I am an expartriate orginally from Grand Rapids,
Michigan. I have been fly fishing for about 14-15 years. My
experience was mostly freshwater, but now living in
Singapore I've had to adjust to tropical saltwater.
The fly fishing possibilities in Singapore are OK, not
great. The vast majority of fishing in Singapore is saltwater
as most freshwater (reservoirs) is illegal to fish in — period.
With that said, most Singapore fly fishing is done by wading
the shore or structure (break walls for example). There is
also a chance to catch a few from boats but most of the
available boats are very poorly suited for fly fishing. Most
are best suited for bottom fishing (many times by handline)
or possibly slow trolling.
Outside of Singapore waters the chances greatly
improve. To the South is the Rau Archipelago of Indonesia,
to the North East is the South China Sea and the islands of
Eastern Peninsular Malaysia, to the North West are the
Straights of Malacca — the Adman Sea and the wondrous
fish right up the Western coast of Peninsular Malaysia to the
absolutely incredible fishery lying off of the Eastern coast of
Thailand including such places as Phu ket.
A short plane ride will also put you into one of the
greatest tropical fisheries of Northern Australia or maybe
even go West into the Indian Ocean and visit the Maldives.
There are also ample opportunities to chase trout and
salmon out here as well but one would have to travel North
to China, Russia, Northern Japan, Taiwan, or even Korea.
I am not yet as familiar with these fisheries as I would
like, but plan to in the near future. Lastly let us not forget
the trout of New Zealand, Tasmania and Southern
Australia. I have had the pleasure of fishing New Zealand's
North Island several times and can never get tired of it.
As per the fish . . . There are many species here that
Americans may be familiar with such as Barracuda, Spanish
Mackerel, Skipjack, Dorado, and others as well as a myriad
of Asian species not to forget the variety of billfish as well.
There are the ubiquitous rainbows and browns in those
areas that can support them but there are also several
'local' species of salmoides that many westerners have
never even heard of let alone seen or caught!
Most Fishing is done with a 7 wt. to 9 wt. rod although
there are those times (billfish, Giant Trevally, Cobia) that a
10 wt. or 12 wt. is essential. With the exception of billfish flies,
many of the patterns for the fish still are being tweeked
and figured out. Some of my favorite patterns include
deceivers, seaducers, charlies, clousers, etc. Trout fishing
equipment and flies is quite similar to many places in the US.
That should do it for now on the fly fishing stuff. I have
only lived here for two years now but have been in and out
of the region for nearly the last ten years on business or
pleasure. I am currently self employed in a variety of
businesses. TIGHT LINES! ~ Christopher Soule (March 30th, 1998)
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