"As anglers travel the world in search of 'the
last frontier', they ignore the islands of Micronesia at their peril. Isolated,
off the beaten path, and culturally unique, these islands have some of the last
largely unexplored fly fishing waters left in the Pacific. Yap is perhaps the uncut diamond of the bunch. In two weeks of exploration with Bill Acker of Manta Ray Bay Hotel and Yap Anglers, what I saw opened my eyes and will bring me (and my clients) back.
The key fish for the fly angler inside the reef is the Blue Fin and Giant Trevally, both of which will hit poppers as well as streamers. Blue Fin grow to 20 pounds and Giant Trevally (or 'GT's') exceed the 50 pound mark. While sight fishing is possible, the angling is usually casting poppers over coral heads and stripping them back quickly. The strikes and fights are violent and memorable.
While there are numerous other reef fish available to fly angler, the Trevally set the tone. Dorado (Mahi-mahi), Barracuda, and Wahoo are all available directly outside the reef for anglers with fly rods of 11-14 wt; Wahoo in the 50 pound class are not uncommon.
One should not, however, go to Yap just to fish. Among the best preserved island cultures in the world, the villages and people of Yap are worth the trip alone, and the hard corals and reefs are among the most beautiful I have seen anywhere in the world. If you dive or snorkel, you have a unique experience most people can only dream of."
Rich McIntyre - CrystalWood Lodge
Rich McIntyre arranges fly fishing trips around the world. You can book fly fishing in Yap as well as other trips by contacting Rich directly.