Bonefish:

From Nassau you hop a small charter Cessna, the last leg of a long day before reaching your final destination. The pilot opens the door before entering the runway, gazing skyward for any oncoming planes that might get in your way. Not quite what you expected, but by the same token you are not surprised. Welcome to the Bahamas “Mon”, where life’s laid back and bonefish reign supreme.

Morning first light and the cackle of tropical birds--Nature\\\\\\\'s alarm clock--have you up before sunrise. Toes embrace the island\\\\\\\'s cool white sand as morning breaks calm before you. Dawn’s light plays tricks with your vision. All aspects of the horizon are lost in a blend of clouds and water. Only views across oceans create such magical imagery. The smell of roasting coffee and home cooking melts with that of the ocean air, a pleasant distraction from the view. Life doesn’t get much better than this.

Morning\\\\\\\'s calm persists, a rarity in this part of the world and a far cry from the fifteen, (gusting to twenty) knot winds that tormented you the previous day, wreaking havoc on all aspects of your cast. Long leaders and accurate, delicate presentations will dictate success on this day. Given the clarity of the water you would think bonefish would be easy to spot under such placid conditions, yet several bonefish leave a small trace of mud, spooked, having gone undetected by vigilant eyes so ill equipped. They are aptly nicknamed the “Gray Ghost” on this particular day--and on most days.

Such a perfect day, yet just several fleeting shots have come your way at best. On a distant edge of the flat a flicker of light catches your attention. Eyes straining, again the image appears as several bonefish tails, shimmering like pieces of broken glass, break the surface, swaying side to side as the feeding school moves onto the flat. Pausing to gain direction and speed you begin to approach the school, wading silently as to not alarm the fish to your presence. The day’s calm intensifies the moment as you near, now hearing the tails as they anchor the bonefish’s mouth to the rich flat while it extracts another meal. Bodies now take shape as the school gets within range.

Before casting, one fish draws your attention; it’s tail and girth significant when compared to the other surrounding few. For a moment it lags, creating an opportunity, however slight, for a cast. Several false casts help you feel the rhythm of rod as you work out line. Timing is critical and leaves no room for an errant presentation. Such situations are exacting, requiring accuracy and stealth of presentation that only practice perfects.

The shrimp imitation lands inches from the big bonefish\\\\\\\'s head leaving only a slight dimple where it enteres the water. You let the fly settle before beginning the customary short strips. The bonefish pauses and eyes the offering. A slight acceleration, pause and tilt expose the big tail as the line simultaneously goes tight. Your haul hand sends the hook home. Your fly line leaves the reel at a rate your mind can’t calculate and never has. It’s one of the most exhilarating experiences in fly-fishing.

Of the “Grand Slam” species, the bonefish, given its vast range and superior numbers, is the easiest catch. However, easy is a relative term. If you want to catch one, your equipment will have a lot to do with your success. The bonefishing gear we use has traveled on numerous occasions to the Keys, Bahamas, Christmas Island, Belize, and the Yucatan. They have been bounced around in all shapes and sizes of flats boats, delivered flies in winds that leave your head hatless, and have efficiently dispensed miles of fly lines and backing without fail. We don’t leave home without the bonefishing gear you’ll see displayed here.

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