Where should bonefish and giant trevally anglers explore after Christmas Island?

Mention Kiribati (pronounced ‘ki-ree-bass’) to a saltwater fly angler and one destination immediately comes to mind: Kiritimati, better known as Christmas Island or simply CXI after its airport code.

That reputation has been earned over several decades. Kiritimati offers immense hard-sand flats, bonefish, giant trevally, triggerfish and a guiding industry built around them.

But Kiritimati is only one of Kiribati’s 33 islands.

The Republic of Kiribati comprises 32 coral islands and atolls, plus the raised limestone island of Banaba. They are scattered across the Gilbert, Phoenix and Line island groups, covering an extraordinary expanse of the equatorial Pacific.

Some contain enormous tidal lagoons. Others have narrow channels, shallow sandbars, reef platforms or steep ocean drop-offs. A handful support established fly-fishing operations. Many have probably never seen a bonefish fly.

So where else should an adventurous exploration angler look?

This article is not intended to be a scientific ranking, and it would be misleading to score islands that have received little or no recreational fishing attention. Instead, we have placed them into broad bands according to known fishing, lagoon geography, tidal exchange, likely habitat, fishing pressure, accessibility and the practical possibility of supporting visiting anglers.

That all matters. An island can look spectacular on satellite imagery but still have soft mud rather than firm sand, insufficient tidal exchange, no safe boat access or nowhere appropriate to house visiting anglers. Conversely, an unremarkable-looking channel can funnel bait and predatory fish through one very productive and accessible piece of water.

And in the case of Washington Island, a tidal lagoon can close off, progressively move from saline to freshwater and still house trevally and milk fish!

THE ESTABLISHED AND EMERGING FLY-FISHING DESTINATIONS

In this section, we explore the known option of Kiritimati (CXI), emergence of Tabuaeran (Fanning) and the potential of Kanton Island.

Kiritimati (Christmas Island)

Kiritimati remains the benchmark against which every other Kiribati fly fishery is measured. But benchmark cannot be confused with pristine anymore.

The island is the world’s largest coral atoll by land area and contains an extraordinary variety of flats, lagoons, channels, ocean reefs and blue water. Bonefish are the foundation of its recreational fishery, but visiting anglers can also target giant, bluefin and golden trevally, triggerfish, milkfish and occasionally a bumphead parrotfish.

What separates Kiritimati from the rest of Kiribati is its infrastructure. It has an international airport, specialist fishing lodges, dedicated boats and generations of local guides who understand its tides and fish movements.

It also has sustained fishing pressure. Some experienced anglers and repeat visitors report lower catch rates, smaller average fish or fewer opportunities in areas that once fished more consistently. For a proportion of anglers, one trip to Christmas Island has been enough; they are now looking for less pressured alternatives, such as Fanning Island, rather than automatically returning for the traditional week on CXI.

These observations are not entirely new. A 2006 Kiritimati fisheries report recorded complaints from visiting anglers and guides about declining average weekly catches. Earlier research also identified long-term concerns about catch rates, average fish size and the condition of spawning migration routes.

Fishing is central to life on Kiritimati. The Pacific Community reported in 2025 that approximately 95% of households were involved in fishing, predominantly for household consumption or local sale. Frustratingly, gillnets remain widely used and can catch bonefish incidentally even where the species is not being deliberately targeted.

Kiritimati has regulations prohibiting the catching, killing and sale of bonefish without an appropriate tourist fishing permit. Kiribati also has national restrictions around the full-moon spawning period. Enforcement, unintended gillnet capture and the competing needs of tourism and food security nevertheless remain difficult issues.

The picture is not one of simple collapse. A 2025 Pacific Community assessment examined 339 bonefish collected during 2023 and concluded that the stock was in relatively good condition. Its estimated spawning-potential ratio was 0.63, and only about 23% of sampled fish were below the estimated size at maturity. The report still recommended continued monitoring, better assessment of incidental catch and closer involvement of local fishing communities in management decisions.

On the flip side, research on Kiritimati’s reefs has found extremely high fishing effort and sharply reduced fish biomass near its principal villages compared with remote parts of the same island. That pressure is not distributed evenly: isolated reefs can remain comparatively healthy while heavily used or more easily accessible areas show substantial decline.

Offshore industrial fishing adds another layer of trepidation. Large fishing vessels are now frequently visible around Kiribati (we were told of a record 18 counted from the air recently, all sitting off the main port area), and anglers, residents and local fishermen understandably question what effect industrial extraction is having on the wider marine ecosystem.

Those vessels principally target oceanic tuna rather than bonefish or reef-dwelling GTs. A direct causal link between vessels seen offshore and declining flats fishing on Kiritimati has not yet been demonstrated. However, industrial fishing and by-catch can affect pelagic abundance, local tuna availability and the broader food web. Its scale also sits uncomfortably beside the much smaller catches of local fishermen.

Of further longterm ecological concern is the proposed massive port development that appears to be nearing construction.

Despite all of that gloom, there are encouraging signs of greater attention to the recreational fishery. In 2025, Kiribati Fisheries, visiting researchers and Kiritimati guides conducted workshops on bonefish handling, monitoring and management. The program also considered new management measures for giant trevally, guide-assisted enforcement, night surveillance and the possible use of drones against illegal fishing.

The new Phoenix and Line Islands Guides Association have a solid footprint on Christmas Island and are galvanizing their resources to encourage ground roots efforts to drive sustainability.

If you’re looking to book a week on Christmas Island, we recommend contacting Isolation Outfitters who can advise on availability, recommend a lodge based on your requirements, provide hosted trip dates, and advise on guides, flights and what to pack.

Kiritimati remains a remarkable fishery, especially with an experienced guide who understands where fish move across changing tides. It can be fished throughout the year, although tides, moon phases, wind and target species should influence the dates chosen. We cover those considerations in When to fish Christmas Island.

Tabuaeran (Fanning Island)

If Kiritimati is the established industry centre, Tabuaeran is the obvious, more remote, next step.

Fanning Island has a large lagoon, meaningful ocean passages and extensive firm sand suited to sight fishing. Bonefish numbers can be less concentrated than on Kiritimati, but their average size is often impressive. Giant and bluefin trevally patrol the flats, channels and shallow reef structures, while triggerfish, golden trevally, wrasse and bumphead parrotfish broaden the target list.

Tabuaeran also has an interesting place in communications history. Its position in the central Pacific made it an important station on the trans-Pacific telegraph cable route during the early twentieth century.

The modern angling operation remains deliberately small. Accommodation, such as at Fanning Island Lodge, is rustic, flights operate from Kiritimati and boats transport anglers into the lagoon before they continue on foot. Recent improvements have included solar power, modern engines, toilets, showers and satellite internet.

Rather than repeating all the details here, our complete guide covers fly fishing on Fanning Island, including fishing, accommodation, tackle and flight logistics. If you’re planning to visit Fanning Island, check the full and new moon dates through to 2028 before locking in your week.

Kanton Island (Canton)

Kanton, also known as Canton or Abariringa, is the emerging expedition destination of the Phoenix Islands.

The island’s English name commemorates the American whaling ship Canton, which was wrecked on the outer reef in 1854. The name was formally applied to the atoll in 1872. In the Kiribati language, which has no letter C, Canton is spelt Kanton. Kiribati legislation recognizes Kanton, Canton and Abariringa as names for the island.

It is the only inhabited island in the Phoenix group and the only one with a usable airfield. Its large lagoon is connected to the ocean through a deep western passage, creating the combination of flats, channels, reef edges and tidal movement that immediately interests serious GT anglers.

Early exploratory fishing indicates a truly exceptional giant trevally fishery alongside bonefish and other reef species. The experience is very different from staying in a lodge on Kiritimati. Accommodation is basic, aircraft must be chartered and almost every component, from fuel and food to licensing and runway inspections, must be arranged for each expedition.

Kanton has an extraordinary aviation history. Pan American Airways used its lagoon during the flying-boat era, and the island later served as a trans-Pacific aviation and military station under joint British and American control. Its old airfield is now central to plans for renewed access. Kiribati’s development plan includes proposals to rehabilitate Kanton’s runway and eventually enable jet operations.

Kanton lies inside the Phoenix Islands Protected Area (PIPA), so access and fishing require explicit permits and close cooperation with the island’s residents and Kiribati authorities.

Boutique fly fishing outfitter, No Slack Loops, is coordinating sanctioned Kanton expeditions together with local residents and Kiribati authorities, including the complicated requirements surrounding charter aircraft, accommodation, permits, aviation fuel and on-island support.

We rated Kanton in our recent 2026 article on the world’s best fly-fishing destinations.

THE LEADING EXPLORATORY PROSPECTS

Nonouti

Nonouti Island may be the most compelling unexplored bonefishing prospect in the Gilbert Islands.

Its lagoon covers approximately 140 square miles (355 square kilometers) and is broken by numerous tidal channels. That creates a vast amount of shallow habitat, along with multiple possible routes for bait and predators moving between the lagoon and ocean.

The Pacific Community previously worked with Kiribati Fisheries and the Nonouti Island Council on managing the lagoon fishery, including the potential development of bonefishing as a tourism activity.

Nonouti is inhabited and has a domestic airstrip, but visiting anglers should expect basic local accommodation and substantial advance planning, until the Nonouti Island Lodge opens in 2027 with trips in partnership with outfitter, No Slack Loops.

For bonefish, Nonouti belongs near the top of Kiribati’s exploratory list. Its numerous channels and long outer reef also give it strong potential for giant trevally. The scale of the lagoon means a single week would barely begin to reveal this atoll’s longterm recreational potential.

Maiana

Maiana sits immediately south of Tarawa and contains a shallow lagoon of approximately 30 square miles (77 sq km).

