BY J. MICHELLE SWOPE

Christmas Island with J. Michelle Swope of Oly Women on the Fly

March 11 - 18, 2025

Christmas Island Outfitters

The fact that virtually every flats fishing angler in North America has heard of Christmas Island is far from coincidence.

About Christmas Island:

Amidst the vast inventory of the world’s saltwater flats destinations, Christmas Island is a unique and natural masterpiece that magically combines all the elements critical to fly fishing success. Endless hard sand flats fishing, remarkable numbers of cruising bonefish and trevally, and consistent year-round weather await all who visit this unique atoll. Fly fishing guides at Christmas Island Outfitters have been handpicked by head guide Bita Kairaoi for their level of experience, skill, calmness under pressure, and instructional abilities. Each day anglers will depart via truck or catamaran for the day’s flats fishing. Virtually all fly fishing entails sight casting to fish while wading in shallow
waters. Christmas Island’s plentiful bonefish average two to three pounds, although on any given week opportunities for larger bonefish in the five to ten pound class may be available.

Dates: March 11 - 18, 2025

Group size: 11 anglers + J. Michelle Swope

Itinerary:

  • March 10: Arrive Honolulu, HI
  • March 11: Depart Honolulu, HI; arrive Christmas Island
  • March 12 - 17: Full days of guided fishing
  • March 18: Depart Christmas Island; arrive Honolulu, HI
  • March 19: Depart Honolulu, HI for home

2024 Rate: Per person based on double occupancy

7 night/6 day package: $3,150

Included: Accommodations, meals, guided fishing, four bottles of water per person per day, ground transportation on Christmas Island.

Not Included: All airfare to Christmas Island, accommodations/meals/transfers in Honolulu, alcohol and soda, fishing license, staff and guide gratuities, departure taxes.

J. Michelle Swope

J. Michelle Swope has been fishing since she can remember, and started fly fishing at 7 yrs old.  An experienced angler, she grew up fishing for Steelhead on the Olympic Peninsula. This soon morphed into fishing for other species, including tuna and dorado off of Baja, bonefish and sailfish in the Yucatán, and sea-run cutthroat in her backyard of South Puget Sound. She has over 25 years guiding experience and will fish for anything, with anything. J. Michelle combines her innate sense of curiosity and adventure with her deep love of fish and the waters they inhabit. Any trip with her will include conversations and examples of conservation efforts happening to improve habitat of the fish and the cultures that support them. When not fishing, she is either teaching fishing, fly tying, or planning her next adventure.
Suggested Christmas Island Gear

In addition to finding the right water, having the right gear can help make any day that much better. For over 20 years Fly Water Travel has been fly fishing's most trusted and respected source for finding the right water. Now, along with Sage, RIO Products, and Redington, Fly Water Travel is a proud member of the Far Bank Enterprise Family. As part of this larger team, we are able to access decades worth of manufacturing passion and knowledge enabling us to expand our role to include in-depth advice on the world's best rods, reels, lines, and flies.

FLY WATER TRAVEL'S FAVORITE BONEFISH SETUP

FLY WATER TRAVEL'S FAVORITE TRIGGERFISH SETUP

FLY WATER TRAVEL'S FAVORITE GT SETUP