Disturbance at the heron house
TRAVELSPECIAL
Resident reef manta ray
PHOTO : MILES ESCOW
Sailfish in hunting mode
it ’ s not as if the two activities are mutually exclusive . I found myself enthused by their stories and wanted to get an idea of the fish they hold in such high esteem , so I joined a snorkelling group to visit a shallow area frequented by Indo-Pacific Permit , Trachinotus blochii , a revered fish in the pompano family .
It wasn ’ t a species I was familiar with , but once seen they are not easily forgotten . It ’ s as if someone crossed a batfish with a giant trevally – they are beautifully streamlined ,
with golden-yellow fins and yellow hues shading their backs and bellies . “ These guys are fast , powerful and highly suspicious of any unnatural food source ,” a fishing guide told me . “ You need to be patient and truly committed to catch one on the fly .”
Snorkelling alongside a school of 30 permit , I was struck by their effortless movement and streamlined profile . Strange that such beauties should choose unglamorous mudflats and channels as their preferred habitat .
In the deep water beyond the dropoff , predators lurk in the blue , waiting to strike from below . The fishing experts of Alphonse have devised a method of attracting big sailfish to the surface . The same lures they use to draw ‘ sailies ’ up from the depths are deployed without hooks , while the boat motors up and down a few likely spots .
It ’ s a waiting game , and inevitably you find yourself lulled into a relaxed state . Then , the cry goes up as a streamlined
Shorthorn kite spider
Hawksbill turtle takes a breather
PHOTO : MILES ESCOW
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