DIY Bonefishing

Not to get to technical but there are two different patterns, the original Clouser Deepwater Minnow and the Bonefish Clouser. Both were designed by Bob Clouser, originally for catching smallmouth bass but they have proven themself to be one of the best fly patterns of all time, for virtually everything that swims. The Deepwater Minnow is typically tied larger with heavier lead barbell eyes while the Bonefish Clouser tends to be smaller and shorter with either bead chain or small lead eyes. To this day I am surprised how many guides I meet who still rank this fly as one of their favourites. I beleive that the original Deepwater Minnow was tied with bucktail and the Bonefish Clouser was tied with calftail. I now tie the Bonefish Clouser almost exclusively with Craft Fur and use a variety of long real and artifical hairs for the Deepwater Clouser. Since the space in my fly box is limited I am selective with the Clousers I carry. The colour combinations are almost infinite but I tend to stick with the tan and white. I carry a couple of large Deepwater Clousers along with two permit crabs in a separate bag in order to “plumb” any deep holes or edges I find on a flat. Then include two small sized Bonefish Clouser’s in my box. You can’t beat this fly as an all around general patterns striped along the bottom, kicking up sand every couple of strips. The Bonefish Clouser in smaller sizes (#6 – #8) doesn’t have a lot of flash to it and has a nice slim silhouette making it perfect for those situations where you’re fishing shallow water in an intimate environment. Bonefish Clouser Recipe: Hook: Mustad 34007, size #4, #6, #8 Thread: Tan Uni-Thread 6/0 Eyes: Silver bead chain or small lead eyes Underwing: White Craft Fur Middle wing: Pearl Krystal Flash Overwing: Tan Craft Fur Clouser Deepwater Minnow Hook: Mustad 34007, size #2, #4, #6 Thread: Tan Uni-Thread 6/0 Eyes: Lead dumbell eyes Underwing: White bucktail, Craft Fur or other long fiber Middle Wing: Pearl Crystal Flash Overwing: Tan bucktail, Craft Fur or other long fiber

I’m back from a week of trout fishing in the interior of British Columbia for what most likely will be the last trout trip of the season. The weather was so-so but the fishing was good. I’m sworn to secrecy regarding the lakes location but there were plenty of rainbows landed in the five-eight pound range. I’m now fully committed to directing all of my energies to upcoming tropical saltwater trips. As of now destinations include, Abaco, Acklins, Exuma, Bonaire, Los Roques and Florida. There are a couple of “surprises” yet to be confirmed, but I’m hopeful I can fit them in this winter. Over the years I have developed an extensive packing list for trips, so I seldom forget anything or worry about what to pack. I pull out the list and check off the boxes as I pack. I was reading the Field & Stream blog Fly Talk written by my friend Kirk Deeter on the subject of Packing To Fish. He nailed it but thought I would add a couple of things related to saltwater destinations. Kirk travels even more than I do (my wife thinks that’s impossible) so read what he has to say about packing, he is the expert. For my part, let me focus on travel to the tropics, Bahamas, Turks, Cuba, Venezuela, Mexico, Belize and other international destinations. My starting position is “what happens if none of my gear makes it?” Now don’t laugh, I have lots of travel stories, one of which involves spending ten days fishing in Xcalak, Mexico with nothing but a pair of shorts and a tee-shirt purchased in Akumal. No clothes, no fishing gear. It will cost you two beers to hear how that ended up. That question helps you to clarify the most important tip in packing for international travel………”What do I carry on the plane?” The short answer is, As Much As You Can. As Kirk said rods, reels and lines are a crap shoot. There is no consistency on what you can and cannot carry on. Call the airlines in advance and, then keep your fingers crossed that what the person says on the phone is what the airline and TSA allow you to do. For tropical destinations always carry on what you need to protect you from the sun along with all prescriptions. Prescriptions are self-explanatory but tropical protection may not be. I wear on the plane a long sleeve tropical shirt and a pair of quick dry pants. In my carry-on I include a small tube of sunscreen (needs to meet TSA regs), hat, buff, sun gloves, sunglasses and I’m good to go. If you are fishing out of a guide boat, boots are not a big deal, but if you are walking the flats you need to pack your flats footwear. Not having the right footwear can ruin a trip. Travel weight is an issue and Kirk addresses the subject in his article. But a couple of things on meeting the airlines weight requirements. I used to pack twice as much as I need. Some might say that is my feminine side emerging but internally I thought I was protecting myself from every eventuality. After years of travel it appears that I don’t need 1,000 flies and eight fly boxes. I don’t require four fly rods, reels and extra spools and my “evening” wear can usually look a lot like my “day” wear. Forty-five to fifty pounds for a week’s trip is plenty. But just in case you can’t quit make it under the airlines designated limit, here is a tip. I have yet to find an airline that has weighed my carry-on luggage. Now that the light bulb has gone on that means make sure you have a reasonably large and flexible carry-on bag, spread everything out on the floor as you are packing and those items which are heavy and allowed through the gate go in the carry-on bag (flats boots, cameras, books, flashlight) and the light stuff goes in your luggage. There, now you can take that fourth rod!

