The Ultimate Fly Fishing Journey by Aardvark McLeod

I NT E R N AT I O NA L FLY FI S H I NG S PE CI A L I S T S In association with Castaway Flyfishing

The Ultimate Fly Fishing Journey Aardvark McLeod has provided an exceptional level of service to the discerning fly fisherman since 2005. We pride ourselves on up to date information and on an unmatched technical knowledge of fishing destinations around the world. Light tackle fly fishing is a journey of discovery and without guidance, the international fishing arena can be daunting. At Aardvark McLeod we know where you can go for your first trip to feel comfortable, and return as a considerably better fisherman. Equally, we know where the veteran should go for the next challenge, or which lodges allow fishermen and non-fishing families to enjoy themselves without compromise. Whether you are an individual, a couple, a family, or a group, we can help you to plan your holiday and allow you to enjoy your fishing with absolute confidence and security.

The Flats on Foot For many, the most engaging form of flats fishing is to have warm water lapping against your ankles as you carefully approach a tailing fish. A cluster of silver fish glinting in the sunlight is enough to excite any wading fisherman. This feeling of hunting your quarry on foot whether it is a bonefish, permit or giant trevally is an immensely invigorating experience, and for some is the essence of sight fishing. There are only a few destinations in the world that lend themselves to this technique and the best are Seychelles, Cuba, Belize, Venezuela and Christmas Island. In each place clear shallow waters, small lodges and high quality guides mean that the exciting fishing is enhanced by your surroundings.

The Caribbean season runs from October to August. The Indian Ocean season runs from September to May. Venezuela and Christmas Island offer fishing year-round. There are many options for non-fishers and families in these tropical paradises.

The Flats Afloat Many of the world's greatest flats can only be reached by skiff as they are often too soft for wading. The added control of the guide positioning the angler in relation to the target can be essential for those who are less experienced or less mobile. Skiff fishing generally allows a much greater area of habitat to be covered which increases the chances of success and, with two rods per boat taking turns, fishing is at a more leisurely pace. The stealthy approach and added vantage point give the best chance at fast moving tarpon or spooky permit. The finest areas for this technique are The Bahamas, Cuba, parts of Belize, and Mexico. Australia, Oman and Seychelles also offer skiff fishing in their diverse waters.

Travellers’ Tips The Caribbean season runs from October to August. July and August can be very hot with intermittent showers, but often have discounted rates. The Indian Ocean and Australian seasons are year round. There is accommodation in The Bahamas, Mexico and Belize which is particularly suited to families travelling with a keen fisherman.

Inshore and Bluewater The fastest areas of growth in fly fishing are inshore fishing, in the vicinity of reefs, and bluewater, further out to sea. Although inshore fly fishing is atypical as you are not sight casting, it allows anglers to tangle with many of the predatory species that patrol reefs and rock pinnacles. Battles can be hard and furious with a vast species range. To see trevally, dorado and rooster fish chasing schools of baitfish bursting on the surface is heart stopping stuff. For those who wish to experience fly fishing to the extreme, teasing the pelagic species of marlin and sailfish up from the depths, then bluewater fishing is it. The calm tranquillity of the ocean is suddenly transformed as you see the bill of an enraged sailfish slashing at the teasers as the deck hand entices it closer to the boat. It is vitally important to charter a boat with a crew experienced in handling fly fishermen. Australia and Oman are at the forefront of new locations for inshore. Costa Rica, Guatemala, Australia and the Indian Ocean are the most productive areas for blue water fly fishing.

Travellers’ tips Costa Rica and Guatemala's prime seasons are January to April, although the season in Guatemala begins in November when there is a brief run of marlin. These countries offer huge diversity for the non-fisher and families, from the Indian Ocean’s pristine white beaches and heavenly lodges to Costa Rica and Guatemala's rich tropical rainforest, and varied ecotourism. Australia’s marlin season runs from September to December and there are endless opportunities for non-anglers here too. The Indian Ocean season is primarily November to January.

African Fishing and Safari As lion are seen as the kings of the beasts on land, so tigerfish are Africa's apex freshwater predators. They are the most extraordinary species in freshwater with the power and aggression of many of their saltwater brethren. The fight is hard and brutal, punctuated with aerial acrobatics and long runs. Some of the most consistent tigerfishing in terms of numbers and size can be found in Tanzania.

Other African fishing destinations include Lesotho and Kenya for brown trout, and the Orange River for large and smallmouth yellowfish on the edge of the Kalahari. Gabon is an extraordinary place to fish for tarpon while Cameroon is a hotspot for Nile perch and three species of tigerfish. Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Namibia offer tigerfishing, various bream species and tilapia. Many of these rivers weave through some of Africa’s most prolific wildlife areas so there are endless opportunities to combine a fishing holiday with a safari.

Travellers’ tips Optimum time for tigerfish in Southern Africa is June to September, and September to November in East Africa. Gabon is best from December to April, and Cameroon January to March. Botswana, Namibia and South Africa are good year round.

Salmon

Every year fishermen and their quarry come together to enact a game of cat and mouse. On the one hand the hunters' art form, on the other, instinct. No other species has the mystique of salmon, and equally there are few places more beautiful than the rivers they inhabit. Whether fishing for Atlantic salmon, or their cousins in the Pacific, there are few greater pleasures than drifting a fly into those dark lies that might yield a take and begin a fantastic fight. Rivers have characters and it is important to find one that suits your expectations and style of fishing. There are many rivers in the world that have runs of salmon, but we concentrate on the gin-clear rivers of Iceland, the torrid rapids of Norway and the wildernesses of Canada and Alaska. These provide some of the finest salmon fishing available.

