Fly Fishing - St. Martin Fly Fishing Trip

leadoverdistance · Location: Athens Ga.

Well okay, not banished, but I am flying some folks down to their boat (they must be bored with the Bahamas!) in St. Martin, BVI. It doesn't have massive flats, but it does still have some good fishing I have heard. Anybody got any skinny? Even if here-say, it is better than nothing. I heard a little about a salt lake that does have 10 to 30 lb Tarpon? I am more inclined to rent a Yak (the kind you paddle) with which to pursue my fishy passions, or wadefish, rather than pay someone to abuse me in a tropical gale because I am not getting a full 120ft of line out, on target, while smiling Wink

Thanks for any info

Give it horns!

Paul Helmbold

MarshallD · Location: Naples, Fl

Woah, Paul,

Re-evaluate this part...."I am more inclined to rent a Yak (the kind you paddle) with which to pursue my fishy passions, or wadefish, rather than pay someone to abuse me in a tropical gale because I am not getting a full 120ft of line out, on target, while smiling "

OK then wade and yak....But remember, the guides know the waters. I wouldn't do it on the cheap, especially the first time on a new water vacation. I'd want to get info and fly tips and sure, he may be passionate about your presentation....so, DEAL with that and improve your cast if that's an issue. Look, our passion here is learning how to catch fish on the fly, so tuck your humility up tight and get a good guide for a day and along the way, pump him for all the wade, casting, fly pattern, do-it-yourself info you can...Good luck.

marsh

leadoverdistance · Location: Athens Ga.

Good catch Marsh! Very Happy

You are right.... I think maybe get a guide for a day or half day, and take it from there. Really, it is not so much about pride as spending the cash on a good guide, as the wife hates it when I am "working", yet come back with a few big bills on my credit card.... However, a little local knowledge goes a long, long way... far beyond fishing the breaks, or rising tides! One day hope to catch up with you in Maine!

Take care

Paul

MarshallD · Location: Naples, Fl

paul, You'll do well, I'm sure. After all, it's a vacation! Very Happy

She deserves quality time shopping and dining, and you deserve a quality time fishing. Laughing

Have fun!

marshall

jeremy · Location: Portland, Maine

marsh -- i think its not really a vacation ... i think he is a pilot and flying some clients down there "to their boat" .... so he will be there "working" ... my kinda work Very Happy

anyway ... guide or no guide .. just bring a fly rod, take a few casts somewwhere and bring a camera ... we wanna see what ya catch! .. whether its a 4 inch mackerel or a 4 foot tarpon .. it sure beats what i am catching up here in maine ... NOTHING! .. good luck .. have fun ..

leadoverdistance · Location: Athens Ga.

Jeremy, you hit the nail on the head.... It just gets confusing when working sounds like playing! So, Marsh I understand, and I would have put me in my place too!

I'll take what footage I can, who knows, it might be fliesandfinsworthy !

Cheers

Paul

jeremy · Location: Portland, Maine

safe journies ... don't work too hard Very Happy

....

jeremy · Location: Portland, Maine

ya know .. if you ever need a baggage handler ... i could help ... Very Happy

leadoverdistance · Location: Athens Ga.

Hey you are on to something there! You'd have to bring all your flies though! I am having to shift gears here.. Salt collection has worn a tad thin. I have been tying like a fool today........ From decievers to candys, to puglisis to floating gurgler shrimp, grass shrimp... Starting to sound like Forrest here!

Gotta go back to the garage, tie some more, then tie up leaders tomorrow....

Cheers

Paul

Jesse · Posted: Fri 02/02/07 9:55 pm Post subject:

I'm also available for......"baggage handling" Very Happy

leadoverdistance · Location: Athens Ga.

I can just see it............ Two Pax with quizzical looks on their faces, surrounded by a craggy lot resplendent in fishing gear that only looks good to them, amidst a forest of rod tubes, boxes and bags.....

85 degree highs, 75 degree lows, I'll have a cold one for you poor guys in the land of polar bears and penguins!

Cheers Smile

Paul

GA_Forester · Location: Athens, GA

Leadoverdistance,

I will be in St Maarten for a few days this October, and ran across this thread. How did you fare on your trip? I hope you have some suggestions for me.

By the way, I also live in Athens.

It has been a long time since I was in St Maarten (and that was only for a day) so I would appreciate suggestions about anything, not just fishing.

Thanks,

Robert

leadoverdistance · Location: Athens Ga.

