Back Home from Eleuthera 2

[Jim Miller]

some more shots..... lot's of stories to tell. Let me know of any interest. :)
to protect the folks that gave me leads to places to explore.... I won't be giving away any secret spots.
For the most part, I found the bones to be numerous and receptive to my offerings. They were not pressured or spooky. I did not see any (not one) person fishing in 2 weeks. Saw and talked to native people fishing w/ nets and traps. Used 8 weight the whole trip. 9 foot leader w/ 3 foot of 12lb. flouro tippet. #6 & #8 tan crab, rabbit gotcha, blind/tailing fly of my creation, and bonefish bitters. I tied 5 boxes of flies and used only a dozen flies the whole 2 weeks. (lost a few to cudas). Had a few days with perfect tides and light conditions ..... that were foiled by windy conditions. New to quarter+ moon tides.
As Catspaw & BobG have mentioned the Tarpum Bay dock bones were easy.... But there are some big (5-6 lb) bones there in the summer. ;)
Based on previous reports .... I truely believe the summer bones are more numerous and less wary than what fellow fishers have found in the Winter to Spring season. I found that if I could present the fly in the zone .... I was not refused. (and believe me I am NO expert at bonefishing). Did all my fishing DIY and was never bothered or approached. My family and I fell in love w/ Eleuthera and in particular the people of Tarpum Bay/Rock Sound. The friendship and genuine warmth of the native people will bring our family back in upcoming years!

[peter mac]

Welcome home Jim..........sounds like you & family had a great time........sure is pretty..........looking forward to hearing all about it.
Peter Mac

[BobG]

So glad to hear this trip went well, for both family and fishing. It's not often the two are compatable.
But a lot of the credit goes to you, for all the planning and preparation you did all winter. :brow

But wait a minute? I don't recall anything being mentioned about consuming conch? :confused: Cracked, grilled, fritters, or in salad.

[Jim Miller]

Yes Sir!
Had a bunch fritter style. :)
as a matter of fact.... I'm now a true believer in the revered conch and its apparent medicinal value! --127-3- ;)
or maybe it was just the warm tropical breezes and Goombay Smash(s) :)

[titleguy]

Fish fry at Governor's is a good time, eh? Every time I read your posts Jim or anybody else's just returned from the Big E it reminds me of my "Big Adventure". I know the next time I go back it will be a little different without the same initial wonderment and edge, but go back I will. :-%

I have been fortunate in my life to take some pretty special trips, Eleuthera is at or near the top. :-%

[Jim Miller]

John
I fully agree! For us, the people and smalltown flavor were the highlights! The fishing became secondary to getting into the culture, rhythm and raw beauty of the place. ;)
of course good fishing added to the experience! :-%
an example....
Walked into Rosies Northside Restaurant in Rock Sound. Architecturally the place leaves allot to be desired. :eek: We ask for the menu. Rosie says no menu .... what do we like to eat? We say surprise us .... We wait while Rosie cooks us up a wonderful meal. We play with her puppy dog and watch the ocean. Out comes a feast of fish, conch, and shrimp! After dinner we sit and talk w/ Rosie for a good 45 minutes. No one else is in the restaurant the whole time. The final surprise is a bill of $60 for the 4 of us. WOW! Just one of the many experiences we will remember! :)

[Henry]

Great going and super reports. Looks like L'utra is going to have another regular visitor...he...he! It was a pleasure (and I felt your pain and anticipation) these past number of months to watch your eagerness to find out everything you could about the island and it's fishing. Your hard work and doggedness certainly seems to have paid off.

Good on ya! on locating and catching some real quality sized ocean-side bones and congrats on the Dbl-digit fish.

As a side note, I'd like to personally thank you for reserving the exact details of specific fishing locations for "personal" contacts only. Now that you've been there, I'm certain you understand the reasoning. The "one on one" sharing of inside information is what led me to the island. Spewing such valuable info. over the NET for all to see can be counterproductive.

Hmmm!...I'm going to have to rethink the early spring timing of my next trip down....sounds like summertime has it's advantages.

Best regards Jim,

[Jim Miller]

Thank You Henry!
I can see why you love Eleuthera so much. :)
Seems to be allot of development brewing. Jacks Bay was on my list of places to visit.... seems The Cotton Bay Resort (not Cotton Club) has taken over that beach. I hope Eleuthera can find a balance of developing an economy and better life for it's people ..... while still maintaining the raw beauty that is it's drawing card. It's a delicate balance and we have all seen it done badly..... let's hope for the best!
I know you stay in Gov. Harbour .... but if you ever decide to stay in Tarpum Bay/Winding Bay.... contact me about the villa we rented. Simply outstanding!

[cedahm]

I tied 5 boxes of flies and used only a dozen flies the whole 2 weeks.

Ain't that the story of our lives :) I'm working on my standard 20-30 dozen for my bi-annual Alaska trip as we speak. I will probably use 4 patterns. But, no matter the locale, if you're without the "One True Fly" when you get there, might as well not have tied a one, right?

Well done, Jim. Glad to hear it all worked out and that, good fishing aside, the 'Big E' did it for you.

We're in the early stages of planning our next foray (daughter about to become a teenager, so places like this are about all that will be on the itinerary for awhile). Thanks for taking us back in words and pictures.

CD

[Jim Miller]

Thanks for the reply Chris! The information we discussed paid off. See story of "nurse shark scare" :eek: Thanks again. :-%

I've been home 4 days now.... and every minute have been trying to figure how to get back to the "Big E".

I guess that's why they call it "vacation" versus "lifestyle" --125-3

BTW: if you get a chance... drop me a note about your Alaskan adventures. I did a float trip a number of years ago.... and would like to get back there in the future!