Astove Atoll Top Fly Patterns
Posted by: Alex
Date: 10/11/2025
Astove Atoll in the Seychelles is one of the most remote and rewarding fly fishing destinations in the world. From giant trevally and triggers to permit and bonefish, the variety of species and the beauty of the island make it a true bucket-list experience. Having the right flies for each fish is essential when you’re this far off the map.
Fly Fishing Astove Atoll, Seychelles
Fly fishing Astove Atoll is as remote as it gets. Sitting in the far reaches of the Seychelles, this tiny coral island feels completely removed from the rest of the world.
The atoll's diverse species and habitats make it one of the most unique fishing destinations we have ever encountered. The flats, channel, and lagoon all fish differently and require a variety of techniques for targeting GTs, bonefish, permit, and triggerfish.
The four main species targeted on the fly at Astove are the giant trevally, triggerfish, permit, and bonefish.
- GTs call for larger flies that move water and hold up to their power.
- Triggers prefer small, realistic crabs that ride hook point up.
- Permit want something natural, subtle, and convincing.
- Bonefish here are pretty responsive to just about any crab or shrimp pattern.
Milkfish are present and abundant, both in the lagoon and on the outside flats. These algae feeders are rarely targeted on the flats. On calm days, anglers can find large schools feeding near the surface along the outer wall. Targeting individuals within these schools with algae flies is the classic method of catching milkfish on the fly.
Targeting Giant Trevally, the Beast Fleye
When they eat, it’s explosive. When they run, it’s chaos. A big GT will test everything you have. They aren’t just strong; they’re smart. Years of research around well-known atolls like Astove, Cosmoledo, and Alphonse has taught us that these fish are a lot smarter than we had originally thought. One of the most fascinating things about these fish is their low recapture rate. They learn fast and fight harder than almost any other saltwater fish. That’s part of what makes them such an obsession for fly anglers.
Beast fleyes have become an important tool to have in your kit when it comes to targeting Giant Trevally on the fly. The design comes from wrapping bucktail along a strand of thick monofilament, giving the fly a sparse appearance that fills in once wet. These types of flies have a ton of movement without the added weight that comes with traditional GT patterns.
On Astove Atoll, where most shots are quick and anglers need to cast far, beast flies let you get the fly in front of cruising GTs fast. They’re the perfect balance of size, movement, and efficiency, everything you need when the fish of a lifetime shows up.
Brush Flies
Along with having a few Beast Fleyes in your box, it’s worth packing or tying some traditional giant trevally patterns like the Brush Fly. They’re big, push a lot of water, and hold up to the kind of punishment GTs are known for. A good assortment tied in natural, black, white, and tan, as well as brighter combinations with red is recommended. Just make sure every fly is tied on a strong, saltwater-grade hook that won’t bend under pressure and stick to the 6/0 and larger sizes.
Fulling Mill and Flymen Fishing Co. has several of these patterns, all tied on quality hooks. It is always a good idea to include 1 or 2 poppers in the mix as well. The NYAP is one of the best poppers for GTs, as it is easier to cast than most other saltwater poppers, and it can be tied on a hook big enough for GTs.
Additional GT Fly Recommendations:
A variety of large baitfish files will do the trick (and are easier to find in a well-stocked fly shop) in sizes 4/0 - 8/0. The guides will prefer flies tied on 6/0 - 8/0 hooks like the TMC 600SP or Gamakatsu SL12S.
Additional GT Fly Resources:
Crabs and Shrimp for Triggerfish on Astove Atoll
Few fish test an angler’s patience quite like the triggerfish on Astove Atoll. These flats specialists are equal parts frustrating and addictive.
The yellow margin triggerfish and the titan, or mustache triggerfish, are the two main species anglers target here. Both spend their days tailing across the coral flats and turtle grass, rooting for crabs and shrimp. They’ll tip up, wave their tails, and then vanish the second a cast lands too close or too heavy.
Getting one to eat is a challenge, but getting one to the net is something else entirely. They fight dirty, dive for coral, and will crush a fly with enough force to leave bite marks in the hook.
