warhorse
05-19-2006, 05:06 PM
Just got back from 4 days on Anegada, Fishing went like this.
Arrived Anegada on Monday May 8, myself, my wife, two beginner fly fishermen. and there wives.
No fishing Monday, flats looked very inviting, however "no time"
Tuesday am- Got rigged up, tied on leaders and flies for my students and off we go.
Very disappointed in the muddy composition of the bottom, It had been blowing the night before so even the water was somewhat muddied. Site fishing was out of the question. The tide was running out all day which further compramised our chances of getting some fish.
The three of us worked our way down to a creekmouth where the bottom became sandy and clear. All we saw were small sharks and large rays. We headed to a group of Mangroves several hundred yards from shore where we first spotted fish.
Just in singles but hey, they were bones. One of the students began "blind casting" as we moved in on the mangroves. I was next to him when all I heard was "swish" poor guy, that fish took off so fast he froze with his hand clamped down on the reel. "Snap" and it was all over. We fished the area throughly but nothing came to hook. Oh well, the tide was getting thin so time for lunch and cocktails.
Wednesday_ The three of us were up early and looking foreward to improved fishing as winds were light. Mike was in a hurry to get back to the mangroves where he had lost a fish the day before. The tide had been running out for about 1 hour so the other student and I decided to work the shoreline in hopes of spotting some "tailers" ZERO!
We worked our way down to the creekmouth only to find Mike standing on the shore. He explained that in his rush to get to the mangroves he had forgot that I told him not to go in waist deep water. 3/4 of the way out, in waist deep water, a shark fin about a foot high came past him then disappeared. OOOPS! He backed up slowly and got ashore.
The tide dropped to a wading level so off we go again. As we approached the mangroves, I spotted a single fish moving from right to left at a liesure pace. two false casts and the fly was right on the mark about 6 ft in front of it. One strip and i was fast into a fish that was smokin out line. The backing came and went. I palmed the reel slightly and the fish slowed. I turned him and gained some line, expecting another blistering run. He came within ten feet of me and was off again with a sizzling run almost as far as the first.
Slowly I worked him to me with as much pressure as I felt safe to apply.
I removed the fly from his tongue, held him gently by the tail until I could feel his desire for release then sent him on his way. 5 lbs of silver beauty!!!
That was the only fish we saw that day.
Expecting to come across more fish than that, that afternoon, I rang up Garfield Faulkner and set up a guide trip for Thursday. Our poor luck continued as I awoke in the night to pounding rain, lightning and thunder. The morning was no different except the wind was up to 25 mph. Well at least I saved $355.00 + tip on a 1/2 day guiding fee. In the early afternoon we all went for lunch at Neptune's Treasure. After choking down a sandwich I decided to give the narrow sandy area out in front a few casts.
Several casts and BANG! into another screamer only this time it was I that was unprepared. A coil snagged in a rod eye as I attempted to clear my line laying on the water. Again SNAP!
That was the end of our fishing because we were leaving early the next morning.
My thots:
Sight fishing very difficult because of the somewhat weedy and muddy bottom.
I now have found a tidal site that I will consult before I go bonefishing so that I can pick a week where the tide was coming in.
Winds cause a discoloring of the water.
The bottom is muddy and sinking up to your knees is not uncommon in some areas.
Guides in this region VERY EXPENSIVE!! but they do know where the fish are.
There are large sharks in the area as they use this area for spawning.
I hope this helps anyone that is considering Anegada as a fishing destination. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Tight lines to all
Joe
Altho i love the island, I will likely seek other waters for bonefishing next year.
Arrived Anegada on Monday May 8, myself, my wife, two beginner fly fishermen. and there wives.
No fishing Monday, flats looked very inviting, however "no time"
Tuesday am- Got rigged up, tied on leaders and flies for my students and off we go.
Very disappointed in the muddy composition of the bottom, It had been blowing the night before so even the water was somewhat muddied. Site fishing was out of the question. The tide was running out all day which further compramised our chances of getting some fish.
The three of us worked our way down to a creekmouth where the bottom became sandy and clear. All we saw were small sharks and large rays. We headed to a group of Mangroves several hundred yards from shore where we first spotted fish.
Just in singles but hey, they were bones. One of the students began "blind casting" as we moved in on the mangroves. I was next to him when all I heard was "swish" poor guy, that fish took off so fast he froze with his hand clamped down on the reel. "Snap" and it was all over. We fished the area throughly but nothing came to hook. Oh well, the tide was getting thin so time for lunch and cocktails.
Wednesday_ The three of us were up early and looking foreward to improved fishing as winds were light. Mike was in a hurry to get back to the mangroves where he had lost a fish the day before. The tide had been running out for about 1 hour so the other student and I decided to work the shoreline in hopes of spotting some "tailers" ZERO!
We worked our way down to the creekmouth only to find Mike standing on the shore. He explained that in his rush to get to the mangroves he had forgot that I told him not to go in waist deep water. 3/4 of the way out, in waist deep water, a shark fin about a foot high came past him then disappeared. OOOPS! He backed up slowly and got ashore.
The tide dropped to a wading level so off we go again. As we approached the mangroves, I spotted a single fish moving from right to left at a liesure pace. two false casts and the fly was right on the mark about 6 ft in front of it. One strip and i was fast into a fish that was smokin out line. The backing came and went. I palmed the reel slightly and the fish slowed. I turned him and gained some line, expecting another blistering run. He came within ten feet of me and was off again with a sizzling run almost as far as the first.
Slowly I worked him to me with as much pressure as I felt safe to apply.
I removed the fly from his tongue, held him gently by the tail until I could feel his desire for release then sent him on his way. 5 lbs of silver beauty!!!
That was the only fish we saw that day.
Expecting to come across more fish than that, that afternoon, I rang up Garfield Faulkner and set up a guide trip for Thursday. Our poor luck continued as I awoke in the night to pounding rain, lightning and thunder. The morning was no different except the wind was up to 25 mph. Well at least I saved $355.00 + tip on a 1/2 day guiding fee. In the early afternoon we all went for lunch at Neptune's Treasure. After choking down a sandwich I decided to give the narrow sandy area out in front a few casts.
Several casts and BANG! into another screamer only this time it was I that was unprepared. A coil snagged in a rod eye as I attempted to clear my line laying on the water. Again SNAP!
That was the end of our fishing because we were leaving early the next morning.
My thots:
Sight fishing very difficult because of the somewhat weedy and muddy bottom.
I now have found a tidal site that I will consult before I go bonefishing so that I can pick a week where the tide was coming in.
Winds cause a discoloring of the water.
The bottom is muddy and sinking up to your knees is not uncommon in some areas.
Guides in this region VERY EXPENSIVE!! but they do know where the fish are.
There are large sharks in the area as they use this area for spawning.
I hope this helps anyone that is considering Anegada as a fishing destination. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Tight lines to all
Joe
Altho i love the island, I will likely seek other waters for bonefishing next year.