Earlier this year former RFS staff member Matthew Killam had the pleasure of hosting a group of eight anglers on the Reno Fly Shop's annual hosted trip to Christmas Island (Kiritimati) in the Republic of Kiribati. The group included a great mix of anglers, with about half visiting the island for the first time and the other half returning after experiencing the fishery before. It made for a fun dynamic throughout the week, with experienced anglers sharing tips while the first-timers quickly discovered what makes the destination so special.
For those of us traveling from the Reno/Tahoe area, the timing of the trip turned out to be perfect. Purely by chance we left town just ahead of what became one of the biggest winter storms of the year back home. While Reno and Tahoe were digging out from heavy snow and cold temperatures, we found ourselves wading warm tropical flats under sunny skies and steady trade winds—a pretty welcome change of scenery.
The Fishery
Christmas Island is one of the largest coral atolls in the world, with a massive lagoon surrounded by miles of shallow flats that create an extraordinary saltwater fly fishing environment. The fishery is best described as a mixed flats fishery, offering anglers the chance to target several species throughout the day. While bonefish are abundant and provide consistent opportunities, anglers also regularly encounter triggerfish and giant trevally, which add a different level of challenge and excitement to the fishing.
The anglers who chose to spend more time specifically targeting those species often found the most success. Triggerfish require patience and precise presentations as they tail and feed peculiarly across the flats, while giant trevally can appear suddenly and demand quick reactions with heavier gear, making it crucial to walk with your 11wt or 12wt rigged and ready when hunting GTs.
A Week on the Water
Our trip was seven nights with six full days of guided fishing. Each day anglers would typically fish anywhere from two to five different flats depending on tides, weather, and fish activity. Moving between locations allowed guides to put anglers in front of active fish and experience a wide variety of water throughout the island. The variety of flats and habitat keeps the fishing dynamic, with each location offering different opportunities.
In addition to fishing the shallow lagoon flats, anglers also had the option to explore other unique parts of the island's fishery. Some days included opportunities to fish the blue water, where species such as tuna, trevally, and wahoo can be targeted. Another option was making the trip to the Korean Wreck on the southeast part of the island, where anglers can fish the surf for powerful trevally and often encounter larger bonefish cruising the tidepool flats.
Off the Water
Evenings were just as enjoyable as the fishing. Each night the group gathered for dinner and cocktails, sharing stories from the day and reliving the highlights. Staying at Sunset Horizon Lodge on the west side of the island gave us a perfect view of the sunset, and watching the sun drop into the horizon became a great way to end each day.
Join Us in 2027
Overall, the Reno Fly Shop's annual hosted trip once again delivered a fantastic escape from winter. Warm weather, beautiful flats, a diverse fishery, and a great group of anglers made for an unforgettable week on Christmas Island.
We host this trip annually and already have the 2027 dates reserved for February 16–23. Contact Matthew for details and availability. killam.matthew@yahoo.com
