MAN! I hadn’t checked the Flatwalker blog in a while… he’s been hard at work putting all sorts of choice bonefishness up.
Archives
06
Mar 10
Redbone, Bonefish and Grand Bahama
The idea of fishing competitions/tournaments is met with utter disdain not universally embraced by the fly fishing community… at least the trouting part of it anyway. In the salt, it seems there is a whole different attitude… one that includes lots of tournaments for lots of species, including bonefish.
I saw the results of the Redbone Deep Water Cay Celebrity Classic. I couldn’t find a list of folks that entered, or what makes them “celebrities,” maybe they don’t wear panties, I don’t know. Deep Water Cay is the uber-exclusive lodge/operation on the far, far end of Grand Bahama… actually, just off shore on their own cay… Deep Water Cay… they have their own airport.
I caught my first bonefish right behind Deep Water Cay, although I was with an independent guide. I don’t begin to have the the kind of obscene wealth resources it would take to have bought in at DWC.
The story can be found on the ESPN site here. The winner was Cal Collier Jr. who posted 22 fish over two days. Points were given for Permit too, but no one caught one (no one caught one the year before either). Sounds like he had to battle some difficult conditions (like a 57 degree morning and 20 mile per hour winds). He got 16 in the final day to end up on the podium (do they use podiums?). The guide was Cecil Leathen… can’t find too much about him. I’m guessing he should have won half of whatever was won if he’s like any of the many, many guides I know.
The biggest fish of the tournament went to David Collier (yes, related) with a 28.5 inch fish. Um… that is frigging massive, by the way… 12-13 pounds according to the chart I looked at. TWELVE PLUS POUNDS. I would have liked to have seen that fish.
- Nice location… not cheap.
03
Mar 10
Deneki Deals on the Mantis
A great article on the Mantis Shrimp from creator of the fly, Bob Veverka, is up at Deneki Outdoors. Check it out.
- This is Mantis
- The Mantis, all fly-like
03
Mar 10
Things That Suck… Sharkskin Lines
I’m sure there are some people out there that loves these lines… they may even have a fan club with a special handshake and membership cards. However, everyone I’ve ever talked to that has fished them thinks they suck. A good friend was telling the story of bonefish in a location that were so spooky they would scatter if they heard the fly line being stripped against guides and would run like hell if they heard someone casting a Sharkskin line. Those are some spooky fish.
I found this bunch of reviews and thoughts on FishandFlies… after the first few good words it got bad for Sharkskin. Avoid this product, I’d say.
- Don’t do it.
27
Feb 10
Pleasanton Fly Show, Day 1
These shows can be a lot of fun, minus the last hour, which drags on like a 6 hour bit of political theater about health care.
I got up early this morning (this post will show up on Saturday, but I’m writing it on Friday, cause that’s how I roll) at 0-dark-thirty and drove down to Pleasanton for the Fly Fishing Show. Upon opening the crate that housed the Bonefish & Tarpon Trust display, it occurred to me I should have tried it out at home first. Luckily, I got some help from a ladies fly fishing club I was next to. Twenty minutes later and I was sorted.
As the throngs of mostly older men passed by (it was a Friday, a perfect time for men of a certain age to browse the show) I heard lots of interesting bonefish stories.
The one place that was mentioned time and time again was Christmas Island. Tomorrow I have a buddy coming in who will be fresh off the plane from Xmas… can’t wait to hear about it.
Had some good conversations about bonefish, conservation, catch & release fishing and other assorted bits of goodness.
Support Bonefish & Tarpon Trust.
Other Stuff:
- This is Fly Daily, Bahamas, Nets.
- The Message Board Which Must Not Be Named has some Bahamas up… I’m not linking there. I’ve learned (slowly).
- New posts up at Guilttrip25
- Singlebarbed spots some ponzi problems with Able.
26
Feb 10
Well Spotted, Fishing Jones…
Today, via Twitter, Fishing Jones spotted a story on Flies and Fins about a little bonefish action.
I stopped breathing as, “Tap” was felt. I drew the line tight for a millisecond, afterwards line ripping began through my hands. The world came back to me as I realized that I was connected to a bonefish.
Flies and Fins goodness
Check out the story. Good stuff.
24
Feb 10
San Diego Bonefish Shopping
I think my plans for Belize 2010 are turning into Belize 2011 plans. By that time my money tree should be bearing fruit… that’s what the guy who sold it to me said, anyway.
This has be wondering what it might cost for a little bit of that San Diego bonefish action.
On the Fly isn’t too bad at $450 for about 5-6 hours.
Now, this isn’t flats fishing (see, cause there aren’t any flats). The rods are 6-8’s with shooting heads and the method is the cast/strip/cast/strip method you might use to prospect for small mouth. That doesn’t sound exactly like what the ideal bonefish experience might look like, but it is a good substitute when you live in California and don’t want to spend $800 on a flight somewhere more bonefishey.
There are other outfitters, of course. It looks like Conway Bowman’s outfit does some inshore trips, but I’m hoping I’m misreading the rate, as it would rank up there with the most expensive bonefishing in the world ($787.50 for two???????). Maybe I’m not reading that right… I’m hoping not, as that would be nucking futs, but, there is a lot of nucking futs out there.
Home to the CA bonefish
22
Feb 10
A little Long Island Bonefish
Nice little bonefish vid from Long Island. People who don’t bonefish or who don’t like warm, tropical places think Long Island means New York… those are people I pity.
I’ll add that this was a great bonefish release… that’s how the folks over at the Bonefish & Tarpon Trust would draw it up.
20
Feb 10
Somethins Seychelles
The Somethinsfishy blog has a great story about a trip to the Seychelles, which is just one of those places you want to go if you are a saltwater fly fishing angler.
Before I hit the daily breakdown, it is worth noting that the long trek half way around the world is well worth it. The bonefishing here is by far the most impressive on earth, but it is the diversity of species and stunning beauty of the place that makes it so incredible.
Check out the story
19
Feb 10
Bonefish Taste and a Trout Budget
My wife made that comment last night on the phone… “You have bonefish taste and a trout budget.”
So true.
I still love trout. They are here, which is one considerable Plus they have over bonefish. Made it out again today for a couple hours on my home water (The Upper Sacramento) in a place I’ve fished at least 100 times, probably more. Temps were cooler and so was the fishing. Managed 2 fish in 2 hours, both small. Did see a golden stone on the water and a great, big massive gray drake, but no noses. All fish were caught on a 4 wt. and the reel was never in any danger of being tested.
The leaves have mostly fallen, the river is empty. Love it.
As I was out there not catching fish and watching my own breath I did think about how when I am getting my arse kicked some place tropical I seldom lose feeling in my toes.
I’m still hoping to get to Belize this summer with my dad, but we have to see how the tax man treats us and a variety of other, mostly financial, factors end up shaking out.
At my one-time local fly shop (I moved), the Ted Fay Fly Shop, I ran into Guide Fred Gordon who spent a couple weeks in Abaco just after I went to Grand Bahama. Even in the heart of California trout country, I still see constant reminders of bonefish… see, I have bonefish on the brain.