This Charlie Craven fly is the most recent pattern to be added to my “favourite fly” list. I’m a big fan of Charlie’s, the way he ties and the innovative nature of the flies he produces. When I first saw the release of his book Charlie’s Fly Box I ordered it immediately. I first started hearing success stories about the Bonefish Junk from guides and anglers fishing the flats of North and Middle Caicos. I tied up a bunch for a trip to Acklins as a test (as I have done with dozens of new hot patterns before it) and the fly quickly moved from a plastic baggie in my Fish Pond waist pack to the top row, right side of the one and only fly box I carry on the flat. That may not seem like much to you but it’s not easy making it into my fly box and to reside in the top right row is high praise indeed. After a week walking the flats of Acklins, my buddy and I spent the last day of the trip casting from the front of our host and guide, Fedel Johnson’s skiff. When it was time to start the day, I handed my box to Fedel and asked him to pick the fly I should use. With a big smile on his face he took out a size #4 Bonefish Junk and said “this is the one”. He didn’t know what it was, only that it had all the characteristics of a fly he knew bonefish loved. Like always, he was right and we fished it all day with great success. Charlie spends fourteen pages in his book describing the flies history, how to fish it and how to tie it. I can’t do better than him so that is the place to go. There are two downsides to the fly. The first is there are a lot of steps in the tying process so it takes some time to finish a trips supply and second, once your buddies see how successful it is the dozen you tied seem to mysteriously vanish. The fly looks “fishy” and imitates various species of shrimp really well. The four characteristics I like about the fly: the long slender profile, tons of wiggly legs, the mono eye balls and ORANGE colouring. Even though it is a little complicated and time-consuming I always make my mono eyes the way Charlie describes in his book. Start with 25 pound mono stalks, use five-minute epoxy and colour with fabric paint. For me the trick is to set aside one evening and make dozens of them so I only have to do it once each season. Fly Recipe Hook: #2-#6 Tiemco 811S Thread: Fire orange 140-denier Ultra Thread Weight: Stainless steel bead chain Antennae: Shrimp pink and bonefish tan Super Floss Flash: Pearl Diamond Braid, shredded Mouth: Orange egg yarn Eyes: Melted mono with painted epoxy ball Body: Perl Diamond Braid Legs: Shrimp pink and bonefish tan Super Floss Underwing: Pearl Diamond Braid, shredded Overwing: Shrimp coloured Polar Fibre Markings: Sepia and orange permanent marker For precise tying instructions you can’t beat the detailed instructions Charlie provides in his book Charlie’s Fly Box.

For those of you who have not seen it, The Angling Report is a subscriber only newsletter written for “the angler who travels.” Edited by Don Causey it is a must have publication when doing research for your next trip. The reports are written by traveling fishermen giving the true “grit” and not simply “puff” pieces designed to sell more trips. I have been a subscriber for many years and still go to the fishing report data bank when planning a trip to a new location. Don has picked up on the trend in DIY Lodges emerging in the Bahamas so I encourage you to subscribe to the newsletter and read what he has to say. I have spoken at length about Fedel Johnson’s Acklins Lodge, the Salinas Point Lodge also on Acklins, The Long Island Bonefishing Lodge and Two Boys Inn on Andros. They all provide a cost effective way to fish for a week and are equipped with some of the best guides you will ever find when you require a break from the rigours of DIY fishing. By way of endorsement I am heading back to Acklins in December with my usual gang of misfits to inflict an untold amount of torture once again on Fedel and his beautiful wife, Erica.

It’s a shaken cocktail: equal parts social gathering and local fishing information mixed with a dab of environmental consciousness. All of the ingredients combined make for an enjoyable evening, where you get to share your passion with a group of like minded individuals. What is this magical elixir? The Local Fly Fishing Club I proudly belong to the Comox Valley Fly Fishers, a group of approximately 75 individuals blessed with varying degrees of skill, who enjoy getting together once a month to talk about “where to fish”, “the hot fly” with the occasional fish story sprinkled in. These clubs are the epicentre of fly fishing in a local area and form the heart and soul of a group who’s passion for a sport/hobby/obsession needs a place and reason to meet once a month. The attached picture is not “officialy” a club event, but every other Friday during the winter our group gets together at a rented hall to tie flies for a few hours. This week there were twenty-two of us, which is not a bad number for the first event of the winter. Often times it is more than thirty tiers gathered around the rectangle of tables, ostensibly there to tie flies. If the truth be told I think my record for a three hour session is six flies. But are we really there to tie flies?

