In New Caledonia, end of October is the beginning of big GT's return and the end of wading for bonefishing.
Due to a bloody bottom swell during the first two days, all fish species would not take our fly or any popper. We just hooked few suicidal fishes…

At last, the third day was great. We hook several 40lbs average GT's along the inshore lagoon drop off and around big boomies and bones on the sheltered North West Coast flats.

The weather was clear enough to spot the bonefish on the bottom in spite of the steady 12knots wind.

We also hook several coral trouts and various other grouper species.

My guests were very happy about their too short fishing stay (testing fishing destination) and will start to sale the destination to their privileged French clients when they come back home.

It's certainly a long trip from Europe but for passionate sport fishermen long-range flight travel is not the problem, particularly for fishing a new destination in an authentic and virgin protected environment, without any fishing pressure, like is this beautiful and fantastic North New Caledonia region.
Since July 9, 2008, this region, the Great Northern Lagoon, is recorded on the prestigious list of sites that are declared a World Heritage by UNESCO.

Tight lines mates…

Richard Bertin, general manager

NEW CALEDONIA FISHING SAFARIS Ltd
TÂÂNLO FISHING SAFARIS Ltd

It's a real pleasure to announce you in advance, that we're starting to organize in New Caledonia (South Pacific), next year, the first :

FISHING - HUNTING – NATURE

INTERNATIONAL OUTDOOR SHOW

2012 SECOND HALF-YEAR
Noumea (New Caledonia)

According to the New Caledonia's event calendar, we wish organize the Show probably in October 2012 in Nouméa on the Municipal Racetrack (site).

Theme of the show

- Fishing

Recreational fishing, fishing trips, charters, fishing gear, tackles, fishing manufacturers, fishing tackle shops, brands, numerous outdoor activities, casting demonstration on the pond and meetings, forums about sport fishing in New Caledonia, old fashion gear,…

- Hunting

Sport Hunting, Hunting safaris & organizations, gunsmiths, shouting & bow-hunting range, Hunting lodges, Hunting gear & equipment, brands, meetings, forums, numerous outdoor activities on site…

- Nature

Fauna and flora from the saltwater and the land, Bird watching, hike, whale watching, gathering,

- Gastronomy

Local seafood from the ocean and lagoon, venison, local vegetables…

Regularly, during the coming months, you will be informed about the progress of this New Caledonia first show project (dates, opening hours, methods of participation, booking, stands, rates of bare space,…)

Tight Lines,

Richard
New Caledonia Fishing Safaris

There are about ten flats located north of New Caledonia's main land. One of them is really very wide; the unless flat, as we use to say. This one is 25 kilometres long from St Phalle Islets as far to Balabio Island.

You never hook thirty bones a day, but fish are big (big belly) and strong (beautiful rush). The average weight is 7-8lbs and it's not rare to hook a 10lbs bonefish or more!

Bonefishing is "challenging" here in New Caledonia.

It's not exactly the best destination for fly beginners but it's certainly one of the best in the world.

See you soon, wading on the flats…

All the very best from
NEW CALEDONIA FISHING SAFARIS Team

Richard Bertin, managing director

Awaiting tide, before starting bonefishing, we decide, Renaud, Laurent (our fishing guide and skipper) and I, to go game fishing outside the main reef.

We left Boat-Pass around 7.30 am and after one hour running on the lagoon, we got the reef pass in sight, just in front of us.

This day there was no wind, the lagoon was like a mirror and the light metallic.

"We have only two hours fishing ahead of us", I said!
We brought only three good stand-up game fishing rods on board, two 50lbs and one 80lbs.

We started fishing in the pass and just immediately after putting the lures into the water, one of the 50lbs "sang", the rush takes almost a minute then broke suddenly!

Few minute later, all the rods were in action simultaneously. We did fight the fish Renaud and I.
Renaud took one of the 50lbs rod and begin to fight the fish and broke the 50lbs line after only three minutes fight.
I took the 80lbs and was very happy to land a 140lbs dogtooth tuna, after fighting half an hour.
The third rod was staying into the rod holder and of course the fish gone.

After a quarter of an hour all the rods were again in action. Renaud was fighting the fish on one of the 50lbs and land a 120lbs nice doggie.
After forty minutes fight, I lost myself a nice blue marlin (400lbs weight estimated) on the other 50 lbs. The fish's gone on the 80lbs rod.

Twenty minutes after starting again, the three rods were in action again and this time Renaud lost a beautiful billfish after three jumps far off our boat. I broke myself a big wahoo on the 50lbs and Renaud was fighting another doggie and after a quarter of an hour before broken.

It was time to go back to the flats and try to hook few good big bones on a fly.

We were only staying two hours in there, fishing this fantastic virgin and wild pass, finding a lot of beautiful different species of sport fish; real dream of any fisherman.

I'll come back soon with my customers along the reef and around this pass but perhaps only one day inside their fishing stay to preserve this incredible fishery spot.
There is nobody fishing there… No pressure…It' really a guarantee to preserve fish stock.
All the few fish we land were released…

My mate, Laurent, says " Since ever, we're taking care to preserve our lands and waters and keep this region under control. We just keep seafood we need to give to our family".
So, this part of New Caledonia, particularly the Grand Lagoon North is still intact since ever and has been recently inscribed on UNESCO World Heritage List.

Richard Bertin
New Caledonia Fishing Safaris

Lemon shark attacks a Spanish mackerel hooks on a fly close to the “Fishing Rock”, nearby Bââba Island...