Featherback

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Nice fishing week end at Bolgoda Lake !!!

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Last week-end, I was guiding Maeda san and Ito san, 2 Japanese anglers who work in India and have planned to come fishing at Bolgoda Lake to caught Barramundi, mangrove jack and featherback.

With the unusual rains last week of January and first week of February, fishing at Bolgoda was a bit tough due to some murky water, but we always manage to put our clients on some fish.

Hopefully for our two Japanese last week end was the first day without rain and slowly water was getting better.

Saturday morning, we try to catch some featherback, but without success, Maeda san had a nice bite but was not connected to the fish, it's only in the afternoon session we start to found some activity and Ito san caught a Barramundi and a Featherback.

Sunday, water color was much better. The morning the guys have fun with some nice mangrove jack.

Just before lunch Maeda caught his first barramundi and just after he released his fish, Ito san caught also one nice barramundi. Few minutes later, on the same spot Maeda san lost another decent barramundi. The afternoon was more tough has the current was going slower as the fish activity.

For their first fishing trip at Bolgoda Lake our 2 Japanese anglers enjoy the place, so relaxing compare to the crazy New Delhi mega city where they work in India. Definitely, they will come back at Bolgoda Lake and I have the feeling Maeda san as a GT angler will come back also to cast some big popper next time.

Guys, thanks to come fishing with us in Sri Lanka, really nice to meeting you and I am waiting to see you again soon.

Tight Lines

Nico - Head Fishing Guide

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Fly fishing at Bolgoda Lake with Umpqa USA angler

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Every season, I have the pleasure to guide Dave from Umpqa company for a fly fishing day. At the beginning, we have planned to have a go at sea, but sadly this day was too windy to fly fish. Then we decided to have a go at Bolgoda Lake.

Morning was quite slow, Dave caught only an oxeye tarpon.

In the afternoon the fish were more keen to play with Dave. After catching a small mangrove jack, Dave focus of catching a featherback on fly as they were well active in the evening time. After he dropped one on the first jump, he finally caught a nice one.

Dave was so happy, to tick one of the fish he had in his bucket list.

Congratulations Dave !!!

I know I will see you next season for another fly fishing day.

Nico - Head Fishing Guide

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Aussie couple had a blast at Bolgoda

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Last week, I have guided Leroy from Shimano Australia and his girlfriend Rose at Bolgoda Lake and they had a great fishing day.

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They had blast with some nice MJ's, Leroy caught also a nice featherback and Rose caught a decent Golden Barramundi, who give her a insane fight on light tackle.

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Another great day fishing in our light tackle heaven : Bolgoda Lake !!!

Nico - Head Fishing Guide

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Great catches at Bolgoda Lake !!

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What a nice fishing day at Bolgoda Lake last week guiding Ryuji san from Dehli.

Total of the catch : 3 barramundi, 1 big featherback, couple of nice mangrove jack and a nice river GT !

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It was nice to met you Ryuji san and I know you will come again soon at Bolgoda Lake for another great fishing day

Tight Lines

Nico - Head Fishing Guide

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Hiro & Miyazaki san back to fish in Bolgoda Lake !!!

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After their last successful fishing trip, Hiro san and Myazaki san came back to Bolgoda Lake and as usual they had a good fishing day.

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Morning was a bit slow, they missed a couple of fish as ladyfish and a featherback for Myazaki san. After a nice lunch at the Villa, they had a very good evening session with 2 nice wild golden barramundi around 70 cm, a featherback for Hiro san and a couple of small mangrove jack.

Another great fishing day for our expat japanese anglers.

Nico - Head Fishing Guide

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Great fishing for Hiro san and his friend Miyazaki san

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Our regular expat Japanese anglers Hiro san & Miyazaki san, had a good weekend fishing at Bolgoda.

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They caught some nice Barramundi like the 80 cm caught by Hiro san, but also some good size featherback and the usual Mangrove Jack with a nice 50 cm up.

Two other nice species were caught during this weekend, a black sea bream and a juvenile GT which gave a hard fight with light tackle.

It was nice to see you again at Bolgoda till your next trip

Nico - Head Fishing Guide

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Fun fishing day at Bolgoda

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Last week-end Pershy from Awesome Foursome group have a great time fishing at Bolgoda Lake with our Guide Shaktivel.

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"It was a fun full day in the best way to spend our Sunday at Bolgoda. We had a good day in the water with a catch of 2 Barramundi, 1 featherback and 2 Mangrove Jacks which was caught by casting lures and all the fish was successfully released back into the water.”