I stayed on the French side that is to the north of the island, at the Le Flamboyant Hotel. It was okay as far as digs go, selected for price and location more than anything else. It is on the lagoon side, and you will see bonefish tailing amongst the Pedalos..... Frustratingly spooky, but fun to cast to! Some are also at the other hotel further down the beach to the right. There are some big ones, but boy are they spooky.....and the water flat... and still.....There are white patches in the sand they have created by sifting for shrimp.
A new Westin resort has gone up if your significant other wants more stylish digs. There is a great beach there, and also has fishing opportunities. We had 4 people (2 pilots and wives were invited) and rented a car.
The town of Marigo (near le flamboyant) has great dining for your nights out. Many restaurants compete for your attention around the Marina, and you will not be disapointed with the food. On top of that, there are tarpon that roll there! At night watch for them cruising in the water looking for baitfish around the piers the boats are tied to. I could not locate these fish during the day. Very frustrating!
Our favorite beach was Baie Rouge (red bay) where there were some good waves, a great beach, and spot for food and Caribes' (tiki style) and a walk down the beach reveals some good ledges to cast off if you can keep your eyes off the wildlife tanning without shame. The ledges are good for a stray Jack etc. I caught a few, nothing overly huge, but fun nonetheless. This was good specially when I was hamstrung by the will of the group as to where we went! Stripping basket absolutely required..... Good swell and wave action.. It isn't like the Bahamas down here, and fishing can be very spotty.
I fished an area which is near a marine reserve. (Bay of Fishes, but it has a French name) I had a hard time finding the regs for it, and really got different answers. It has a lagoon, sweeping bay, and lots of fish. I released all I caught to avoid any possible issues..... If you find someone who can give you a straight answer on this spot, good luck. There is a salt pond somewhere near this spot, which has small tarpon in it. I ran out of time.... So please post back what you have found.

If you have any more questions let me know!

Cheers

Paul

leadoverdistance · Location: Athens Ga.

Oh yes, maybe we should get coffee sometime before you go. Caffeine may stimulate the braincells!

Let me know

Paul

ctchef2000 · Posted: Wed 03/12/08 6:51 pm Post subject: St Martin on Sunday

Headed to St Martin on Sunday, last minute deal. What should I pack for a rod and anywhere I should try first. Is there anybody that does flyfishing trips there that I should get in touch with. Any hints would be great only there for 4 days.

mazargreen · Posted: Tue 01/18/11 10:00 am Post subject: 2010 sum report

I've been down to our time share at oyster pond several times in the in the last couple of years. normally I bring a spin cast rod but the last two times have produced nothing and spotted tons. does it make me crazy for only bringing my fly rod next time, maybe, but after being down on isla holbox slamming 6-8 baby tarpon a day in the 10-40lb range, I can't imagine going back to the spinner. I'm not saying I'm not going to bring it cause there is a local barracuda off the front side of the reef that measures a good 6ft.I spent the a week throwing my entire tackle box at it with nothing more than a turned up nose. I realize this does not inspire confidence in what I'm saying, but I have spent countless hours educating myself on what not to do, so I'm more prepared for the next trip which I'm looking at for April of 2011.

Here's the skinny of what I have found to date online and in my travels. oyster pond is where I have the most experience, so I'll start there. oyster pond is an amazing ecosystem, the inlet is protected by a coral reef and oyster bay beach resort is on top right overlooking it. if you happen to get up to the third floor you can see the entire reef and most likely if you there the right session you'll see charlie the 6ft barracuda. if you circle the bend to the inside of the channel you find tons of tarpon waiting to jump out at anything coming in the bay, there always there once the sun starts dropping. oyster bay has a restaurant on the pier and the keep sea turtles, giant tarpon and sharks which are very cool to see but rig on the other side of the holding tanks you'll see tons of tarpon skating by in what seems like resident schools. as for fishing from the beach I usually see little local boys throwing hand lines in catching little jack which is cool, but not that exciting.

The rest of this is hearsay from my seating on the web. bay de l'embouchre is a very cool look out point you can wade out to. I've read that ther are some very skid dish bones and the ocasional tarpon at high tide. you also will find some jacks there.

one of the next places which does not anything written on it that I wanted to check out was anse marcel, which is a small inlet on the northwest side of the island. like I said ther is nothing on the web but it looks like it could be very productive around the inlet which seems to be very tight and well protected from the open seas.

grand case seems to have gotten some web post of people seeing schooling tarpons in the 20-80lb range. I have never fished it but have seen the tarpon while eating dinner. there are a ton of dingys in the harbor and the water is like glass which make for easy spotting. the water is always calm and seems to be warmer than any part of the island.

more recently I've found some posts about salt pond which is one of the first things you'll see when getting out of the main airport as long as you go south east around the island. what I read said there were some decent 10-15lb tarpon. ther is a guide who can take you out, don't know his name but if you do a little drafting it should not be to tough to find.

another more recent spot that you could find tarpon and the like is right at the opening of Simpson bay. this is a real nice harbor with only one entrance in and out which seems to make for the perfect fishing if you know what your doing. the inside of the inlet seems to be more productive for tarpon but if you go in the outside your likely to catch any number of fish using the protection of the breakers.

I will admit I am one of those guys who goes looking for the fish first and then after numerous failed attempts will buck up and get a guide. the only reason I have never done it in SXM is I have not found a guide who will stand dealing with a fly rodder. I did find one guys contact info and plan on setting something up with him when I'm down there in april.

if you have any guides that you know of down there please let me know.

tight lines!

TytLynz · Location: Retreat Estate, St. Maarten

The guide that is referred to in the previous post is myself. If anyone wants info on fishing one of the best kept inshore fishing secrets in the Caribbean feel free to contact me, tytlynz@hotmail.com