I know you thought I had died or worse, stopped fishing, because it has been so long between Blogs. But really I was working!!! Doing the kind of research that nobody wants to do, but inevitably some brave soul (me) must. Yep, I have been fly fishing for salmon off the beaches for the last couple of months. I live on Vancouver Island in British Columbia and during the fall we are blessed with a myriad of fly fishing choices. Lots of lakes and rivers to explore but what I like is intercepting pink, coho and chum salmon as they migrate through the straight, within casting distance of the shore. I’ve been out virtually every day, sight casting to cruising salmon as they travel the beaches and begin staging before eventually heading up river. It’s saltwater fishing at its best, spotting fish, trying to figure out what they will take and being rewarded with beautiful bright silver specimens from four pounds (pinks) to fifteen pounds (coho and chums). It was a perfect fall, the best runs of salmon in thirty years combined with two months of no rain. That means thousands of fish up and down the coast but no water in the rivers to draw them in. A fly fisherman’s bonanza. With torrential rain hitting us on the weekend it looks like the season is over. The rivers have risen and the fish have left the ocean to complete the job they came for. The fishing was so good this year, I hope it is a sign that the runs are returning to historical levels. Time for me to put away the salmon gear and break out the bonefish, permit and tarpon equipment. For the next five months it is tropical fly fishing.

As I get ready for the upcoming season, it’s time to finish tying the flies I will need for the next four months. I had started a series showcasing my top six bonefishing flies when I got completely hijacked by the superb salmon fishing off the beaches around home. But I’m back and picking up where I left off……….sort of. The last fly I had posted was Charlie Craven’s Bonefish Junk. The feedback on that fly was overwhelming, except the general consensus was you wanted to know more about the Bonefish Junk (light) which is a quicker pattern to tie and almost exclusively what I use rather than the standard Bonefish Junk tie. To be fair I still think the original Bonefish Junk works better on large expansive flats, off a boat, landed several feet away for big fish. The guides of Turks & Caicos love the Bonefish Junk size #2. I just don’t do much of that fishing. Most of my casts are close in, on small flats or inside creek systems, to fish that see more than their fair share of flies. That environment calls for less flash, quieter presentations and a smaller profile and size. I typically use #4 – #6 and try to keep the “wow” factor a little subdued. Recipe: Hook: #4 – #6 standard saltwater Thread: Orange Weight: Silver bead chain Tail: Fluorescent orange rabbit Eyes: Green epoxy eyes Legs: Shrimp pink or bonefish tan super floss or Silly Legs Body: Pearl diamond braid Underwing: Four strands of bonefish tan crystal flash Overwing: Pink or tan Polar Fibre or Craft Fur marked with permanent market Here is how I tie the Bonefish Junk (light). I first make the eyes, using five-minute epoxy and fabric dye. I cut eight pieces of thirty pound mono to length and secure them in duct tape. Burn the ends of the mono then dip them in the dyed epoxy. Let dry and dip again if you need larger eyes. Once the bead chain is secured, tie in the rabbit tail, four legs and two green eyes in that order. Add the pearl braid and wrap 1/3 way up the hook and add four more legs then continue forward with braid and tie off. ( The pattern shown here is a size #4, I use a fewer number of legs as the fly gets smaller). Turn the fly over and add a couple strands of crystal flash, then overwing with Polar Fibre (or Craft Fur) and color with permanent marker. Glue the head and your done. Takes me about 4 – 5 minutes to tie one of these, so I can live with that. Good luck

Developed by Greg Miheve, this is my “go to” fly. It’s the first one I tie on and stick with it unless there is a refusal. The proof of the flies effectiveness is evident when I count how many I have left at the end of each year. I tie several dozen before I leave home for the season and I’m lucky to have three left when I get home. Some I discard because they are battered by fish but most end up in the fly boxes of other anglers who have asked “what am I using?” You don’t often see this fly available on a commercial basis. My guess is it doesn’t have the jazz of rubber legs or vibrant colour so doesn’t call out to anglers “buy me.” Nor have I ever had a guide pick this one out of my box. As a fly tier for over forty years (geez I have got to stop saying that) I normally “tinker” with flies but I have stayed true to the original pattern of the Greg’s Flats Fly. It’s simple profile with large “claws” seems to do the trick. I have tied the claws with tan, sand and white calf tail through the years but found the white to be the most effective. Recipe: Hook: 34007 #4 and #6 Thread: tan 6/0 Eyes: silver bead chain to fit the hook Claws: white calf tail Antennae: two strands of pearl Krystal Flash per claw Underbody: pearl tinsel or Flashabou over thread Bands: tan thread wound to form three or four bands Outer body: clear v-rib spaced so hackle will wind between Hackle: tan or ginger saddle hackle tied in by tip, wound forward There are a few steps to this fly but overall it’s not difficult to tie. The claws take the most time, so I tend to tie a dozen flies of one size first, tying in only the claws and antennae and then putting it aside. Remember these are claws not a tail. So they don’t flair straight out the back but are tilted upward (when bead is on the underside). Finishing the fly is easy. Tie in the V-Rib, tinsel and hackle to the bend. Wrap your tinsel forward to form the underbody and tie off. Cut the thread and return it to the bend, and make your four bands forward. Wrap the V-Rib next leaving space for the hackle. Wrap the hackle the length of the body (you can strip one side of hackle if you like) and tie off. Cut all of the hackle from the underside off the fly so it sits flat and add glue liberally to the body to hold the hackle in place and keep it from breaking.