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“A big thank you to Sportfishing Lanka and Boatman Sathivel for job well done"

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Congratulations Pershy see you soon

Nico - Head Fishing Guide

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Fishing day at Bolgoda Lake with Japanese angler

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Last week we have received Hayano san from Japan for a day charter at Bolgoda.

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He had a nice day and caught some nice Mangrove Jack during the morning session and the afternoon he lost a big Barramundi and caught a featherback.


It was nice to meet you Hayano san. Hope to see you again at Bolgoda Lake and take your revenge with the Barramundi ;-)

Nico - Head Fishing Guide

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A nice day fishing with friends at Bolgoda Lake

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Going fishing at Bolgoda Lake with some buddies like Pershy and Damith, this is the way every Saturday should be spend !

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Here some pictures of our catches, Pershy was the man of the day with 2 barra, Damith was unlucky this day (for once) and caught a ladyfish. My day was not bad with some decent mangroves jacks and 2 featherback.

Guys, I enjoyed my fishing day with you as usual and can't wait for the next one.

Nico - Head Fishing Guide

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Great fishing days at Bolgoda Lake with Japanese anglers : Yuzo san & Satoru san. 

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 Satoru san fished with us last January and caught some nice Mangrove Jack, but he was unlucky with the Barramundi. But on the first day of this trip, he caught the first barramundi ! Good start !

A bit later and after they caught some mangrove jack, Yuzo san had a serious barramundi bite. The fish goes in long and powerful run, a bit scared Yuzo put some pressure on the spool with his thumb and lost the fish. His lure came back with a hook less and a strong split ring completely open... A serious fish for sure.

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In the afternoon, he miss 2 nice golden barramundi, fortunately for him, he caught a juvenile GT and a featherback in the evening.

Second day, on the morning session Yuzo caught another Featherback and Saturo a baby barramundi, plus some usual mangrove jack. Just before lunch Satoru caught a nice barramundi.

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On the afternoon session, finally Yuzo san caught a wild golden barramundi. We try also for featherback, but they don't seems very active, then on the last hour before back to the Villa we fished some good spots for barramundi and Satoru san hooked a big wild golden barramundi. Fish was strong, he came twice a long the boat and we saw a very big fish. After a bit of stress during the battle, I finally put the fish in the landing net and it's an absolute beast which is on the boat deck. This wild Golden Barramundi was stubby, his lenght was 89 cm for a weight of 22 lb on the Boga Grip. Satoru san was so happy and I saw his hands were shaking as the one of a kid who caught his first fish. Such a long time I haven't seen this kind of emotion from an angler and I was also so happy for him.

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Last day the morning session was a bit tough due to some windy condition, but we manage to catch some mangrove jack, tarpon and lady fish. The afternoon, on the first spot Yuzo san caught a nice wild golden barramundi.

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After that some serious lightning were coming fast, then we decide to end the fishing day and the trip. 
It was a really nice trip, the guys enjoyed a lot to fish Bolgoda Lake and promised me to come back soon with friends. See you soon then.

Nico-Head Fishing Guide

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Sugimoto & Hashimoto are back for a week end at Bolgoda Lake

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Our regular expat japanese anglers Sugimoto and Hashimoto were back at Bolgoda for the week end and they have a good fishing trip.

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Saturday, morning session was slow till Sugimoto break the ice with a beautiful 70 cm barramundi, in the afternoon he caught his first featherback, a weird fish according to him. Hashimoto caught some Mangrove Jack, but the Sunday morning he missed a first barramundi and lost a beast over 90 cm on the first jump. Fortunately, he landed some usual Mangrove jack and caught some nice ladyfish.

And Sugimoto ? He caught another nice 60 cm Wild Golden Barramundi after he missed 2 others.

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Another great fishing trip at Bolgoda Lake. Sugimoto has already plan his next fishing week end in April, see you soon then.

Nico - Head Fishing Guide

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Great trip at Bolgoda Lake with Japanese anglers !!

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We received Yamada san and 3 of his friends for a 3 days fishing trip at Bolgoda Lake.

It was a great trip for our japanese anglers, they caught Golden barramundi, their main target, and also some featherback which were active compare to the last days fishing we have before them.

Strangily the Mangrove Jack were not very active as usual, they caught some but nice size mainly up to the 40 cm mark.

Two big barramundi were missed right on the boat, it's for that you must finish to retrieve your lure till the boat !!! Anyway like I say it was a great fishing trip, with good fishing action, some fun, good souvenirs and for sure we will see you again at Bolgoda Lake or maybe for a sea fishing trip on our new boat which will be delivery in a couple of weeks now.

