John Sherman Photo

Oahu Fly Fishing Guide Service: What to Expect

Please note: Nervous Water Fly Fishers closed after 24 years, and we no longer book guided trips. This page keeps the story of the shop's guide service and explains what a guided fly fishing day on Oahu involves, so you can choose a guide and plan your trip.

How a guided walk-in trip on Oahu works

For years Nervous Water ran guided walk-in trips on Oahu. Walk-in means you wade the reef flats on foot instead of fishing from a boat. Most Oahu bonefishing is done this way, because many of the best flats are shallow reef areas near shore that boats cannot easily reach. A typical trip was either a 4-hour half day or an 8-hour full day for one or two anglers. Tackle, flies, leaders and transportation in the Honolulu/Waikiki area were included.

On a walk-in day, the guide chooses flats to match the tide, wind and light. You wade slowly and search for tailing or cruising fish, and the guide spots fish and tells you where to cast. You may only get a few good shots all day. A good guide helps you turn those shots into hookups, and teaches you to read the water so you can fish on your own later.

Choosing an Oahu fly fishing guide

• Ask about the fishing style. Walk-in flats fishing, boat fishing and freshwater trips on Lake Wilson all need different skills and tackle.
• Be honest about your casting. In the Hawaii wind you need to hit 40 to 60 feet quickly. Practice before your trip, and tell your guide your real skill level.
• Ask what is included. Rods, flies, leaders, transportation and water are often included, but not always.
• Plan around conditions. Book early in your trip if you can, so you have a spare day if clouds or strong wind spoil the first one.
• Check licenses. Visiting anglers aged 15 and over need a Nonresident Recreational Marine Fishing License to fish in the ocean.

What to bring on a guided day

• Flats boots or sturdy wading shoes. You will be walking on coral and rock.
• Polarized sunglasses and a brimmed hat. They are the most important tools for seeing fish.
• Sun protection: long sleeves, sun gloves, a buff and reef-safe sunscreen.
• Plenty of water and snacks, plus a small dry bag for your phone and license.
• Your own rod and reel if you like them, though most guides provide tackle suited to local conditions.

Most important: come ready to listen. Oahu bonefish give you very few chances. Following your guide's directions quickly and calmly ("ten o'clock, forty feet, moving left") is usually the difference between seeing fish and catching them.

Our guides

Ed Tamai ("E.T.") was Nervous Water's head guide. He was born and raised on Oahu and has fished here since he was a small boy. A lifetime on the water gave Ed deep knowledge of Hawaiian reefs, the plants and animals that live there, and the tides and currents that control them. He guided experienced saltwater anglers to trophy bonefish and helped beginners catch their first saltwater fish on a fly. Ed was a member of the G. Loomis pro staff. You can see his clients' fish in the E.T.'s client photo gallery.

Nervous Water was also lucky to have some of the best anglers in Hawaii as guides in earlier years. Kevin Faucheux and Lars Akerberg later moved to the US mainland, Kevin to New Orleans and Lars to New York City.

Fishing on your own

If you plan to fish without a guide, read our Hawaii fly fishing guide first. It covers tackle, flies, seasons and the current rules. Then read Tips for Spotting Bonefish. For freshwater on Lake Wilson, remember that bass and peacock bass there are catch and release only.

Frequently asked questions

Is a guide worth it for bonefishing on Oahu?

For a first trip, yes. Oahu's best flats depend on the tide, are hard to find, and the fish are wary. A local guide saves days of trial and error and teaches you where and how to look.

How long is a typical guided fly fishing trip on Oahu?

Most guides offer a half day (about 4 hours) or a full day (about 8 hours) of walk-in flats fishing, usually for one or two anglers.