Fly fishing for Bumphead Parrotfish in the Seychelles is a bucket-list experience for saltwater fly anglers worldwide. The turtle grass flats of Farquhar and Providence Atolls are among the only places on earth where these prehistoric giants can be targeted tailing on the flats. Although Bumphead Parrotfish exist elsewhere in the Seychelles, they are typically only encountered by scuba divers and snorkellers in deeper offshore waters, inaccessible to fly fishers. One of our local guides gave us a comprehensive rundown on how to target his iconic species on the flats of Farquhar and Providence in the Seychelles, from tides and fly selection to technique and gear.
Best Fly Patterns for Bumphead Parrotfish:
Traditionally, flexo crabs have been a go to fly when targeting Bumphead Parrotfish, but merkins and shrimp patterns are increasingly being used with great results. It is important to remember that Bumpies are grazers, they are not chasing prey but rather feeding as they move through an area. Keeping the fly in the zone is essential and requires a variety of heavily weighted flies with 3.5 to 5 mm dumbbells usually getting the job done, depending on the depth you are fishing. Unlike many of the other species we target on the flats of the Seychelles bumpies don’t actively pursue flies but feed opportunistically as prey presents itself amongst the turtle grass and corals. Colour doesn’t seem to be too important, but orange seems to be a favourite as small orange crabs are often found in amongst the usual area’s Bumphead Parrotfish feed in. A high-quality, thick-shanked hook in size #2 to #1/0 is recommended.
Fly Fishing Gear & Rod Setup for Bumpies:
The go to setups are 9 and or 10 weights paired with a tropical floating line. The 10 weight is preferred when targeting fish on foot or in rugged terrain, giving anglers just a touch more pulling power. Leader choice is critical, with 30lb fluorocarbon being tried and tested on multiple fish and is the minimum and go to breaking strain when targeting this species
How to Catch Bumphead Parrotfish on the Fly:
Bumphead Parrotfish are notoriously spooky and have a reputation for frustrating even the most experienced guides and anglers. Their grazing behaviour means that fly placement is absolutely critical. Cast too far and they will never see it, too close and you might risk lining or spooking them. Some guides believe leading the group by half a meter works best, others believe in casting into the group and hoping for the best. If the tidal current is strong, you can get away with putting the fly just behind the lead fish and allow the current to swing the fly into the group. Bumpies command a lot of presence and fill the water column in skinny water so, stripping can often result in foul-hooking fish which should always be avoided. The most effective technique is to cast and leave the fly, allowing the fish to pick it up and hook itself, all the angler needs to do is keep in contact with the fly and be ready to set. The eat can be very subtle at times, with the fly line simply moving in the opposite direction of the current,one good hard trip set with the rod down and the chaos ensues. This is when it gets interesting with a first blistering run, clearing the line is crucial and arguably the toughest part of the fight. Once you’ve cleared your line it’s a battle with a pretty tight drag to keep him away from corals and stopping it from swimming off the edge of the flats. This is when we as guides truly come into our own, running off or diving in to untangle line from corals, trying to cut them off before they run off the flats, it’s not for the faint hearted and often provides many a great fishing story for years to come.
Best Time to Visit the Seychelles for Bumphead Parrotfish:
The best time to target them on the outer atolls of Farquhar and Providence is during the Seychelles’ main fishing season, from October through to April. This period provides the perfect fishing conditions for flats fishing with reduced wind speeds and sunny days.
Bumphead Parrotfish are one of the most sought-after and unique species to target on the flats of the Seychelles. A truly special fish that we as guides are deeply privileged to pursue. Every encounter is unforgettable, and every lost fish only makes the next one more compelling.