Kauai Salt

[SHigSpeed]

First off, thanks to Mems for the email and phone recon. It helped a LOT to get me on the fish that I managed!

So, I was on Kauai for my grandfather's services, and I recalled fondly the days 20+ years ago when I would visit and fish the salt for little colorful fish. I hadn't been there since falling ill with the fly fishing bug so I had to give it a shot while I was there.

My goals were to get a bone and a peacock (o'io and tucanare) but I went 0:2.

Didn't nail the O'io that I wanted but I did get a good variety of fish. I had one GOOD tug that went tight and pulled like a freight train (not a blistering 'bone run) and promptly broke my 0x at the tippet knot. Newb...

Here's some salty fishporn:

Papio Pix:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2607/3925807505_144e62ae75.jpg

...and a bigger one - This one pulled mightily for its size!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3458/3925808631_349938ca4b.jpg

Some others:

'Aha (don't think this one released successfully...)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3418/3925806933_77af5268f5.jpg

'Ulae (caught a bunch - aggressive and toothy guys!)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3472/3925806399_bb5612cf95.jpg

Moana (apparently very tasty):

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3465/3925809209_4295ac3a0f.jpg

Nunu Peke (Cornetfish - very odd fish, how do the eyes know what the mouth is eating?:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2472/3925874025_d3ed1a646a.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2574/3926657856_dbbcc6e702.jpg

I did try freshwater for a bit and hoped for a tucanare (Peacock Bass) but was skunked there. Did get a Tilapia, but the fish there were super spooky and lockjawed. I do think I may have seen some female tucanare in the same water (spot on the tail but not brightly orange/yellow as I recall) but I couldn't get one. My brother got a couple of dink LMBs but I can get those in my backyard! :)

Definitely need to tie more flies if there's a next time as I ran out of Clousers (yellow and white o'ama imitation) on my big pull and had to use Crazy Charlies thereafter. Also, no flyshops on Kauai that I could find so pack it in or you're SOL!

I got the big Papio and Moana at Kapaa Reef, and the rest at Anini BTW.

Aloha!

_SHig

[David Lee]

Sorry to hear about Grandad .

Jack/Trevs pull like the damned devil , don't they ??

David

[Jeff C.]

Nice Scott! I was on Oahu in August but went surfing instead of fishing. Next time I go I'm taking an 8 wt and some Clousers.

[SHigSpeed]

Sorry to hear about Grandad .

Jack/Trevs pull like the damned devil , don't they ??

David

That they do. Couldn't imagine what a 150 pound ulua would pull like!

_SHig

[Darian]

Tropical, Salt Water species are so colorful and powerful.... Even the smaller ones.... :D :D 8)

[mems]

Aloha Scott, glad you had a good time. I told you the yellow and white was a good fly. Next time buy some of my oama flies at Rainy's flies. The 2nd papio is a small white trevally or a little GT. They do fight hard for their size. Too bad you didn't see any bones at Anini. Were you able to fish the resevoir for the peacocks? If you can find a female nesting, then you get hit every time the fly gets close. The Nunu are funny, they only fish in reverse and are very slimey! Here are some pictures for you tothink about on your next trip. Glad my info helped you out, Mems.
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a371/mems15/P8250021.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a371/mems15/P7200047.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a371/mems15/P6160012.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a371/mems15/P6100040.jpg
All caught on Kauai! Too bad the trout will not be restocked.
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a371/mems15/HPIM0060.jpg
Oama fly
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a371/mems15/DSC02625.jpg
Oama fly in action! I am so stoked when someone visits and gets hooked up. I love Kauai, the place has a beach at the end of every road. Glad you had a good time.

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

All those saltwater fish are so beautiful.

Great photos.............thanks.

[Fochetti]

Mems,

Are you saying the Nunu swims backwards when feeding?

Those are all amazing fish, I really need t get into the salt.

[SHigSpeed]

You didn't catch that 'bow in Hawaii did you? That's a nice football!

Also, my Clousers looked pretty much like your Oama versions, but I wish I'd've thought to put the goat whiskers on. Next time...

That little o'io would have made my trip though.

_SHig

[mems]

Yes the Nunu only fights in reverse, kinda weird. Yes the trout was from kokee pond. The ones in the streams are smaller, but more fun to catch. The stream fish will be the only ones left. The Oahu chapter of TU is hatching a plan for us to take over the stocking program in Hawaii. Maybe we will be able to save the trout. Times are tough over here with our idiot governor, but you guys know about those things better than I.