Tucked away on Kenya’s northern coast lies Lamu, a sand-dune island founded in the 12th century. Lamu Old Town is a UNESCO‑protected gem—one of the oldest and best-preserved Swahili settlements in East Africa.

There is nowhere in the world quite like Lamu. Wrapped in white sand beaches with narrow winding streets, coral‑stone buildings, stunning architecture, and carved wooden doors that all speak to centuries of artistry and heritage.

It is truly a place where time and tide go hand in hand. With no cars, the pace is guided by donkeys, local dhows, and the ocean breeze—a cultural ambiance as compelling as the fishing itself.

Billfish on Fly in Lamu, November

A few miles offshore of Lamu, the East African and Somali currents combine with silt from the river deltas. This creates incredibly nutrient-rich waters that hold a ton of baitfish, and it is these dense baitfish schools that attract 100s if not 1000’s of sailfish into the area from mid-Ocotober through November.

We have two approaches when fishing for sailfish on fly in Lamu. We troll teasers off the back of the boat in search of sailfish. Once a fish is on the teasers, we will tease that fish to the boat and go into neutral for you to cast your fly to a very hungry litup sailfish.

The other approach is to free-cast to finning sailfish on the surface from the bow of the boat. Kenya in November is the only place in the world to our knowledge to have such an abundance of free-swimming sailfish on the surface you can actually cast a fly to.

This tactic, while incredibly visual and exciting, does require accurate 60+ ft casts to the finning fish – but when it goes to plan, its about as insane as fly fishing gets.

Expect to have between 8-20 sailfish on the teasers per day to cast to, and 3-10 shots off the bow to free swimming sailfish per day too.

Inshore Fly Fishing In Lamu, November

If you have looked at Lamu Island on Google Earth, you will notice hundreds of sq km of tidal magorve creeks, outer reefs, rock formations and more surround it. These provide an ideal nursery for baitfish and the perfect hunting ground for their predators.

Fly fishing in the mangroves is as peaceful as it is beautiful. Fish eagles, kingfishers, eagrets and bee-eaters soar above or watch from a branch as we cast shrimp, crab and baitfish patterns to the magrove edges.

Oxeye tarpon, small GTs, mangrove snappers, and groupers patrol the manrgove edges looking for easy meals.

The outer-reefs and rock formations offer another fishery altogether. Calm days are required to fish them on fly, as swell and wind reduce access and make casting/balancing on the bow close to impossible.

Luckily, November is known for its flat calm weather and the outside is generally accessible.

We target larger GTs, and load of other trevally species too. Casting large flies and poppers to along the rock and reef edges and into baitbaills is our tactic – we aren’t scared of teasing with spinning rods with large poppers and stick baits either.

What Makes The Uniquely Fly Experiences So Special

A Uniquely Fly experience stands out because it goes far beyond just fishing — it’s a privately guided, immersive journey designed for anglers who want more from their fly fishing travel. Here’s what sets us apart.

🎣 Privately Guided & Educational Every Step of the Way

At Uniquely Fly, your trip begins long before you step onto the boat. Through pre-trip coaching, you’ll refine your casting and prepare for local conditions—so you’re ready to catch fish on Day One.

From arrival to departure, we’re with you to ensure every moment is seamless, successful, and tailored to your goals – you’re getting personalized attention from start to finish.

Once you arrive in Lamu, you’re met by your guide (our founder and head guide) Jamie, who takes care of everything so you can enjoy the experience as much as possible.

All the logistics and itinerary planning are handled seamlessly and we work exclusively with the best local skippers and crews.

On and off the water, one-on-one instruction ensures that every cast, strip-set, and hook-up becomes a learning opportunity. We record key moments with GoPro footage for post-day reviews, accelerating your growth as an angler with visual feedback.

🤝 Real Experience, Real Support

Founder and guide Jamie Melvin has fished across the world, from Seychelles to the Bahamas, and now leads trips personally in Kenya, the Galápagos, and the UK. You’re not dealing with a booking agent — you’re dealing with someone who’s been there, knows the water, and is in it with you.

🧭 Elite Destinations, Only at Peak Season

We don’t sell year-round trips in one place. We only operate in Kenya and the Galápagos during their absolute peak fishing windows, giving you the best shot at success — not filler days.

🛥️ Best-in-Class Partnerships

We work with the best captains, boats, and accommodations on the ground. Licensed operators, reliable logistics, and trusted local knowledge all come standard.

🌍 More Than Fishing

Yes, the fishing is world-class — but so are the places we fish. From the Swahili culture and dhow sails of Lamu to the wildlife and volcanoes of the Galápagos, we build in time to explore, connect, and unwind.

Uniquely Fly is for anglers who want to grow, explore, and be guided. This is not a numbers game. This is about connection, quality, and craft.

To Join Us This November

If you’d like to join us this November, please send an email to uniquelyflytravel@gmail.com