Cosmoledo Atoll offers an explosive saltwater fly fishing experience. The atoll’s pristine ocean ecosystem boasts vast, wadable sand flats, beautiful islands, and an incredible lagoon, all ruled by the incomparable giant trevally. If you’re prone to a spot of GT fever then this is the place to be!
What has become known as the GT capital of the world also boasts impressive numbers of bonefish, bluefin trevally, bohar snapper, barracuda, milkfish, the finicky Indo-Pacific permit, and a host of triggerfish species. The sheer numbers and variety of fish species have amazed the fly fishing world, with anglers from across the globe sampling the ultimate fishing playground.
The tiny footprint of an eco-camp on the northern peninsula of Wizard Island creates a minimalistic yet extremely comfortable base from which guests cam explore the vast flats, channels and islands that make Cosmoledo so incredible. The best way to explore this wonderland is by skiff, and this season a brand-new fleet of eight 18.5 Ft Baymasters specially designed to suit the Seychelles atolls awaits. Each has a custom-designed poling platform, two comfortable seats, ample deck space and a convenient lean bar on the bow providing the perfect setup for a comfortable day’s fly-fishing.
Also new this season has been the decision to push the opening week back to the first spring tide at the end of November beginning of December. This gives the atoll a longer resting period and also takes into account the shift in red crab activity. Pre 2017 the atoll would rarely experience red crab in October and November but in recent years massive numbers have appeared on numerous occasions. While the red crab congregation offshore is incredible for the health of the fishery it does leave the flats with very few GTs as they follow them offshore for an easy meal. When they do come back into the shallows they flood in with vigour.
Conservation is at the forefront of the fishing here and a scroll back through the stats from 2016 until now shows that the GT numbers have remained relatively stable with around 1200 GTs caught and released each season. Something to note from last season is that the record-breaking tally of 215 GTs in a single week.
Make no mistake Cosmoledo has the greatest number of GTs on this planet and is deserving of its status as the GT capital of the world.
Aardvark McLeod’s Olly Thompson spent several stints guiding in Cosmoledo and recalls ‘some exceptional fishing on Cosmo’s flats. Sessions where groups of GT drop off the flats like the bonefish do on Alpohnse, or triggers tailing as far as the eye can see. For me it’s not only the numbers of giant trevally that make Cosmo so impressive, but also the variety of other species you can target. Those open minded and willing to spend time searching for species other than giant trevally will find just how diverse and surprising Cosmoledo can be.’
If you’re keen to experience GT fever on Cosmoledo for yourself and 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.
About the author: Peter McLeod