I just returned from a DIY trip to Christmas Island. The trip consisted of staying at a local hotel, fishing and exploring various locations around the island. Some of this was done via rental truck, some via skiff and some with the hotel guides. I fished both blue water and the flats. Fish caught were Bonefish, Trevally, Barracuda, Goatfish and Snapper. The weather ranged from hot and still to heavy winds and rain.
Things to consider: Would I go back? I don’t know. I was more then ready to leave the island when it was time to go. As I sit here writing this a few days later, I think, "Yes, I'd go back...I just wish it wasn't for 7 days". I think there are other places I would choose to see or go back to first. As far as Bonefishing is concerned, there are lots of fish, size wise they aren't the largest but the numbers keep you busy. Trevally, I saw and caught them. No Giants however. I don’t think there are as many as there may have been before. Anglers are apt to keep larger fish. I know we did. In retrospect we should have returned all or at least more then we did. We did have lots of action for them outside the lagoon. Action inside the lagoon, I feel was limited, but maybe that was just my inexperience. I feel currents events dictate that if you going to go to Christmas Island, go soon. This year, next year are OK. In a few years it is going to change. While we were there, the monthly supply ship from Tarawa arrived. It brought an interesting cargo, people, and lots of them, 250 in fact. Tarawa is crowded and the Kiribati Government encourages people to relocate to the relatively open spaces of Christmas Island. I heard that most of the time the ship brings in about 100 people. 250 people are quite an increase. Consider that the island has a current population of 5,000 and the ship arrives on roughly a monthly basis. That equates to at least a 20% population increase per year. These folks have got to eat. I saw lots of pick-ups with gill nets in the back. I saw gill nets strung out by London and in “Y” site (the wildlife preserve area). I was told they are netting milkfish. Gill nets are equal opportunity discriminators. They kill whatever gets stuck in them. Also, hungry folks aren't picky. A bird researcher on the island told me that he was concerned about the marine resource. He talked about the numerous restrictions to protect the birds. Still the bird populations are in decline. Rats, cats and people eat them and the dogs chase them out of their nesting areas (only male dogs are allowed on Christmas to control their population, yet I still saw puppies wandering around). He told me his major concern about the marine resource was the total lack of restrictions. Fish are netted for food, tropical reef fish are vacuumed up to be exported for cash. As the population grows this will all increase. How much the population will increase? I don’t know. But it will and probably by a great deal. Banana Town is located between the Captain Cook Hotel and the airport. It is a sizable and established community. The government has decided to completely relocate this town. Beneath Banana Town is the largest fresh water lens on the island. Fresh water and human habitation don't mix well. Humans pollute. The community is being relocated to preserve the quality of the fresh water lens in anticipation of the population growth. Cost issues: In planning this trip I asked about doing this trip as a DIY. I was told, "Why buy the cow when the milk is so cheap". Well, I bought the cow and the milk and still saved money. I achieved about a 30% savings. Also, my costs were based on single rather then double occupancy. I used all the services of the island and left as much money as anyone that did a completely guided trip. I just didn't use the established distributors. Is this right or wrong? I don't think so. Christmas Island is a known location. I'm sure any costs with establishing and marketing this fishery are recovered. I look at it much like I look at the pharmaceutical industry. For new drugs, costs need to be recovered to fund R&D. But afterwards generics are available. I feel Christmas has become a generic. If you interested in looking at some photos check out: http://www.shutterfly.com/my/osi.jsp?i=67b0de21b31ffe09c477 I use this site because it is an easy way to post and share photos on the web. The slide shows offers a quick way to view all of the photos in order. Regards Mike
