East Coast Angling

Lodging Details
The 85-foot MV Savannah is a motorized yacht that offers spacious well-appointed rooms, dining, and deck areas for the discerning angler.

Food and Beverages
With a professional chef onboard there will never be a lack of great cuisine. Dishes are prepared with fresh seasonal produce and local ingredients. All soft drinks and beer are included. 

Typical Length of Stay
Guests traditional will charter the boat for seven (7) nights and six (6) fishing days, but there is an option to extend the trip length depending on availability.

Non-Angling Activities and Options
This is a fishing-focused destination although there are snorkeling opportunities at times. 

Internet / Communications
The MV Savannah is equipped with Star Link internet service, and you will have free access to this for the duration of your stay.

How To Get There
You should arrive in Cairns, QLD at least the day before your trip start date.  There are several hotel recommendations we will provide you with and transfers from the airport can be easily accomplished. Depending on your itinerary, you might be fishing between Cairns and Lizard Island or Lizard Island and Lockhart River.  The included charter flight will be arranged according and will occur on the first day of your trip dates.

Arrival and Departure Details/Times
Typically, you will fly mid-morning and arrive on the mothership by early afternoon allowing plenty of time to relax and prepare for the next six days fishing.

Documents Required
All U.S. citizens are required to have a valid passport that does not expire within six (6) months of trip dates. Please be sure that your passport has at least two blank, unstamped pages remaining in back, and that it is not torn, delaminated, or damaged in any way.

Travel Arrangements
Yellow Dog provides airline reservations ad ticketing assistance through etcTravel Group, and a full-service airline logistics agent that can help book airline tickets, hotels, rental cars, and more. You can click here to request a quote or contact Yellow Dog for more information at 406-585-8667. etcTravel Group offers dedicated support services for all Yellow Dog clients. Service fees may apply when booking or researching tickets, and etcTravel will discuss this with you before sending quotes.

Travel Tools
– Airline Ticketing
– Moon Phases
– Rent This Rod
– Trip Insurance and Emergency Evacuation
– Global Rescue Membership

General Information
This is a remote flats fishing expedition for species not encountered in many other parts of the world. Australia is home to over 2,500 marine species and many of the prime flats species are available on the east coast flats. From GTs and a host of other trevally species, to permit and the endemic blue bastard –  you’ll find yourself needing a species book to work out what you have caught. If you have the opportunity to spend time on the reefs, you may find yourself hooked to Spanish (king) mackerel. 

Boats and Equipment
There are three 23 foot center console tenders equipped with 225 horsepower engines and bow mounted trolling motors used to fish from and ferry anglers to the flats.  Depending on the tides, you might fish from the boats all day, or wade the flats as it will come down to water depths and where the fish are found.

The mothership is your sanctuary at the end of the day and your chef and hostess will cap off your day with cold towels, cold beverages, and delicious meals. Relax on the top deck and watch the sun setting over the continent of Australia.

We recommend that you bring 10 and 12-weight rods. Lighter rods and reels need NOT apply here. Floating lines and/or the new intermediate clear sink tip lines by Scientific Anglers or Rio are used for the flats. Bring full intermediates and sinking lines if you plan on heading out to the blue water.

Flies
Expect to fish flats that are knee-deep to thigh-deep and sometimes from a boat. Medium lead eyes on shrimp and crab patterns. Yellow legs on crabs work well in the area and there is an olive mantis shrimp on the flats. White Flexo crabs are very popular with the guides.

Crab flies and shrimp flies in a 4-1/0 size range are commonly used. Bring a range of options, each with reasonable weight to get the flies to the bottom. Larfe shrimp patterns and squimp in size 1/0-2/0 are ideal for the blue bastards. 

For everything else, 1/0 to 2/0 clousers and half and half’s will be great to have when targeting fish like queenfish and some of the lesser trevallies. Baitfish profiles tied on 5/0 to 8/0 hooks will be important to have when targeting the Giant Trevally. Consider bringing flashy profile flies, deceivers, toads, poppers, and wiggle minnows. Strong hooks are essential and a variety of fluorocarbon strengths are recommended, from 20 lb. up to 100.  

Package Rates
Remember that Yellow Dog’s services are completely free! When you book a trip with Yellow Dog, you never pay more than when you book directly with the lodge or outfitter. Trips of any length of stay can be arranged, so please call Yellow Dog for details and custom package pricing.

Fishing Package = $9,900 per angler, per week – shared twin.

Only six (6) anglers per charter ensure an exclusive and unique experience. 

East Coast Angling (Australia)
TERMS AND CONDITIONS – CANCELLATIONS
A deposit of 50% per person is due at the time of booking to hold both space and guides for all packages. Full pre-payment is due 90 days prior to date of trip, and all cancellations must be received in writing, sent to Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures, LLC. For cancellations outside of 280 days from start of trip, trip deposits are non-refundable unless the trip dates can be resold by the operator. If the spot is filled by East Coast Angling, a full refund minus any transfer costs (in addition to any fees charged by Yellow Dog Flyfishing) will be issued. 

Because of the operator’s strict cancellation policy, we highly recommend the purchase of trip insurance. No refund or credit will be given for trips cancelled inside of 280 days from start of trip, unless the cancelled package is resold by either the operator, the angler or by Yellow Dog, in which case a full refund minus any transfer costs (in addition to any fees charged by Yellow Dog Flyfishing) will be issued. If the boat is unable to travel due to weather or safety reasons, and East Coast Angling has not engaged in operations, a credit will be offered for a future date within 12 months of the original trip departure date. If East Coast Angling is already engaged in operations, refunds cannot be issued. Charter itinerary is dependent on prevailing weather and tidal conditions. And the operator will not refund payments in the event of a storms or poor weather, or for unused portions of any package. Receipt of deposit and/or final payment is acknowledgment that registrant has read and accepts the deposit, cancellation, refund and responsibility clauses for these packages. Once again, Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures strongly recommends that anglers and guests purchase travel insurance for this trip.

Payment Terms for All Yellow Dog Trip Bookings  
Unless otherwise noted on your invoice, for all trips less than 90 days out, full payment is required after receipt of the confirmation email to secure guides and reservations. For trips outside of 90 days, a 50% deposit is required upon receipt of confirmation email to confirm your reservations.   

Yellow Dog accepts on-line payments via a secure payment portal – a quick and easy way to complete your trip reservation. Please reach out to accounting@yellowdogflyfishing.com to gain access. 

Yellow Dog Flyfishing Standard Forms of Payment 

• Debit card (fee-free) and credit card (3% convenience fee) - to pay via card please utilize the customer payment portal. If you need assistance, reach out to 406-585-8667 ext. #3 
• Wires - please include name and/or invoice number for reference on your wire. Please reach out to accounting@yellowdogflyfishing.com for wiring instructions. (client is responsible for wiring fees) 
• Physical check - please include your invoice number in the memo. Mail checks to 213 S. Willson Ave. Bozeman, MT, 59715

If you have any questions about alternate payment methods, please contact Yellow Dog at (406) 585-8667 ext. #3. We are available Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM MT.