Heaven on Earth

Ever arrived at that holiday destination only to be disappointed because that picture perfect postcard in the brochure was the only picture possible?  Well I will vouch that this place makes you feel like you are actually walking through the postcard, all the time.  I'm talking about the Cook Islands.  With anything though the further you are away from well worn tracks the more special the places become, so that statement doesn't hold true for the more developed islands in the Cooks.  I guess learning to fly fish might give you a plausible excuse to wade around waist deep in this gin clear tropical water...

Bonefish enthusiasts should consider investigating the Cook Islands in more depth.  It has had a few false starts, they still have issues with the locals netting expansive flats but potential still exists on Aitutaki and Penhryn in particular.  We are talking fewer but massive Boneage. Some of the resorts are amazing.  A few signed photos of Bruce Willis and Co. with thank-you's to the staff for a wonderful stay at Pearl Pacific probably vindicates this.  Tis a romantic place too. As always, the locals are delightful.

I also explored the southern most island in the Cook group, Mangia, with an Australian based fishing agent and co fishing photo journalist to explore it but it's a rugged coast with little flats potential.  GT potential exists however. 

Here's an article, specifically about the Bonefishing on Aitutaki, that saw Gordon Howlett, Greg Finney, Daniel Sefton and I tangle with some of the Cook's best.

As always, shout out for more information about the Cook Islands.  If I can't help, I will find out or I will happily direct you to existing agencies that have been sending clients to the Cooks for years. 

Let's do it!
Jason Borg
jjborg76@hotmail.com

It's raining Sail's....

Kuala Rompin has been providing double digit days on the sails for the last week running.  Local Singaporean and expat customers have not been disappointed with what is proving to be one of the most consistent seasons thus far. 

Fish are averaging 50kg with some bruts up to 80kg.  Some notable catch and release specimens on 9wt fly gear have been recorded and the weather, well it has been hard to distinguish where water meets sky on most days......

Regrettably the rest of the season is booked out but drop me a line to lock your fishing party in for next season.

Cheers
Jason

Let's get Exotic in the Tropics.......

Yes. Sail fishing in Malaysia is as good and better than the Costa Rica's of the world.  That said, I rate fishing destinations holistically, that is how good is the fishing in the context of the broader destination? Well let's see. Malaysian climate? Marvellous; Relative proximity (when compared to Costa Rica for Asia Pac travellers)? Much closer; Food? Abundant, diverse and outrageously good; The people? Yep, there's a bad durian here and there but on the most part friendly and hospitable; Exchange rate and bang for your buck? Extremely favourable; Numbers of Sails? Double digit catch and release days are frequent. That leaves Malaysia at the top of the heap in my mind.  Vessel and basic infrastructure does not compare to our well established Latin American comrades however....but the boats do float!

While fishing would usually be the focal point of a trip of this nature, you still want plenty of things to do and see if the fish God's are not smiling!  A short trip from the concrete jungles of Kuala Lumpur or Singapore will have you tackling one of my favourite and flamboyant fighting saltwater species. 

Trips are booked out from now until the end of the season so I plan to keep you abreast of progress in coming months with some uploaded footage.

There has been quite a bit of interest from you regarding Sailfishing of late.  I've dug up an old article where I set voyage to some uncharted waters and uncovered a few little gems off Malaysia's West Coast.  Hope you can take something from it.

Adios till next time
Jason Borg