Iceland's season is June to September with a variety of rivers becoming prime at different times. The Norwegian season is June to August, and Alaska June to September. Canada’s east coast is at its best between June and September while the west coast king salmon run is May to July. There are salmon fishing lodges in Iceland, Canada and Alaska where a variety of activities can be organised for non-fishers.

Travellers’ tips

Migratory Trout The spade-tailed sea trout (known as sea run brown trout in the USA) and steelhead have a following all of their own. These aggressive fish are considered to be the hardest fighters of all freshwater fish. In Europe, sea trout are normally fished for at night due to their wily nature, but in Argentina caution is thrown to the wind and they are targeted during the day. The Patagonian sea trout were introduced in the 1930s and without the usual predators have exploded in number and size. It is quite simply the finest sea trout fishing on the planet amid some truly incredible scenery. In the northern hemisphere, Iceland leads the way for those in pursuit of sea trout.

For steelhead, British Columbia is the jewel in the crown with its dramatic backdrop of snow-capped mountains and fir trees. For those to whom salmon fishing has long been a way of life, it is an easy sideways step to target steelhead although nothing can prepare you for their aggression and power.

Travellers' Tips The Argentine sea trout season runs from January to April. Early season can see high water and cold conditions, but like northern hemisphere salmon, many of the larger fish will run in the high water. Prime steelhead months are April to May and August to October. Iceland's sea trout season runs from April to October.

Trout To watch a large trout rise gently in the water column and sip your offering down below the surface film is one of freshwater fishing’s greatest thrills. The UK is home to the globally unique chalkstream rivers, a must for all trout aficionados. Venture further afield for huge brown trout and Arctic char in Iceland, stunning mountain streams in Spain, Italy, and Slovenia, and crystal clear rivers in Bosnia and Croatia. Go further still and experience the thrill of hooking into a pancora-crab-munching rainbow trout in Chile, a mouse-chewing brown trout from New Zealand or a monster rainbow in Patagonia’s Jurassic Lake. Due to their rich diet, these fish can often achieve double figures and provide incredible battles on light tackle. The freestone rivers of South Africa will captivate you with their beautiful surroundings and bonus species such as yellowfish. Travellers' Tips

As Chile, New Zealand and South Africa are in the southern hemisphere their seasons are opposite to ours and are perfect for a winter break. The Chilean season is December to March, New Zealand is October to April, and South Africa is September to May. Safaris in Africa, wine trails in Chile and touring in New Zealand are just a small number of options for the non-fisher and families. The European trout season runs March to October.

Jungle Fishing

The jungle – raw and natural, bursting with colour and wildlife – offers the intrepid fly angler an experience like no other. A Brazilian fly fishing holiday is so much more than just angling. Not only can you target peacock bass, pacu and arapaima but you’ll enjoy fabulous wildlife, birdlife, scenery, and fascinating indigenous culture. The remote Bolivian jungle rivers are a hotspot for golden dorado, pacu, yatorana and more. This breathtaking environment, where the rainforest meets the Andes, is awash with exotic wildlife and one of the world’s most interesting angling destinations. Argentina’s Paraná River also offers an interesting marsh environment in which to target golden dorado and Guyana’s Amazonian rainforest is home to huge arapaima.

Travellers’ tips © Henry a Gilbey There’s jungle or marsh destination to fish throughout the year, whether in Bolivia, Brazil, Argentina or Guyana.

Something Special If you are looking for a fly fishing adventure in an extraordinary destination then you should add Mongolia to the list. No crowds, great guides and a chance to unwind with some big taimen. India, too, in the foothills of the Himalaya, provides something special with the chance to target the mighty mahseer – one of the hardest fighting of all freshwater fish – in truly spectacular surroundings. Then there’s the mystical kingdom of Bhutan, awash with culture and intrigue where adventurous anglers can try their luck with chocolate mahseer and snow trout.

Travellers’ tips Mongolia’s season is June to October. Away from fishing, festivals, hiking and white water rafting are among many activities to delight in this extraordinary country. The season in India is March to May and November, and again there’s plenty to explore outside fishing. Bhutan’s season runs March to May and it is a real privilege to enter this tiny kingdom which has opened its doors, just a tiny bit, to the outside world.

More Than Fishing Although fishing holidays account for most of our day to day business, we have experience organising all sorts of other holidays too. We have over two decades’ experience organising safari holidays in Africa, we know many spots in the Indian Ocean which lend themselves to an add on to a fishing holiday and have organised many multi-activity holidays in, amongst others, New Zealand, Australia, Iceland, Belize, Brazil, various parts of the Caribbean.

Travellers’ tips If you are a couple, solo traveller or a family looking for some interesting ideas do let us know, we’d be delighted to put some suggestions together for you.

I NT E R N AT I O NA L FLY FI S H I NG S PE CI A L I S T S In association with Castaway Flyfishing

Tel: +44 (0)1980 847389 mail@aardvarkmcleod.com

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Aspire Business Centre • Ordnance Road • Tidworth • Hampshire • SP9 7QD • UK