Easy post today… just go read Flatwalker, as he continues to think back to bonefish past.
Davin, who writes the site, posts every week or two, maybe three on a long stretch, so there isn’t always a new story, but when there is, it is worth checking out. He was also the first interview I did.
Carry on, and hope you have good (no jujubees or anything annis flavored) candy for the kids tomorrow.
OK… I did Reason #1 that saltwater fly fishing is better than fresh water fly fishing yesterday… and, because I can’t leave well enough alone, I’m going in for seconds…
I hate 7X
I don’t have a 7x hook set. I pop flies off on 7x in the mouths of fishes who have just eaten my flies. I hate 7x. I don’t fish with it anymore and I don’t care how picky the fish are. I kind of hate 6x. 5x and I have a history, and you usually can’t get 3x through the eye of a #20, so 5x is my compromise on that front.
I love that in saltwater fishing LIGHT tippet is 10 pound. I’m kind of floored, as I attempt to put together tarpon leaders, that you can fish with shock tippet that is 40 lb. or 60 lb. That’s nuts… but, ya know… in a good way.
All hail the salt!
OK… I’m not really prepared to say that the salt is better than the fresh… the fresh is what I do most often. I love it. However, given the endless assault on all things salty over at the Trout Underground (again here), I feel compelled to underscore why, in fact, the salt is totally more super awesome than the fresh.
That’s a WD40 nymph. The instructions say you can tie this in a #24.
The smallest bonefish fly I’ve tied up is an #8, and that’s nearly microscopic for the salt. The largest fly I’ve tied for saltwater is a 3/0, which is meat on a hook.
That I have several #20’s in my trouting fly boxes is a clear sign that saltwater fly fishing is more awesomer ruling than the freshwater stuff.
Yeah… you should probably pay close attention to this… you could win a trip to Andros South.
Starting today, Andros South is hosting Bonefishing Week on GoFISHn.com!
We’ll be posting a whole bunch of content related to bonefishing on GoFISHn, including tips, gear reviews, Q&A sessions and more. Oh yeah – we’re also giving away a Sage 890-4 Xi3, a Sage 6080 reel, some Andros South logo gear, and…a trip to Andros South. That’s right, a trip to Andros South.
via Bonefishing Week on GoFISHN.com.
I’m going to put up a Guides, Lodges, Outfitters page and so I need to hear from… well… from guides, lodges and outfitters in the bonefishing world. The page will have regions/countries and will be a listing, with some simple information.
Here is what I’m looking for.
I’ll try to put one of these up a week once I get a few in the queue.
You can send the info/photos to me at bonefishonthebrain (at) gmail.com.
I hope this will make the site a bit more of an actual resource for people looking to plot out their next trip.
And now, for something completely different.
Thanks for taking the time to sit down with yourself for this interview, and may I add, you are a very handsome man.
Why thank you. I figured I really couldn’t get out of it.
I read somewhere that someone referred to you as a saltwater expert. What do you have to say about that?
HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA! I just spit milk through my nose… you have to warn me when you are going to be funny. Me? An expert? Hardly.
The truth is, I’m just profoundly interested. I’m like a baseball reporter who never made it past Little League. I’m in the early days of my bonefishing life and I’m on the steepish part of the learning curve.
I’m a pretty good trout angler, but the salt is a different game and that’s the appeal, really.
Well, if you are not an expert, why in the name of bacon do you have a blog?
First of all, don’t use the name of bacon in vain. That’s just wrong. Secondly, I started the blog because I wanted to read something like it, something with a really tight focus on bonefish, the fish that has kind of exploded in my mind, controlled my thoughts and ruined a hundred casual conversations. Turns out not everyone is as interested in bonefish as I am.
Your (now Ex) wife isn’t as interested, that’s for sure.
True. Well, she’s my ex-wife now and my new and improved wife is much more down with me pursuing my passions.
Most of your friends aren’t.
Yes, I know that.
I don’t think your daughter is as interested.
She’s very, very interested in sharks and rays and nature, so I think I might still manage to squeak that one out. She goes shark fishing with me and loves it. I think I’m winning on this one.
Has writing the blog been fun?
