Lauren was lured to this distant atoll by the hope for a single fish. She'd left her Montana home in search of one of fly fishing's great challenges-the big bonefish of Kiribati's Korean Wreck. Even in shin-deep water, a fish would be hard to spot against a mosaic of coral and grass. But she could spot a distant speck of elk blood on the forest floor. Only accurate casts would do, and the wind would swirl constantly. But she had tuned up, casting her travel rod in the back yard and intentionally setting out to fish on the blustery days. Lauren was as ready as she could be.
What is the Korean Wreck?
The "wreck" itself is the rusted hull of a Korean fishing vessel that ran aground on the island's southeastern flats decades ago. Over the years, the ocean and its elements have worn down the boat. The name remains, referring to a surf break protecting a vast, shallow, inside flat teeming with life. Shrimp and crabs, preferred food sources for bonefish, are plentiful. The wreck is accessed by vehicle along a maze of hardscrabble paths that pass for roads in the Christmas Island backcountry.
Bonefishing PHD
The Wreck flat is ankle to knee-deep and the bottom is firm, making for ideal wading and sight-fishing. Its a target-rich walk but despite their numbers, the bonefish here are not easy. They're intelligent, spooky, and sensitive to movement. In contrast to the expansive sand flats on other parts of Christmas Island, the wreck flat is pockmarked with coral heads. Delivering a proper presentation amidst all of these factors and convincing one of the big, solo bonefish to take your fly is only half the battle. Keeping the leader from breaking off on the coral is the other.
But that's what makes it such a coveted location—it forces anglers to slow down, dial in their casting, and hone their stalk. It's the flats equivalent of a technical rifle shot at long range.
Led by an excellent guide, a dream became reality when a giant bonefish manifested on the Korean Wreck. Lauren spotted the fish and, with the precision of an archer slipping an arrow through conifer limbs, she dropped the fly a few inches from its nose. A bonefish of 5 pounds is considered a quality catch by discerning Christmas Island anglers. The fish that ate Lauren's offering pushed double-digits. She kept the rod up and did her best to steer the fish around the coral heads. After two trips into her backing, the stars aligned, and they brought the Wreck-bone of a lifetime to hand.