Providence Blog: 5 – 12 Nov 2024

Week four of the season kicked off with a mix of familiar faces and new anglers, as three returning clients joined three newcomers for their first taste of Providence Atoll. The tides shifted from spring to neap, focusing more on tailing species as the water movement slowed, offering more opportunities to walk the flats and fish the ridges.

Day 1: Stormy Start, Strong Fishing The first day started with storms and wind gusts, but the weather cleared by the time the guides reached the flats. With the tide high, we focused on higher spots around the flats, staking out near islands and following sharks and stingrays. Our anglers made some excellent casts early on, landing a few nice fish to kickstart the trip. As the tide dropped, GTs became more visible, and some good fish were caught. Vladimir had a memorable morning, landing a Bumphead parrotfish after a solid fight on a turtle grass flat. By the end of the day, our anglers had landed 13 GTs and a Bumphead, setting a positive tone for the week.

Day 2: Wind and Swell, but Plenty of Action Day two brought strong winds from the southeast and big swells, reducing visibility but not stopping the action. With high water in the morning, fish were scarce, but as the tide dropped, the catch rate picked up. Justin landed a 114cm GT after a nurse shark passed, drawing the fish in for an aggressive take. Igor also landed a solid 102cm GT while casting to a wave-surfing fish. On the tailing species front, Vladimir caught two beautiful triggerfish, while Justin and Matt each landed Bumphead parrotfish. Bonefish were spotted in the north, and James and Igor landed a few in the 6lb range.

Day 3: Sailfish and Bumphead Success On day three, the wind decreased and the clouds lifted slightly, improving visibility. The morning focused on deep water, where Matt and Justin trolled for sailfish. They teased up a couple of fish and Justin successfully landed a big one after an intense fight. Later in the day, Vladimir had a fantastic time on the flats, landing two Bumpheads. A few GTs were seen, and some great shots were made, landing a couple of fish.

Day 4: Bumphead Bonanza Day four started with high clouds and strong southwest winds, but fishing remained productive. Yuri had a standout day, landing three Bumphead parrotfish. Justin and Matt also each landed a nice Bumphead, while Igor fought a big one to the net. Vladimir completed a rare slam, landing a GT, a bonefish, and a Yellow-margin triggerfish. It was an excellent day for tailing species, and our anglers made the most of the opportunities.

Day 5: Triggerfish and Bumphead Action The weather on day five was slightly calmer, allowing for better fly presentations. With a high tide just before noon, our anglers focused on tailing species like triggerfish and Bumpheads. Vladimir hooked two beautiful Yellow-margin triggerfish, while James landed a fantastic Bumphead. Yuri had great success with GTs, landing two fish in the north while chasing triggers and Bumpheads. Matt also got into the action, landing a nice GT.

Day 6: Tough Weather, but Resilient Fishing The final day brought tough weather—high winds, clouds, and rain—which made spotting fish and presenting flies a challenge. Despite the conditions, our anglers persevered. Vladimir added another Bumphead to his tally, and Matt and Justin both landed GTs. It was a tough but rewarding end to a great week.

As week four concluded, our guests left with smiles, having landed some impressive fish despite challenging conditions. The week ended with us moving from neap to spring tides, hoping for calmer weather in the days ahead.

Catch Tally for the Week: