FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Ok… let’s start by addressing the elephant in the room… We know what you’re wondering so go ahead and ask…
Am I going to catch a permit?
Short answer: You very well might! Or, you might not.
Long answer: Few places in the fishing world offer guests as consistent… dare we say “daily”, interactions with permit while DIY fishing as RPPC does. Since we started coming up to this part of the island, throughout the construction process, through our “soft opening” this fall and now that we’ve segued into operations, we’ve been constantly amazed at the consistency at which we have shots at permit. Even in adverse weather, days where permit are not at least spotted are few and far between. We credit that to a number of things: the VERY diverse waters/habitat surrounding the camp - oceanside flats inside of reef breaks, expansive lagoons, along with a lack of boat traffic. The habitat is vast and comparatively healthy (and we will do everything possible to help keep it that way.)
What you DO with interactions, well, that’s up to you… and the permit… and the powers of the universe. Sometimes you can do “everything right” and be met with nothing but refusals and disinterest. Other times you do most things “wrong” and a fish will aggressively crush your fly. It’s permit fishing after all. What will be a supreme ally to you throughout your week is patience. The fish are here. You’ll see them. You’ll have shots.
Do I need to be an experienced saltwater angler to have success at RPPC?
We’ll answer this question with a question: What’s your definition of success?
If “success” to you is an enjoyable, memorable week, where you end the week a better angler than you started the week as, where you get to take in some of the most spectacular scenery on the planet, enjoy delicious food and forge some lifelong friendships, success is pretty much guaranteed. If your definition of success is amassing a library of grip & grin photos of yourself holding fish, why are you fly fishing in the first place?
Will this fly work?
Yes, that one is perfect.
Can I do guided days?
Sure, just not from here at the camp. Given the complexities and distance in getting a skiff to the camp, daily runs back and forth for guides are not (at ALL) practical. Guided days would require guides living on site, which is not part of our program right now. For folks interested in fishing a few days from a skiff with someone to do the heavy lifting for you, we suggest getting to the island on a Saturday and banging out a couple guided days Sunday and Monday, then transferring up to the camp as usual. We’re happy to steer you towards some of the best guides and outfitters on the island.
Is a full day of DIY fishing physically exerting?
In a word, GOOD-GOD-YES! While you certainly can spend your days here taking leisurely strolls with a fly rod in hand, to be truly productive and access even a fraction of the waters around the camp, be prepared to put in an EFFORT. Hiking miles per day over varied terrain is common, as is hours of paddling. Guests should be in comfortable enough physical condition to hike, paddle and wade.
Can I give Belly a little bit of my _____________ (insert name of food item here.)
NO NO NO NO NO NO NO PLEASE NO!!!! Our girls (Belly, Biscuit and Frannie) know not to beg, but they certainly won’t turn down an opportunity for a scrap. We’re working hard to get Belly down to her prime frigate-catching weight. A year and a half of having a construction crew on site constantly giving her their leftovers packed on some lbs. We love our girls and want them to be as healthy as possible.