Unlike many speculative Kiribati destinations, Maiana has a documented bonefish population. Local bylaws have prohibited destructive splash fishing, protected spawning areas and restricted particular netting practices. Government reporting indicates that bonefish numbers improved after these measures were introduced.

That creates an interesting opportunity: a locally managed bonefish resource that might produce greater community value through carefully controlled catch-and-release tourism.

Maiana is close to Tarawa and served by domestic aircraft, but its lagoon is shallow and difficult to navigate. Numerous shoals and an absence of comprehensive modern hydrographic information mean that local boatmen would be indispensable.

Its bonefish potential is among the strongest in the Gilbert Islands. The GT question is less certain, although its lagoon entrance and outer reef justify investigation.

Abaiang

Abaiang lies immediately north of Tarawa and surrounds a lagoon of approximately 95 sq miles (245 sq km). Numerous islets, sandbars and tidal connections create a varied environment with obvious exploratory appeal.

Bonefish are an established component of the local subsistence fishery. That confirms their presence, although it also means descriptions of ‘completely untouched or un-pressured schools’ are unlike to prove correct.

Practically, Abaiang is a good first reconnaissance destination in the outer Gilberts. It is reached by a short scheduled Air Kiribati flight from Tarawa, while Terau Beach Bungalow provides established beachfront accommodation, meals and access to local boats. We’ll be here with fly rods in 2027 and will report back.

The lagoon’s multiple channels provide potential GT ambush points, but their productivity still needs to be demonstrated. Abaiang’s principal advantage is access and accommodation, putting it high on the list for this exploration.

Butaritari

Butaritari is an interesting all-round prospect in northern Kiribati.

It has a big lagoon and eight recorded passages or channels. It is also wetter and more heavily vegetated than the arid southern Gilberts, with greater rainfall contributing to a productive island and marine environment.

The combination of a large lagoon, strong ocean connectivity and outer reef access makes Butaritari attractive for bonefish, GTs, bluefin trevally and offshore species. What remains unproven is whether it contains extensive firm, clear flats suitable for consistent sight fishing.

Butaritari also carries one of Kiribati’s most frequently misunderstood pieces of wartime history. The 1942 Makin Raid and 1943 Battle of Makin largely occurred on Butaritari, which American forces commonly called Makin Atoll. The modern island called Makin lies farther north. Bunkers, aircraft remains and other relics survive around Butaritari.

Infrastructure is better than on many outer islands. A 2025 tourism survey recorded three operating properties – Atinibwaan Iesu Parish Bungalows, Isles Sunset Lodge and Nemat Resort – with other accommodation undergoing repair.

Tabiteuea

Tabiteuea is not an island that will be understood in one visit. Its lagoon covers approximately 124 sq miles (320 sq km), its reef perimeter approaches 125 miles (200 km) and it contains dozens of islets. Administratively, the atoll is divided into Tabiteuea North and Tabiteuea South, each with its own domestic airstrip.

Its name is commonly interpreted as “chiefs are forbidden,” reflecting the island’s traditionally egalitarian political culture. The island’s communities maintain a long history of lagoon fishing, family fish traps and locally managed marine resources.

From an angling perspective, the immense area is both the attraction and the problem. Somewhere within that network of lagoon edges, islands and passages there should be interesting bonefish and trevally water. Finding it will require boats, fuel, good local knowledge and potentially several reconnaissance trips.

Tabiteuea has the physical scale to become a major exploratory fishery, but it is a more complicated proposition than compact Aranuka or accessible Abaiang.

Onotoa

Onotoa is a smaller southern Gilbert atoll with a lagoon half the size of Tabiteuea, and with several enticing connections to the Pacific Ocean.

Its manageable scale makes it appealing. An exploratory group could examine a meaningful proportion of its lagoon, channels and reef margins without spending half the week traveling between distant sectors. Anyone keen to go?

There is little reliable recreational fishing information, so its bonefish potential remains a habitat-based assessment. Multiple channels also make it interesting for GTs, particularly where current concentrates bait along the lagoon margins.

Onotoa has a domestic airstrip and an established resident community, but accommodation and boat arrangements would need to be coordinated locally.

Aranuka

Aranuka is a compact triangular atoll with two principal islands, numerous smaller islets and a small lagoon of approximately 8 square miles (20 sq kms).

Its smaller size may be an advantage. An exploratory group could assess most major habitat types within one trip: lagoon shorelines, sandbars, the main ocean connection, reef flats and outer drop-offs.

Aranuka was historically associated with the chiefly influence centered on Abemama, along with neighboring Kuria. Today it remains a quiet inhabited island served by domestic aircraft.

There is little verified information about its bonefish or GT populations. Nevertheless, its geometry and manageable scale make it an appealing reconnaissance prospect rather than a destination we can yet describe confidently.

INTRIGUING, BUT WITH MORE QUESTIONS

Tarawa

Tarawa has one of Kiribati’s largest lagoons, so it cannot be dismissed on geography alone, but as the business and population hub of Kiribati, it has tremendous local fishing pressure.

North Tarawa still contains channels, less-developed shorelines and shallow areas worthy of reconnaissance. South Tarawa, however, supports more than half of Kiribati’s national population. Development, pollution and extensive causeway construction have altered parts of the atoll.

Conventional GT and pelagic fishing already operate from Tarawa, and the outer reef and main lagoon entrance can be productive. The specialist bonefish opportunity is less obvious. Any serious exploration should concentrate on North Tarawa and the outer lagoon rather than the densely populated southern causeway.

Tarawa is also one of the Pacific’s most consequential World War II sites. The 1943 battle lasted only 76 hours but resulted in thousands of deaths. Guns, bunkers, landing vehicles and other remains can still be seen around Betio and on the reef.

Tarawa’s principal angling advantage is infrastructure: international access, hotels, fuel, supplies and locally operated offshore charters. Its disadvantage is that it is no longer the pristine lagoon.

Abemama

Abemama looks extremely attractive on paper. Its lagoon covers approximately 60 sq miles (150 sq kms), with two recorded ocean connections and extensive shallow margins.

It is also rich in history. King Binoka, one of the best-known nineteenth-century Gilbertese rulers, controlled Abemama and neighboring islands. Robert Louis Stevenson visited him during his Pacific travels in 1889.

Unfortunately, Abemama provides an important warning about judging fisheries from afar and relying on satellite images. A Kiribati exploratory fly-fishing assessment reported heavy netting pressure, scarce bonefish and no schools observed during aerial drone reconnaissance.

That does not mean the bonefishing isn’t there, or that the passes and outer reef lack GTs. For us though, it does move Abemama below Maiana, Abaiang and Nonouti until new evidence changes our view.

Marakei

Marakei is an inhabited ring atoll enclosing a small lagoon of approximately 16 sq. kms, but without a major open passage.

A restricted lagoon can still support bonefish, although limited water exchange reduces its appeal for traveling GTs. The outer reef may be the more interesting target, particularly for bluefin and giant trevally.

Marakei has a domestic airstrip and a council guesthouse overlooking the ocean. That makes a small reconnaissance possible for a dedicated flats expedition.

Beru

Beru has a tiny lagoon of approximately seven square kilometers and no major ocean pass. Causeway development has also affected lagoon circulation, while parts of the lagoon are subject to local protection and fishing restrictions.

There may be bonefish inside and GTs along the outer reef, but the available habitat does not match the sweeping descriptions sometimes generated from maps.

Note: Beru should only be investigated following community consultation and with a clear understanding of protected areas and permitted access.

Kuria

Kuria consists of two principal islands separated by a narrow channel. Its lagoon-like water covers only about one square kilometre and has no significant ocean passage.

That makes Kuria a low-priority bonefish prospect. Its channel and outer reef may still hold trevally, but this would be a reef and shoreline exploration rather than a classic flats week.

Makin

Modern Makin is a small northern atoll with a tiny, substantially enclosed lagoon. It should not be confused with the American wartime use of “Makin Atoll” for neighbouring Butaritari.

Makin is inhabited and served by flights operating through the northern Gilbert route. Its outer reef could produce trevally, but it lacks the lagoon scale and tidal connectivity that elevate Butaritari.

For specialist flats anglers, it belongs well below its larger neighbour.

Teraina (Washington Island)

Teraina is a wild card. It is not a conventional tidal atoll fishery. Its interior is dominated by a freshwater lake, created as rainfall gradually diluted an older marine lagoon. Local accounts and historical fisheries surveys indicate that milkfish live in the lake, while reports of giant trevally create an exciting exploratory proposition.

How many GTs remain, how large they grow, whether they feed predictably and whether they can be targeted effectively with a fly remain unanswered questions. That is precisely what makes Teraina fascinating. We’re booked to head here with No Slack Loops and plenty of bug spray in 2027.

The island is inhabited and has an airstrip, and regular air access from Kiritimati (although the actual flight schedule is less reliable than published). Accommodation involves local housing and expedition-style camps.

Washington Island may never become a conventional bonefish destination. As a one-off expedition for freshwater GTs and milkfish, however, it may be unique.

REEF ISLANDS RATHER THAN FLATS DESTINATIONS

Nikunau

Nikunau is a long, narrow reef island without a true lagoon.

Its fly-fishing potential lies along reef edges, surge channels and ocean-facing platforms rather than sheltered bonefish flats. GTs and bluefin trevally are plausible targets, but fishing could be physically demanding and highly dependent on swell.

Nikunau does have an airstrip and limited accommodation. A 2025 tourism survey recorded two operating island bungalows, demonstrating that a small visiting group could be housed even though the fishery remains unknown.

Tamana

Tamana is one of Kiribati’s smallest inhabited islands and has no lagoon.

There may be reef-edge opportunities for trevally, but the absence of protected flats, limited boating infrastructure and exposure to ocean swell make it a poor candidate for a dedicated bonefish expedition.

It would be better approached as a cultural outer-island visit with exploratory reef fishing attached.

