Acklins Island, Bahamas--March 17-24, 2007
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We had a difficult week weather-wise on Acklins. Daily winds between 25-30 mph and mixed clouds/sun made for less than ideal fishing conditions. The fish were hard to see, and when we could see them, you had to be positioned so that you could cast in the high winds. Considering these conditions, we saw lots of fish, and managed to catch many also. And the weather was warm, so it was very comfortable and it beat the cold and snow of the Northeast.
My guests included Andy Astour, Bruce Thomas, Farrow Allen, Dick Hinz and Charlie Edwards. Our lodging was great--modern, neat & clean, air-conditioned and on a huge bonefish flat. Meals were prepared fresh each day by our hosts, and included, grouper, lobster, ribs, corned beef and cabbage (for St. Pattie's day) and chicken. We also had fresh conch salad--very spicy--but excellent!
We explored many remote flats and creek systems in search of bonefish, but we also found jacks, snappers, barracuda, sharks, one permit (not caught), along with sting & manta rays, turtles, conch, flamingoes, ospreys, egrets and oyster catchers.
More pictures will be coming, as soon as I get them from all of the guests. The one I want to see is of Farrow Allen's 20+ lb 'cuda that he caught on the fly, after his reel fell apart and the spool had to be turned manually to gain all of the line and backing that the fish had taken out! Stay tuned.
Everyone (except me) used a guide for at least one day and this provided good action and the ability to reach even more remote flats. We had a fun trip and everyone agreed that it would be worth returning, and I already have some new, remote spots which I scouted out and that I am dying to fish.
The lure of Acklins Island is it's remoteness, and knowing that you are essentially in an un-touched fishing paradise. We walked flats and beaches where we saw no footprints, and that probably haven't been traversed in months. The beautiful scenery and ocean-life that we got to see was awesome. With our kayaks, we were able to get into some pretty un-spoiled places. When you're fishing areas like this, you never know what you will encounter. Bones are the norm, but you could see permit, jacks, snapper, sharks, triggerfish, tarpon, barracuda, all types of crabs and baitfish, turtles, stingrays, varied bird life--the list goes on. The thrill of exploring these remote places & not knowing what you'll see next is exhilarating.
