Day 5 and 6
As good as it gets!
On day 5, Doug Ellis and I fished with Elvis Collie on Acklins Island. We began at the "Fingers" south of Lovely Bay. With the tide being high in the morning, we picked our way through small pods of medium sized bones that were milling about on an acre of barely flooded hardpan. From there we went east towards Snug Corner catching more bones retreating off the "hardtop" as the tide dropped and the water warmed.
Our last day, was simply incredible. Clinton, Mike Schwartz and I again made the boat ride to Acklins to fish the "C-Spot." We left the boat at 9:15 AM and did not return until 3:45 PM. We waded into a massive shallow creek system. The tide was high when we arrived and after wading in from the barren hardpans, we reached many shallow creeks dotted with small hurricane-killed mangroves. In this area, fish were literally everywhere. We spotted fish through the mangrove aisles and holes. Once spotted, we positioned ourselves to make casts.
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Tough spot to land a bonefish |
Once hooked, we played traffic cop. Using the proper application of slack and pressure, one could avoid entangling alliances with the mangrove skeletons. This was great fun and very engaging (although not always successful).
Once the tide dropped off the hardpan, the fish began to flee to the channels. Here they schooled up and soon moved out fleeing the rising temps. I made an about turn and began my march back to the outside hoping to keep up with their migration. I caught bones all the way to the boat ending up with a 20+ fish day. Whew, now that was fun!
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Relief to get those wading shoes off! |
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Scott Sawtelle with a beautiful mutton snapper |
A brief synopsis of our experience at the lodge:
The food was terrific: we enjoyed cracked conch, beautifully spiced snapper, peas and rice lathered with homemade goat pepper sauce, scalloped potatoes, baked chicken, steamed fish, wonderful desserts like key lime pie and lemon meringue pie, great salads with marinated tomatoes and onions. We enjoyed hearty traditional breakfasts and filling lunches with two sandwiches, granola bars, chips and candy bars. It was the best food I've ever had at traditional out island bonefish lodge.
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We ate well! |
Our rooms were very large with powerful A/C units, clean linen and hot showers. The water had a sulphur smell but that should be cured with a holding tank and some chlorine. The dining room/bar area is beautiful and right on the beach. All in all, this is a rustic but very comfortable lodge.
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Doug and Scott |
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Mike Schwartz makes the most of this pilchard |
This was a spectacular trip with a great staff and great guides helping us explore a great fishery. We will be back! To Scott Sawtelle, Doug Ellis, Steve Peskoe, Tony Wendtland and Mike Schwartz, man this was fun. Let's do it again soon!