The Best for Last

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Jess and I are leaving the Bahamas today.  Over the past week, I have picked up several more bonefish as well as a small mutton snapper; however, the last bone I caught is the one that will stay with me.  I hit the flats early morning at the mid point of an outgoing tide.  The water was shallow enough to see tails but just deep enough to keep the bones from becoming super skittish.  I was wading close to shore when 50 feet away I saw a large tail quickly break the surface, and then it instantly disappeared.  I froze, continued to peer towards the surface disturbance, and then saw a small mud puff from a feeding fish.  After one cast and a small strip of my size 4 bonefish scampi, I felt a strong tug and my reel was singing.  The first run of this bone was the tell tale of a large fish.  The fish had 3 more runs, and I landed him after a 15-minute fight.  I was astonished when I landed him, measured him up using my fly rod, snapped a quick picture, and released him. (It is extremely hard taking a picture of a bonefish standing in the middle of a knee deep flat).  He was around 32 inches long.  Cross referencing Randal Kaufman’s Bonefishing!, he was estimated between 11-13lbs, which puts him into trophy category by anyone’s standards.  It was the culmination of my bonefishing efforts over the past month.  I wish the picture below did the fish more justice.

This guy pushed the limits of my 9wt for 15 minutes
This guy pushed the limits of my 9wt for 15 minutes

Our time in Green Turtle Cay was amazing.  Jess and I felt that the people were welcoming, the food was excellent, and the bonefish were challenging.  My next bonefish trip will more then likely be the typical several days on flats skiff with a guide; however, I will never forget my trials and tribulations, paying my dues on the flats, and learning through first hand experience.  Special thanks to local fly fisher and bonefish guide, Ronnie Sawyer.  He spent many nights tutoring me on strategy, fly design, and approach for his local waters and bonefish.  It’s now off to the Adirondacks  chasing good old fashion trout as well as a host of other warm water species!

We'll miss these shores
We’ll miss these shores
Local Junkanoo Festival
Local Junkanoo Festival
Bahamian tradition: Kaliks and Conch Friters
Bahamian tradition: Kaliks and Conch Friters
Goombay Smash: Dark Rum Coconut Rum Pineapple Juice Touch of Cointreau
Goombay Smash:
Dark Rum
Coconut Rum
Pineapple Juice
Touch of Cointreau
This four foot lemon shark scared off every bonefish for the rest of one afternoon.
This four foot lemon shark scared off every bonefish for the rest of one afternoon.
Feral Pig Population
Feral Pig Population
Sunset over Abaco
Sunset over Abaco

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