This past week 12 Oregon anglers escaped the cold and spent a week fly fishing for bonefish at Los Roques Venezuela. We had a spectacular week of weather, good fishing and good times. Our food, lodging, and service were all top shelf. The lodge staff did a fantastic job of tending to our every need and more.
The food at the lodge was superb. We were served fresh fish for dinner every evening including Wahoo, Tuna, Barracuda, Snapper and Lobster. Lunches were packed by the lodge and eaten on the water during our fishing days. Lunch was simple, fresh fruit, sandwiches, fried rice, pasta, cookies, crackers and plenty of water. Breakfast was pancakes, eggs to order, arepas (corn dodgers) fresh fruit and a different fresh blended juice daily.
Our fishing day began around 8:30. One guide and one boatman accompanied two anglers out to the flats. Having one man in charge of the boat is really a bonus. After anglers and guide have walked the beach or flat, rather than trudging back through fish-less water, the boatman moves the boat to meet you and get you on to the next spot. This is a huge time saver, giving anglers more time to fish rather than walk.
Los Roques offers a huge variety of bonefish habitats and water types. White sandy beaches and flats, pancake flats (round patches or high spots inside the lagoon) with mottled sand and turtle grass, lagoons, cuts and back bays are all present. Near island flats are immense and anglers can walk for miles hunting bonefish, permit and other species.
Our trip focused on bonefish for the most part but there are numerous other species to chase while fishing at Los Roques. Tarpon, Snook, Permit, Snapper, Jacks and Barracuda are all present in good numbers. Our guides did there best to accommodate angler requests. The group had Permit “shots” none landed, jumped a Tarpon, caught Barracuda, jacks, snappers, and numerous bonefish.
The tremendous variety of water types and species options makes Los Roques an outstanding saltwater fly fishing destination.
Other Trip Notes
Los Roques is a great spot for couple who fish together or not. Most of the tourist traffic on Los Roques is not angling related. Hanging out on the beach, snorkeling, diving and sailing are some of the activities available.
Getting to and from usually involves staying in Caracas, our group stayed at the Euro Building Express. Our rooms were clean and the hotel felt very safe.
Gear Notes
The New Sage Xi3 rods performed fantastically on this trip. The rods are amazingly light and have a fast action allowing you to get out in front of fast moving saltwater species. I found the rods to load quickly at any distance.
I found the Scientific Anglers Saltwater Sharkskin line to perform fantastically. The line shoots great, floats high and can rip your fingers up without some protection to the creases in your stripping finger tips.
The new Nautilus G7 fly reel was an awesome match to the Sage Xi3. The reel is ridiculously light for a reel possessing an incredibly smooth and strong drag system. The G7 has a retrieval rate as good as any reel on the market. Most importantly the reel looks fantastic.
Must have fly patterns are the Gummy Minnow in #2,6 and 8. Gotcha Pearl, Gotcha Pink, Permit Crab, and Bonefish FX Shrimp. Numerous other patterns are sure to work, our best are listed.
Rio Bonefish Taper leaders worked very well turning over the Gummy Minnow and heavier patterns with ease.
Quality wading boots with very thick bottoms are very important at Los Roques. Walking on very sharp coral flats is part of the program. The Patagonia Marlwalker and Simms Flats Sneaker performed well.
To learn more about this trip please call or email me at 541 342 7005 and caddiseug@yahoo.com.–CD
I’m jealous. Looks like you all had one heck of a good time.
what Arlen said….
thanks for the report, keep them coming for those of us who won’t be doing anything like that for a while.
Chris,
Put a shirt on brother..
You folks are doing a great job with the website, keep it going.