I can’t believe we are in the first week of August which means it’s time for me to begin planning my upcoming winter trips. I’m just getting comfortable casting to rainbows and about to do some summer run steelheading and salmon fishing. Hard to imagine that in October the winter rains of British Columbia will chasec me south. Since I have to begin planning it occurred to me that you might be doing the same. Thought I would take this time to remind you of one of the great options available to those thinking about heading to the tropics and throwing a fly at Mr. Bone………………..the “assisted” DIY Lodge. There are a number of them now available and I’m sure more to come. The benefits are simple. They provide the accommodation with all meals and offer plenty of angling options. Most have guides as owners so you can have as many guided days with a professional as you want. Add to that the help and advice they provide when you head out for the DIY days and you have a fishing package that is hard to beat. When our gang of six goes to one of these, we hire the guide/owner for every day and two of the fishermen go with him while the other four do a self-guided day. Then rotate through the guide as best fits the group. They tend to be less expensive than some other options, but for me the deciding factor is that the room and meals are taken care of and I am free to fish. I mention three of them here, all of which I have been to. I’m sure there are others so send their names and contacts along to me and I’ll make sure they get into the data base. Acklins Outback Fishing Adventures is owned an operated by Fedel Johnson and his wife, Erica. Located on the northern end of Acklins Island, Bahamas it holds up to six anglers. There is plenty of walk and wade fishing close by and Fedel is one of the best guides I know. You actually stay in their home and sit down for breakfast and dinner prepared each day by Erica. She hands you a lunch in the morning and then its off to the flats. The Long Island Bonefishing Lodge is owned by Nevin Knowles and he has built a beautiful lodge which lacks for nothing. Located right on the water of Deadman’s Cay, Long Island, Bahamas you get to experience a rather unique fishery by walking the miles and miles of flats that were once the salt ponds of a long gone salt industry. In addition there are miles of other flats at Deadman’s Cay that can be reached by boat and fished with a guide. Two Boys Inn is located at Behring Point, North Andros, Bahamas. It caters more to fully guided anglers but welcomes those that want a few days of guided fishing thrown in with some self-guided walk and wade. Owned and operated by Captain Frankie Neymour and his wife Melinda the accommodation is fine and the meals are always wonderful. The chief advantage here is if you book far enough in advance you can be guided by a legendary Bahamian bonefish guide, Frankie Neymour. So give an “assisted” DIY lodges some consideration when planning your next trip.
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