Arorae

Arorae is Kiribati’s southernmost island. Like Tamana, it is a narrow reef island without a lagoon.

Its ancient navigation stones are among its best-known cultural features, traditionally associated with teaching voyagers how to set courses for distant islands. Frigate-bird taming and distinctive dances also remain part of Arorae’s cultural identity.

A recent Tourism Authority survey found two operating guesthouses providing nine rooms, which is more infrastructure than many anglers might expect.

The outer reef may hold GTs, but Arorae has little to recommend it as a bonefish destination.

Banaba

Banaba is unlike every other island in Kiribati.

It is a raised limestone ocean island rather than a low coral atoll and has no lagoon. Its steep reef and deep surrounding water may support GTs and pelagic species, but there are no expansive flats.

Banaba’s history is difficult to separate from its landscape. Phosphate mining began in 1900 and continued until 1979, removing or damaging much of the island’s surface. Most Banabans were relocated to Rabi Island in Fiji after World War II, although a small community remains on Banaba.

Kiribati’s development plan proposes construction of a new airport on Banaba, but it has not yet been built. Access remains maritime and difficult.

Banaba is historically important and potentially interesting for reef fishing, but it sits near the bottom of the bonefish list.

THE PROTECTED PHOENIX FRONTIER

Beyond Kanton, every Phoenix island is uninhabited. They lie inside the Phoenix Islands Protected Area, a UNESCO World Heritage property with strict controls over access and extractive activity.

Current visitor guidance requires permits for visiting, vessels, aircraft, diving and fishing. Historical PIPA zoning treated the seven islands outside Kanton as non-extractive zones. The wider management system is being reconsidered through marine spatial planning, but that should not be interpreted as permission to fish. There are a few boutique expedition outfitters looking at some of the Phoenix group of islands currently.

Orona and Nikumaroro

Orona is the most geographically interesting Phoenix island after Kanton. It has a lagoon of approximately 26 square kilometres and the group’s second-largest reef system.

Nikumaroro, famous for its connection to theories surrounding Amelia Earhart’s disappearance, has a much smaller, restricted lagoon.

Both look seductive from the air. Scientific surveys, however, describe their lagoons as predominantly soft and silty, with restricted connections to the ocean. They may contain fish, but they should not be imagined as firm, white-sand bonefish flats. We are aware of one operator looking to explore these two atolls but unless you want to spend a month aboard a boat charter, fishing Kanton might be a better option.

Enderbury, Rawaki, Manra, Birnie and McKean

The remaining Phoenix islands offer even less conventional flats habitat.

Enderbury has only a very small enclosed lagoon. Manra contains an enclosed saline or brackish interior lagoon. Rawaki, Birnie and McKean are small reef islands without meaningful tidal lagoons.

Their outer reefs almost certainly support trevally and other predators, but ecological richness does not make a location an appropriate fishing destination. These islands are internationally important seabird, turtle and marine habitats, lack airstrips and can only be reached by a major vessel-based expedition.

It’s our uneducated view that they belong in the category of places to protect rather than destinations to promote.

THE UNINHABITED LINE ISLANDS

Kiribati’s three inhabited Line Islands – Kiritimati, Tabuaeran and Teraina – are covered above. The remaining five are remote, uninhabited and environmentally sensitive.

Caroline (Millennium Island)

Caroline is the most intriguing of the southern Line Islands.

It consists of dozens of islets surrounding a clear lagoon and has been described as one of the least-disturbed tropical islands in the world. Its location near the International Date Line brought it global attention during the first-sunrise celebrations of the year 2000, prompting the name Millennium Island.

The lagoon is substantially enclosed, with no dependable deep-water entrance. The island has no airstrip, harbour, permanent settlement or accommodation. Its reefs and wildlife are protected, and reaching it requires an ocean-going vessel.

Caroline may be visually spectacular, but it is not presently a realistic angling destination, due to the breadth of other more compelling options.

Malden

Malden contains a sizable interior lagoon, but it is enclosed and saline rather than a conventional tidal lagoon.

The island has ancient Polynesian archaeological remains and was used as a base during Britain’s atmospheric nuclear tests in the region during the 1950s. It later became a wildlife sanctuary.

Its outer reef might be extraordinary, but access and conservation restrictions place it outside normal recreational fishing consideration.

Starbuck

Novelly named, Starbuck is a low, dangerous reef island with shallow hyper-saline ponds and a history littered with shipwrecks.

It has no useful open lagoon, no safe harbor and no infrastructure. It is also a protected wildlife area.

Flint and Vostok

Flint and Vostok are small fringing-reef islands without lagoons.

Vostok is particularly distinctive for its dense stand of Pisonia forest, while both islands support important seabird habitat. Neither provides the protected shallow-water system generally required for a destination bonefish fishery.

There may be GTs around their reefs, as there are around countless Pacific islands, but we reckon that alone cannot justify the cost and environmental impact of reaching them.

KIRIBATI’S NEXT GREAT FISHERY?

Kiritimati remains the country’s benchmark, but it is a mature and pressured fishery. Tabuaeran (Fanning) offers the strongest established alternative, while Kanton is developing into an extraordinary expedition fishery for anglers prepared to accept serious logistical complexity.

Among the less-explored Gilbert Islands, Nonouti, Maiana, Abaiang and Butaritari form the most compelling leading group.

Nonouti has scale, channels and previous interest in bonefish tourism. Maiana has the strongest documented conservation-led bonefish story. Abaiang combines confirmed bonefish with excellent access and accommodation. Butaritari offers perhaps the most interesting combination of lagoon, ocean passages, reef and existing tourism infrastructure.

Immediately behind them, Tabiteuea, Onotoa and Aranuka have enough suitable geography to warrant proper reconnaissance. Tabiteuea offers immense potential but equally immense logistical demands. Onotoa and Aranuka are smaller and potentially easier to understand.

Tarawa and Abemama have impressive lagoons but face greater fishing pressure or documented concerns. Teraina (Washington Island) belongs in a category of its own because its freshwater GT and milkfish possibilities are more unusual than conventionally proven.

Marakei, Beru, Kuria and Makin are secondary prospects with restricted lagoons or limited tidal exchange. Nikunau, Tamana, Arorae and Banaba are better regarded as outer-reef destinations than bonefish locations.

The uninhabited Phoenix and southern Line islands may possess remarkable marine biomass, but most are protected, inaccessible and unsuitable for commercial angling. Their mystery should not be confused with availability.

WHAT WE CONSIDERED

A large lagoon does not automatically produce good flats fishing. Substrate matters. Firm sand allows anglers to wade and see fish; soft silt, algae or deep seagrass can make an otherwise beautiful lagoon almost unfishable.

Ocean exchange matters too. Multiple passages and tidal channels generally improve the chances of encountering travelling GTs, but only on-site observation will show which channels carry bait and which become too shallow, muddy or turbulent.

Bonefish are also an important food fish throughout Kiribati. An island described as “unpressured” may simply be unpressured by fly anglers while supporting substantial net, trap and subsistence fishing. Visiting anglers must work with Island Councils, communities, unimwane, fishermen and national authorities before treating any water as a recreational resource.

An airstrip does not guarantee a reliable flight. Kiribati manages a network of outer-island airfields, many with compacted coral surfaces vulnerable to weather and maintenance interruptions. Published schedules can change, aircraft payloads are limited and spare parts may be several islands away.

Accommodation also requires realistic expectations. Outer-island stays normally mean simple guesthouses (or more likely traditional buia) rather than conventional hotels. Power, refrigeration, communications and running water vary considerably. Availability should always be reconfirmed before flights are booked.

Finally, local knowledge is not an optional extra. It is the difference between looking at an attractive lagoon and understanding how it actually works.

THE LAST WORD

Kiribati does not necessarily contain another inter-generational fishery like Kiritimati. It may contain something equally interesting but entirely different.

Perhaps it will be Nonouti’s immense network of channels, Maiana’s locally protected bonefish, the passages of Butaritari or an overlooked corner of Tabiteuea. Perhaps Teraina will prove that giant trevally can thrive – and be caught on fly – in a freshwater island lake!

Some of these islands will disappoint. Others may contain fisheries of international significance. That uncertainty is the point for exploration anglers.

The next great Kiribati fly-fishing destination will not be discovered from a lodge brochure or satellite image alone. It will be found by travelling with local people, listening to their knowledge, learning the tides and putting experienced anglers on the water.

No Slack Loops has begun investigating Abaiang, Maiana, Butaritari, Nonouti, Tabiteuea, Onotoa, Aranuka, Teraina and is already taking 2027 bookings for Kanton. To our knowledge, no other specialist fly-fishing operator is undertaking such a broad, progressive coordinated investigation of Kiribati’s remote atolls and reef islands.

Anglers interested in joining one of these exploratory groups can register their interest directly with No Slack Loops.

Somewhere among Kiribati’s 33 islands, there remains an enormous amount of water left to explore.

Further reading:

So here’s our 2026 edition, also posted to the North American Fly Fishing Forum for their members to chew over.

We’ve expanded it to twelve, retired a few destinations, added a few new obsessions (three once-secret spots), and tried to balance the iconic bucket-list fisheries with places that still make even experienced destination anglers ask, “Hang on... where’s that?”.

As always, this list is completely subjective, only mildly biased, and guaranteed to annoy somebody. Apologies in advance. This list that might get us in trouble – don’t be surprised if we have to edit it very soon ...

1. Fiordland, New Zealand (of course)

Boat or heli access is best; wild brown trout in valleys so spectacular they look AI-generated. Spend a few days camping beside a backcountry river and you’ll quickly understand why so many anglers dream about New Zealand’s South Island. Take someone who can cook!

