I don’t really know how many people have been reading the blog consistently over the past year, but I’d bet not that many of you.  Last year, when FIBFest was going on down at Andros South I was only getting about 90 readers a day.  These days I get about 225 or so.  For new readers all you need to know is that I got the invite to Andros South last year as part of a fly fishing blogger boondoggle and couldn’t do it… life got in the way… a move, a home sale, a 3 year old.  I just couldn’t make it happen, which was kind of crushing.

This year, things have fallen in my favor.  Deneki is announcing today the official line-up for FIBFest II down in South Andros and I’ll be there.

My mug will be in these shots soon.

One aspect I’m particularly excited about is the prospect of tagging some bonefish for the Bonefish & Tarpon Trust.  I asked Andrew if that were a possibility and he said “Hell yeah!”

This is going to be one heck of a trip and I’ll take readers along as much as is possible (which is through the blog, in case anyone was reaching for a passport there).

The hunting grounds of Andros South.

The other FIBers (Fly Industry Bloggers) are chiming in as well…

Like Michael Gracie…

And… Kyle Perkins over at Complete Thought…

Aaron sent us this video about evaluating mangrove flats as bonefish habitat, and we knew we had to pass it on.

In the video, Aaron covers these points and more.

* Evaluating bottom structure.

* The significance of algae growth on the bottom and on mangrove roots.

* Signs of other life on the flats.

via Reading Mangrove Flats | Bonefish Habitat.

Hot damn.  Check it out. Go to the link above.

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A small miracle has occurred here… I’m not sure who gets the credit for it towards sainthood.  I may be my wife and that would make three in her favor… the first was her marrying me, the second was her making it through a sucky pregnancy to give us our beautiful daughter and this third one involves her signing off on me going on a fishing trip, for a week, to South Andros this coming March (that’s like… only TWO MONTHS AWAY).  I await word from the Catholic Church on the beatification of my wife, although we are not Catholic.

Fractional miracle credit goes to my parents, who are actually available to come down and watch our their granddaughter in my absence, and to the good folks at Deneki Outdoors, who extended the invite as part of FIBFest 2011.

Everything had to align and it did.  Thanks to that, I’ll be headed to Andros Island, fabled land of incredible bonefishing, come late March.

You good folks will get to come along (not literally, of course) and I look forward to the build up.  It is so nice to have something out there to look forward to, to plan, to tie for, to experience and then remember.

I’m lucky and I live with a saint.

FIBFest 2010... which I had to miss.

More details will be emerging in the days to come.

Aaron Adams did a fantastic bit for Deneki on bonefish and tides over at the Deneki blog.  Check it out.

Aaron Adams is one of the leading authorities on bonefish science. He’s the Director of Operations for Bonefish and Tarpon Trust, one of the organizations out there at the forefront of research on bonefish. Even better, Aaron’s an angler himself, and that means he’s written some great science pieces that can also help you catch fish!

via Bonefish and Tides | Aaron Adams from Bonefish and Tarpon Trust.

This is why Deneki is pretty much awesome.   Check out this little bit of goodness that just went up on the Deneki blog.  He posts new content every day and it is consistently good stuff.

So you’re thinking about going bonefishing? Awesome! It’s a highly addictive sport in an amazing setting.

via (story link) Your First Bonefish.

For the next few days the fly fishing world  will be focused on Denver and the industry show going on there.  You can follow the action from bloggers, tweeters and industry types if you know where to look.

There is a Social Media Lounge at the event, and the hashtag #IFTD should get you some of the goods.

Deneki is going to be there.

The Fiberglass Manifesto and Michael Gracie are going to be there.

One of the blogs to really check will be the Complete Thought blog, as he”s actually working the show, manning the Social Media Lounge.

Keep your eyes open for what’s new.

Some tips from Deneki Outdoors.  Deneki = Ruling

Bonefish swimming in very shallow water are often at their spookiest, especially when the water’s calm as well. If you’re chasing shallow water bonefish on foot, these handy tips will help you get your fly into that fish’s mouth – which isn’t going to happen if you spook him first.

via Wading in Shallow Water – Tips.

The good folks at Deneki put out some really top shelf stuff. Follow them, friend them and go to Andros South.

Deneki Outdoors has long been one of my favorite websites for my bonefish fix…  he simply puts up a lot of interesting content.

The most recent post is 4 Things to Learn About Bonefish… all from one simple photo.

I’m not going to steal his thunder… go ahead and visit the site and check it out.

Thinking about what I might be able to illustrate in one photo…

4 Things from this photo:

1. The Upper Sacramento does get warm enough to wet wade.
2. A wading staff isn’t just to keep you from filling your waders.
3. I am whiter than is reasonable… or appealing… or healthy.
4. When you are really hung over, you can sleep anywhere.

Ah… my 20′s….

Here is guide Torrie Bevans from Andros South sharing a story about a memorable bonefish.  Andros South is operated by one of our favs, Deneki Outdoors.

Deneki Outdoors recently had a post about putting your rod tip  in the water when you have a bonefish on the line and coming straight at you.  I hope, that my trout and steelhead background would come into play in that situation and I’d instinctively do just that.

Of course, my trout background would probably have me trout set and miss the fish in the first place.

Rod tip up is a common sight and for good reason.