Los Roques - the trip of a lifetime
I've been dreaming of a saltwater fly fishing trip for many many years, but for different reasons in life, I could never make it happen. Then one day things started to fall into place, and I could start planning a trip some time ahead. Especially being a friend of Nicola Vitali the planning couldn't have been any easier. Well, at least easier on paper.
I had never fished in salt water. And had basically zero experience with casting 8-10 wt rods into the wind. All of this was topped by a big black hole regarding basically any details of the fishing I was dreaming of. From technical aspects such as lines, leaders, flies, knots, and rods. To the practical aspect like presentation, hook setting, explosive fish, and everything I would encounter on a trip I had to learn. When I asked Nicola which trip I should pick, he immediately told me to join him in Los Roques.
A fortunate matching of our dates, but also because this destination is beginner friendly. Much thanks to the thousands of Bonefish, topped with plenty of other spices, represented by more challenging fish like Tarpon, Permit, Parrotfish, Triggerfish, Jacks, Barracuda, Snapper, etc, etc. As we started the preparation, slowly I got packed and ready, thanks to the attention the guys at WSE paid me (including casting lessons LOL ). But honestly, I was uncertain about my fishing skills. While Nicola kept telling me "No worries, you'll catch fish, lots of them" I approached the trip in the most humble possible way, with zero expectation, except these: I expected to listen to the guides and observe as much as I could. On the first day, I could already catch my first Bonefish in skinny water, and I missed a truly giant one, possibly over 10 lb, I couldn't believe it! On day two, I hooked up with two Parrotfish, and landed one that already made my trip! Eight days later I could say I had a true dream trip with multiple Bones in super skinny water, I cast to tailing permit and hooked a big parrot that straightened the hook while fishing on my own, one crazy day when I hooked up with seven Triggerfish, the biggest which was a real monster over 7-8 kg, was just too big and front to stop and she reefed me. Even had a very decent-sized Cubera Snapper came for my flight, but it, unfortunately, backed out last minute. This was after a snook pulled the same stunt. Beginners (un-luck) maybe? And, the bacon on the fish burger! I was lucky enough to land one of the very few ever recorded Queen Triggerfish, caught on fly in the flat! If this wasn't enough, I was dreaming to catch a Tarpon and get a photo of a double-up with my mate.
Towards the end of the trip when we found a school of baby Tarpon in a flat by the Mangroves, both wishes came true! We had crazy action with multiple strikes, jumps, and runs in shallow water and a very sexy double hook-up! Overall, I came back totally blown away and realized that I just had experienced the trip of a lifetime. But I also understood even more, the importance of having somebody able to take you by the hand in the process of preparation, and throughout the trip. With first-hand info, patience, and experience. This makes all the difference between going to Los Roques, with pockets full of Gummy Minnows, blind casting for bonefish like an amateur. Or to go there prepared, maximizing your chance with any possible given opportunity, which might happen or not, but that's the lucky part of the game. The only problem is that now I'm forever addicted to saltwater fly fishing! Knowing what's lurking out there, willing to maybe one day eat my fly, I know in my heart that this was the beginning of a long and adventurous journey.
Written by Marcello Merli
