Water Cay Lodge
For the seasoned angler who has cut his piscatorial teeth on the remote cays and islands in the Bahamas, flying into Freeport on Grand Bahama Island can be a vexing moment. If you didn't know better, your expectations could plummet, dashed by all the homes, partially built mini-marts, and cruise ship you were gliding in over. This activity could be seen as bad sign. A bad sign in the same way that when you see the wind turn to the north bringing high wispy cirrus clouds, you know a cold front is coming and that all the bonefish will soon be in deeper water and out of rod's reach. So the presence of all this civilization can also be a bad sign and can mean a loss off habitat, more impact on what habitat exists and a greater disconnect with the natural world.
Because of all the activity surrounding Freeport, some anglers have skipped Grand Bahama and focused their efforts on Andros, Abaco and the more remote out-islands to the south. But we suggest you keep an open mind. Take a moment and read further before you determine whether you should give this area a chance on your next angling vacation.
First of all, Grand Bahama Island is huge. Ninety seven miles long and between 7 and 17 miles wide makes it stand only behind Andros and Abaco in size. All the activities and developments are on the south side of the island leaving the vast north shore, made up of mangrove swashes and saltwater creeks, a vast, virtually untouched, wilderness... and its chock-a-block full of bonefish!
If you look at a map of the island, you'll notice a thickening at the island's waist. East of that horn lies an area that is difficult to reach. Over the years, we have explored this area extensively and experienced great success. For those who have been following our crazy trails over the past few, you will remember that Olympian Iram Lewis was the driving force behind a failed attempt to put together a bonefish lodge in this remote section on Water Cay. Poised for success, a horrible hurricane season hit the island in the fall of 2004. Three consecutive hurricanes swept over his fledgling lodge that fall, battering it and essentially ending Iram’s dream. However, after three long years of work which involved a lot elbow grease and a considerable investment of capital, the Lewis family has repaired the Water Cay facility, dug an entirely new well system and installed an exceptional reverse osmosis water filtration system that takes the cay’s naturally fresh water and purifies it to bottled water standards.
We have always known this area held a spectacular habitat and now that the lodge is repaired, we thought it high time to introduce Campeche tarpon pioneer and world-class angler, Cody Muchow to our old friends Zeke and Iram Lewis with the idea of opening a new bonefish lodge on this vast north shore of Grand Bahama Island.
When you are on Water Cay, it is surprising how remote the lodge feels even with the bright lights of Freeport glowing just over 20 miles away on the horizon. If you didn't know better, you’d think you were somewhere deep in the Bight of Acklins or on the west side of Andros. And surprisingly, even though Grand Bahama has three other bonefish lodges, this central habitat is rarely visited because these lodges do not need to travel this far to find fish. As a result, you just do not see many other guide boats plying the waters near Water Cay.
Cody and Iram have hired master Bahamian guide Sidney Thomas to run the fishing program. Sidney has a tremendous bonefish pedigree. At 41 years of age, he has worked for all the main lodges on Grand Bahama either as the head guide or as a key bonefish guide. Devoted and hard working, Sidney is the “real deal”. Fishing is in Sidney’s blood and having guided some of the biggest names in the sport on a regular basis, he has honed his craft to a samurai’s fine edge. We will rely on Sidney's vast experience to assemble a guide staff that reflects his exacting standards.
Armed with a remarkable sense of direction and eyes like an osprey, Sidney fishes the labyrinth of cays near the lodge. In many ways, it's similar to the Marls of Abaco or the west side of Andros. Deep cuts, perfect flats and rocky bottomed bays seem to hold an endless supply of bonefish. It is not unusual to spend a few hours poling an area (while casting to many schools of fish) and then pop out around a corner and see the lodge! The vastness of the bays, creeks and open-edged flats that surround the lodge can be quite deceiving.
The winter months are the times for big fish, but as the water temps stabilize in late March, the school fish show up in massive numbers and these big trophy fish mix with the schools. This integration lasts until late fall when the big fish once again go out on their own as they are able to tolerate the colder water temps. For the angler, this means Water Cay has it all, both big fish and school-sized fish. Permit show up consistently near the northern cays as soon as the winter winds calm and the water temps climb.
In order to maintain the productivity of this vast habitat, Water Cay Bonefish Lodge will accommodate only six anglers a week. Anglers will fish out of new high-end, ultra shallow draft Beavertail technical skiffs. A boat’s draft is an important issue in this area and these boats will allow anglers to get closer to fish before they get out to wade. In addition, these 5" draft, Beavertail skiffs will allow the Water Cay guides to have the ability to reach areas other skiffs cannot. If you have never spent a day hunting silvertails out of one of these 18-foot gems you are in for a treat!
