Los Roques - Venezuela

Most Australian fly fishers were introduced to the bonefishing delights of Los Roques through the brilliant travel/fishing series ‘A River Somewhere’. Rob and Tom brought this wonderful archipelago into our living rooms and the island has been on the minds of many fly fishers ever since. This is your chance to join us on the trip of a lifetime.

Introduction

Los Roques is situated a short flight north of Caracas, the capital of Venezuela. It is a collection of islands that have become famous for the amazing bonefishing that surrounds them on all sides.

Hundreds of flats are located within an hour’s boat ride of the main island, their fame coming from the extensive wading flats and the sheer numbers of good sized bonefish that can be found here. Vast quantities of bait fish can be found in the waters around LR and the bonefish here are renowned for feeding on them as much as they do crabs, shrimps and other small crustaceans. It is the only place we have found where bonefish will readily eat a floating fly!

The island itself has very little in the way of amenities. It is home to just over 1,000 people and just about everything required (including drinking water), must be brought in from the mainland. Fortunately for us the island has had an influx of Italian settlers in recent decades and they run some wonderful establishments that provide the best of the fishing as well brilliant food and comfortable lodgings in which to relax. We are working closely with one of the very best Posadas and the undisputed best guiding operation on the island.

The Fishing

The bonefishing is world class with large numbers of small to mid-sized bones available on certain flats and trophy fish in singles and pairs available on others. The fish are not as sophisticated as are those in many nearby locations including the Bahamas, which can result in some brilliant fishing when they are on. The extensive sand flats can be waded and sight fished with everything from mud’s to pancake flats available within a short boat ride of each other.

There are over 350 flats within a short boat ride of the main island. Large bonefish between 6-8lb can be stalked in crystal clear water. A variety of areas will be fished with pancake flats, muds, beaches, lagoons, mangroves as well as extensive classic sand flats.The bones in the main harbor average over 10lb with 15lb fish visible at most times of day.

While bonefish will be the main target, for those keen to tangle with other species or chase a Grand Slam, tarpon can be caught everyday and large permit can be specifically targeted. We had some days where we got shots at 30+ permit up to 40lb.

For what it is worth some of those that came with us in 2010 have also fished Christmas Island and the Bahamas and they all agreed that Los Roques was a superior destination due to the outstanding fishing, lack of pressure, great food and comfortable lodgings.

More scheduled dates added soon. Trips can be arranged at anytime for singles or groups

Time of Year

Trips can be run at just about any time of year. Los Roques is far enough off the coast to avoid most of the traditional summer rain that hits the mainland; hence our mid-winter trips are at an ideal time. LR is also nicely situated outside the reach of hurricanes. Temperatures are pleasant all year round with only the dead calm days being uncomfortable. Thankfully there are very few of these in June/July.

The best thing about fishing Los Roques in June July is that because the trout season in the USA/UK/Europe is underway, there is next to no other fishing pressure. We saw two other boats in three weeks.

Lodgings

The posada we stay at is very comfortable. The owners are aware not only of having to provide the best fly fishing possible, but also a comfortable environment in which to relax. The meals are very good and served under the stars on the roof of the lodge. Seafood is served most nights with pork and chicken dishes available on request.

Getting There

Overnight flights from the east coast of Australia (Melbourne and Sydney to Los Angeles or San Francisco) depart daily. You can also fly by Air NZ via Auckland for those wishing to use their Frequent Flyer points on this airline.

Caracas is serviced by airports such as Miami, Dallas, Atlanta in the USA. You can also get there via Buenos Aires. We fly Melbourne to Los Angeles, Los Angeles to Miami, then Miami to caracas. Call for more information.

Safety

One of the biggest concerns I had on my first trip is safety given that you often hear a lot of negative things about Venezuela when watching CNN or FOX. While it is true that Caracas is a dangerous city, the lodge we work with have done everything possible to ensure a safe trip and they have an incident free history.

The hotel in Caracas is only a 5 minute drive from the airport and is very comfortable and safe. You will be met at the airport by the transfer company and escorted in a secure van on arrival. These guys do everything from collecting your luggage to waking you the next morning. On our way to Los Roques the next morning they literally paid our taxes for us and escorted us all the way to the gate. The same thing when we came back from Los Roques and also when we departed Caracas for home.

I felt very safe and can highly recommend them especially given some of the stories other tourists on Los Roques told us of their own 'do it yourself' traveling.

Los Roques itself is very safe and we walked anywhere at any time of day without any fear or concern.

Packages

6 days fishing/7 overnights in Twin Share (sharing boat/guide/room) $3,595 USD Plus tips per day (tips $30 per guide & $20 lodge staff). Please allow an extra $100 in case this situation changes slightly.

6 days fishing/5 overnights in Twin Share at Posada (sharing boat/guide/room) $3.595 USD Plus tips (tips $30 per guide & $20 lodge staff). Two nights (1 at trip start and one at trip end at hotel in Caracas) **prices subject to change

DAY 1: Arrive Caracas International Airport. Meet and transfer to the Marriott Hotel for overnight twin share room (2 beds). Meals are not included.

DAY 2: Fly to Los Roques via Aereotuy or Rainbow Airlines at 07.00. Fish all day (sharing boat/guide) Overnight at Mediterraneo Lodge twin share (2 beds) Meals are included.

DAY 3: Fish all day (sharing boat/guide) Overnight at Mediterraneo Lodge twin share (2 beds) Meals are included.

DAY 4: Fish all day (sharing boat/guide) Overnight at Mediterraneo Lodge twin share (2 beds) Meals are included.

DAY 5: Fish all day (sharing boat/guide) Overnight at Mediterraneo Lodge twin share (2 beds) Meals are included.

DAY 6: Fish on 1DBL boat (sharing boat/guide) Overnight at Mediterraneo Lodge on 1 DBL room (2 beds) Meals are included.

DAY 7: Last day of fishing (sharing boat/guide) (breakfast and lunch are included in Los Roques). Fly to Caracas via Aereotuy or Rainbow Airlines at 17.00 (after fishing). Meet representative and transfer to Marriott Hotel for overnight twin share (2 beds). Meals (dinner) are not included

DAY 8: Transfer from Hotel to International Airport. Depart Caracas for journey home or next leg of your trip.
This fishing package is all inclusive:

* Personalized service
* All ground transportation
* First and last overnight at the Marriott Hotel Caracas
* Round-trip Air ticket (Caracas - Los Roques – Caracas) with Transaven Airlines
* Accommodations in a DBL room with private bathroom and air conditioning (single room options available)
* A personal safe for valuables
* Transportation in our own boats
* Bilingual local guides, cooler will be prepared with a mineral water, ice, sodas, beers, and tasty lunches plus all the fishing you ever dreamed of
* Excellent food, refreshments and national drinks (rum and beers)
* Working table and material to tie your own flies
* Fishing Permit
* Desalinization and power plants
* Fishing library
* Special arrangement for charter plane
* Rent Equipment (SAGE rods and reels)

The Package does not include

* Overweight baggage on flight from Caracas to Los Roques (7kg free then only $1USD/kilo)
* Costs of traveling from Australia to Venezuela
* Meals at the Marriott Hotel during two overnight stays at beginning and tail end of the trip

Hosted Trips

While we will be running hosted trips at Los Roques every June/July, you can get a group of five together at any time and one of us will join you on the trip. Otherwise watch for dates on the website/subscribe to our newsletter so that you get the opportunity to join one of our hosted trips. 2010 hosted weeks booked out in less than 24 hours.

Click here for the Los Roques 2010 Report on Antony's Blog