Hi Guys, just back from Rarotonga and Aitutaki, more of a holiday than a fishing trip but I did take a fly rod and in a few short shots I managed to hook, land and release Flounder, Picasso Fish, Flame Tailed Snapper, Puffer Fish, Peacock Grouper, Cornet Fish, Bluefin Trevaly and many other fish that I have no idea what they were!
Aitutaki has some of the biggest bonefish in the world and I was looking forward to having a shot at one, but the one disapointment from our trip was that the guide failed to turn up! I had booked him well in advance and he canceled the day before by email to my work email, so I did not get the message until I got back home, he did not even bother to leave a message at my hotel, Gutted.
However the hotel rang another guide called Itu and he was fishing with a mate, not guiding and he very kindly picked me up and took me with them. I have to say he is a fantastic guide, have a look at the Sage homepage, ther is a featured video of him setting up as a guide.
I did not get a shot at a Bone, but I did manage a couple of Trevaly and lost a good fish after the first explosive run by lifting the rod to strike trout style, not strip striking, my fault and quite funny in the end.
Anyway if you are thinking of giving the Cooks a visit I highly recommend it, it is a fantastic place for a holiday and the Fly fishing has hardly been explored.
Here are a couple of pics.
Piccasso fish

Spot the flounder!

and finaly it must be cocktail time!

All the best.
Mike

Hi Mike, The Picasso fish looks really smart. What was the first run like?

Nice shots there mate, thanks for sharing.

Best regards

Stuart

Hi Smudger, the Piccasso fish is a lovely looking fish, but they do not pull much string, if you can keep them out of the coral they are not difficult to land. The flounder pull harder, as does the Peacock Grouper.
All the best.
Mike

Hi Mike, Thanks for letting me know.

Best regards

Stuart

What was the guides name that let you down. this information is inportant for those of us in the process of going.

I was fortunate enough to be guided by Itu recently.
Only had time to go out for 1 day - which happened to be my birthday - and what a day it was !

Landed 5 bones - the smallest was over 4lb and the largest weighed in bang on 10 lb !






Aitutaki is a stunning place.....

__________________
Owen River Lodge
Murchison, South Island, New Zealand
www.OwenRiverLodge.co.nz

I do not want to name the guide involved, but there are only a few guides on Aitutaki, if you are thinking of going then stick to Itu and you can't go wrong!
After all if OwenRiverLodge is using him he must be good! Owen river Lodge is one of if not the best fishing lodge in NZ (out of my price range, but I do have a few Ozie mates who have stayed there and have only ever heard positive feedback about them)
All the best.
Mike

I must say that the Cook Islands are one of my dream tickets and although i've fished lots of places, thats the next place i cant wait to go to...
Is there a 'season' to go, or one to avoid ?

Hey Nickfb, the Bones are there all year, however the Cook Islands summer is also the "wet" season, it is hot and humid and can Rain almost every day. The winter is a little cooler and dryer, we had one rain shower in a fortnight!
Personaly I always try to go between July and October. However if you want to go in the Summer (November to about April) then just drop Itu a line and he will tell you excactly what you can expect.
Hope this helps.
All the best.
Mike.

Hi Mike , thanks for the response,Sounds like early winter would be best as i go with my wife,who's a beach lover,as am i when not fishing. I'll do some research.... as i am seriously thinking about going for my next 'significant' birthday in 18 months
Maybe you could pm me itu's details if you dont want to post them on here ?
thanks again.
Nick