We should mention that the major rap we have heard about Grand Bahama Island in the past is that it is a boat fishery only. This is not because there are not great wadeable flats on the island, but because many of the guides did not want to wade... so it just became the way it was done on the island. Well, we're going to change that at Water Cay. Anglers will be encouraged to wade and these new Beavertail skiffs will allow anglers to be picked up in very shallow water at the end of a wading beat. But when the flats ares soft or if a guest would like to only fish out of a boat, these high-tech 495 lb. boats are able to silently approach tailing fish in 6 inches of water! Better yet, when it’s time to leave, the hydraulic jack plate on the boat allows the guide to get up on plane in depths as skinny as 11 to 14 inches. These features translate into more actual fishing time during your guide day, which is always a plus!
Back at the lodge, Cody's wife and expert chef, Roxanna Muchow, specializes in great seafood as well as Argentine preparations. Visiting anglers will have an eclectic menu to choose from including “feel good-comfort food" as well as some interesting spiced Argentine offerings for the more adventurous. Typical "American" breakfasts will be served. Lunches will consist of sandwiches, plenty of drinks and water and a few other goodies packed in coolers and taken between casts while out on the flats.
The lodge’s five guest rooms are tastefully appointed and reflect the natural colors of the Bahamas’ waters, reefs and fish. All the guest rooms have quality air-conditioners, comfy full sized beds, ceiling fans and a beautiful view of the local flats. A spacious deck in front of the lodge offers an inviting location to swap “golden hour” fishing stories and sip a cold Kalik. All the water for the lodge is produced and filtered by an extensive reverse osmosis system allowing guests to have purified water right from their bathroom taps.
The main lodge has several phone lines, a large flat screen satellite TV and 24/7 wireless internet access, so catching the playoff game or staying in touch with family or the office is simple. A fully stocked bar with beer, some wine and most of your favorite spirits awaits you at the end of each angling day. Local beer and basic wine is included in the price as are Roxy’s delicious appetizers. This sort of simple all-inclusive attitude rounds out the kind of service and attention you can expect while fishing at Water Cay.
Water Cay Bonefish Lodge offers superb angling opportunities while still being close to the Bahamas’ second largest city. And with Freeport being so easy to reach (with many daily flights into Freeport from Miami, Ft. Lauderdale and Atlanta), it doesn't involve great hardship to reach some spectacular angling. Great solitary fishing, a comfortable, well-appointed lodge, American management and excellent food all make this spot a great choice.
PACKAGE RATES / PERSON 2008
Double Occupancy 
Single Occupancy Days / Nights
Single Occupancy Days / Nights $1,195.00 $1,495.00 2 / 3
$1,495.00 2 / 3 $1,695.00 $1,995.00 3 / 4
$1,995.00 3 / 4 $2,195.00 $2,495.00 4 / 5
$2,495.00 4 / 5 $2,695.00 $2,995.00 5 / 6
$2,995.00 5 / 6 $2,995.00 $3,295.00 6 / 7
$3,295.00 6 / 7 The non-fishing rate is $135.00 per night.
Half day fishing trips are available at an additional price of $295.00 per boat.
Terms and Conditions
A deposit of 50% is required within 15 days of booking to confirm a reservation. The balance is due 60 days prior to arrival. Credit cards are accepted; however, there will be a 4% service charge for the use of a credit card. Deposit is refundable, less a $100 per person processing fee, if written cancellation is received at least 90 days prior to the trip. A 50% refund will be made to client if written cancellation is received 31-89 days prior to the trip, and no refund will be made if written cancellation is received 30 days or less prior to the trip, unless a substitute angler is found, in which case a full refund will be made less a $100 processing fee. Receipt of deposit is acknowledgment that registrant has read and accepts the cancellation/refund and responsibility clauses.
Because many deposits and final payments for trip packages may be non-refundable (see above,) it is highly recommended that you purchase trip insurance in the event that you have to cancel, postpone or reschedule your trip for any reason. This is the only way that we can assist you with compensation for a cancelled trip. For more information or for assistance in purchasing trip insurance, please contact CCO Fly Fishing/Cattaraugus Creek Outfitters
Cattaraugus Creek Outfitters acts only as agents for contractors or owners and outfitters, airlines, charter air, and ground transportation carriers or other services. Payment of funds for fishing and other Cattaraugus Creek Outfitters trips shall be deemed acceptance and consent of the following conditions. Cattaraugus Creek Outfitters or any of its affiliates or associated companies shall not be held liable for any loss or damages howsoever caused or arising from services provided by hotels or lodges, outfitters, guides, means of transportation or other services. Baggage and personal effects are the sole responsibility of the traveling client at all times.
