DIY in Anegada

[MarkZ]

Can anyone share tips on DIY bonefish/tarpon on Anegada? I'll be there from 1/13-1/20 with a car. I hired a guide for one day, but am a bit put off by the $550 a day rate (almost Turks&Caicos prices).

Additionally, if anyone will be there at the same time and is interested in sharing a trip/trips let me know.

[ASetten]

Its been a while since I've been but if I recall You can wade a lot of the south side of the island on your own The bottom is a bit difficult to negotiate on foot. But doable. Did you get Garfield or Kevin Faulkner as your guide? Theyre both excellent. I'd be slightly wary of others unless they work for Garfield. The island is incredible and the people and very hospitable - You should definitely snorkel Loblolly Bay and pick up a bottle of homemade Mango Chutney at Pam's.

[Lineas Tenso]

I had planned to fish Anegada at the end of January-Feb.2006 but was put off by the expense of flying to the Island. The least expensive way to fly was Aero Claire but they went out of business. I was told to take a ferry from St. Thomas to Tortola and another ferry to Anegada. That means loosing a whole day each way.

I fished with Kevin Faulkner back in 2001. I found a full day too long and ended up fishing two 1/2 days. The heat gets to you and by "resting" the flat for that 1/2 day you get two good days.

My .02C worth.

[MarkZ]

Yes ASetten, Garfield will be my guide. Lineas, I don't know where you are coming from, but PR has scheduled flights to Beef I. The ferry from St. Thomas is only 1 hr to Tortola and then 15-30 minutes to Anegada from what I am told.

[BrianSwinbanks]

Sorry MarkZ we will be 1 week later 23rd Jan. Leaving the cold wet west coast of Scotland for some sun and fishing in Virgin Gorda. Taking fly and spin gear with me. We will take a trip up to Anegada and fish the flats. Any futher info on shore fishing around Virgin Gorda in the BVI's would help - Brian

[fmw]

Brian:

Do a search of the archives re the BVI's. There's plenty of posts out there re bonefish around Virgin Gorda. On a sailing trip 2 years ago, I found a few bones around the backside of Bitter End Yacht Club. If you are staying at BEYC, they have a map that will point out nearby bonefish flats. I think even a better flat is one at the entrance to North Sound that you would need to dinghy out to, info on that will be in old posts.

Funny that BVI's are not thought of as a fishing destination as I think it would be great to spend a week sailing, while at the same time focusing on fishing along the way. There are tarpon all over the place, great bonefishing at Anegada, schools of albies or other small tunas and jacks busting under birds, plenty of 'cudas, etc.

[BobG]

I haven't been to Anegada in at least 7-8 years. I'm amazed Garfield is getting $550 a day! :eek: When I fished with him, he was getting $275, was fishing out of his old red Sea Craft, and using an old piece of freshly cut wood to pole us along the flats. But, he's a nice guy and a good guide and he'll get you onto fish.

As far as DIY, as someone else said, it's tough, but doable. I found fish along Nutmeg Point and in the section in front of Bonefish Villa. Certainly not hundreds, but enough to keep me going day after day when I wasn't fishing with Garfield. I will say this, the fish were pretty easy to take. If you made a good presentation, and they saw the fly, they ate it.
IMHO, if someone were to brink an inflatable yak with them it would open up a world of DIY.

Otherwise, Anegada is one of my favorite places. It's tough to get to. We flew in on Air Gordo from Beef Island, Tortola. Had to buzz the landing strip once to scare the goats off prior to landing. (#$119) The locals are great. Try one of the nightly beack bbq's at the Anegada Reef Hotel, it's excellent. Also, the Soares family was a nice restaurant just a bit west of the hotel, and which features a great menu of freshly catch local fish. I second Pam's as well for some freshly baked bread and her homemade chutney. :brow

[fmw]

I haven't been to Anegada in at least 7-8 years. I'm amazed Garfield is getting $550 a day! :eek: When I fished with him, he was getting $275, was fishing out of his old red Sea Craft, and using an old piece of freshly cut wood to pole us along the flats. But, he's a nice guy and a good guide and he'll get you onto fish.




Two words: Jimmy Buffett.


(Buffett had a lengthy piece in Sports Illustrated two years ago about fishing with Garfield).

[BobG]

Yea, you're right! Plus, it was in the "swim suit" editon no less. :brow

[Lineas Tenso]

I must have received some bum dope concerning the ferry to Anegada. What kind of vessel are they, hydroplane?

Back in 1969 I was run over by a dive boat and was taken to the hospital in Roadtown. I think the trip from the SS Rocas (Bone wreck) took over an hour via small craft with a 150 HP stern drive.

Is there any way to reach the East Point via road? From the aerial photos of the island it appears that the mangroves block access to the flats via land.

Has anyone found bonefish or permit at Windlass Bight?

Lineas tenso (Tight Lines)

[Swalt]

Last time I was there in the late 90's you could drive a little ways down past the settlement before you lost a well defined road. you can keep driving over rock/coral if you want but I am not sure how far you can go. Got pretty rough and I turned back. Would not try it without 4wd.
You can walk 15 miles of beautiful beach from Loblolly Bay to Cow Wreck Bay or past and not see a footprint on some mile long sections. There are sand roads that you can find access from to some of the bays. I have seen both permit, bonefish and cuda cruising just off the beach. There are no real bonefish flats along this stretch like on the south side but I have seen them on top of coral up past Cow Wreck. The coral there forms kinda a flat depending on the tide.

[BobG]

I've got to agree, that section of beach from Loblolly to Cow's Wreak is one of the most beautiful section of beach I've seen anywhere! :brow My wife and I spent many days swimming and walking there and the only foorprints we'd see were ours from the day before.
I did see a couple bonefish there, and loads of small (20-25") cudas which hit anything I threw at them. Sea turtles of all sizes, rays, and exotic fish I'd never seen before. The water color looked sureal.
It was so cool to walk for hours and not see another soul. :brow

[Swalt]

My wife does not read this board so I can say this without fear of reprisal. You can find spots where there are small bath like areas from which you can see close to a mile in either direction. Plenty of time and of time to slip the bathing suits back on before someone can tell they are missing.
On a calm day you can snorkle out to the outer reefs. Some of the best snorkling I have found anywhere.
It is a unique and beautiful Island. Very different than the rest of the BVI.

[fmw]

No doubt . . . you gotta love Anegada!