AUSTRIAN OUTDOOR SPORTS TEAM RETURNED TO FARQUHAR ATOLL

This fly fishing week saw the return of the AOS (Austrian Outdoor Sports) team back to Farquhar, with Alexander and Stephan Haider as hosts.

We had some extreme spring tides, which opened up a lot of areas and flats that can’t usually be fished. This was great as it provided some epic fishing. The wind did blow unpleasantly from time to time, but this did not hinder the spirits or the fishing.

Micheal and Waltruad Hason had a dream start to their week, with Michael landing a fantastic 110 cm giant trevally very early on the first morning. Later, Waltraud then caught a 60 cm single bonefish on turtle grass which preceded to take her deep into her backing. Micheal continued his giant trevally form by landing at least one per day, and he managed to land an impressive catch of 99 cm.

Heinz Koella and Joerg Hushchle ticked over nicely with some great catches. Sadly, Joerg had terrible luck with giant trevally, the one-metre mark that ate his fly. However, Heinz managed to land a superb fish of 112 cm.

Christian Mairold and Christian Kammerer had a solid week, with Chris Mairold landing a moustache triggerfish along with a bonefish and giant trevally on the same day, giving him a mid-week Flats Slam. The triggerfish is his first of this great title. During his Flats Slam reign, he sadly lost a bumped parrotfish after a long fight. He then finished off the week with the only yellowmargin triggerfish landed and another moustache triggerfish, a bonefish, and giant trevally to complete his second slam on the final day. Chris Kammerer spent his last day managing to land 11 bonefish in the surf.

Total newcomers to the flats, Manual Osterreich and Gernot Standfest had an excellent introduction to the world of saltwater flats fishing. Gernot manages a significant number of species and firsts. Manual, however, was the standout angler. He not only managed to land many firsts but also a bumphead parrotfish, a 105 cm giant trevally, and an epic 114 cm giant trevally. The 114 cm being on foot in the surf!

Hosts Stephan and Alex Haider also had a fantastic week. Stephan managed to land a whopping Into-Pacific permit measuring 69 cm, certainly one of the week’s fish for sure. He sadly lost giant trevally well over the one-metre mark in the surf. Alex ticked over constantly. His most incredible catch was a moustache triggerfish measuring an unbelievable 61 cm, a fish that will be hard to beat as the season progresses.

From Alphonse Fishing Co.