2. Manuae Island, Cook Islands – Where GTs crash the party

Easy-going bonefish 7-15lb and truly giant GTs 50-100lb+ that come in on the tide by the dozen; all on an uninhabited atoll in the middle of nowhere sporting an old airstrip from WWII. Access is limited to one outfitter, the landowners are determined to keep it pristine, and it’s where your editor is fishing this August).

3. Chubut, Argentine Patagonia – Rivers of desire

The birthplace of Argentine fly fishing. Chubut has it all: spring creeks, freestone rivers, constant dry fly eats, and enough wild brown & rainbow trout to satisfy any angler for weeks. Add good wine (excellent Pinot Noir down here), legendary meals, direct flights from Buenos Aires and stunning hospitality ... this region is hard to beat for bucket list float trips.

4. Holbox, Mexico – Tarpon sans Sagasso

Hit Holbox in June, before the summer crowds roll in, and you’ll find migratory tarpon rolling just offshore while the beach bars are still setting out the chairs. Big fish, warm evenings, cold margaritas and tacos. Your editor broke a Sage R8 12wt on a biggie here last month.

5. Slovenia – Europe’s best-kept secret

Slovenia somehow flies under the radar despite having rivers that look photoshopped to be like NZ, haha! The Soča and Idrijca are home to stunning marble trout, hard-fighting rainbows, and there’s enough dry fly water to make any trout nut smile. Chalkstream fans will love the Unica. Let’s go!

6. Kanton Island, Kiribati – Properly remote

28 residents live on this atoll currently. Thatched huts and fans – no A/C. Just casting to bonefish, trevally, GTs every day. Kanton feels like the sort of place fly fishing used to be. Still in its exploratory phase. Loads of tough logistics to work through, but finally there are regular trips underway.

7. Kerguelen Islands – Trout at the (very, very) edge of the world

Wild brown trout, 20lb+ sea-runs, and more wind than locals. The French call them the Desolation Islands, which tells you everything you need to know. If remote is your thing, this is about as far as it goes. Don’t tell anyone we mentioned this spot!

8. Penrhyn (Tongareva), Cook Islands – The sleeper

By now everyone knows Aitutaki. Hardly anyone talks about Penrhyn. Huge white flats, willing bonefish (it’s a bit sharky though), and about as much solitude as you’ll find anywhere in the Pacific. If you enjoy discovering places before everyone else does, this one’s for you.

9. Baja, Mexico – Surf stoke for salties

Roosterfish might get all the headlines, but Baja is so much more than that. Dorado, yellowtail, jacks (toros), cabrilla, and even billfish are all within reach depending on the season ... finish the day with fish tacos and a cold cerveza while watching another Baja sunset. Bliss.

10. Argentina’s Golden Dorado – The one we’re definitely not naming!

No, not the Paraná. Not Corrientes. Meh. This is somewhere in Argentina’s high country (go further north-west), golden dorado explode on surface flies in water so clear you’d swear you were trout fishing. If you know, you know. If you don’t... well, that’s half the fun.

11. Puerto Rico – The Permit problem

If you think you’re good at spotting fish, Puerto Rico is about to humble you. World-class permit, migratory tarpon, and endless opportunities to question your life choices after another refused crab fly. Keep casting, it only takes one, right?

12. Bhutan – Himalayan giants

Chasing Bhutan’s golden mahseer is fish of a lifetime stuff, living in jungle rivers beneath the Himalayas. It’s remote, wildly different, and proof that fly fishing adventures don’t have to fit the usual mold.

Honourable Mentions

We could easily have squeezed another dozen onto the list. Kamchatka (one day we’ll all get back there), British Columbia steelhead, Iceland again, the Río Menendez tributary of the Rio Grande on Tierra del Fuego, Tasmania ... and surely every one of you has another destination that deserves a spot.

That’s the list – for now anyway. Have a favorite we’ve missed? Drop us a comment below.

For further reading …

Photo: Sunrise over the Xcalak beachfront.

Mexico’s last great Permit Frontier

For traveling fly anglers, there are still a handful of places that retain the magic of the Caribbean before mass tourism arrived. Xcalak (pronounced ‘ish-ka-lack’) is one of them.

Perched on the southern tip of Mexico’s Costa Maya, just a few miles north of the Belizean border, this quiet fishing village has become something of a legend among permit anglers. Here, it’s still entirely possible to spend an afternoon stalking fish without seeing another skiff.

While destinations further north have become increasingly busy, Xcalak has remained remarkably authentic. Protected by the reef system of the Mexican Caribbean and bordered by the vast flats of Chetumal Bay, the fishery is an intricate network of turtle-grass flats, white sand edges, mangrove creeks, coastal lagoons, winding channels … and a few small crocodiles to avoid.

Photo: Another fabulous permit landed.

Permit Paradise

Permit are undoubtedly the stars of the show.

Whether they’re tailing across ankle-deep turtle grass, cruising the edges of white sand or pushing wakes across the lagoon, Xcalak offers exactly the kind of visual fishing that draws anglers from around the world. Success comes through careful observation, accurate presentations and the willingness to make every cast count.

Bonefish provide almost constant opportunity, particularly for anglers prepared to leave the skiff and wade the expansive flats. Fish are plentiful, often surprisingly large, and ideal for refining presentation and strip timing before the next permit appears.

Tarpon complete the celebrated Caribbean grand slam. Resident fish occupy the lagoons and channels throughout the year, while late May and June bring larger migratory tarpon moving along the coastline. For anglers visiting at the right time, it’s entirely possible to spend the morning stalking permit before switching to heavier tackle in search of rolling silver kings during the afternoon.

Snook, barracuda, jack crevalle and the occasional triggerfish round out a remarkably diverse fishery where virtually every day delivers something memorable.

Photo Credit: Pablo Sarracco – Double jacks on the sargasso-tinged Xcalak flats.

Local Knowledge Matters

Although very useful, the greatest asset for Xcalak isn’t the skiff — it’s the guide standing on the poling platform.

Generations of local knowledge allow the local guides to interpret tides, wind direction, water clarity and fish behavior, constantly adjusting plans throughout the day. Rather than following fixed beats, they fish where the conditions are best, moving between the flats of Chetumal Bay, the reef lagoon, coastal shorelines and protected channels as opportunities develop.

For visiting anglers, that flexibility is invaluable. It’s remarkable how wrong one can be trying to make decisions alone on where, and how, to fish this area.

Tackle for Success

Xcalak rewards anglers who arrive prepared.

An 8-weight outfit covers bonefish beautifully, while a fast-action 9-weight is the standard choice for permit. During the migratory tarpon period, an 11- or 12-weight rigged with an intermediate or sinking line provides the lifting power needed for larger fish.

Strong straight leaders, quality polarized sunglasses and confident casting into a Caribbean breeze are just as important as fly selection.

Accuracy almost always outweighs distance, particularly when a guide suddenly whispers, “Permit – eleven o’clock, forty feet.” But distance remains important, so spend some quality time on the lawn before you head down to these parts.

For flies, heck, pack ‘em all. But don’t forget these:

• Flexo Crabs

• Bauer Crabs

• Avalon Shrimp

• EP Baitfish

• Black & Purple Tarpon Toads

Photo Credit: Xcalak Paradise Lodge – Bonefish to hand in Chetumal Bay.

A New Base for the Fishery

Supporting this exceptional destination is Xcalak Paradise Fly Fishing Lodge, a thoughtfully designed lodge created specifically for the destination fly angler.

This boutique property accommodates up to eight guests in four spacious air-conditioned twin-share rooms, each with a private ensuite. Around them sits a welcoming courtyard complete with swimming pool, open bar and comfortable spaces to relax after a day on the water.

The hospitality deserves special mention. Chef-prepared Mayan-inspired cuisine showcases fresh regional ingredients, lunches are enjoyed aboard the skiffs, and evenings inevitably conclude with stories around the bar — quite often accompanied by one of mixologist, Junior’s outstanding margaritas.

It feels the sort of lodge that quietly complements the destination rather than trying to overshadow it. Inclusive, rather than exclusive.

Planning Your Trip

Whether your ambition is a first permit on fly, completing a Caribbean grand slam or simply exploring one of the region’s last lightly pressured flats fisheries, Xcalak deserves serious consideration.

Specialist fly fishing travel operator, Isolation Outfitters partners with Xcalak Paradise Fly Fishing Lodge, offering both flexible year-round travel and exclusive hosted weeks timed to coincide with the outstanding May fishery, when technical permit fishing is complemented by the annual migration of larger tarpon.

Timing-wise, it’s best to avoid the Yucatan hurricane season from mid-August to late-October. Xcalak is remote. If a tropical system is forecast, road access, power and communications can all be affected more than in larger resort areas. Even if a hurricane doesn’t make landfall nearby, large swells, strong winds and heavy rain can make the flats unfishable or delay transfers.

Many anglers like to enjoy the warmth of Mexico during the Northern Hemisphere winter from December to March, but if you want to add a large migratory tarpon to your list of angling achievements, consider flying south in May – the permit fishing is also outstanding then.

For anglers looking beyond the obvious destinations, Xcalak may just be Mexico’s best-kept fly-fishing secret — and one that won’t remain secret for much longer.

Contributing author, Michael Gregg, also founder of Isolation Outfitters, was a guest at Xcalak Paradise Fly Fishing Lodge during May 2026.

He gets the last word —

“Traveling to remote destinations can feel daunting. Isolation Outfitters can remove that uncertainty by managing every stage of the journey — from the moment you start planning until you're back home. We've fished the destination ourselves, know the guides and lodge owners personally and can help with everything from airline schedules to fly selection.”

Xcalak Permit Paradise, Holbox for Migratory Tarpon and Tail Inn for some good times at Espiritu Santo Bay. It’s all in Issue 46 of The Weekly Five.