I’m off to Abaco and Acklins this week for the start of my winter bonefishing season. Looking forward to being on the flats again. Over time packing has gotten a lot easier and less stressful. I well remember the early days when I started to think about the trip and putting things aside weeks before I departed. Of course what I normally found was that I packed way to much stuff. Anything I would have forgotten, somebody else had two of. And if I was going to a lodge, I could have arrived bare ass naked and still been okay to fish for a week. The final reality check happened in Mexico when none of my bags made it……….ever. Only had the clothes on my back, my sunglasses, sungloves, hat and my flats boots. I was fishing in Xcalak and as most of you know there is nothing there, so replacements weren’t an option. But one of the locals had an old no-name eight weight rod and reel he kindly loaned me. The reel had a beat up cracked floating line, I bummed a handful of twenty pound mono for a leader and was given eight feet of ten pound that I used for tippet. I ended up “borrowing” five flies and I was outfitted. Not exactly a classic “model” for today’s traveling angler. The story has now grown into a legend (because I keep telling it) but the bottom line is I caught as many fish that trip as I have ever done. Learned a lot over those ten days about what a fishermen really needs versus what he wants. Now my packing is a little more casual (since I have proven half of the crap is not necessary). To the best of my knowledge I have never forgotten anything of grave importance, but I’m working on it. As Father Time stares me in the face I’m waiting for that fateful day when I arrive on the flat with two left boots and three pieces of my four piece rod. I suspect many of you are getting ready for trips, so let me tell you what I do. First I start with my Packing List. It has been prepared over many years and dozens of trips. If I’m smart enough to follow it, I usually have what I need. I then begin forming my piles throughout the house (my wife loves that). Those piles eventually fit into one checked bag at 49 pounds and one carry on bag. With the piles neatly arranged, I take my check list and pen, say three Hail Mary’s, and proceed to check off everything laying on the floor. The late night run to 7/11 is for the small shampoo and chapstick. Since weight is a problem I buy the travel size toothpaste, deodorant, shaving cream, shampoo, etc. If I need to I can buy the larger ones when I lay over in Nassau or other locales where they are not so fussy about what I take on the plane or weight. Good luck this winter, I look forward to hearing your stories.

