and casts must be quick and
accurate. They flash electric blues as they charge
down your surface lure, their bills cutting through
the water in pursuit. Once hooked the excitement
is not over… the searing runs and soaring jumps
of sailfish and the brutish power of a marlin will
test the angler and skipper to their limits. They
are the ultimate gamefish.
Contact us on mail@aardvarkmcleod.com

Guatemala, once the core of the
Mayan civilisation, is steeped in
history and ecologically rich.
There is nowhere else in the
world that has the numbers of
sailfish than the Pacific side of
Guatemala. The statistics speak
for themselves; on average a boat
will raise up to 30 sailfish a day and
land between 15 – 20. These fish average
60 – 100 lbs and fish up to 120 lbs are not uncommon.
Located in Chulamar, The Great Sailfishing Company has
been at the forefront for intrepid anglers looking to tackle
these incredible fish. They are specialists in fly fishing for
billfish, and their experienced captains and crews excel in
this area. Whilst the name suggests their focus is on fishing The Great Sailfishing
Company offer an excellent base for non-fishers and family trips with comfortable
accommodation and numerous day trips available.
Costa Rica quite literally lives up to its name, meaning ‘Rich Coast’. Its progressive
environmental policies have allowed both land and sea to flourish making it one
of the finest fishing and eco-tourism destinations in the world. The fishing is
hugely varied with most inshore and offshore species being present year-round.
Located on the Osa Peninsula, Crocodile Bay Resort is Costa Rica’s finest sport
fishing and eco-tourism resort. They boast the largest sport fishing team in Central
America and their knowledge of inshore and offshore fishing with conventional
gear and fly is second to none. This is a fantastic venue for those looking for an
all-round bluewater experience. The resort caters for fishers and non-fishers with
comfortable rooms and onsite spa facilities. Each day you can explore one of the
many eco-tours that run from the resort.
If you think you are ready to test yourself against the speed and power of the fish
found in bluewater then Guatemala and Costa Rica are for you.
www.aardvarkmcleod.com

who we are
In the fast moving, modern world of international travel what is more important
than the company name are the people behind it. It is vital that you can trust these
individuals to put your requirements and needs at the top of their agenda. It is
the people behind these trips that make them special; the advice you receive from
what destination will suit you specifically to the fine detail of making sure all the
arrangements have been organised according to plan.
Peter McLeod
has fished
extensively around
the world over the
last 20 years. He
thoroughly enjoys fishing for all species but
his true passion is saltwater fly fishing
and, in particular, chasing giant trevally
on the flats.
Amy Pople,
the one that makes
it all happen. Amy,
like the rest of the
team, has a passion
for travelling and her background in the
travel industry has provided her with an
extensive knowledge of flight bookings
and ground arrangements.
Charlotte Chilcott,
whilst not a lifelong
fisher, her passion for
travelling has taken
her across Africa and
throughout the world. Now an avid fly fisher,
Charlotte combines her thirst for travel with
a fly rod and is always on the lookout for new
species to take on.
Steffan Jones
grew up chasing brown
trout and sewin in
Wales and has since
taken his fishing passion
around the world. Now he is considered one of
the leading authorities on South American
sea trout fishing along with an extensive
knowledge of all aspects of global fly fishing.
Alex Jardine
has needed little
encouragement
to follow the path
of fly fishing. An
avid trout fisher at heart, Alex has more
recently branched out to chasing salmon
and sea trout too. He has travelled
extensively both competitively and also
as a guide, always looking for the next
rising trout.
Bill Latham grew
up on the banks of the
River Avon, and after
following in the footsteps
of Frank Sawyer and
Oliver Kite he developed
a love for the English
chalkstreams. Bill also
represented England
for several years but now enjoys a much more
relaxed pace of fishing both at home and abroad.
Lutz Schepers
has been consumed
by the fishing bug
for over three
decades and he is
equally happy chasing trout and grayling
at home in Germany as he is chasing
foreign saltwater giants. His passion is
displayed in all aspects of his fishing,
from his perfectly tied flies to his tight
casting loops.
Contact us on +44 (0)1980 847389
With so many wonderful
destinations in the world and
our policy of only recommending
lodges that we have seen we rely
on the support of our consultants.
We are delighted to have the
support of Peter Gibson, Gordon
Richmond and Peter Baxendale,
great fishermen with extensive
knowledge and experience
between them.