1. We’ve been down in southern Mexico, fishing for permit out of the brand-new Xcalak Paradise Lodge. Here’s some rough drone footage courtesy of Pablo Sarraco.

   More to come on Xcalak Paradise Lodge in a separate article …

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2. Feedback is noticeably quiet on the G Loomis release of their long-awaited freshwater Asquith Series 2. Might be the US$1,570 price tag? They’ve added a curved fixed-hood reel seat that will also create debate. Summer stock is severely limited across the freshwater 4-7 weight models, but check your local flyshop for a demo model.

   

   Image Credit: G Loomis

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3. Despite being in Holbox at the peak of the Migratory Tarpon season, we only had time for two days on the water. That was enough to catch a couple of beauties, one coming in at over 120lb and snapping a shiny new Sage R8 Salt 12-weight partway through the 1:45hr battle. Here’s fellow angler, Mike T from Boise, with a small MT from Day Two … one of over a hundred spotted that day.

   

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4. It was gutting to say a final farewell to master fly tier and Aussie confidante, Chris Beech, in late May. His dry humor and wise words frequented a few of the better fly fishing forums. His creations made it into the boxes of great anglers. In his memory, we left one of his Chicken Foot flies on the swap board at Xcalak Paradise Lodge for a future visitor to enjoy. Cya, Beechie.

   

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5. Midway between Xcalak and Holbox on the Costa Maya, Tail Inn Lodge in Espiritu Santo Bay didn't disappoint. Catch a permit, wear the costume.

   

   We wrote on the Tail Inn Lodge back in July 2024 when it opened. Two years on, it remains a fun place with excellent staff, an open bar and a homely vibe.

   

Missed our last issue?

Reread …

Happy New Year! The Weekly Five, Issue 45 features Venezuela, Northern Patagonia, and New Zealand, plus we tip our hat to Kurt Danielsson, inventor of the large arbor fly reel.

1. As access to Los Roques improves and conditions continue to stabilize, it’s worth placing this stunning, ‘zero-pressure’ Venezuelan destination back on your fly fishing travel wish list. We’re happy to advise on three trusted operators, along with flight and accommodation logistics.

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2. After releasing their latest GT series, Scott Fly Rod’s Jim Bartschi has hired Shawn Combs (ex-Orvis head of product design) as vice-president at Scott Fly Rods. Despite the chatter that this indicates Jim will transition into retirement, it’s not going to happen in our view. More likely, Scott will modernize their production facilities utilizing Shawn’s expertise.

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3. Unfortunately, little has been said about the passing in late December of Kurt Danielsson, a great innovator and master craftsman. Best known as the founder of Danielsson Fly Reels – a company now carried on by his son, Tomas, Kurt was also the inventor of the large-arbor fly reel.

   

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4. With nearly every Northern Patagonia rental car booked from Neuquen (pronounced neh-oo-KEN) down to Esquel (es-KEL), January is the busiest time for Argentine waterways. We recommend leaving the warming rivers of the Neuquen Province behind and heading south to Chubut where glacial-fed streams offer cooler conditions and less pressure.

   

   Image Credit: Success on the Río Pico with Patagonia Trout Outfitters

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5. New Zealand experienced a wet late December, but the sun is now shining. Many river systems will be filling with camping families, but anglers who went remote early this season and chased clearing water will be well rewarded. The early angler catches the brown.

   

Missed our last issue?

Plan your mid-year Mexican Grand Slam!

Welcome to The Weekly Five, Issue 44, where we celebrate Puerto Rico’s tarpon & permit fishery, the arrival of Cox Outdoors, more 2026 trips to isolated Fanning Island, mid-priced rods from St Croix, and Patagonia solo by pack raft.

1. Following their US$10 million donation to American Rivers noted in The Weekly Five - 42, Cox Enterprises is continuing its push into the outdoor sector with the launch of Cox Outdoors. The new division brings together Kuiu Ultralight, their latest acquisition, and Loop Tackle, purchased in 2024. With the pieces now under one roof, expect Kuiu to roll out a dedicated fly-fishing apparel line in 2026.

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2. Puerto Rico is quickly emerging as the next major hotspot in saltwater fly fishing. Anglers are finding tarpon pushing 60–80 pounds before they migrate to spawn, all alongside a genuinely world-class permit fishery. Consistently light winds, pleasant weather, and frequent nonstop flights into San Juan (SJU) from major U.S. hubs mean exploring this destination is an easy decision.

   

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3. St. Croix continues its return to fly-rod prominence with the launch of the Legend Elite Freshwater and Legend Elite Saltwater series. Priced at US$595 and US$650 respectively, these new-for-2026 rods strengthen the mid-price category — adding even more pressure to an already embattled US$1,000-plus premium segment. Have any readers tried these yet?

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4. For those looking for a remote saltwater fly fishing adventure, Isolation Outfitters has announced a second 2026 hosted trip to Fanning Island after strong demand for their two-week April 2026 expedition.

   

   Endless Equatorial Flats — photographed by Winston Weyborn

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5. 64-year-old Perry from the UK demonstrates that Argentine Patagonia can be fished DIY — and even with a pack raft. Stay tuned to Exploration Angling for more on each of these pristine river systems in the coming months.

Missed us?

Heading to the Yucatan?

1. Attention anglers in New Zealand, Chile, and Argentina: Protect rivers this season by preventing the spread of didymo. Check out our guide and simple biosecurity checklist to keep your gear, and these waterways, clean.

   

   Image Credit: Landcare NZ — Didymo in New Zealand’s Hawea River

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2. If you are traveling south to where we all wet-wade, consider picking up a pair of NRS Hydroskins (in either 0.5mm or 1.5mm Terraprene™ neoprene) to counter the cold river flows. Down to US$112 a pair right now, you have no excuse not to fish in comfort, fellow anglers.

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3. Denver, Colorado-based Fishpond has heeded the call for lighter fly boxes within their Tacky range by adding ‘Dynamic Foam’ into the clear lid options within their Pescador range. New arrivals include a small Pescador sporting a clear lid, a medium clear lid Pescador, plus this medium Dynamic Foam Tacky Pescador weighing in at a modest 0.28 lbs (127 gms).

   

   Image Credit: Fishpond, Colorado USA

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4. For those planning to chase Aitutaki’s bonefish next year, Alaska Airlines/Hawaiian Airlines has adjusted their weekly Honolulu-Rarotonga route from Saturdays in/Sundays out to Fridays in/Saturdays out. The new Honolulu-Rarotonga weekly schedule from April 24, 2026 is:

   HNL—RAR: Fridays — departs 4:35pm, arrives 10:55pm
   RAR—HNL: Saturdays — departs 12:35pm, arrives 6:30pm

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5. Dave and Amelia Jensen have been heading down to New Zealand for many years. Here’s some great educational content from these experts on presenting flies to big Browns in small West Coast spring creeks.

Missed us last week?

Cautionary Advice for Southern Anglers

Didymo (Didymosphenia geminata) is one of the most persistent ecological threats to the rivers and lakes of southern Chile and Argentina since its discovery here in 2009/10.

The alga forms dense, fibrous mats that smother riverbeds, disrupt insect life, and alter the character of streams that many anglers consider some of the finest on earth. Once established, it is almost impossible to remove — which makes prevention the only meaningful defense.

For traveling anglers, the responsibility is simple: treat every river crossing as a biosecurity checkpoint.

Why didymo spreads so easily

Didymo cells cling to anything that stays damp — waders, felt soles, boots, nets, leaders, anchor ropes, boat bilges, even gravel stuck in tyre treads. A single drop of contaminated water can start a new outbreak. The southern Andes are vast, but the pathways between river systems are short. One wet pair of boots can connect entire watersheds.

Angler protocol: what you must do

Chile’s Sernapesca and Subpesca, along with Argentina’s Ministerio de Ambiente and regional authorities — as well as in New Zealand where didymo has been present since 2004 — all recommend the same core practices. Build these into your routine.

1. Check

Before leaving any river, inspect boots, waders, reel, net, socks, packs, boat and trailer. Remove any algae, mud, and plant material and dispose of it in the rubbish — never down drains or back into waterways.

2. Clean

Use one effective method every time you change catchments:

• Hot water — Drench or soak gear in water 60°C or hotter for at least one minute.

• Bleach solution — Use a 2% sodium hypochlorite solution; ~200 mL household bleach per 10 L water. (Household bleach broadly translates to ‘lavandina’ in Argentina, or ‘cloro’ in Chile.)

  • Non-porous items: 1 minute

  • Porous items (waders, lifejackets, cork rod handles): 30 minutes

• Detergent — When hot water or bleach is unavailable, some agencies accept a 1–5% detergent solution for at least a minute.

3. Dry

If you cannot clean immediately, then drying is mandatory. Gear must be completely dry — no cool, damp spots — for at least 48 hours before entering another waterway.

Patagonia’s weather often demands 72 hours or more, leaving bleach as the most practical method when traveling between river systems.

4. Boats & Trailers

Drain any bilge water, empty buckets or containers holding river water, open hatches, and let everything dry fully. Check trailer frames and tyre treads for trapped vegetation or debris.

5. Dedicated Gear

If you fish a river known to have didymo, consider dedicating boots, waders, and net to that system alone if possible. Some guides now operate with ‘river-specific’ kits for this reason, so ask your lodge or outfitter ahead of your visit.

Felt soles on wading boots have been broadly banned in Argentine Patagonia and whilst not yet universally banned in Chile, they are strongly discouraged. Some outfitters are still foolishly advising that bringing clean felt soles into Chile is acceptable, despite high risk of cross-contamination of streams whilst moving between waterways. There’s a clear reason why both New Zealand and Argentina have banned felt soles, so play the long game and leave them behind.

6. Report Suspicious Mats

If you are a return visitor to a stream and encounter unfamiliar algal growth:

• Chile: Report through Sernapesca channels.