Located approximately 28 miles from Abaco, Moore’s Island offers an angler the chance to catch world-class bonefish along with numerous shots at big permit. It’s not particularly easy to get there but has an adequate runway for smaller airplanes. My fishing buddy and I flew to Moore’s on Inter Island Charters, captained by Sean Nixon. He flies his five passenger Piper to Moore’s on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, once in the morning and again in the afternoon. With a population of 1,000, Moore’s Island consists of two small fishing villages, Hard Bargain and The Bight. Seven miles long and 3.5 miles wide the complete tour of the island by car takes twenty minutes. The fishing is concentrated on the flats south of Moore’s Island and can be reached either by staying on Moore’s or making the 45 minute run across open water from either the boat launch near Crossing Rocks or from Spring Point. Most of the fishing pressure comes from clients who are guided either from the lodges or independent guides making the boat crossing from Abaco. We decided to stay on the island and eventually found Moore’s Island Bonefishing Camp owned and operated by Tom Heild. Tom can be reached at 242-366-6078. The accommodations at the Bonefish Camp are spartan but are fine for anglers willing to pass up a few amenities in exchange for quality fishing. By staying on the island you gain three advantages over staying on Abaco. First, your fishing days are longer, second there are no long boat runs at the beginning and end of each day and third, regardless of the whether you are sure to get out every day. There are a couple of small restaurants serving Bahamian fare and a few small grocery stores with the basics. Fruit is available after the mail boat arrives and you can always find a beer at the end of the day. When fishing the northern islands of the Bahamas, the weather in November is always a crap shoot and this trip was no different. We had a mixed bag with some clear weather on day one immediately followed by a cold front. The next few days were challenging as the wind kicked up to 25 mph and the clouds and rain were present most of the time. On the first day we saw at least ten permit and had a few decent shots. We were not targeting them, so hooking up would have been a bonus. But I certainly saw more permit then I have in most other places in the Bahamas. After the first day we always had a permit rod rigged up and ready to go. My understanding is they concentrate more in the area during April – June. We were surprised at the wariness of the bonefish. This was not shooting fish in a barrel. I don’t know why since it seems so remote, but there you go. When the wind permitted we went to eighteen foot leaders with small lightly weighted flies and that increased our hook ups. When the wind came up to 25 – 30 miles an hour, the fish were less leader shy but it’s a heck of a lot harder putting the fly in the zone. We both caught fish every day and saw lots of fish between 8 – 12 pounds. The largest we landed was in the seven pound range with the average fish between 4 – 5 pounds. On the last day I hooked a large fish that came within ten feet of the boat during the fight so we saw it clearly. Call it 10-12 pounds. But that fight ended badly for me and great for the bonefish. I hardly cried at all. Tom Heild’s son, Collin was our guide for four days. He grew up on Moore’s and knows every inch of the bonefish territory, I can recommend him. We fished out of a Carolina skiff with a plywood front for a casting platform. You won’t see that boat on the cover of a fly fishing magazine, but it worked and fits in with the general ambience of the area. As for DIY there are a few places to go, but not many. One is the bay north of the cemetery and it is actually quite good. The bottom is firm with a nice sand bottom for visibility. There is a boat dock in The Bight and there are bonefish in the deep hole. The turtle grass flats just north of The Bight boat dock holds large fish but you would need to get out there with a kayak and some of the bottom is quite soft for wading. Another spot is south of The Bight cemetery and consists of a long rocky shore but with productive water along the entire stretch. In general though to get to the traditional fishing grounds south of Moore’s Island a boat is required. There were plenty of quality areas to wade once transported to the fishing grounds and it seemed like we always caught fish when walking. For the adventurous angler Moore’s Island Bonefish Camp is worth a try.

If you want something a little bit different how about camping on a deserted cay in the Bahamas and catching bonefish ten steps from the tent. Well that’s exactly what I did a couple of weeks ago with Fedel Johnson of Acklins Outback Fishing Lodge. He met us at the airport and then we loaded up his 22 foot Whaler with all of the camping gear and food we would need for our three night/ four-day fishing excursion. The fifty minute ride to one of his favourite cays across the Bight of Acklins couldn’t have been smoother and really made you believe there was wilderness camping in your future. We had bonefish on even before the boat was unloaded, making it really difficult to concentrate on putting up the large wall tent. By mid-afternoon camp was organized and we were free to fish for the remaining couple of hours. While Fedel prepared dinner my fishing partner and I got the Lay Of The Land and landed a number of bonefish in the three pound range. Dinner was waiting for us when we got back at dark and like all food prepared in the out-of-doors, it was fantastic. Fedel prepared all of the meals for the trip which allowed us to concentrate on catching fish. There was a nice wind blowing during the trip which I’m sure helped with the bugs. I brought insect repellent, baby oil and mosquito netting and turns out I didn’t need any of it. We slept in a large tent on air mattresses, pretty darn luxurious for a camping trip. The fishing was good and we caught more fish than anyone could hope for. Nothing big, all within that 3 – 5 pound range. But there were lots of schools and the fishing was relatively simple. No smart fish here. This is an ideal trip if you are looking for something a little different and Fedel has at least six different places to set up camp. He offers a couple of different trip scenarios. He can stay with you, set up camp and cook all the meals or he can drop you off with gear and food and simply check on you each day. Either way, once camp is set up you are only steps away catching bonefish. If you’re looking for something a little different, email Fedel and enquire about a camping trip through Acklins Outback Fishing Lodge.

I will provide a complete fishing report on my recent Acklins trip in the next Blog but wanted to get this information out quickly as the space is going to fill up. Fedel and Erica of Acklins Outback Fishing Lodge have just completed their new on site apartment. It sleeps two fisherman with a full kitchen. Bring your own food/drink from Nassau, combine it with a rental car ($75 per day) and you are good to go. The Ace-In-The-Hole on this deal is that you are staying on the same property with one of Acklins best guides. Their bar is available where you can buy drinks and talk fishing at the end of each day. If you’re having a tough time or need advice on where to go, Fedel can get you headed in the right direction. For the DIY guys on a budget or for those who just like to control their own cooking and schedule, this is the way to go.

