Andros trip report

[kelso]

I was in Andros Nov 4th - 10th staying at Nottages Cottages, fishing with Andy Smith in the North, Middle, and, sometimes, South bights. I've fished with Andy for years and he's simply one of the best guides anywhere, period. This trip was no different as he guided us to shots at truly epic sized bonefish. Attached is the 9lb one I brought to hand and boga weighed. I go specifically to fish for large fish which means deep water (and little wading), large flies, and significantly fewer fish spotted and caught. So the numbers weren't great. My father and I average about 10 fish per day. But the average size was relatively large. Around 4-5 lbs with several larger. For those that like numbers, there are plenty of "school" fish that are still nice sized and available throughout the bights. We typically spend a half day offshore and a day on the west side. Because of consistent wind, neither option was available this time so we stayed in the bights.

I hadn't stayed at Charlie Neymour's place, Nottages Cottages, before and I was very pleasantly surprised. I highly recommend it. The hosts, Charlie and Fatiah, are extremely attentive and run a very good lodge. Marsha, ex of Tranquility Hill, is an excellent local cook and the sea food was fresh and tasty each night.

I have fished for bonefish virtually every place they live save Christmas Island and the Seychelles and Andros is the one place I keep going back to. Truly an fantastic fishery with some of the best guides available. For those that haven't been, I recommend you give it a try. Plus it's one of the most economical to boot.

[SpexnReds]

My yearly flyfishing trip is taking me to Ambergris Caye in Belize in june to bust into some tarpon. Next year, I am very much considering going to Andros because of all the legends of huge bonefish I always hear about. How can I go about booking Andy? I've wanted to fish with him for a quite a while, I've heard so much about him. Hell, I might even go in the Fall. Any info on Andros would be greatly appreciated.

[kelso]

SpexnReds, I sent you a PM.

[joshr]

Kelso, I sent you a PM...am likely heading to Nottages and fishing with Charlie Neymour next month. had some questions.

[kelso]

Sent you an answer. Good luck, Pete

[Hardtail Hunter]

Hi
I am going to stay at Nottages Cottages and fish with Charlie Neymour next month. I have a lot of flies to tie so I was wondering if you could help me out with some suggestions on what to start tying. I will tie a bunch of different Bonefish flies but if you recomend anyones in particular that would be helpful. Also suggestions for Tarpon? Permit? I know i most likely wont see many but i would like to be prepared. I am also wondering if there are any flats near the Lodge or any place I can practice casting because we are getting there earlier and I figure I could warm up on my own.
Thanks for the help

[kelso]

The flat right outside the lodge is very good - Coakley Bight. Many guides from other lodges fish it outright as a destination. So yes, you certainly have a legitimate spot to wade when you get there. Especially on the low side of a tide.

The fly every Andros guide will pick out of your box will invariably be a gotcha. Tie a bunch in size 4 and 2, very full with long wings. Have a good variety of weight from bead-chain through massive dumbells because there's lots of different depth options to fish. I always bring hundreds of flies because I love to tie in anticipation of the trip. Dozens of new creations of my own design and patterns from the latest magazines, etc. And then I end up using the same 4 or 5 Gotchas with the only variety being the size/weight of the eyes.

Tarpon on the west side are lightly pressured and in my limited experience ate everything thrown at them. Permit eat crabs in Andros, I'm told, but though I've made a few casts in Andros, have never had one even turn. But they say the normal flies like Merkins in light colors.

Offshore on a flat day is also an option. With dolphin, tuna, jacks, ??available by the Navy buoy. Bring sinking lines, clousers, decievers, big poppers, a spinning rod, a 12 wgt if you have one. I didn't make it this trip, but always go if weather permits. Great fun.

Enjoy. Charlie and Fatiah are wonderful hosts and great people.

Pete

[joshr]

HardtailHunter--

When will you be at Nottages? I'll be there 12/19-12/23. Btw, everything I've heard from people who have fished there confirms what Kelso advises--big, bushy Gotcha Clousers, lots of flash...a good friend of mine who fished out of Tranquility Hill last spring said the guides all laughed at most of their traditional bonefish flies and that they fished size 1 and 2 clousers most of the time.

--Josh

[JGH]

I'm heading to Charlie's in late March, which gives me a long time to anticipate the trip. I'm a rookie at post-9/11 air travel with fishing gear and would appreciate any tips. I'm obviously hoping to carry-on as much as I can. Is it true that flies have to be in checked baggage? Will likely by flying Continental through Ft. Lauderdate ---> Andros. Thanks.

[Nassau Frank]

Just came through FLL with checked flies,reel etc and two rods in a carry on case. Continental flies Beech 1900's so a smaller rod case is either gate checked or stowed in the little luggage storage in the cabin. I get seat 1-A - leg room but no window

[mctrout]

Hey Pete- do you suggest I contact Andy or have Charlie do it? looks like March 27-April 2nd is the week I am looking at. Almost have the whole group together and just need a few more. Got your email about the 5th. will call you this weekend, Hopefully it will warm up!!!!
B

[ArthurB]

I fished a few days in Grand Bahamas then the Joulters last week and had no problem carrying on flies, 4 rods in plastic tubes and reels/lines through the airports(Charlotte,Freeport, Nassau, Pittsburgh).

For Andros, even in the Joulters fishing a rising tide in 6 inches of water, the fish preferred 2-2 1/2 inch white Gotchas or even better was a tan hair Gotcha. I ran out of those that were eyeless but bead chain eyes are easy to break off with a small pair of pliers.

My experience in other the rest of Andros is that the guides do in fact pick these same flies. Usually they work but if the fish don't eat them, the guide sometimes insists that the fly was not the problem. A few times, despite the guide's concern and near ridicule, I fished other patterns (still usually pretty big flies by bonefish standards) and the fish have been suprisingly pleased by the change in offering.

[kelso]

Brendan, with my luck this year, it will warm and then change and blow cold on the 5th. But what can you do? I'd call Charlie directly first to see if he could book y'all with Andy. But I'll also give you Andy's e-mail address this weekend just in case. We should be in the city by noon or so and I'll call you.

To the travel question, I flew through Newark and carried on my rods, reels, and two boxes of bonefish flies. The guy at the monitor called his boss over who then waived me through. I took a private charter from FLL but I can't imagine I would have had problems there either.

About 9 months ago I asked the same question on the Travel forum and a guy pointed me to the TSA website which mentions rods, reels, and flies as acceptable carry-on items. I printed up the page and put it in my travel bag just in case. You may want to look that thread up and do the same.

Pete