• Argentina: Report to provincial environmental or fisheries authorities.

Contact details are listed at the end of this article. Early reporting helps protect neighboring watersheds.

A small routine that protects a huge place

Patagonia’s rivers are rugged in character, yet complex, delicate fisheries. A minute to check, apply hot water, a bleach soak, and a drying cycle is insignificant compared to the damage didymo can inflict. New Zealander’s know the damage this alga can inflict on southern waterways. International visitors to Chile and Argentina must take the same care as is demanded in New Zealand’s South Island.

These fisheries rely on the choices anglers make at the tailgate, the put-in, and the take-out. Treat your gear with the same care you give the fish, and you help keep Chilean and Argentine waters healthy for decades to come.

Authorities to report didymo sightings

Argentine Agencies

Ministerio de Ambiente y Desarrollo Sostenible (MAyDS) – National Environment Ministry
Email: inspecciones@ambiente.gob.ar
Website: argentina.gob.ar/ambiente

Autoridad Interjurisdiccional de Cuencas (AIC) – Watershed Authority
Phone: +54 299 443 1943 (Neuquén office)
Website: aic.gob.ar

Chilean Agencies

Servicio Nacional de Pesca y Acuicultura (SERNAPESCA) – National Fisheries and Aquaculture Service
Phone (National): +56 32 281 9176
Email: oficinadepartes@sernapesca.cl
Website: sernapesca.cl

Superintendencia del Medio Ambiente (SMA) – Environmental Superintendency
Phone: +56 22 617 1860
Email: oficinadepartes@sma.gob.cl
Website: portal.sma.gob.cl

1. The Southern Hemisphere angling season is now well underway, with spring rain keeping river levels topped up in New Zealand. The South Island received 150% more rainfall than normal in October. However in Northern Patagonia, despite there is no evidence that rainfall was above average, things bode well for an excellent summer from San Martin de los Andes down to Esquel and further south.

   

   Image: Rio Collón Curá in Neuquén Province, Argentina

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2. Back in Episode 34 of The Weekly Five (Sept 24, 2025), we announced that the Scott Fly Rod Company will be releasing a ‘GT’ range — the latest iteration of their popular ‘G’ series moderate action fly rods. Well, this weekend they finally confirmed it too. Early reports describe a faster-action rod, which is somewhat surprising, as it moves the range into an already crowded segment.

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3. American Rivers has just received its largest grant in history — US$10M from the James M. Cox Foundation, the philanthropic organization of Cox Enterprises, which acquired Loop Tackle in late 2024.

   

   Image Credit: American Rivers

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4. Down in New Zealand, we’re dusting off the dry flies as the days lengthen and temperatures climb. Does anyone know the history and evolution of the Twilight Beauty, from English wet, to the indispensable New Zealand dry fly pattern?

   

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5. Looking for a Christmas present for the wannabe fly angler in your life?
   Phil Monahan’s new book, The Orvis Quick-Start Guide to Fly-Fishing: Everything You Need to Know to Catch Fish Your First Time Out, goes on sale early December. Phil reckons that if you buy this book on a Wednesday, you could be out catching fish on Saturday morning!

   

Missed an Issue?

Fancy a trip to New Zealand next year?

EXPLORATION ANGLING — TWF:41
Another week, another Weekly Five — issue 41, if you’re counting. Fall’s in full swing up north, and the ’Gram is awash with game recipes. I’ve tossed mine in at the end of this post.

1. Pause for day dreaming. Unless you’ve got a yacht with range, a freighter captain on speed dial, or your own floatplane with large fuel tank, the bonefish patrolling the far-flung Polynesian atoll shown above are sleeping easy. There are dozens of these idyllic destinations scattered across the South Pacific Ocean.

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2. Celebrating New Zealand’s spring creeks. Back in 2013, MidCurrent published an article outing the majestic La Fontaine Stream on the South Island’s West Coast. This stream presents the ultimate challenge for visiting anglers who might only have a day or two to uncover its secrets.

   

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3. The push to slap permits on the float fishers of Colorado’s Lower Blue has backfired. ‘Friends of the Lower Blue River’ rolled out a so-called ‘management plan’ with a sponsor list padded by companies (including Fishpond, Down River Equipment and Mountain Angler in nearby Breckenridge) that had only ever donated a bit of gear in the past. After the angler backlash, those logos are vanishing faster than snowmelt in May.

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4. Tropical anglers have never had it better than in 2025, and we’ve been getting plenty of questions about GT lines lately. Scientific Anglers has their relatively new Amplitude Smooth Titan GT, as well as the excellent Sonar Titan GT with an intermediate (1.25 ips) head. Both go head to head with top-selling Rio Elite GT and Rio’s Premier Tropical OBS intermediate lines. And yes, before anyone asks about the Cortland 50+ series Giant Trevally fly line — they’re completely sold out on the company’s website.

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5. Charlie Craven of Charlies Fly Box picks his top flies for November 2025, including Lance Egan’s unfortunately named Rainbow Warrior— coincidentally the same as the Greenpeace vessel sunk by French secret agents in Auckland Harbour back in 1985. How on earth did they ever get away with that act of sabotage?!

Missed an Issue?

Two from the Archive

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EXPLORATION ANGLING TWF:40
Welcome to The Weekly Five, Issue 40. We’re gearing up for half an inch of snow on the ground this week. If I were writing from Bozeman, that wouldn’t be a surprise — but I’m sitting in Wanaka, New Zealand, listening to heavy rain hit the roof. Again. Good to get it all out of the way in October, I guess.

We’ve had three fierce storms roll over our little South Pacific paradise in the past seven days, with angry winds downing trees and knocking out power in remote areas. But hot weather is on the way — or so they say. The local trout won’t stay safe for much longer.

1. If you’re heading down to New Zealand, you could do a lot worse than to study the angling craft of jet-setting duo, Tuva Bjerketvedt and Vebjørn Kielland, in their South Island series shot during the summer of 2024. This is the last of their NZ videos and features some heavily pressured water.

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2. At Southflyfisher, we’re tackling some reel reviews this week. The chat has already started about preferred drag systems in saltwater fly reels: sealed disc drag or the old reliable cork drag. If you’re new to this, disc drags use friction from materials like carbon fiber to create smooth, precise resistance (unless saltwater sneaks in). Cork drags, on the other hand, use a bar that presses a cork plate against the spool, providing a robust and often very durable drag — and they’re easy to rinse. We’ve also kicked off a compulsory poll — give us your vote!

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3. Hungarian custom rod maker Stickman Rods isn’t widely known beyond the serious gearheads. These ultra-premium fly rods feature finely tuned blanks rolled by Maxia in Spain, then finished by expert hands back in Hungary. The highly respected Ti6 (below) is a perfect match for New Zealand’s big backcountry browns. Order in advance — there’s a 2 to 3 month lead time.

   

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4. A destination chat with some mates turned to the subject of chasing Jacks off the Texas coast. The underrated Crevalle jacks (Caranx hippos) to be precise, a worthy GT substitute. Here’s a Texas teaser from RA Beattie (one of our favorite fly fishing film directors) and the crew at Off the Grid Studios.

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5. Speaking of geets, five of us are off to explore a ridiculously remote atoll next year. A quick whip around the group this week revealed some serious early excitement. More so after talking to a village local this weekend who confirmed the big GTs hang right outside the lagoon entrance. We have space for one more to join us.

Save our URL: https://www.explorationangling.com

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Featured Articles

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By now, you’ve hopefully read New Zealand: Which Part?, selected your prime fishing region (or two), and decided what you really want out of your first visit to Brown Trout Heaven. Maybe you’ve even gone as far as sketching out a rough itinerary.

Part 2: The Gear Part goes deep into the practical stuff — what to pack, what to leave behind, all the finer details on fly lines and where to get your fishing license. In this installment, we also provide a full packing list for you to use to prepare for your journey down to New Zealand. Let’s go!

Read more

For decades, the world has fished the Argentine side of the Rio Grande. Now, a new Chilean estancia offers access to the same legendary sea trout — but with lighter rods, quieter water, and a rugged wilderness few have ever seen.

For more than half a century, the Rio Grande in Tierra del Fuego has defined what it means to fish for sea-run brown trout. Its name alone evokes long evening shadows, two-handed casts guided by a steady wind, and the pulse of chrome fish returning from the South Atlantic.

But for all the fame and folklore, few have ever seen where it all begins — across the border, in Chile.

Just west of that invisible line lies Estancia Las Segadas, a 200,000-acre frontier of windswept pampas, lakes, and tributaries that feed the headwaters of the Rio Grande. Until now, its waters have remained almost entirely closed to visiting anglers. That changes this February, when Las Segadas Lodge unlocks the farm gates and opens its doors for its first season — marking the start of a new era on one of the most storied rivers in fly fishing.

Why This River Matters

Every summer, tens of thousands of sea-run browns push upstream from the Atlantic, spreading through the main stem of the Rio Grande and its tributaries to spawn. They are descendants of a handful of trout stocked in Tierra del Fuego nearly a century ago — fish that adapted, migrated, and evolved into the remarkable anadromous strain known today for their power and size.

When they reach Las Segadas, these fish have only travelled half the length of the river. The water here is narrower, clearer, and more intimate — a far cry from the wide, wind-scoured channel of the mouth and lower sections downstream. Anglers can fish it differently: with 8-weight single-hand rods or Trout Spey setups in 4- and 5-weight, casting Scandi heads with lighter tips and smaller flies into clear water.

It’s a subtler, more technical expression of Rio Grande fishing — where presentation and patience count more than brute distance.

It’s also refreshingly quiet. There are no other lodges within sight, no convoys of guide trucks moving between beats. Just you, your guide, and a river that has never known daily angling pressure.