Nico - Head Fishing Guide

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Another great fishing day at Bolgoda Lake with Hiro & Miyazaki san !!

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With a bit of late, report of the great fishing day with our regular japanese anglers Hiro and Miyazaki. After a week of rain and strong wind due to a cyclone passage, it was our first beautiful sunny day and fish were hungry.

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We started the day with a Barramundi caught by Hiro san, follow up by a spotted featherback and some nice lady fish. Just before lunch Hiro san caught a nice wild golden barramundi and on the same spot Miyazaki caught another one of similar size.

After lunch we reach the fishing spot where we found good activity at the end of morning. Plenty of lady fish were caught and Miyazaki caught the fish of the day an absolute beautiful Wild Golden Barramundi of 80 cm. The fish gave an amazing fight to Miyazaki on his light rod and several time we thought he will lost it.

After that catch, we decide to focus on featherback, we reach our special fishing spot where the knive fish were rolling in surface. On the first cast Hiro and Miyazaki caught two big Mangrove jack of 46 cm and 49 cm.

After a while Miyazaki finally caught his first ever spotted featherback and it was a big one.

We finish the day just before night and Hiro lost a big fish, which seems to be another big barramundi, never mind this fishing day was great and our two japanese have already plan their next fishing day after their holidays in Japan. See you soon guys for another great day fishing at Bolgoda Lake !!!

Nico - Head Fishing Guide

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Brian & CK from Lure Fisher at Bolgoda Lake

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Last Friday and Saturday, I have guided two Malaysians anglers : Brian and his friend CK from Lure Fisher. These 2 days fishing was good with some nice catch, like this Wild Golden Barramundi caught by CK.

During these 2 days, predators fish were active like the Mangrove Jack, CK caught a big one up to 40 cm on popper !! 

Some nice Lady Fish give good time to Brian, these fish are incredibly strong on light tackle.

Spotted Featherback was also a target fish for our anglers and they caught some nice one. We were waiting for the Juvenile GT but they don't want to show to our Malaysians how hard they fight.

It was a really pleasure to guide Brian & CK, lot of fun and good time, I know I will see you soon guys.

Nico - Head Fishing Guide

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Very good fishing week-end for Expat Japanese Anglers from India

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Another good fishing week end at Bolgoda Lake with japanese anglers Fumiaki san and Norifumi san from Bangalore, where they are working. Like expected, water color in the lake and his backwater was a bit better compare to last week end and made the predators also more active.

Fumiaki san caught a proper Golden Barramundi of 58 cm but sadly his friend Norifumi miss 2 barra, one was really big !

Fortunately, Norifumi san has a great time with the Mangrove Jack and honestly we could not remember how many he caught, but enough for giving him the nickname of "Mister Jack". Some Mangrove Jack were very close of the 50 cm mark (48 cm and 49 cm).

They also caught some others species like juvenile GT which give so much fun to catch on light tackle, and also Fumiaki caught 2 featherback with the finesse technique, plus some oxeye tarpon and ladyfish.

It was a really nice fishing week end, I enjoyed to guide Fumiaki and his friend Norifumi, they promised me to come back soon for another week end at Bolgoda Lake. See you soon guys.

Nico - Head Fishing Guide

Fishing trip at Bolgoda Lake with Malaysian group

Last week, we had 3 Malaysian friends fishing at Bolgoda Lake. Their goal was to catch Featherback on lure. This year the monsoon is late and there has been little rain. The Featherback are most active when it rains and the water is slightly turbid. However our 3 fishermen, instead of being worried on hearing the news were more motivated than ever.

The tide was not favourable to fish Featherback on the morning of the first day, so we focused our efforts on finding the Mangrove Jack and other species that can be caught at Bolgoda Lake. Our 3 fishermen caught Mangrove jack, a couple of Herring and missed a fish identified as Barramundi.

Sport Fishing Sri Lanka Bolgoda Lake Mangrove Jack Rapala

In the afternoon, after a delicious Sri Lankan rice and curry prepared by our chef and a small nap, we reach one of our favorite Featherback spots. They were there, rolling on the surface, few but active. The boats are anchored and lures fuse towards the elusive « knife fish ». After an hour without any bites a spot of rain arriving, one of the boats decided to return. The other boat decided to stay and it was a good idea because in the late afternoon after the rain, the Featherback were active and they caught three along with a nice mangrove jack and some herrings.

Sportfishing Sri Lanka Bolgoda Lake Mangrove Jack

The next morning we set off to ours Barramundi spots and Chang was lucky to catch one of 61 cm with our favorite lure for barramundi in Bolgoda the Rapala Flat Rap.

