Packing For Fly Fishing In Alphonse, The Seychelles

Packing marks the start of the holiday for me. I am a bit of a nerd when it comes to tackle and kit so I weirdly enjoy packing. The anticipation for the trip kicks in when I search the latest offerings from the leading manufactures to see which piece of tackle or clothing I couldn’t manage with out on my next trip!

Normally I will fill my big Patagonia Duffel Bag to the brim with anything and everything I think I might need, knowing that most of it won’t see the water – but good to be prepared right? Packing for the Seychelles is slightly different and warrants a bit more thought as the weight limit is only 15kg on the smaller charter flight compared to the other atolls.

I use packing as an opportunity to check that all my gear is in order. I am awful for putting my kit away properly after the previous trip so as I set it all out I check that everything is working properly. The Seychelles is the toughest environment on gear that I have ever fished in and if there is a weakness the saltwater will find it, and if the salt has missed it, the fish certainly will expose any issues in your tackle

So What To Take For Fly Fishing In The Seychelles?

The Alphonse fishing company had sent me a detailed list of tackle and clothing that is required for my trip. For me there are a few items on the list that I saw as essentials for the up coming trip. I am a strong believer in having the right stuff for the trip. By having the right gear, you will get the most out of your trip and enjoy it more, especially if you’ve caught the fish of your dreams. We see it regularly in the shop, people who have spent thousands on their trip and then try and cut costs on some of the most important things, like flies.

My must haves for the Seychelles are:

SIMMS FLATS SNEAKERS

There are a few different flats boots out there including the Simms Intruder Boots and the Patagonia Danner River Salt Boots. These are essential as you wade a lot in the Seychelles, often across rough coral which will shred any of the bootie type boots that are available.

SIMMS DRY CREEK Z RIP BACK PACK

A waterproof rucksack is a must! Not only is it a handy piece of kit for travelling as your hand luggage, when you are fishing on the flats you need somewhere to keep your spare tackle, waterproof jacket, camera kit, water and anything else you might need and want to be able to access quickly. The Simms Dry Creek Rip Back Pack keeps everything dry when your wading or when spray from the boat soaks the boat.

SEYCHELLES SALTWATER FLY FISHING SELECTIONS

Flies are the only thing that the fish see and often can be the difference between success and failure. Add in the fact that every fish you cast at to is insanely powerful and has the potential to straighten hooks resulting in lost fish. Our Seychelles fly selection offers a comprehensive selection of flies tied with out compromise on the best hooks available. What ever species you choose to target on your trip, you will have the patterns to do so.

POLARIZED SUNGLASSES FOR FLY FISHING 

The majority of fishing is sight fishing meaning that if you can’t see the fish, you are going to struggle to present the fly to them correctly. By choosing the best sunglasses, not only do you protect your eyes but you allow yourself to spot fish like a pro! My favourites are the Costa Del Mar 580G Green mirror lenses matched with what ever frame takes your fancy – there is a lot to choose from.

THE BEST CLOTHING FOR SALTWATER FISHING IN SEYCHELLES 

The Seychelles is hot! Having just checked the weather for my trip it looks like it is going to be high 30s all week! You are out in the heat for 8-10 hours a day with no shade to protect you from the suns rays. Protecting yourself from the sun and keeping cool is critical. I aim to cover as much of my skin as possible. With the use of Buffs, long sleeves shirts and gloves I can cover most of my body. A range of clothing is available that incorporates UPF protection within it, meaning like the Simms Solarflex range. Not only do they protect you from the sun, they are light weight, quick drying and most importantly have some cool patterns that look great in pictured!

SHILTON REELS FOR THE SEYCHELLES 

My previous trip to Farquhar, Seychelles, showed that me that if any of your tackle is likely to go wrong it is the reels. On that trip we broke 6 reels between us. Just because the manufacturer says the reel is sealed, it doesn’t mean it is! Salt water gets everywhere and can cause all sorts of problems. The one reel that seems to hold its head up high is the Shilton range of reels. Designed by guys who fish in these harsh environments they are made tough and built specifically for the job in hand! Spool them up with the correct backing and you can have 100% confidence that your reel isn’t going to let you down. The rest is up to you.

There is a lot of other things to take with you but for me these are the must haves and aren’t exclusive to the Seychelles as the majority would be on my list of any saltwater fly fishing trip. If you have a tripped planned, make sure you plan everything to make sure you have everything covered and are as well pre-pared as you can be.

Tight lines and enjoy your trip of a life time!

Oh and don’t forget your passport 

Tom