Ok so my wife is 3 1/2 months pregnant and it may well be the last peaceful vacation we have for a long time. She wants to go to the Maldives, in large part because I have a ton of Hyatt points (lucky me) and they've opened a new Park Hyatt there. It's on the Gaafu Alifu Atoll and looks freakin' awesome.

I imagine the fly fishing would be good but it doesn't appear on the hotel's list of activities. Maybe I can hire a guy to take me out in a boat or hit the beach on foot.

Any ideas on fishing, flies etc?

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Using a looper and a top makes for a much better furled leader!

Looking at the news tonight - you may want somewhere a little less lively at the moment......

BBC News - Maldives ex-president Mohamed Nasheed was 'forced out'

Yes I know....!

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Using a looper and a top makes for a much better furled leader!

I believe most resorts forbid all fishing on their house reef. The place we stayed did offer opportunities to go out on a boat and handline for your dinner, but it didn't really appeal... There was also big game fishing with rod and line, but it was $$$$.

I have seen guided fly fishing advertised, though, so it may be that there are uninhabited reefs on which you would be able to fish.

Politically, hmm. We're really hoping to go back again this year, it was the best holiday we've ever had. There is a real tension between the orthodox Islamic state and the laissez faire demands of tourism, though. The country needs the money, but I think the idea of living off the proceeds of what Islam teaches is immorality is offensive in some quarters. There was an attempt last year to shut down all hotel spas, for example.

Hi Steve,

We've just got back from the Maldives - best holiday we've ever had. Ignore any political turbulence they'll never kill the goose that lays the golden eggs (tourism) and Maldivian people are superb.

It's true you cannot fish from any resort shore - nor after you've sampled the superb snorkelling would you want to - I saw and photographed many permit, decent sized jacks etc.

But we did a desert island trip where I was allowed to fly fish - sadly though this had no significant reef though I did see an absolutely enormous barracuda and some darts and small jacks BUT these fish see you in the clear water and by God do they move away quickly. So if you do this try and get on island with some reef structure where you can fish.

I did do 2 big game sessions and shared the boat to keep prices down -we caught Wahoo,Barracuda and Jacks. The best sport I had though was on my own spinning rod where the fish really fight like hell. The big game rods are set up for the highest common denominator and don't allow the fish to really fight - so if you do this insist that the boat stops sometimes over a reef so you can have a go with your own tackle.

Anyway whatever - do go to the Maldives (researching your resort carefully) and you'll find the nearest thing to paradise imaginable.

Good luck

Mick

After a fortnight of looking at them, I was gagging to fish for them, I'm afraid

Thanks Micka. I've been to the Maldives many years ago. Absolutely beautiful. I've asked the hotel if they can arrange a boat for a day. They've still to respond.

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Using a looper and a top makes for a much better furled leader!

Same here took my salty fly gear and it had to stay in the bag, went hand line fishing at sunset, was okay but would love to have hooked a few toothy critters on the fly gear!

Bod.

As stated above, no fishing off the resorts

Island hopping to the uninhabited - ok, huge bones

Handlining off the reefs - the boats they use wouldnt accommodate a fly caster

Odessey have special permission to organise fly holidays to an island or two in the Northern Atoll

I am off there for two weeks mid August, got a couple guided days and a deep sea trip organised.

I may even be able to break a few resort rules, Brother in Law is MD of the hotel complex , I was able to island fish on my last trip!

N

do not know if this is any help

Fishing in the Maldives

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www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjH7XAZCR2c