Spent the last ten days of my Bahamas trip on one of my favorite islands, Acklins. Changed it up a little this year, camping for three nights and spending the last seven days with my buddies at our usual “hang out” Acklins Outback Fishing Lodge. Both the weather and the fish fully cooperated making for a great way to end 2013. No monsters caught this trip but a few in the seven pound range, the remainder tipping the scales between 3 – 5 pounds. As usual, the gang on this trip consisted of six guys, making the math simple. Each day two of the fishermen would go with Fedel in his boat for a full day of guided fishing while the other four loaded into the car for a DIY day. We then rotated this throughout the week so that everyone had ample time on the flats by themselves and with Fedel in his new flats boat. It’s always an interesting discussion when we meet at the end of the day with a Kalik in hand. There is no guarantee that the guys in the boat will do better than the crew in the car. On the whole I would say it is a 50/50 deal. The self-guided guys did a lot of walking this trip. Three days in a row we walked well over six miles getting into places we had not reached before. It’s what I like to do, but perhaps not for everyone. There were a couple of days where the fishing was outstanding for the DIY guys with top rod one day at about thirty fish. Overall lots of 10 – 20 fish days for the DIYers. Father time seems to be slowly catching up but the distances we go seem to be the same. It’s just the number of Advil at the end of the day that has increased. One of the regular gang couldn’t make it (apparently a trip to Peru with his wife is more important than bonding with his buddies on a far away rock) and his place was taken by Davin Ebanks who you may know through his Blog, Flatswalker. It was great fishing with Davin and as a professional guide in Grand Cayman his expertise was clear to see. It should be noted that we didn’t hold his age against him. Since he was between 20 -30 years younger than the rest of the group his experience level in maters of love and world peace just didn’t measure up to our more sophisticated (read “old”) views. But give him credit, on the flat he was able to stay up with us. We had some fun with flies. There were a variety of refusals and some of the old standards just were not working. We leaned more toward flies that had these characteristics: rubber legs, orange mouth, black eyeballs, tan craft fur. They needed to have a variety of weights as we fished lots of skinny water covered in grass. I don’t know why this always surprises me but the Pink Puff was a stand out. I’m tying a bunch this week as my supply got wiped out (this is why you should only have friends that tie their own flies). Tie them in #4 – #6, both pink and tan heads, with a variety of weights. Throw in a couple of light ones with weed guards. On Acklins there is always a chance at a permit, this trip was no exception. I was surprised when nervous water turned into a large single permit. With no time to switch flies I threw my Bonefish Junk three feet in front of its head and watched as it turned and stared at the fly, sure I was going to hook up to a 25 – 30 pound permit. With as much distain as I have for turnips on my Thanksgiving plate, he turned from the fly and went on his way. My heart returned to its normal rate after thirty minutes. We concentrate our walk and wade days from central Acklins to the northern end of the island. There are more miles to walk and explore than you could ever cover in a week. Throw in a couple of kayak trips and it’s new water every day. Unlike many places these are friendly, happy fish and likely to chomp down aggressively on moving flies. This has got to be one of the Bahamas best choices for DIY bonefishing.

I had previously reported on a revolutionary new inflatable flats boat designed by Dick Swan called the Bare Bones II. A product of Airborn Inflatable Boats, it’s small enough to be carried in the trunk of your car, inflated and then rowed or poled across the flat. Dick told me there had been some unique design changes to the original model so we set out to give it a try on the flats of Cherokee Sound, Abaco. There have been improvements made to the boat itself (to be introduced as the Airborn 360) but the really intriguing part to me, is the floor, which is now an inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board. You not only have an inflatable boat suitable for two fishermen on the flats but included is a well made SUP when you want to be on your own. I was particularly interested in the SUP since I have tested a number of them over the last year. When fully inflated the board is firm, easy to balance on and handles as well as any inflatable SUP I have tested. When the new Airborn 360 with the SUP floor becomes available, give it a try.

Received this report from Nick Luke, who resides in the UK and fished with Nick Denbow of Western Caribbean Fly Fishing School in Mahahual, Mexico from Aug 18 – Sep. 8th. I have fished with Nick on many occasions and consider him one of the best guides and fisherman I have ever had the pleasure to walk a flat with. Headquartered in Mahahual, Mexico he has a truly unique fishery where a competent fishermen has a legit shot at the grand slam while wading the shore. I just can’t think of many places where a person can get out of the car, walk the beach and cast to bonefish, permit, tarpon, jacks, triggerfish, boxfish and barracuda. Nick has places where you can do that! Following is the report posted by Nick Luke: This was the third year running fishing with Nick in and around Mahahual, Mexico. We used to split the trip between Nick and Ascension Bay but based on last years results we did all three weeks this year with Nick. As always I was with my kids, my son now a better fisher than I, my daughter sadly more interested in boys than fishing. We again chose the condos at 40 Canons in the village that has all the modern conveniences, maid and waiter service and the ability to walk to a variety of good restaurants. As we learned on our second trip sometimes you catch more Bonefish right in front of the hotel in the boating dredge than in the remote places. Nick took us to wade fish water up and down the coast driving the beach road. Best luck came from Pulticub and Punta Gorila to the north. A new spot for us, we found Alma Plena hotel to the south which was also a good place to base the fishing from, we had a sneak look and the accommodation looked great, charming Italian owners, with a wonderful decking to refresh from. Bonefish in the garden. Best day fishing was to the north, son and I both cast at the hallowed grand slam jumping several big Tarpon in the surf. The biggest Tarpon I hooked was on the Bonefish leader so that was short-lived but ten brilliant seconds. With all those different fish species you never really new what to gear up for, felt the need for a caddy with a bag full of different clubs. Good fun casting at tailing Triggerfish also. Bonefish were scattered everywhere, usually over sand, not in the large schools as per last year but they were always there, The larger fish would occasionally pop up inside our wading line, between us and shore in very shallow water. These were singles and when the cast went to plan were hungry for the fly. Best fish was around 5 pounds. We chased Tarpon with Nick in the lagoons out of his boat on five occasions. My son out fished me, again. His best was boating five in a half day, largest was twenty pounds. I landed a few here and there but for the number of attacks my conversion rate remains poor. Nicks a patient guide but I could see his frustration with my inability to strip strike after the tenth time in a row I yanked the rod and snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. Old habits die-hard. Already planning next years trip.

