Today we tried to explore a bit. We tried to go places that hadn’t been fished much and that was what we got. 60% was probably tarpon fishing and the fish just weren’t in. 40% was bonefishing and it was really interesting.
The highlight of the day was probably a fish I didn’t even land.
We were going back country deep into the mangroves. Now, this wasn’t a channel of mangroves, this was mangroves. We were in the thick of them and it was kind of awesome.
We pulled into an inland lake and up popped a tail. It was huge. I thought it was a permit it was so big, but it wasn’t black. Bonefish. I conjured a cast from some unnamed fishing god and put the fly right on the head of the fish. It chased down the fly and chowed. The fish tore off and I lifted the rod tip high. I thought I had it, but it turned left around a mangrove and the hook came off (a little bent). Damn. I felt very fortunate to get the fish on the hook though.
I landed two bones today, but it was still a good day. We were trying new water and it was sufficiently difficult.
The last fish I cast to was the last in a series of 15 or 20 casts I made at a school of bonefish. The last cast was a beauty. It was 60 feet at least and the fish ate on the first or second strip. I needed that fish. I worked hard for it. Glad I got it.
Tomorrow is the last full day of guiding. Hoping to do bonefish for most of the day. We’ll see how it goes!
Another case of Cuban redemption
Sounds like a great time… ‘wish i was there.
More!