The expansive Farquhar Atoll sits 1 hour and 45 minutes’ flight south west of Mahé in the Seychelles. The Atoll, whilst known to the fly fishing community for a long time, hit the world’s awareness with the Blue Planet film of bird eating giant trevally. Whilst the GTs are impressive, for the focussed saltwater flats angler there is so much more on offer in addition.
Farquhar continues to hold its feel and reputation as a hardcore fishing operation although the new lodge has added extra comfort along with excellent food and service. Accommodation is simple, anglers are housed in three separate duplex style chalets, each with two rooms containing twin beds as standard. The rooms have A/C and ensuite bathroom with an outside shower. The original building is now the hub of the island and the focal point for meals, drinks and general fishing chatter.
The Farquhar Atoll is a much larger than Alphonse and St Francois, and the guide team is outstanding and at the top of their game. Nearly all the fishing is wading, often up to your waist in water hunting GTs on the flats. There can be some long walks in the day but the flats hold some fascinating species such as golden trevally and bumphead parrotfish tailing in schools. Farquhar has a well deserved reputation for its bumphead parrotfish and is one of the few places where you realistic chances of landing one. The fishing is hugely varied and there are many species to target aside from GTs, from bonefish to triggers, bumphead parrotfish and even sailfish. Despite the fact that Farquhar has been fished for a long time, it still feels wild and unexplored.
There are some areas on Farquhar such as First and Second island on the west coasts that have petrified coral, but much of the rest of the atoll is comprised of big open turtle grass flats such as Green Mile (bit like Boca Grande at Jardines de la Reina) or the sand flats and island at Depose Island on the south western point which is very special. It’s a little like Wizard island on Cosmoledo.
There is big sand spit that come out known as “Have” which is great steak out point on a tide rip. The eastern side of the atoll drops down from the corally north point at “Paris to Dakar” through the Manaha Gaps (great spot for big ocean bonefish) and then the “ Long Walk”, an awesome 9 km stretch of raised beach edge dropping down to a 300 metre edge which is very similar to the Korean Wreck area on the south coast of Xmas Island if you fished that? You can spot the fish from the higher vantage point and then run down to intercept while the guide spots. It’s a bit like someone took sections of lots of different fisheries and put them all together on this one Atoll.
Farquhar Atoll report 2-9 March 2022
| This week saw the return of the Turley Brothers, Greg and Niall, together with their friends Bill Roberts, Nick Baird, Harry Nash, Dan Christensen and Henrik Andersen. The weather sadly wasn’t on our side, however despite some challenges throughout the week the team still managed some great catches. True to their nature, there were several bumphead parrotfish hooked and lost, however, Henrick managed to land the only bumpy of the week along with a couple a decent GT. Dan had a solid week with GTs and managed a moustache triggerfish. Greg managed a couple of GTs and landed the biggest of the week, measuring bang on the one metre mark with Niall wrapping up a bunch of GTs himself. Nick had a great week with a few GTs and three moustache triggerfish during a surf walk, the biggest measuring an impressive 51 cm. Despite the testing conditions, Bill still managed a GT and sadly lost two bumphead parrotfish. Harry came out top rod with seven GTs. He also managed a Flats Slam by landing a GT, bonefish and triggerfish in one day. Giant trevally 24 Bonefish 2 Triggerfish 5 Bumphead parrotfish 1 |
Farquhar Atoll 2023 & 2024 Availability
2023 – $13,210 per rod, shared room / shared guide + $210 conservation fee
1 – 8 February 2023 – Full Moon 5th February
1 – 8 March 2023
29 March – 5 April 2023
18 – 25 October 2023
1 – 8 November
22 – 29 November 2023 – Full Moon 27 November
29 Nov – 6 December 2023
2024 – $13,890 per rod shared room / shared guide + $210 conservation fee
7 – 14 February 2024 – New Moon 10 February
14 – 21 February 2024
28 February – 6 March 2024
20 – 27 March 2024 – Full Moon 25 March
27 March – 3 April 2024
09 – 16 October 2024
16 – 23 October 2024 – Full Moon 17 October
23 – 30 October 2024
06 – 13 November 2024
13 – 20 November 2024 – Full Moon 16 November
20 – 27 November 2024
27 November – 4 December 2024 – New Moon 1 Dec
If you are looking for a more family or couple based holiday, take advantage of Alphonse Island’s “Stay/Pay” offer that is available from 1 May to 30 September 2022. More details are available HERE.
If you would like more information please contact Charlotte Chilcott or Peter McLeod or call us on +44 1980 847389. Alternatively click HERE if you would like us to contact you.