Born and bred in the Seychelles, these days veteran saltwater guide Serge Samson can most often be found guiding clients into bonefish, golden trevally and other species for Mahe fly fishing. Our Lifer from The Mission Issue 46 (Jul/Aug 2024).

The first fish I caught on fly was a bonefish. I was very young , about 20 years old, at that time on Alphonse Island. I didn’t know much about fly fishing, but I was working as a guide, just driving the skiff and seeing fish. Every week the different clients would teach me more about how to fly fish.

I have been to many islands in the Seychelles and to me they all feel like home.

Most of the jobs I have done are ocean-related. I’ve done diving and other watersport activities, and many different types of fishing jobs. I worked for different companies over the years including over 22 years for Alphonse Fishing Co, where I experienced fly fishing on the Seychelles’ Outer Islands. For the last few years I have been freelance, based on Mahe.

At the moment I concentrate mostly on fishing the south of Mahe. I’m based at Aux Cap at the Jamelah Guest House. We fish various places along the south coast of Mahe, sometimes moving to the west during the southeaster.

My home waters are the flats, bays and channels around Mahe. I explore lots of different places for good fishing and I have found plenty of fish.

While I fish for all kinds of fish like GTs, milkfish, bonefish, permit, triggers and others, my favourites are GTs because I like the way they take flies and the way they fight.

The best advice I’ve ever been given is to never give up. Try until your last breath.

I’m most proud of my ability to guide my clients into the fish of their dreams. To see them catch a big fish that will mark them for the rest of their lives.

I have really had to work hard to have a home for myself and my family. And to achieve my lifelong dream of setting up my own small fly fishing business, which I’m still fighting to get on its feet.

My most satisfying fish was a 122cm GT. I fought and landed it alone while simultaneously driving the skiff and following it.

Something that keeps me up at night are the spiritual TV channels and programmes, as I am always eager to know more about God.

An angler can only lie when they are fishing alone.

Read the rest of Serge’s deepest thoughts about Mahe fly fishing in The Mission Issue 46 below. It’s free, and always will be.

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