Ya know, almost totally. I have fun looking for content, talking to people, getting to know folks who share the passion I have, even if most of them outstrip me in experience 1,000:1. I’ve learned a lot. I’ve made some friendships I wouldn’t have otherwise and I’ve gotten to indulge my obsession with bonefish.
Of course, there are not fun moments. I’ve learned not to talk too much trash. I’m still getting used to the fact that anyone reads this stuff, but it turns out if you write something less than flattering about, oh, let’s say a rod company, it is really easy for that rod company to contact you about it. I’ve also learned of some places to avoid… and I’ve learned that some times, people will be a-holes just because they can be.
The good outweighs the bad about 100:1.
I’ve learned to care a little bit less about how many views I’m getting and just put out content that I’d want to read.
I’m assuming that blogging is an easy path to fame and fortune.
I have had some amazing trips that have come about because of the blog. Andros, Cuba, Belize. I can’t complain. Not even one little bit.
I did get a free pair of sunglasses and a reduced rate on a few things, but I don’t sell anything… at least not yet. The blog certainly doesn’t make money, but that’s not why I’m doing it, so that is OK.
I’m not an industry insider. Not really. If there is a secret handshake, no one has shown me… is there a secret hand shake?
So… we won’t be buying one of those Loomis NRX Rods?
Not unless they knock $550 off the price tag, sorry.
Is there somewhere you’d really like to fish?
Yes. Everywhere. Remember, I’m not a well-traveled angler when it comes to the salt. Now, I find myself wanting to fish with people I’m meeting as much as I want to fish locations… maybe more. I’d love to fish with Butch Leone in Aitutaki, I’d love to fish with Joe in Florida, with Davin in Grand Caymen, with Chris in Culebra, with Andrew in South Andros (I got to do this, actually)… so many places to fish, so many folks to fish with, so little time and money!
Well, why don’t you go fish these places?
Money and time… basically. Even a free trip costs $1,000 or more.
Are you available for hire should some gear maker want to delve into the world of blogging and whatnot?
Totally, but that doesn’t seem to be the direction these guys are headed… save Orvis, who are running circles around the rest of the industry in that regard… I mostly agree with the Trout Underground on that one.
I heard you work really, really cheap.
Shhhhhhhhhhhh!
How is that dubbing loop going for those Tarpon Flies?
I don’t want to talk about it.
Well, that’s all I have for you. It truly has been a pleasure.
The pleasure was all mine.
I’ve only been to two services where ashes were spread. One was my grandfather’s ashes into Puget Sound back in the summer of 1993. The other time was on Saturday as we spread the ashes of my grandmother in the waters of the South Fork American River just below Twin Bridges.
Funny thing is that these two divorced about a half-century ago and were two of the least compatible people I can imagine together… and in fact, I never saw them together… not once in my whole life. Still, when it came to where they each would spend eternity, they both chose water.
It rattles your sense of perspective to see someone you knew and loved as a gray powder in a plastic bag… so small in contrast to the size of their lives. It is overwhelmingly appropriate to watch that powder spread out, blossom and bloom to become a cloud that dances and swims… alive.
So, on that note, I will be back with more things bonefish come Tuesday.
First, I thought the blog post by Fishing Jones about his most recent foray into the land of bonefish. As Michael Gracie says in the comments… this is the standard by which future fishing reports will be judged.
We’re the People’s Front of Bud’s Lounge.
It is a great report and I like the Life of Brian reference. I had an indoor soccer team at one point named The People’s Front of Judea.
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On another front, I’ve been sitting down to tie again with Belize on my mind… 55 days, I believe at this point. I got some advice to tie up some Legless Merkins… I like the look of these guys… wish my Un-Legless Merkins looked as good.
Sans Legs, the Merk looks yummy.
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I dug the most recent Deneki post about Andros South that highlighted some local color of a Junkanoo band. When I was in Grand Bahama last, someone mentioned that the traffic was for a Junkanoo festival and they nearly fell down when I told them I didn’t know what that was.
I think I’m just about ready for The Drake Film Festival with this little video. To be honest, I haven’t had as much hair as that guy has… ever.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGiLL3ta1oQ?fs=1&hl=en_US
OK… maybe film isn’t my calling.