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The other boat missed one and caught some Mangrove Jack. Chang was happy to catch a tarpon as it’s a new species for him. 

Sport Fishing Sri Lanka Oxeye Tarpon Bolgoda Lake

After lunch and a short nap, it was rainy and we decide to wait little bit before to going out again. When headed out to our Featherback spot expecting good action after the rain stopped. The fish were there and they were active. Chang wanted to try a small jig head and soft plastic shad. A few casts and he caught his first Featherback that gave a good fight in the current. Chang was very happy and after some pics, the fish was released.

Sport Fishing Sri Lanka Bolgoda Lake Featherback Soft Plastic Bait

He cast immediately in the same area where the Featherback were increasingly active and has a bite as soon as his lure fell. This time it was a nice Mangrove Jack.

Sport Fishing Sri Lanka Bolgoda Lake Mangrove Jack Soft Plastic Bait Bass Assassin

The other boat caught some Featherback too and Chau landed a proper Giant Herring, a beast ! and one of the biggest we have seen in the lake!!

Sport Fishing Sri Lanka Bolgoda Lake Ladyfish Giant herring

The morning of day 3 we concentrated our effort on Barramundi but without success. Instead we caught some small mangrove jack. The afternoon was better with some fish lost or missed especially Featherback but our fishermen were happy, fishing is fishing…

The plan for the last day was Mangrove Jack in the morning and Featherback in the afternoon. We caught some Mangrove Jack and one of the boats missed a nice Barramundi. In the afternoon, Chang caught another Featherback with his soft plastic lure and lost another one on the first jump. His two friends caught Herring, Tarpon and Mangrove jack but Chang was the only one to catch a Featherback that day.

Sport Fishing Sri Lanka Bolgoda Lake Featherback

It was a pleasant trip, our 3 Malaysian friends enjoyed these 4 days of fishing at Bolgoda Lake and tell us they are very impressed by the quality of our accommodation, food, boats and diversity of fish species that can be caught.

Sportfishing Lanka Team

Angling Sri Lanka Bolgoda Lake Sunset

Big Barra & Featherback for UK guys

I picked up Brian & John from their hotel in Colombo early in the morning. They are from UK and had come to Sri Lanka for a couple of days to support their sons who were playing rugby in a friendly match with a local team.

An hour later we reached the Villa and after a coffee we headed out on the lake. We started fishing at our Mangrove Jack spots. It was really windy and the conditions were not ideal so after casting for a while we moved to the Barramundi spots. There were lots of small bait jumping and we saw a big swirl. The guys cast in the area but unfortunately nothing come to bite theirs lures. Around 11 am, I decide to try our Featherback spots. The fish are there – rolling on surface. Brian & John are so excited to see some fish. I change their lures for models that the Featherback find more attractive and after few cast Brian has a bite. The fish takes some line but the hook comes off. The Featherback appear active. Two casts later Brian has another bite and this time the fish is well hooked. The fish makes a couple of jumps and finishes in the landing net. Quick picture and we release the fish.

Sportfishing Lanka Bolgoda Lake Feataherback


I show John where to cast and give him some tips on how to retrieve his lure. On the third cast, he is on with a Featherback and he lands it. John is so happy.

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Later, Brian has another bite but the fish comes off. After that John has a bite and the fish makes a strong and long rush. That’s not a Featherback !!! We see a large Barramundi shaking his head on the surface. The fish fight is strong on light tackle and it takes a lot of line, but John follows my advice and we finally put the fish in the landing net. There’s an explosion of joy on board. John cannot believe the size of the fish. I take the measurement tape and it’s a beautiful 88cm Barramundi that John has caught. I estimated it’s weight at 7 kg. What a fish !! We take a couple of pictures and release the fish, who is gone quickly.

Sportfishing Lanka Barramundi Bolgoda Lake

After that we head back to the Villa for a nice lunch.

I have lot of hope for the afternoon session, but strangely the fishing is tough. I spot some fish chasing around baits but nothing comes of it. John and Brian enjoyed their day fishing & the wildlife at Bolgoda. Like they said: "this lake is a natural pearl at only one hour from the noisy Colombo and it’s priceless !"

Good luck for your son’s rugby match and I hope you enjoy your trip in Sri Lanka, like you enjoyed your fishing day with us at Bolgoda Lake.


