The islands that compose the Republic of Kiribati straddle the Equator in the middle of the Pacific ocean. Kirabati's 33 atolls - including Kiritmati, aka Christmas Island - are spread out across 1.35 million square miles of the pristine marine ecosystem. The unique location and vast territory of Kiribati make it the only country in the world to have territory in all 4 hemispheres.
The area is home to a number of amazing fish species to target on the fly. Flats teem with Bonefish. Titan (Mustachio), Yellow Margin, Peach Face and Picasso triggerfish patrol their dens protecting their territory. Then you have the Trevally species - Banded, Bluefin, Golden, and of course, the Giant Trevally. When you add this to countless colorful reef fish and amazing bluewater fishing, it is easy to understand why Christmas Island is considered one of the most target-rich environments in the world for the saltwater angler.
Nearly all fishing on Christmas Island is done on foot. Native outrigger canoes, basically the South Pacific version of a pontoon boat, drop anglers on expansive flats and lagoon edges. Hiking with your guide with multiple rods rigged and being ready for whatever these flats might throw at you is the name of the game.
Taking a day to do some bluewater fishing is a nice way to break up the trip. When conditions are right you could very likely be bringing home dinner for the lodge. This handsome Yellow Fin Tuna made for a fantastic sashimi for the group.
Triggerfish get their name from 2 incredibly strong, barbed spines on their backs. When the fish erects the larger spine, the smaller one (the trigger) drops down, locking the larger in place. The fish uses this for protection, not as a weapon, but to wedge itself into holes in the reef, preventing predators or anglers from being able to pry it free. Once you hook a Triggerfish, it will immediately make a run for any open hole that it will fit into and then lock itself it place, making control of the fish in the first seconds of the fight crucial.
]]>The Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia's Far East is made up of 100,000 square miles of some of the remote wilderness on the planet. Despite its vast size there are virtually no roads, limiting access to the peninsula's interior to Soviet-Era MI-8 Helicopters. The Old Souls crew has made this trip many times but sat out the last few years. We are beyond excited to be in the midst of planning our return in the summer of 2020!
After an overnight in Anchorage and an early AM flight across the Bering Sea, anglers load a bus with their outfitters to transfer to one of the various heliports in the area - although heliport may be a strong word. Most of these places are open fields or farms and it is not uncommon to be loading the heli with your outfitter amongst a herd of grazing sheep.
Once everyone has settled into camp and rigged up their rods for the next days fishing the first of many hearty meals is served. Russia's national condiment, Vodka, is present at every meal and applied liberally, if so desired. Hot appetizers of are served daily after fishing. Meals start with a traditional soup course and progress to appetizers, salads, entrees, and even desert. It is truly amazing what the camp crew turns out in these remote outpost kitchens, whether on a wild float trip or a fixed camp lodge.
The Russian Laika, aka the Kamchatka Bear Dog, is your constant companion on any Kamchatka trip, be it a float trip or a lodge-based operation. These trusty critters are playful and social with guests but they are all business when a wayward Kamchatka Brown Bear wanders a bit too close to camp or to a group of anglers on the river.
The origins of the Rainbow Trout have been traced to far eastern Russia and Kamchatka in particular. Huge fish populations combined with Eurasia's highest concentration of Red-Backed Voles (read: mice) has created a Rainbow Trout whose primary protein source is the rodents themselves. Most days mousing is the only way to go in Kamchatka, and though we can all agree that nothing beats a 30" Rainbow eating a mouse on the surface, fishing streamers is not a bad way to spend the day and sometimes can equally or more productive.
Despite having seen numerous fish come to hand while fishing with mouse flies, this was the first time I ever came across an actual mouse trying to cross a river. When I dipped my rod into the water beneath him he quickly grabbed the fly line with all four of his feet and hung on for a well-deserved break. The Morrish Mouse, right, is our preferred imitation. The wear and tear on the fly, and the missing tail, speak to the aggressive takes of the typical Kamchatka Rainbow Trout.
Dates for our upcoming 2020 trip to Kamchatka will be announced soon. To learn more and/or to be kept in the loop on our please contact James via hello@oldsouls.com.
]]>Near the northern coast of Iceland, just south of the arctic circle, there is a little river that never freezes despite its exceptionally cold locale. This little river is called Litlaá - which, of course, literally means little river.
45 years ago, the Litlaá was not much more than a stretch of densely mineralized geothermal flow in the shadow of the Krafla Volcano. The river was transformed into perfect Sea Trout habitat after the Krafla eruption of 1976 created Lake Skjalftavatn.
The brand new lake was and is as clear as it is cold. Soon after its formation, it began draining into the little river, and which has since maintained a year-round average temperature of about 63ºf downstream of its junction with the lake's outlet.
In April, when the season opens, the river is far warmer than the air surrounding it, with temperatures hovering around 10º(f). Fortunately for anyone as dumb as we are to be fishing in this weather, this means that the more time you spend in the river, the warmer you are.
Sea Trout now thrive here - both ocean run and residents, alongside a healthy population of resident Brown Trout and Arctic Char.
To help with the cold, it helps to remember that back in Reykjavik the reward of Iceland's national food, a Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur hotdog, awaits.
]]>