Secrets of the Seychelles: Tips for Targeting Indo-Pacific Permit
with: cullanashby
We caught up with Cullan to hear about his journey from a young fly angler to a full-time guide in one of the world’s most legendary fisheries—the Seychelles. He shared how he got started, his top tips for targeting Indo-Pacific permit, and what it’s really like guiding on these remote atolls. Whether you're dreaming of chasing permit or just want to hear what it takes to make it in the industry, this one’s got plenty of insight.
Cullan, how did you first get into fly fishing, and what inspired you to pursue a career as a guide?
I come from relatively big fishing families on both my mum and my dad side. I was out on most weekends fishing with dad from a super young age and it just kind of went up from there. I think I first held a fly rod in my hand when I was about seven or eight years old. When I was in my mid teens, I kind of started to go a little bit crazy with it. I fell in love with the concept of flyfishing and the direction that the industry was going in. The ethos, the catch and release and conservation practices. I would say the thing that kept me going and kept me wanting more was that it wasn’t easy and not many people could do it properly. I liked that. I had a very unique opportunity to get out and start my guiding career in the Seychelles in 2017. I had just finished school, taken a gap year and the Seychelles as a fly fishing destination had just exploded. It was very overwhelming at the time. I was an 18-year-old kid and got thrown into the team of guides that pretty much pioneered the fishery. I just tried my best to keep my head down and worked hard to earn my spot. The team really looked after me. One season turned into two and here we are 8 years down the line.
Can you share some memorable experiences from your guiding journey that have shaped your approach to fishing?
Whether you are guiding or on the bow of the skiff with the rod in hand, the single most important thing about being out here is approaching the fishery with an open mind. Magic does happen, and it happens often but unfortunately not every day and sometimes not every week. They are so many factors that influence the outcome of a days fishing, some of which are out of our control. The best advice I can give someone that is making a trip out to these kind of destinations is to cast anything that swims. It’s not always about the meter plus GT or trophy Permit. These atolls have so much more to offer and if you can pick up that mindset then you will have an incredible trip regardless of the weather and tides.
What do you love most about guiding, and how does it enhance your own fishing experiences?
Places like the Seychelles as a destination are out of budget for most fly anglers. One of the things that I value most from guiding out at places like this are the incredible people I have met and the incredible contacts I have made. We get to mix and mingle with industry leaders, and people at the absolute top of their game both inside and outside of fly fishing. Some of which have become very close friends over the years and continue to help along the way.
When it comes to targeting Indo-Pacific permit, what are the unique challenges that anglers should be aware of?
Indos feed and behave differently to other permit species. They can be very spooky and are extremely sensitive to boats and movement. Hence why more than 90 percent of our Indo fishing is done on foot which contrasts in comparison to some of the other permit species. We are usually fishing in water ranging from about shin to thigh deep. In my opinion, people give permit far too much credit for their eyesight. The biggest difficulty is getting the fish to see themfly. I tend to fish, smaller, lighter flies so that I can cast closer to the fish without spooking it. Once your fly is in the water, I stick to slow and long strips, keeping the fly moving at all times. Majority of our fish eat the fly mid water and the take can be very subtle. If you stop or don’t have the contact between strips, you will often miss the bite especially if the fish is coming towards you.
Cullen, what are your top tips for anglers looking to improve their success in targeting and catching Indo-Pacific permit?
The most important thing when permit fishing out here is consistency. Consistency in finding fish and getting the chances. Consistency with putting the fly in the right spot and fishing it correctly. The rest is up to the fish. The more consistent you can be as an angler the higher your chances of getting a fish to eat. Finding the right fish on the right day is most probably the second most important thing. How do you tailor your guiding techniques to suit the diverse skill levels of your clients? We get to fish with anglers of all shapes and sizes throughout the season. The thing that we are truly blessed with is that there is a fish to be caught for everyone out here, regardless of your experience or skill level.
Managing a day of fishing can sometimes be quite a challenge. A seasoned client is easy. They usually know what to expect and what they are capable of as far as the fishing is concerned. Looking after a first timer is not too bad either. They are the opposite and don’t know what to expect at all. As long as they show interest and are happy to learn then it usually proves to be an enjoyable day out. The people we struggle with the most are the ones that have maybe done a handful of trips to other destinations around the world, think they know what they are doing and expect to catch XYZ on their trip to the Seychelles.
Our fishery, the fish we fish for and the way we fish for them is very different to anywhere else that I know. The best bit of advice I can give is to listen to your guide. We want you guys to catch fish just as much as you do and our job is to look after you and make sure you have a good day!
Looking ahead, what are your future plans for your guiding career, and how do you envision your approach to fishing evolving?
Fishing and fly fishing is my absolute passion. It is very difficult to plan too far ahead in this day and age, but I’m going to try my best to stay in the industry. I have come to terms with the fact that I cannot stay and guide these exotic destinations forever, but I am still deeply committed and will continue while I am still young and still have the power. It’s a small tight knit industry, and I have already had some incredible opportunities come my way. I am just riding the wave at the moment. Very excited to see where it takes me.