A Chilean Reawakening

Las Segadas Lodge sits deep within the historic estancia, encircled in a clean white picket fence, on a thicket of green grass shared with the other support buildings. The lodge itself — a restored ranch homestead — feels timeless: thick-walled, warm, built for Patagonia weather. After its 2025 refurbishment, it now hosts just six anglers per week, each with private or twin rooms, ensuite bathrooms, and communal fire-lit dining and lounge rooms that serve as the nightly gathering point for stories, local wines, and Chilean asado.

Beyond the main river, the property hides a network of smaller waters: spring creeks that snake through the vast grasslands, clear tributaries like the Rio Blanco and Rio Chico, draining several lakes into the growing Rio Grande. These streams house resident brown and rainbow populations. Future early-season guests will find runs of King Salmon moving up the Rio Grande and turning into Rio Blanco — an increasingly strong run that hints at what’s possible within this unique fishery.

The Experience

A typical day at Las Segadas starts on sunrise, with the wind still asleep. After coffee and a cooked breakfast, you’ll wade through low, glacial light, watching the river come alive. The first cast across the current swings quietly, the line draws tight, and suddenly you’re attached to something heavy and alive — a sea-run brown in the upper Rio Grande.

Guides will rotate guests through a mix of main-stem pools and smaller tributaries, with flexibility to fish long days, or take a midday break at the lodge to maximize the evening twilight session. Expect to wade on stable gravel beds, with sight-fishing chances when the water drops clear.

In the evenings, you can fish until the last light fades — which in February might mean casting past 10pm — before returning to the lodge for a glass of Carménère and grilled lamb by the fire.

Techniques & Tackle

Fishing on the estancia rewards finesse over force.

• Single-hand rods: 8-weights with floating or sink tip fly lines, smaller flies and delicate mends.

• Trout Spey: 4–5 (DH) weight setups with Scandi or Skagit-lite heads and intermediate tips for effortless swings.

• Flies: Green Machines, smaller leeches, EMBs, Girdle Bugs — tied light and sparse, always on single barbless hooks.

Everything on the Chilean side is single barbless hook, catch-and-release only, ensuring this fishery remains as wild as it is today.

Beyond the Fishing

This far south, nature feels new and raw, even imposing. Guanacos graze on the horizon, condors spiral overhead, and the wind carries the raw scent of the steppe. You’re almost as likely to spot a grey fox on the riverbank as you are to see a fish porpoise within the pools.

After days spent on the water, the evenings at Las Segadas Lodge slow down. Dinners are social and unpretentious — local lamb, garden vegetables, and wines from Chile’s central valleys. There’s a constant supply of hot water, electricity from on-site generation, and Starlink internet for the essentials — though most guests are happy to leave the world behind for the week.

February and March 2026 — Limited Season

Las Segadas Lodge will host anglers for only eight weeks next year, from early February through March, closing before the April spawning season begins. Two hosted launch weeks mark the opening:

• February 1–8, 2026 — Opening Week (two rods available as at publication)

• February 8–15, 2026 — The Sea-Run Sessions

Each week is limited to six anglers. Packages include seven nights accommodation, six days of guided fishing, all meals and beverages and, for 2026, will include charter flights to Aeródromo Pampa Guanaco, just 35 minutes from the estancia, used to shuttle guests between the lodge and Punta Arenas.

Why Choose Las Segadas

Because this is what exploration angling in Patagonia can be like — not finding a new river (although that is possible on this estate), but discovering the wild parts of a legendary one.

Because casting a line in the upper Rio Grande, into beats that have never seen a fly, is a rare privilege in the modern fly-fishing world.

And because when you stand alone on that river, with the mountains behind you and the wind at your back, you’ll remember what drew you to this pursuit in the first place.

Booking & Availability

Las Segadas Lodge — Chilean Rio Grande
Season: February–March 2026
Capacity: 6 anglers per week
Hosted Weeks: Feb 1–8 (two rods only) & Feb 8–15, 2026
Contact: Isolation Outfitters for details, gear lists, and travel assistance.

EXPLORATION ANGLING TWF:39
The Sea Run Issue announces a new double handed rod range from Winston, last angler availability for 2026 at two Rio Grande lodges, a Tierra del Fuego jacket to rule them all, and at the other end of the world, an Iceland lake.

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1. Guillermo at Wuijoor Lodge, together with Isolation Outfitters, is calling for the last two rods for their upcoming 2026 Sea Run Brown Trout season on the Rio Grande and Rio Menendez in southern Patagonia. Wuijoor’s water allows for single hand and light Trout Spey fishing. At only US$3,900 for a full week, this lodge is the most affordable guided option on Tierra del Fuego and bookings have now been filled (almost!). With only two rods left for Feb 22 - Mar 01, call toll free US/Canada 888-404-1390 today to hold your spot.

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2. Upstream, the new Las Segadas Lodge will open its doors this season. Due to an unfortunate late cancellation, two rods for Feb 1-8, 2026 have freed up. This historic estancia comprises over 100 miles of virgin Rio Grande plus tributaries, the Rio Blanco and Rio Chico, among other streams. Much has never been fished, beyond the mapping and exploration of the lodge guides. You’ll need to book this week to have a chance to fish the LSL water first.

   

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3. This weekend the R.L. Winston Rod Company announced their new Air 2 TH (Two Handed) range, comprising nine rods covering line weights from 330 up to 700 grains (5-9wt DH). Utilizing new nanoparticle technology is progressively aligning Winston’s entire Air 2 range with the world’s advanced rod makers, and making these rods lighter and stronger (by 24%) while maintaining Winston’s deep loading feel. Rods retail for US$1,495.

   

   Image credit: Winston, Double-bonded nanoparticle graphite technology.

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4. If you’re searching for the one jacket to rule them all on Tierra del Fuego expeditions, go no further than the RS Outpost from Skwala Fishing.

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5. If you prefer to head north, Iceland has giant native browns that “are the descendants of the anadromous brown trout that once migrated between Lake Thingvallavatn and the open ocean,” as covered in this 2025 article by Fly Fisherman magazine. Thingvallavatn is Iceland’s largest natural lake. To get there, just fly to Keflavík International Airport (KEF), a 6 hour flight from New York City via Icelandair.

   

   Image courtesy of Visit South Iceland: Lake Thingvallavatn, Iceland.

Missed last week’s TWF?

Last chance for a 20lb Sea-Run in 2026

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Even the New Zealand Government is getting in early with increased funding for predator control. As much as they will lift their predator control program to alleviate the impact of the mouse population explosion, this will only focus on pockets of government land where indigenous fauna will not withstand the increased predation.

“The predicted beech mast will drop trillions of seeds, fueling a surge in rodents then stoats – with potentially devastating impacts on native birds, bats, snails and other species.”

DoC have released the following prediction map, showing moderate to heavy seeding throughout Fiordland and South Westland in New Zealand’s South Island and moderate seeding in and around the Kahurangi National Park further north on the West Coast.

Image Credit DoC: 2026 Beech Seeding Prediction Map

For anglers planning a trip to New Zealand, get in early and be prepared to fish away from the lowland streams that meander through dairy or mixed use farms. 2026 means going bush. Use local knowledge to book a multiday helicopter trip into a remote wilderness river system to make the most of your stay.

Alternatively you can plan an overnight drive/walk-in, camping at one of the many backcountry huts that are located throughout New Zealand’s national and regional parks. Talk to Isolation Outfitters for the good oil. They operate trips into the regional areas noted above.

To get you fired up, here’s a good story with some great images from back in the 2011 Beech Mast. It’s written by Ruhan Neethling and is titled: “The Year of the Mouse – Brown Trout Heaven.”

And don’t miss this crazy YouTube video posted by BBC Earth on the mouse eating brown trout of New Zealand. There’s some good fly fishing footage.

Whilst many large fish will be targeted on mice patterns during the 2026 trout fishing season in New Zealand, the standard weighted nymphs and high floating terrestrials that you would normally fish with during your New Zealand travel, will continue to be highly effective. The brown trout do not exclusively target mice.

That said, why not pack a few to inch through a deep dark pool in the evening as the sun sets over your campsite. This is truly exploration angling in New Zealand at its most exciting!

Pack a mouse pattern or two. Here’s one from Blue Wing Olive, a New England online supplier.

EXPLORATION ANGLING TWF:38 leads with a lawsuit over water rights on Montana’s stressed rivers including the Blackfoot, Big Hole and Bitterroot. There’s more photos from New Zealand, two new rod releases, and some packing lists for international fishing travel.

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1. Graham Coppes, a Missoula-based attorney, has filed a lawsuit against Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP), according to Montana Free Press, seeking clarification on whether the state is fulfilling its constitutional obligation to prevent the “unreasonable depletion and degradation of natural resources” in its administration of water. The Montana Constitution declares that water is “the property of the state for the use of the people”. We will continue to monitor and report on developments in this legal challenge.

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2. What’s up with all the new fly rod releases?

   Sage Power R8 (model no. 2067) is soon to be announced in 8 models (US$1,100), replacing Sage Igniter for heavy sink tips and large fly work. In the mid-priced category, a new Sage Arrow will replace five year old Sage Sonic (US$725) – a well-regarded fast-action fly rod.

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3. Back at Southflyfisher HQ, we picked up a couple of the newly released Scientific Anglers Amplitude Trout GP (one quarter heavy) and Amplitude Trout Expert (true to weight) fly lines, both Textured WF-5-F, to test this season. We’ll report back on our findings.

   

   BTW, does everyone use the line labels that lift off the sticker packaging at the base of the new S.A. fly line boxes? Super handy.

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4. As snowmelt subsides and spring rains ease, the headwaters of New Zealand’s South Island rivers become particularly desirable to expedition fly anglers from November onward. With the third-highest number of Hughes 500 (MD 500) helicopters in the world — after the USA and the Philippines — access to the country’s most remote fly-fishing waters is both swift and comfortable.