When targeting triggers, fly selection and presentation matter more than almost anything else. The best patterns are small, realistic, and built to sink quickly without spooking fish in shallow water. A mix of cheeseburger crabs and EP spawning shrimp in sizes 2, 4, and 6 covers nearly every scenario you’ll see on the flats. Tan, olive, and coyote colors blend well with the bottom. Have several of each color with both beachain and leadeye versions.
Pro Tip for Triggerfish in the Seychelles
A pro tip when fishing in the Seychelles for triggers is to bring double the amount of flies that you think you will need. They tear through fibers and material, brake hooks, brake off on coral, and rarely let the fly live to see another fish's mouth.
Alphlexo Crabs for Permit in the Seychelles
For permit fishing in the lagoon and surf on Astove Atoll, you should leave every box of permit flies you've ever used at home. The guides prefer that you fish a perfectly weighted alphlexo crab.
Flymen Fishing Company makes a variety of these crabs in bright orange, darker tan, mottled tan, and tan. Picking up several of these crabs in Sizes 2 through 8 is worth doing when these will be the only flies your guide is going to choose.
Out along the edge of the reef and across the outer flats, heavier carb and shrimp patterns in lighter tones are essential to have in the fly box. Tan, yellow, and white Alphlexo crabs in sizes 2 through 8 are all must-haves. These fish are usually moving faster in deeper water, so you want flies that get down quickly but still land softly.
Fly Fishing for Bonefish on Astove Atoll
Bonefishing on Astove Atoll and across the Seychelles is a little different than what most anglers are used to. These bonefish are typically receptive to any fly as long as it is presented to them properly (don't plop it on their head). Expect big numbers and larger average-sized fish than commonly encountered in the Caribbean.
Traditional bonefish flies in light colors are preferred when wading the interior lagoon flats. Crabs and shrimp patterns with a bit of flash are ideal when targeting tailing fish along the outside flats. Weedguards are helpful here, as these are primarily coral and turtle grass flats.
EP Spawning Shrimp - especially the smaller version tied on a size 6 - and the aphlexo crabs used for triggerfish work well for bonefish too. A few, classic bonefish patterns to have on hand include Squimps, Christmas Island Special, and Gotchas in sizes #4-#6.
Fly Selection is Essential
When traveling to remote destinations like Astove Atoll, being prepared with the right flies is essential. You don’t want to step off the plane only to realize you’re short on patterns or missing the ones that matter most.
With the right box—packed with proven GT, triggerfish, permit, and bonefish patterns—you’ll be ready for whatever the flats throw your way and fully equipped for the experience that makes fly fishing Astove one of the best adventures in the world.
Things to Know
- Pack your flies in your checked baggage to avoid airport security issues
- Take 12-18 GT Flies
- Take 18-24 Aphlexo Crabs (assorted sizes and colors)
- Take 12-18 EP Spawning Shrimp (assorted sizes and colors)
- Take 12 classic, bonefish flies
The lodge has a simple fly shop that is stocked with essential fly patterns, leaders, tippet, and fly lines specific to the fly fishing on Astove. Our advice is to bring as much as you can with you and then rely on their selection as a backup.
Where to Find Astove Atoll Flies
With over two decades of experience in the fly fishing business, we know how hard it can be to put all of these destination-specific fly recommendations together. Here are a few of our go-to sources for saltwater fly selections for the Seychelles. Reach out to us if you need help tracking something down or have a specific question about flies and fly fishing gear for Astove Atoll.
Our Expertise Extends Beyond Montana
Reach out to us via email if you need help tracking down information or have a specific question about flies and fly fishing gear for Astove Atoll. Not only have we fly fished Astove Atoll, but we also ran a fly shop in Bozeman (formerly known as Fins and Feathers), Montana, for 23 years - so we know gear and flies like few others. We have traveled around the world on fly fishing adventures, so feel free to lean on us for advice regarding fly fishing travel and planning.
