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Locations — No Comments
16
Mar 12

Kirk returns from Long Island

Kirk Deeter just got back from a week in Long Island (the better of the two so named locations).

I just returned from a remarkable bonefishing trip in the Bahamas–Long Island, to be specific. It’s a stripped-down, do-it-yourself deal, involving big bonefish (a 5-pounder won’t bat an eye), unspoiled flats that most people don’t have the stamina to walk across in a week, let alone fully explore (I’m talking miles and miles of knee-deep water), great food and wonderful cultural experiences.

The story can be found at Fly Talk.

Truth told, this opportunity landed in my lap about the same time Cuba did and I had to decide which one to do, not being wealthy or idle. Long Island has long drawn my attention, so I’m fairly jealous I didn’t make the trip.  It still stands out as a pretty sweet DIY friendly location.

The place he stayed is the Long Island Bonefishing Lodge, a new place that is focused on the budget and DIY crowd.  The cost for a week is about $1,600, which is a fair deal.  You don’t get guides, but you get brought out to where the fish are and let loose.

The price is a good one and is probably value for money.  If and when I make it to Long Island, I’ll certainly look at this as a real option.

One option I had looked at before was staying at a hotel that was about $100 a night.  That didn’t include meals or transportation to the flats, so the $600 rate of lodging would probably easily get close to $1,600 without the certainty or pointing-in-the-right direction that this place would offer.

I love the coming together of cheap and bonefishing and while $1,600 isn’t “cheap,” it does get a bit closer to cheap than something around $4-5K.

Fish Tails — 2 Comments
15
Mar 12

Important Questions from Kyle

When I was at FIBFest last year, one of the pleasures of being there was meeting Kyle who just happened to do a guest piece over at Deneki. A good read for those heading out to chase bones for the first time.

Check it out.

Kyle, on deck.

 

Locations — 3 Comments
29
Feb 12

Costa Rican Bonefish

No one is going to go out and travel specifically to Costa Rica to go bonefishing.  That would be pure foolishness.  However, they are there.  Of course, they are also in Panama and have been caught off the coast of Texas, but that doesn’t mean they are there in great numbers.  I keep getting surprised about all the places bonefish turn up.  I wouldn’t be surprised to hear about bonefish being caught in Haiti or Louisiana.

Here’s a story about bonefish in Costa Rica from Costa Rica Outdoors:

Some months ago, we had a bit of controversy going here regarding bonefish, and whether we have any in Costa Rica waters. We never were able to determine whether the species, popular in Florida waters and traditionally caught on the inshore flats on a fly rod or light tackle, had actually been caught here.

So… they are there, which is good to know.

Locations — 2 Comments
27
Feb 12

LR vid I can’t understand.

Some interesting looking conditions… gotta love the wind.  No idea what he’s saying.  This is in Los Roques.

Fish Tails — 2 Comments
22
Feb 12

Kirk heading for the tropics with winter on the ground

A story from Kirk Deeter over at Fly Talk about packing up to head to Long Island while winter is still around.  Now… in CA we’ve largely skipped winter this year, so that will make it easier for me to head to the tropics in a month.

Now, I did make one mistake: If ever you’re tying up “Gotchas” to prepare for a tropical trip you’re going on by yourself, and listening to Jimmy Buffett music while drinking a Red Stripe at your kitchen table during a snowstorm–I’m going to suggest that’s probably not the best time and place to ask the Mrs. if she remembers where your passport is.

Fish Tails — 1 Comment
21
Feb 12

Kiribati guide goes after trout

It is a story you want to read… guides from Kiribati entering a fishing competition in Tasmania.

“It might be our first time catching this fish — there’s no trout and no rivers in Kiribati — but I’ve seen pictures before,” Bataeru says as he practises his casting from a small wooden boat on Tasmania’s Arthurs Lake.

“And we all have grown up fly fishing for bonefish in our coral lagoons, although this is different. The trout are a little harder to catch, they’re on the surface, and you use dry flies, so we do have a bit to learn.”

Read the article here.

Locations — 4 Comments
20
Feb 12

Islamorada

For US bonefisherman there is a certain mystic that surrounds Islamorada in the Florida Keys.  I haven’t fished it.  I haven’t fished Florida at all, actually. Part of me doesn’t feel ready and part of me is drawn to places where the catching is more likely.  I want to get there though.  I need to, really.  I just haven’t made it happen yet.

The Florida Sportsman ran an interesting article about the changing nature of Islamorada.  Worth a read.

The notion of “educated” fish has crept into the vernacular, as some species, most notably bonefish and tarpon, have grown over the years more difficult to fool with flies and lures. And yet Islamorada remains one of the world’s top destinations to catch 10-pound-plus bonefish. And the spring tarpon run offers unique access to oceanside as well as backcountry fish.

Nice shot.

Tactics — No Comments
10
Feb 12

Quick Tip from Fly Paper

Fly Paper is a new-ish blog from Scott Heywood (who runs Angling Destinations).  Worth checking out for sure.

Here, he provides a little tip about where you should, and should not be walking when strolling along a beach looking for cruising bones.

Check out the full post and find out what the tip is here.

Locations — 6 Comments
06
Feb 12

Out of the way places

There are so many places to fish… really… SO many places, but it seems the folks who book those trips tend to send anglers to the same places.  There are plenty of outfitters who book Andros and Mexico and even Christmas or the Seychelles.  While there are so many places to fish, you have to search a bit to find an outfit that will take you some place new.

One place that isn’t on everyone’s list is Guanaja Lodge… in Honduras.

Honduras doesn’t usually rise to the top when you start talking about fly fishing destinations for bonefish.  Really, I don’t think I’ve heard it come up in casual conversation with more than one or two people… and I talk about bonefish a lot (so much it tends to annoy people).

Yup… that’s from Honduras.
Gear — No Comments
05
Feb 12

Why is bonefishing awesome? Backing

Ya know what I like?  I like seeing my backing. Backing is awesome.  Not a lot of trout get me there.

What kind of backing you put behind that fly line is a question you find yourself asking a lot more when it comes to things like bonefish as opposed to brookies. Turns out you don’t need any backing if you are doing the tenkara thing.

So… you may be interested in how the discussion went over at Deneki when it had to do with backing.

Check it.

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