Bonefish and sound

[Vic T]

Hi Dick,

I just got back from 10 days at Long Island, Bahamas (report on Carribbean forum) and while there I fished one day with a terrific guide, Docky Smith. I had fished with him last year on my first bf trip and between him and your book had learned a lot. As I was casting to a single bf, Docky said to put the fly (it had small beadchain eyes) slightly behind the fish; I thought it better to put the fly in front of the fish and I presented it about 3' in front of and upwind of the moving fish. The fish immediately spooked and Docky said that it was because the slight breeze carried the sound of the fly toward the fish. He said that bonefish rely on hearing more than on their vision and sounds brought to them on the wind are louder and thus spookier to the fish.

A few days later, I was wading alone and spotted a large single bf cruising toward me at about 65'. I presented the same fly about 2 feet to the right and 2 feet behind him (downwind of him). I saw the fish spin clockwise toward the sound and with one short strip he pounced on the fly and we were off to the races! It turned out to be a 9 lb., 25" bonefish; my best to date (photo attached).

Can you tell me your thoughts about presenting behind a bf and also when and when not to use sound to your advantage? Thanks.

[Marshrunner]

Vic,

Sounds like you had a fun trip.

Not sure about the theory that the fish hear downwind. They certainly do hear sound inside the water column and there is even research that says they make sounds to alert each other of danger.

There is also no question bones hear many differnt types of sounds and hear them well. They hear boats, they hear clicking and snapping prey like shrimp and crabs, and they hear or feel foot steps or feel the push of a wading angler stalking them. And they certainly sense the splashdown impact of a fly--sometimes spooking, other times pouncing on it. When fish are nervous or big (more experienced) dropping a fly further away if you have more than one shot is a sound strategy. And, while I have had many bones jump on flies that landed unintentionally behind fish--because of an unexpected puff of wind, a last second change of direction by the fish, or a just plain bad cast--I probably wouldn't make my first shot behind the fish on purpose. But it certainly sounds like Docky's advice worked for you on this bone. You and Docky may be on to something we should all investigate.

Dick