   

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5. Over on No Slack Loops, Michael — editor at Southflyfisher and Exploration Angling — is launching an expedition to an inaccessible, far-flung South Pacific atoll. Exactly the kind of place that holds big bonefish and monster trevally cruising endless white-sand flats. There are still two spots left in the six-person crew for this epic September 2026 adventure.

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Packing Lists for Paid Subscribers

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There’s more to organizing a fly-fishing trip than just the core logistics of where and when. While New Zealand – also known to locals as Aotearoa – is an easy English-speaking country to visit, it still demands careful planning by the fly angler. This is Part 1 of a short series by Michael Gregg on planning a bucket-list journey to the angler’s nirvana of New Zealand.

Plan one region and fish it well

Riffing on the elephant joke: How do you fish New Zealand? One river at a time.

More helpfully, New Zealand should not be viewed as a single angling destination, unless you intend to shift here and fish for many decades. There’s simply too much water. Too many options, too much to learn, uncover, explore and return to.

New Zealand is divided into twelve Fish & Game regions: six in the North Island and six in the South. Focusing on just one South Island region –Nelson/Marlborough, West Coast, North Canterbury, Central South Island, Otago, or Southland – can easily fill an entire season of fishing.

To illustrate this, the image at the top of this post shows a small, hidden high-country lake that holds a couple of dozen large brown trout. Those who know it, and there are very few, will remember stalking its bush-clad edges, waiting for a cruising fish to appear beneath the still, reflective surface. This lake alone can occupy a full day on the water.

Yet just behind the photographer, a clear freestone stream flows from the lake into a beautiful headwaters tributary that supports a small population of brown trout, often of epic proportions. That tributary then joins the main river – a substantial system offering a week’s worth of fishable water within easy walking distance.

Read more

EXPLORATION ANGLING TWF:37 headlines with a massive fight in the Florida mangroves between man and tarpon. We profile a book to order, a bag to carry, and commiserate with a Bolivia lodge. The picture above is simply to remind you why New Zealand tops angler destination wishlists.

1. Will Phelps makes it back into The Weekly Five with a cray cray Tarpon encounter that had me on the edge of my seat and on croc lookout while it all unfolded. Compelling viewing!

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2. Chris and Randi Freeman in Fort Collins, Colorado, craft the exquisite Cameron Side Bag for the sartorially inclined expedition angler. Their company is called Emerger Fly Fishing. For those who journey.

   

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3. A Fishable Feast: Fly Fishing and Eating Your Way Around the World, authored by Kirk Deeter and Matthew Supinski, with photography by Tim Romano, is set for release in March 2026. Pre-order your copy now to enjoy 20 unforgettable fly-fishing adventures, each paired with recipes reflecting the flavors of the destinations.

   

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4. Your earnest editor went for a wander with a South African farmer last season – and along the way, we managed to find this backcountry brown.

   

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5. Trouble has been brewing in Bolivian paradise. Steve from Amazon Anglers reports that they are cancelling operations at Arapaima Paradise Lodge due to ongoing issues with Eco-Jet, the local airline. “Consistent flight cancellations, schedule changes, and date alterations have created an untenable situation that we can no longer accept,” Steve explains. Announcements about their future base for pursuing Arapaima, Peacock Bass, and Payara are coming soon.

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Get the Scoop on Sea-Trout

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If you’ve been a subscriber to Exploration Angling for over a year, you were an early adopter. Thanks! Readership has grown quickly with our fly fishing articles now consumed over 3000 times every month. A special thank you to the generous paying subscribers for keeping the faith, and our lights on.

1. News that Orvis is shutting 36 store locations and exiting general apparel to refocus on fishing and bird-hunting goods is not all bad. They’ll lean on their independent retail network, restructuring costs will be amortized, DTC sales will grow. They’ll be leaner and laser-focused on creating top of the range fly fishing gear, including their Scientific Anglers brand of fly lines. That’s a big win for us, the angling community.

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2. To do our bit to support Orvis, we’re giving this rod a plug. The Orvis Superfine Seven/Eleven 4wt Graphite is our pick of their current fly rod selection. Quicker than the traditional glass Superfine, well-reviewed as a small stream rod at 7’ 11”, and under US$600 makes it very fairly priced for a quality US-made fly rod.

   

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3. New Zealand’s season has opened to less than ideal weather with snow in the southern high country, heavy rain and some big fish caught – typical in our antipodean spring. The settled weather will soon be upon us.

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4. We welcome Rodrigo Moreira Salles onto Substack and, in the spirit of our tight-knit fly fishing community, recommend you sub to his Jungle Angling tales in Bolivia and Brazil. Rod’s stories promise to surprise and delight.

   

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5. For the fly fisher who demands art with their angling, Hatch Outdoors have launched an Artist Collaboration Series. Our favorite is Matt Renner’s work on the Hatch Iconic 5+ fly reel. You know you want one!

   

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Two Epic Reviews

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Born in Wanaka. Built for Salt.

Swift Fly Fishing, born out of the rugged beauty of Wānaka, New Zealand, has never been a company content with following the crowd. Instead they’ve carved a now well-trodden path through the fly fishing world by producing the Epic brand of rods and reels that feel alive in the hand, and that carry a mix of precision, style, and personality that has earned them fans around the globe.

Starting with their FastGlass range that reintroduced fiberglass to a new generation of anglers, Epic quickly demonstrated that they could merge performance with soul. Over the years they expanded into custom Studio-built rods, the Reference C series of graphite rods, premium Backcountry and hubless Trutta fly reels, the Graphene (G) series, and now a new Titanium Series that dares to combine strength, speed, and a refined aesthetic for the saltwater traveler who refuses to compromise.

From the company that introduced the angling world to FastGlass favorites – the versatile and now-famous Epic 888, the ten weight Bandit beloved for powerful casts with heavy lines and big flies, and the twelve weight Boca Grande that redefined expectations for big game fiberglass – Epic has consistently delivered saltwater rods that blend performance, durability, and personality. Each of these three is instantly recognizable to experienced anglers everywhere as designs that work as hard as they feel good to fish.

Epic Titanium Series 890Ti Fly Rod

The Titanium Series offers five calibers of four-piece rods across six, seven, eight, nine, and ten weights, each carrying the DNA of Epic’s design philosophy: titanium stripping guides that shrug off corrosion while the Torzite inserts whisper smoothly to the line, stainless steel PVD-coated snake guides, durable anodized aluminum TRI reel seats that feel as good as they look, and fast action satin-finish titanium-reinforced blanks that perform crisply without ever punishing the angler for being human. These are rods that do not flinch in sun, surf, or wind, yet manage to cast with a delicacy that feels almost unfair given their backbone. This is where the new Titanium Series will earn its name and reputation.

The Epic 890Ti fly rod asserts itself as the workhorse of the flats – the eight weight you reach for when you want something that carries both authority and personality to pack for your next saltwater destination.

Taking the Epic 890Ti to Christmas Island was like handing the rod a diploma in saltwater performance. This is a place where bonefish run hard, coral bites back, and the frequent gusts demand a double haul.

Day one and my first casts across the early morning turquoise flats immediately revealed how effortlessly it generates line speed, shooting tight loops into stiff equatorial winds and delicately presenting a light Crazy Charlie to tailing bonefish with no hint of wobble or sluggishness. This rod will drive a grin onto your face faster than a Jimmy Kimmel quip. It was after the first powerful run of a bonefish, the Ti truly shone – bending deep into the butt section, recovering fast, and fighting these muscular fish with authority. Standing on that endless flat, watching line scream off the spool, I understood what Epic meant by “when power needs personality.” Over the course of the week, the rod was soaked, dried, scraped over coral, and sandblasted by wind and grit, and by the end it was pristine, the guides untarnished, the blank as lively as ever.

What sets the 890Ti apart is not just its clear strength and the confidence you get from that. It’s not even its speed and recovery in the cast. It’s the way it balances serious saltwater performance with joy in the hand.

Casting is fast but forgiving, presenting flies with subtlety when needed and with authority when the wind, a change of direction, or a late spotted fish (that happened a lot!) demanded. Long fights feel like part of the fun rather than a test of endurance as the progressive blank bends under pressure yet recovers crisply.

As typical, the travel-friendly four-piece build fits easily into its carbon fibre rod tube, making it the ideal companion for long journeys where every gram matters.

Epic have taken what has been a utilitarian category of late – saltwater rods for harsh environments – and imbued it with their characteristic personality, producing a titanium reinforced tool that is as much about pleasure on the water as it is about surviving punishment.

Final Thoughts

There’s one word that I’m left with after a week using the 890Ti – confidence.

I left Christmas Island with a firm conviction that Epic’s Titanium Series 890Ti is not just another rod in the catalogue but a genuine flagship for my saltwater adventures. It’s a rod that will stand head and shoulders above the best eight weights in the world, while remaining unmistakably Epic. It is fast, tough, reliable, and yet somehow playful – the kind of rod that invites long days on the flats and rewards them with more smiles than stress. A tool that truly embodies ‘strength without stiffness’, yet reminds you that when power needs personality, Epic steps up.

For anyone seeking one rod to carry – across flats, reefs, and on saltwater adventures where conditions are harsh and the fish are unforgiving, the 890Ti is it. Built for the salt, born in Wanaka, and ready to turn heads on flats worldwide.

The Epic 8wt will be joining me in Fanning Island and Aitutaki during 2026, hopefully with a 990Ti riding shotgun for Triggers.

A Fresh Test Awaits

The 890Ti will also be in my luggage for an upper Rio Grande expedition in early 2026, to tackle sea-run browns in the tributaries of this storied Patagonian river system. Access onto the vast estancia of Las Segadas Lodge will provide a superb testing ground for this 890Ti’s freshwater capabilities.