Got a great report from Willi Loehman of Fort Collins, Colorado and Jeff Miller of Greenville, North Carolina about their recent trip to Acklins. They stayed with Fedel and Erika at their Acklins Outback Fishing Lodge and according to Willi and Jeff “were very impressed with Fedel and Erika and their friendly, comfortable family style lodging and meals.” Though their trip centered around DIY bonefishing, they took Fedel up on his offer and went after tarpon for one day. It’s a bit of a secret spot, so to fish it you will have to book a day with Fedel. But what a great way to shake up a trip. They saw and cast to around twenty fish but only ended up landing two. One was approximately five pounds and the other in the twenty pound range. The fish didn’t seem interested in Toad flies but the traditional Cockroach style in black and purple did the trick, size #2/0. So on your next trip to Acklins, throw in some tarpon flies and leaders, you just might need them. Thanks for the report guys.

I seldom do equipment reviews and never on items I haven’t purchased myself. But when I find something that works and makes life on the flats easier, I want you to know about it. RIO Products introduced the Bonefish Quickshooter fly line this year and won “2013 Best New Saltwater Fly Line” at the International Fly Tackle Dealer Show in Reno. I purchased both an eight and nine weight line to take with me on my recent trip to Acklins, Moore’s Island and Abaco. Without a doubt this was the best performing line I have ever cast for the type of fishing I like to do: walk and wade, close in, ambush style fishing. Before I talk about the Quickshooter fly lines technical innovations lets review the problem RIO was trying to solve and why a new line was needed. Most saltwater flats lines have long heads (say 50 feet) that work great off the bow of a boat for longer casts. In a typical scenario, a bonefish is spotted seventy feet away providing enough time for a couple of false casts, allowing today’s medium to fast action rods the opportunity to load. But the type of fishing I like is more intimate and generally done at closer quarters. I’m normally creeping along a flat, shoreline or creek system in stealth mode trying to ambush bonefish. In almost all cases this means casts of less than fifty feet and often times half that distance. You get one false cast if you’re lucky and the rod needs to load. Standard lines just aren’t built for twenty-five foot casts. The RIO Bonefish Quickshooter fly line was designed specifically to overcome the issue of loading the rod for short casts. Based on my last trip, I can assure you that RIO has “hit it out of the park.” It casts beautifully at short distances, rolls out well and presents the fly softly. It’s superior to over lining because the shape of the front taper allows the leader to unfurl properly and land the fly delicately when required. After returning home, I had the opportunity to talk with Simon Gawesworth, RIO Products Marketing Manager about why they developed the line and the technical innovations made. He said “The thought process started almost five years ago. A group of them were fishing from skiffs in Andros and visibility was really poor. They weren’t seeing the fish until they were twenty feet away, requiring a short quick cast.” They needed a line that would load quickly at short distances while maintaining the integrity of the presentation. Working with their product design team they tested a variety of line configurations before coming up with the RIO Bonefish Quickshooter. It’s innovation is focused on shortening the head to 35.6 feet and moving the weight forward to help load the rod while preserving presentation qualities with a unique front taper. For an eight weight line the first thirty feet weighs in at 290 grains versus a typical bonefish line at 225 grains. So who is the line good for? Anglers who have difficulty casting in a typical tropical situation (20 m.ph. winds). Those fishing from the bow of a skiff when visibility is poor. Wading fishermen requiring quick presentations at distances shorter than fifty feet. After our discussion, Simon generously offered to donate a couple of RIO Bonefish Quickshooter fly lines to two lucky subscribers of Do It Yourself Bonefishing. So this week I will draw two names from the list of subscribers and each will receive a line directly from RIO. Thanks Simon and well done.

