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[ Accommodation at Lord Howe Island ]
Sight casting to tailing fish in inches of crystal clear water, serious dry fly casting to hordes of rising bruisers, sinking wet flies to schools of predators milling under the boat, fired up Game fish mobbing the teaser. Bahamas? Christmas Island? Florida? Broome? No, Lord Howe Island! All this and at a fraction of the cost of the more distant destinations. For years the huge potential of these waters as a fly fishing heaven have been overlooked. Now, thanks to the pioneering efforts of fly fishing legend Dean Butler, this fly fishing frontier is open for you to explore. Lord Howe has a wide variety of species that can be taken on fly which ensures that there is something to interest the beginner through to the expert, and "OBLIVIENNE" SPORTSFISHING has the experienced fly guides to ensure that you get the most from your holiday.
1. THE LAGOON: from our lagoon boat "BONEFISH". Many people are silly enough to
assume that because the lagoon is shallow, crystal clear, sheltered, and right on your doorstep,
that you couldn't possibly have good fishing there. Wrong, wrong, wrong!
The lagoon offers
spectacular fly fishing, particularly for those who prefer to cast rods below 12 weight.
Although the lagoon is an excellent area for people to learn and improve their fly casting, it
also offers fantastic action for the most seasoned fly fisher. The most common species
targeted in the lagoon are Drummer, Bluefish, Trevally, and Kingfish. Our best captures to
date in the lagoon have been Drummer 5kg, Bluefish 3kg, Trevally 7kg, and Kingfish 6kg, and
we have been beaten by bigger fish. These are not exceptional fish to find in the lagoon. We
have also landed Milkfish, Spangled Emperor, Wrasse species, Cod Species, Kahawai, and
Sharks. We always ask our clients to rig their rods at the jetty as it is not unusual to be casting
to you first fish within 5 minutes of leaving there [our record is hook up at the jetty while still
rigging the rod]. There aren't too many other places in the world where you can be into some
serious fly fishing 5 minutes into your trip, or where a 3 hour session is enough to satisfy most
people for their daily fishing fix! All of this at a price we challenge any fly guide to beat!
2. FRINGES OF THE COAST OR BALLS PYRAMID: from our custom built fly boat "OBLIVIENNE". More of the same, but with a greater range of locations, more fish, more species, and a better likelihood of even bigger fish.
3. GAMEFISH:
aboard
"BELLE CHASE",
or "OBLIVIENNE". While Lord Howe
certainly has all the billfish species, and some very large yellowfin and mahi mahi, the real
feature for the fly fisherman is the abundance of yellowfin, wahoo, and kingfish in the perfect
size range for fly. Hordes of kingfish and yellowfin in the 10-30 kg class and probably the
highest concentration of wahoo in Australian waters, throw in the occasional tussle with the
extra large mega monsters, and that has to be heaven!
EQUIPMENT: For those of you who like to work with your own gear we will provide you with a detailed list upon confirmation of your booking. For those who don't have suitable equipment we can supply on a "lose it, replace it" basis.
WE ARE ALWAYS WILLING TO TEACH WHILE YOU FISH. And what better place to learn than somewhere like Lord Howe.