Nico - Head Fishing Guide

 

Rainy day at Bolgoda Lake, it's good time for featherback

I picked up Naoya san and his friend at their hotel in Colombo early in the morning. On the way to Bolgoda Lake, we talked fishing and Naoya asked me how the condition of the lake was after all the rainy days in Sri Lanka. From my experience, these aren’t the best conditions for Barramundi but they are really good for Featherback. Good news for Naoya, who has never caught one of these fish before. Naoya’s friend joined him at the last minute, he knows fishing but he is not an expert like Naoya and came along mainly to enjoy a day out on the lake.

We arrive at Ruskin Island, where ours boats are parked, around 7 am. We take time to have a tea and prepare our tackle before we leave for fishing. Starting at some spots to target Barramundi, nothing comes up so we head on to our Featherback spots. When we arrive we see plenty of them rolling on the surface. Naoya and his friend are surprised to see so many fish. But as usual with Featherback you need a lot of patience and never give up. I advise Naoya to fish with special lures and give one of my favourite lures to his friend to use. After a while, heavy rain comes down. Just after when the rain stops, Naoya’s friend has a bite and lands a nice featherback. He is extremely happy, it’s his first fish caught on lure !

Sportfishing Lanka Featherback Bolgoda Lake

This fish boosts Naoya and I feel him start to concentrate more. I give him some advice about how to animate his lure and on his second cast he has a bite but misses the fish. A few minutes later the Featherback start to become more active. The surface of water is full of Featherback rolling everywhere. Naoya’s friend casts close to where the Featherback pack is rolling and immediately has another bite landing his second fish of the day. Naoya casts in the same area and catches a very nice Featherback.

Sportfishing Lanka Bolgoda Lake Featherback

We stay a while longer at the spot but it was time to head back and there was more rain on the way. We have a late lunch at the Villa and I drop Naoya and his friend to Colombo airport. Naoya enjoyed his day fishing and plans to come back soon to make a 4 day trip at Bolgoda.

Hope to see you soon !

Nico - Head Fishing Guide

 

Nice fishing day at Bolgoda Lake

Barramundi, Featherback, Giant Herring & Mangrove Jack caught by japanese expat Horioko San in a hot & dry fishing day.

Nice to meet you and hope to see you soon to fish again Bolgoda Lake with us.

Sportfishing Lanka Team

Expats Fly Fishing at Bolgoda Lake

Tiernan has been working in Colombo and like any good fisherman he brought his fishing rods, hoping to fish in his new country of residence. Tiernan is a fly fisherman, in the United States, he fishes in fresh water for trout, salmon and large mouth bass. He has also fished at sea for Redfish and other mangrove fish.

After three months without having gone fishing, Tiernan booked a fishing day with us at Bolgoda Lake. Guiding a fly fisherman is a great challenge for me. I know it’s possible to catch many of the species present in the lake on fly, but I never had the opportunity to guide a fisherman to try. In the past we have had anglers fly fishing and they’ve caught Giant Herring, Oxeye Tarpon, Mangove Jack and even Barramundi for the luckiest.


I met Tiernan at the villa, we had a coffee and prepared the fishing equipment. Tiernan was well equipped, but I took my fly rod and my fly box just in case. We headed out at around 7:30 am and started fishing on our Barramundi spots. The weather was perfect and the surface of the water flat. We saw Oxeye Tarpon rolling in some areas, Tiernan missed 2 and we are headed to another spot for Barramundi but there was no activity. Then I decided to go on our favourite spot for Featherback. When we arrived we saw plenty of these “knife fish” rolling on surface, Tiernan couldn’t believe his eyes ! Unfortunately he didn’t have any bites from this elusive fish but he caught a very nice Giant Herring.

Ladyfish Fly Fishing Bolgoda Lake Sportfishing Lanka

It was time for a lunch break back at the villa. In the afternoon, Tiernan wanted to try the morning spot again for catching a featherback. At the spot there was the same activity as the morning, the Featherback were rolling on surface, but this time I gave of Tiernan a favourite fly of mine. An orange & yellow Enrico Puglisi. On his second cast, right where a Featherback was rolling, two strips and bang ! Fish on !!! First Featherback ever caught on fly at Bolgoda Lake !!!

Featherback Fly fishing Bolgoda Lake Sportfishing Lanka

Congratulations Tiernan ! After that we changed spots to try again for Barramundi and Tiernan caught a nice Mangrove Jack to finish his fishing day.

Mangrove Jack Fly fishing Bolgoda Lake Sportfishing Lanka


It was a great trip that has given me more confidence to guide fly fishermen at Bolgoda Lake. If you are travelling in Sri Lanka and would like to have a couple of days fly fishing at Bolgoda Lake give us a call !


Nico - Head Fishing Guide