Christmas Island, Ikari House

Update 3/11/2015...
Gorge Fly Shop Christmas Island Dates DATES ARE SET!!!

Christmas Island trips dates are January 12th-19th 2016. Jerry Swanson has secured us some prime dates at the Ikari House.  This is a Tuesday to Tuesday trip, as many of you know the only day flights go to and from Christmas Island. 

Jerry is still waiting for 2016 prices, but for deposits he is figuring on 2015 prices of $2650.00 per angler based on double occupancy, deposits in the amount of $1325.00 will be needed to hold your spot. Once the 2016 prices are available we will let you all know. 

So as you know the demand for dates at the Ikari House have became very high, I am sure it will book fast. For those interested please give me a call or email. I look forward to fishing with everyone.

Thank You,
Travis Duddles
Gorge Fly Shop
info@gorgeflyshop.com
541-386-6977

Here is a direct link to Jerry Swanson’s Fish Head Expeditons website for Ikari House
http://www.fishheadexpeditions.com/content/ikari-house

All bookings will need to be done with Jerry Swanson at Fish Head Expedition His contact information is below:
Fish Head Expeditions
jerry@fishheadexpeditions.com503-539-1451

Zen Master Simon Corrie casting the Sage SALT 12wt, Nautilus Silver King and RIO GT 475gr Line

Christmas Island January 2015

Christmas Island may have introduced more anglers to fly fishing for bonefish and other saltwater species than any other destination. In January I hosted a group of nine anglers from the Northwest, ranging in age from 26 to 82. Seven of the nine were new to bonefishing and saltwater. Everyone had a great time and caught lots of bonefish. Anglers had action with Queenfish, Trigger Fish, Bluefin, Striped and Giant Trevally, Wahoo and Yellow Fin Tuna. What a great week on the flats! We saw more large bonefish than I have seen in 10 years. And they would eat a fly!

Jerry Brown - Christmas Island Bonefish

The food at Ikari House is way better than anywhere else on the island. We had sashimi with drinks every day after fishing. Wow! There are six rooms that are new in the last two years. All have A/C on a thermostat, on-demand hot water and are spotless everyday. This may not sound like much, but on Christmas Island this is the Ritz.

GT action with Mitch Callas

What makes Christmas unique is that it has the most extensive wade-able flats of any atoll in the world. The more you fish other locations you realize this is special. All bonefishing is done by wading. In addition the equatorial location has no seasonality, making it is a go-to saltwater destination.

My first trip to Christmas Island was 29 years ago. Quick drying tropical clothing and flats boots had not been invented yet. We were tying up new flies, drinking Australian beer and getting sun burned through the cotton sport shirts. This time I was fortunate to fish with Simon Corrie, who was one of my guides on that first trip. Moana Kofe is now the head guide at Ikari House. He fished with different anglers during the week as a special guide and that time was memorable. These two guides are Zen masters. You learn fly fishing by doing, and they have done it a lot. Both can cast a whole fly line in the wind, know the habits of fish, the tides and “know the language of fish.” I fished with 5 newer guides and would fish with any of them again or recommend them to clients. The fishery is in very good hands.

Jerry Swanson with Mustache Trigger Fish

The Gorge Fly Shop is planning a hosted trip to Christmas Island in 2016. Please let Travis Duddles, the Gorge owner, or me know if you are interested.

Call Travis

Info@gorgeflyshop.com

541.386.6977

Jerry Swanson
Fish Head Expeditions, LLC
jerry@fishheadexpeditions.com
503-539-1451

"Fly Fish the World with Us"