Received the following report from Vince Tobia of Cattaraugus Creek Outfitters just back from his recent trip to Great Inagua. For those of you who do not know Vince, he has been designing and leading DIY style trips to the tropics for many years. If you are looking to join a group to fish a proven location with an experienced professional, Vince is the guy to call. Here is what Vince had to say: Just got back from a 3 1/2 day reconnaissance mission on Great Inagua. I was joined by Don Barnes, owner of Regal Vise, and Jim Dowd, old school kayaking legend. Man I love this place. I love the remoteness of it. I love the variety of the fishery. I love all of the bird life that’s found there. I love that we have a chance to see wild ass there too!! Stayed at Inagua Outback Lodge, The lodge is coming along nicely. The newly completed dining room is going to be a sweet place to hang out for dinner. And the gazebo, which sits about 15 feet from the water’s edge, is a great place to chill with some cocktails. It’s all wired for sound so you can crank tunes while you relax. Or just listen to the waves lap along the beach. Henry Hugh, owner of the lodge, just purchased a powerful diesel generator which acts as backup power and also will run the AC if needed. This thing is powerful enough to run several 3000 square-foot homes. We told Henry prior to arriving that all we wanted from him was some dinner at night. Let me tell you he is one hell of a cook! We ate delicious cracked conch, conch salad, grouper and lobster. Man we ate like kings, everything washed down with some ice-cold Kaliks. We found some new spots to fish very close to the lodge. We also got into some nice 30-40 pound tarpon a five-minute walk from the lodge. We fished a few of our favorite flats and got into some tailing bones, landing fish up to 7 pounds. We went fishing in the lake one day with the warden of the Inagua National Park, Henry Nixon. We all landed Tarpon, and jumped and lost several more each. Chartreuse toads seemed to work the best. On our last day, Henry Hugh took us way back into the creek near the lodge in his boat. Talk about some stupid bonefish. These fish would literally swim within 15 feet of us and eat our fly. And it really didn’t matter what kind of fly either These fish are just plain aggressive and really are not pressured at all. We also got into a school of good-sized horse-eye jacks in the creek-channel. So much more of this place I want to explore, I can’t wait to go back. Maybe next time we’ll catch a glimpse of those wild jackasses! Note From Rod; Thanks Vince, we all get the picture, fishing paradise. Great Inagua is one of my favorite places and I can certainly endorse Vince’s view.

Do It Yourself Bonefishing is now available!!!! It was a great experience to write a book on a subject so near and dear to my heart. Published by Derrydale Press and co-written with Kirk Deeter (Field &Stream) it is available on-line today and will be widely circulated over the next few weeks. Though I believe all flats fishermen will find the book of value it focuses on the type of fishing I enjoy the most, wading flats and creek systems on my own. Chapter I talks about “Why DIY?” In other words, why would somebody try to catch a bonefish on their own, when it is much easier with a guide. Chapter II is about equipment and what you need on the flats, particularly when there isn’t a boat to carry your gear. Chapter III is titled “How To DIY” and designed to help both those that are starting out and those that are simply trying to improve. The remainder of the book is “Where To DIY” which highlights over 300 individual locations from around the world where an angler can park a car, ride a bike or paddle a kayak and catch bonefish. Hope you enjoy it. Happy Tails

I know you thought I either forgot or am to hung-over to actually draw two names out of a hat. As you recall, RIO was kind enough to donate two RIO Bonefish Quickshooter lines to Do It Yourself Bonefishing subscribers. For those of you taking a shot at my age, I may have forgotten but my trusty calendar reminder on the iMac remembered just fine. As for celebrating New Year’s and being hung-over, I am pleading the fifth. Here are the winners: Lane Luck Matt Foster If the two of you pass on your mailing address to me via email at www.diyflatsfishing@gmail.com I will forward the addresses on to RIO and they will ship directly to you. Congrats. It is a great line. Thanks RIO. All the best to everyone in the New Year. Happy Tails!

Bonefish Fly Series – The Clouser Minnow

Packing For The Flats

Bonefish Fly Series – Bonefish Junk

The Angling Report – DIY Lodges

Fly Fishing Clubs

Salmon On the Fly

Bonefish Junk (light)

Fly Series – Greg’s Flats Fly

Packing For A Trip

Moore’s Island, Abaco, Bahamas

Camping For Bonefish

Acklins Bargain Fishing

Acklins 2013

Airborn Inflatable Flats Boat

Mahahaul, Mexico Bonefishing Trip

Tarpon On Acklins

RIO Bonefish Quickshooter Fly Line

Bonefishing on Great Inagua

Do It Yourself Bonefishing

Winners – RIO Quickshoot Bonefish Line