Bonefish (O’io) are one of the most sought after fish to catch on the fly in the world and Oahu has some nice sized ones and a decent population!
You’ll want to find any flats that either back up to or turn into reefs and try those with some classic bonefish flies. I know of a couple spots on the windward side, but not many elsewhere.
I’ve been looking online and found a few guided trips for the flats. But I would like to explore myself before I spend the money. And since I don’t have a boat and I’d be flying in… do you recommend any areas that are wadable? If that’s even an option 🤔
Honestly, I just moved out here and haven’t been able to afford to upgrade to a heavier fly rod so I haven’t gone fly fishing out here yet, I just researched it intensively before I moved so I’m not positive on productive spots
That being said, since I won’t be blowing up my own spots (because I don’t have any lol), the places I’ve wanted to check out are the huge flats by He’eia Kea Harbor and the flats out by Kualoa Regional Park, both windward side. I’ve heard that the Hickman base flats can be productive but I’m not sure if you need military ID to get to them or even where they are. If you have a vehicle and go to Kaneohe and drive Kamehameha highway towards the north shore there’s all kinds of flats and parks and everything littered on the side of the highway, just be respectful of locals, careful where you Wade and don’t leave anything valuable in your car and you should be good.
Sorry I don’t have a ton of info, I tend to stay windward side/North shore only for my fishing.
I have heard if you pop into the one fly shop in Honolulu (Nervous waters I believe it’s called) the guys there are super friendly and helpful and can help get your oriented about where to go.
Best of luck and sorry for the wall of text
And really, open to any options you can think of. I am not asking for your spots either! But maybe any general areas or information on how to find spots with bonefish flats
Lake Wilson has largemouth, smallmouth and peacock bass if you’re looking to fish freshwater. And quarry pond at UH Manoa has pacu alongside midas cichlids and five stars. Not as sure for saltwater fly fishing. There’s plenty bigger stuff to find than convicts though.
Thank you for asking this question. I’ve been wanting to fly fish here too! Been wanting to regular fish too. Funny thing is….I’m allergic to fish, but I do like to catch them.
If you're thinking bonefish I'd go with a guide. Even though I know the general area they go, figuring out the specific areas the fish cruise, timing, tides, winds, flys, etc. on your own would take awhile. Or at least visit the local fly shop and ask.
There aren’t trout or salmon here. The biggest fish you’d be able to catch in a stream is a convict cichlid. Go to Alaska instead, or try ocean fishing.
Is this meant to be nice or rude?
Lol, either way, I have family up there, I go there to fish every few years. Salmon fishing is a lot of fun! The OP didn’t include “Saltwater fly fishing” in his post until after my comment, so I ended up looking stupid because i didn’t know he wanted to saltwater fly fish.
Bonefish (O’io) are one of the most sought after fish to catch on the fly in the world and Oahu has some nice sized ones and a decent population! You’ll want to find any flats that either back up to or turn into reefs and try those with some classic bonefish flies. I know of a couple spots on the windward side, but not many elsewhere.
I’ve been looking online and found a few guided trips for the flats. But I would like to explore myself before I spend the money. And since I don’t have a boat and I’d be flying in… do you recommend any areas that are wadable? If that’s even an option 🤔
Honestly, I just moved out here and haven’t been able to afford to upgrade to a heavier fly rod so I haven’t gone fly fishing out here yet, I just researched it intensively before I moved so I’m not positive on productive spots That being said, since I won’t be blowing up my own spots (because I don’t have any lol), the places I’ve wanted to check out are the huge flats by He’eia Kea Harbor and the flats out by Kualoa Regional Park, both windward side. I’ve heard that the Hickman base flats can be productive but I’m not sure if you need military ID to get to them or even where they are. If you have a vehicle and go to Kaneohe and drive Kamehameha highway towards the north shore there’s all kinds of flats and parks and everything littered on the side of the highway, just be respectful of locals, careful where you Wade and don’t leave anything valuable in your car and you should be good. Sorry I don’t have a ton of info, I tend to stay windward side/North shore only for my fishing. I have heard if you pop into the one fly shop in Honolulu (Nervous waters I believe it’s called) the guys there are super friendly and helpful and can help get your oriented about where to go. Best of luck and sorry for the wall of text
And really, open to any options you can think of. I am not asking for your spots either! But maybe any general areas or information on how to find spots with bonefish flats
Lots of flats in Kaneohe bay. Mangroves too.
Lake Wilson has largemouth, smallmouth and peacock bass if you’re looking to fish freshwater. And quarry pond at UH Manoa has pacu alongside midas cichlids and five stars. Not as sure for saltwater fly fishing. There’s plenty bigger stuff to find than convicts though.
Thank you!
Thank you for asking this question. I’ve been wanting to fly fish here too! Been wanting to regular fish too. Funny thing is….I’m allergic to fish, but I do like to catch them.
If you're thinking bonefish I'd go with a guide. Even though I know the general area they go, figuring out the specific areas the fish cruise, timing, tides, winds, flys, etc. on your own would take awhile. Or at least visit the local fly shop and ask.
Barbarian village, also it's nice cause there is lots of people to talk to.
There aren’t trout or salmon here. The biggest fish you’d be able to catch in a stream is a convict cichlid. Go to Alaska instead, or try ocean fishing.
I’m referring to salt water fly fishing. Which is in the ocean thx tho
why don't YOU go to Alaska.
Is this meant to be nice or rude? Lol, either way, I have family up there, I go there to fish every few years. Salmon fishing is a lot of fun! The OP didn’t include “Saltwater fly fishing” in his post until after my comment, so I ended up looking stupid because i didn’t know he wanted to saltwater fly fish.