Welcome To Paradise - By Pål-Severin Båtnes
At the end of November, we went on a «little» fishing trip to Venezuela, specifically to Los Roques, a large coral archipelago located just a short flight from Caracas. From past experiences, I know it can pay off to go fishing in countries marked by political unrest and civil conflict—places the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises against visiting. In such areas, fishing pressure is reduced, and the fishing improves. The fishing here was nothing short of extraordinary, and all advice not to go was nonsense.
Joining me on the trip was Bjarte Kristoffersen, who has been my fishing buddy since our teenage years. However, this was his first experience with tropical fly fishing, and it turned out to be his greatest fishing adventure ever.
Los Roques is a paradise. The archipelago has about 2,000 inhabitants, and the inflight to Gran Roque feels like a dream. It’s a car-free village where instead of asphalt is white sand. The area consists of more than 300 small islands and cays, renowned for their beautiful beaches, crystal-clear waters, and abundant marine life.
After a short walk on the beach on our first evening, we realized what lay ahead. The waters were teeming with rolling tarpons weighing up to 50 kg, and billions of sardines and minnows were being hunted by various predatory fish. Every day, we went out with a boat and guide, who took us to one dream spot after another. Our main target was the big tarpons. The thrill of casting a fly to a fish as long as ourselves, often just a rod’s length away, is hard to describe.
But it wasn’t just the tarpons that gave us lifelong memories. Bjarte also caught his first parrotfish on his third cast with the fly. And then there was the nearly impossible permit fish. Over three days in “permit heaven,” we managed to hook a total of 9 large permits, but unfortunately, we only landed one. It was over 80 cm long. The last one I lost was tailing in 110 cm of water, and it must have been at least 120–130 cm. We followed it with the boat as it shot off like a rocket without stopping, but eventually, the loop on the flyline snapped.
For 12 days, we had an exhilarating fishing experience. Fly hooks were bent and broken, leaders snapped as if they were made of silk, and our forearm muscles were as exhausted as after the Vasaloppet ski race.
Los Roques has not seen the last of us. After six trips with Wild Sea Expedition, I must say they are incredible at facilitating truly exceptional fishing adventures.
