Intro | Daily Routine | Tackle | Paris Flats | The Fishing Today | Trevally | Location

Daily Routine

The daily routine at the Captain Cook Hotel is as dependable as the fishing. Breakfast is served early in the dining room, and sandwich ingredients are set out for the guests to prepare their own lunches. The blackboard in the dining room displays angling groups for the day, guides assigned, and means of transportation to the flats. After breakfast, anglers return to their bungalows and gather their gear for the day.

Trevally are most often caught on large 4- to 8-inch baitfish imitations such as Lefty's Deceiver or an E.P. fiber fly (above). Use heavy shock tippets to prevent bite-offs.

Tackle

The fishing at Christmas Island is best with 7- to 9-weight floating lines for bonefish, and with 10- to 12-weight lines for trevally. You need corrosion-resistant, stout reels with a smooth drag, and at least 200 yards of backing to deal with a long-running fish.

The typical Christmas island bonefish flies are variations of the Crazy Charlie tied sparsely on #4-8 hooks. Bonefish leaders are typically 9 to 12 feet long, with tippets of 15-pound-test fluorocarbon.

- advertisement -

There are several species of trevally at Christmas. Giant trevally are reasonably common and range in size from baby giants up to behemoths that weigh 100 pounds or more. Bluefin trevally are generally smaller than giants, attaining weights of up to 25 pounds. Dusky trevally are less common and usually do not exceed a few pounds. These fish prefer rapidly stripped #2/0 baitfish imitations such as Lefty's Deceiver, Half-and-halfs, Whistlers, E.P. or ALF baitfish designs.

Golden trevally are the rarest trevally at Christmas Island. They feed much like bonefish, tipping to take flies, and they will only eat bonefish flies. They are shaped like permit and are seldom hooked. Eketi told me that in nine years of guiding at Christmas island, his clients have only caught three golden trevally. Trevally are predators with sharp teeth, so use heavy monofilament or fluorocarbon shock tippets to prevent bite-offs.

Neil Jennings is author of Trout Flies of Alberta and Southeastern British Columbia ISBN 0-9735076-0-8. Click here to see his tying instructions for Del Brown's bonefish and permit crab pattern--the Merkin.

Previous Next

On-Line Catalogs
A.A. Outfitters Full service, fully stocked flyshop located in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. Allen Brothers Quality Fishing Flies Quality is more than just a word. We use Daichii hooks and all our beadheads are tied with tungsten. Check out unique variations on a lot of the classics, plus our original patterns! Angler's Pro Shop The finest products the fly fishing industry has to offer. Bighorn Fly and Tackle Shop Montana's premium fly shops, lodging and guide service. We're dedicated to helping you experience the best Montana has to offer. Bob Henley's TIE-A-FLY 19 traditional patterns. TIE-A-FLY kits have all materials needed to tie them, instructions/illustrations, a pre-tied fly to use as a model. Gary LaFontaine's "The Book Mailer" Every angling book & media in print—10% off 3 or more. LaFontaine fly patterns & materials. FREE anti-catalog. Crystal Fly Shop Online Store Quality products at reasonable prices from Winston, Elkhorn, St. Croix, Galvan, Solitude, Idylwilde, Chota, etc. Many items 15-35% off. Custom Fly Rod Crafters Fly rod building components, tools & supplies. Dan Bailey's Online Fly Shop Outfitting fly fishermen since 1938. Equipment & information to make your next fly fishing trip be a memorable one.		Fly Fishing Flies & Gear Shop RiverBum.com for premium FLIES and GEAR from Simms, Sage, Fishpond & more ... Free Shipping on orders over $25! FlyShack.com High quality, hand-tied flies. Assortments from $.60/fly. Great selection and excellent service. Free Shipping. FlyShopCloseouts.com Now—new and expanded—with much more brand name fly fishing tackle and gear at huge savings. Save 30-50% on quality brands you will recognize in an instant. Galloup's Slide Inn Online Fly Shop Full online store offering cutting-edge flies, equipment, and the best streamer selection found anywhere in the U.S. Hills Discount Flies Fly shop quality flies at wholesale prices. Over 1,000 patterns. Check out bargains in "Hot Deals" section. Hooked On Flies 65¢-69¢ a fly. That's 3 flies for less than the retail price of one fly. 450+ Trout Fly Patterns! Madison River Fishing Co. Spring is coming! We have TONS of new gear this year. Cloudveil, Simms, Sage, Under Armour, Vosseler Reels and lots more. Click or call 800-227-7127 for catalog. **Reelflies** - Fly Fishing Flies Offering incredible prices on top-quality Trout Flies: $0.49 - $0.79. Our flies have great fly illustrations . . . what you see is what you get! www.ShopUltimateAngler.com Your steelhead and smallmouth specialists featuring Simms, Sage, Patagonia, Orvis, guide services, local fishing reports and more!