Eleuthera report...

[Henry]

Hello friends,

I don't know how one even begins to describe a vacation experience such as my buddy and I had these past 3 weeks? After much adventure even getting there (major airline folding out from under us and numerous flight delays). We eventually found ourselves "on-island" late April 2nd 2005. And previous to our trip (about 2 weeks) I suffered what could potentially be a debilitating back injury. All worked out for the best and some tremendous fishing was had by both of us.

We found that the Bahamian Island of Eleuthera had suffered much with two major Hurricanes passing through last fall. At our accomodations in Govenor's Harbour...the everpresent fresh fruit was not to be had due to the severe foliage pruning effects of the storms. Nothing I liked better than a freshly segmented grapefruit marinated in Island rum overnight to start the next day on the flats.

There were'nt many other fishermen encountered those 3 weeks...in fact, darn few. Competition for space on flats was actually almost non-existant. We found sizeable schools of bones actively feeding on all stages of the tide just about everywhere we chose to fish. In fact, late one morning, my pal and I were each enjoying a Kalik beer (after each of us being "boned" 3 times) when a quartet of anglers excitedly went walking up the shoreline past us in search of bones. The typical pleasentries were exchanged and the normal questions asked...bottom line...we were satisfied with our mornings fish and they tromped off enthused with notions of our apparent indifference to their pressence and the satiated smiles on our faces.

Gusty winds were the moral of the trip. It seemed that each weekly weather system would follow a "clockwise" progression as each day passed. One day the wind would blow from the NW...the next day the N...the next NE...then E...then SE...then finally South culminating in severe weather with high winds and electrical storms. Each week was the same...almost predictable!

Apparently, Eleuthera has suffered through a drought the last few years and much of the island vegitation is quite dry. This was apparent due to the number of "wild-fires" that were burning on the island the first week of our vacation. Amazingly enough, these brush fires only burned-off the ground cover and spared the majority of elevated foliage...good thing!!!

Max and I explored several new (to us) areas of Eleuthera and are pleased to report that not all areas of the island suffers from overfished bones...in fact...I'm positive that many bones we encountered had never before ever even seen a fly. Imagine my surprise when I landed a fly a foot in front of the nose of a big bone, when the fish lit-up and spun around looking for the source of the "plop" as opposed to fleeing in terror?

Having our inflatable "Sea Eagle 380" kayak in tow again this trip proved to be a definite advantage over the footbound DIY angler. We accessed areas that without doubt, receive little to no fishing pressure. Don't get me wrong...it's works and involves a great deal of planning and flexibility. One has to be prepared to leave an area of great fishing in order to ensure that you can make it back. Inflatables don't paddle into a stiff wind too well and at all times we were prepared to spend an unexpected overnight stay should the weather turn sour (we also left expressed details with our hosts where we were and when we expected to be back...sort of a "flight-plan").

Between the two of us...we have a combined experience of over 14 weeks island exposure. The places we discovered didn't come easily and/or cheaply. Considerable expense and footwork was involved in gaining our insight to what the island "really" has to offer. It's for that reason that I won't be freely spewing this hardlearned info. over the Net!.

For those adventureous souls out there that are looking for an island adventure...Eleuthera has a lot to offer. Don't believe all the hype you may have heard about the tough fishing. Much of the fishing is tough...but!...truly undesturbed bones are also there...you just have to have the time and be willing to venture out on your own to find them.

It was a pleasure meeting "Old Geezer" (aka Phillip) and his lovely wife at the airport as we waited through a few storms and waterspouts for our homebound flight. Hey "Zoomer"! (aka Dave) from Ontario, it was a blast at the friday night fish fry in Govenor's Harbour...those rum bubbah's sure pack a kick don't they?

For those that may be wondering how Eleutheran's feel about the DIY situation...well...we had only one encounter that could be considered negative. Seems that this fellow (Alvin Johnson) saw us setting up our kayak to head into a creek system and he approached us saying that this is "his creek". We ended up discussing the matter with him for over an hour as the tide dropped and the tailers left the flats for the creek channels. Alvin says "how is he supposed to feed his family if we (and others)...just show up and fish on our own? Alvin says he is the "Spotter"???Guide??? for the area even though his boat doesn't run and he has no clue about flyfishing. According to him...if you want to fish his creek...you have to talk to him (in other words...grease his palm first!!!) Max and I were in no mood to continue the pointless conversation and were anxious to hit the flats...so...against our better judgement...we slid him $20.00 with which he seemed happy. The whole exchange amounted to nothing more than extortion as he had absolutely zero services to offer...but...when leaving a vehicle behind, how can one be comfortable knowing you left a Pi__sed-off local on shore?

Fish wise...the largest fish landed this trip was a 24incher and I know beyond a shadow of a doubdt that I had LDR and SDR releases on two fish that were in the 28-30inch class. The larger of the two ran of 75-100yards of backing 5 times and at the end of the 4th run came (of it's own volition) within 15-20 feet of me...it was a true monster!!! Well into the 5th run, the barbed hook on my small #6 white crab fly came unbuttoned!...a sickening feeling after fighting it so long.

I also had a blast catching a number of keeper sized Nassau Grouper on large crankbaits. Woah! are they ever tough to keep out of the rocks!. No sooner do they hit...then they dash under a boulder or into a crevase. I lost 3 nice crankbaits to fish doing this.

Sharks were always around in good numbers in the areas we fished and were happy to steal the occasional bone from the end of our lines. Also, we saw some of the largest Cuda's we've ever experienced this trip. It's amazing how quickly a 50-60inch cuda can cut a bone in half....SLAM!!!...now you're reeling in just a head!

It was a good trip with great times...and there's still plenty of areas we havn't explored yet with the kayak.

[distant angler]

henry,
just missed you a couple of times at the duck. stopped in to say hi but you were never there until "late", per john.we stayed at ten bay 16-27th.
you gave a great report and i'm glad to see our experiances were similar.
the kayak did provide you with a greater advantage but i was not disappointed with my efforts.
i fished with paul petty a couple of days.(my contribution to the economy)
i truely enjoy fishing with him and have for a couple of years now.
i asked him of the DYI issues, he was very honest when he spoke of his concerns of the "groups" that are being brought onto the island by "guides"
(not a local enterprise).
his knowledge of all the discussion on the issue was impressive.
he is not interested in closing flats to DYI he realizes the downside to this stance but will support "limiting" the number of "groups" the he sees being brought to the island that are left to there own devises to fish once they are there. i think that this issue will need to take its course.
i will close this reply with a little rant.sorry henry i know this digresses!
to the two guys that shared savannah one tide, i want to say, particularly to the driver of the suzuki rental,by driving IN the water, you not only almost ran over my wife,(beach combing), but you have no clue what imact you had on the fishing! my only hope is that you found your angling experiance so poor during your stay that you will NEVER return.
by the way, you idiot, the road paralells the flat,you ruined a perfectly fine opportunity to have a challenging and enjoyable day.
my hope is that you are not a" REEL TIMER" and guys like you are not long for this world, you A-HOLE.
thanks i feel better now!have a nice day!
henry you are so right about the fresh fruit at the duck.
my wife was so dissapointed to not get a share!

[Henry]

We're real sorry we missed you. John mentioned that you dropped by a couple times looking to hook up. The days for Max and I consisted in getting up real early (with Eleutheras crazy insomniaic roosters) and heading out to one of our kayaking locations for sunup. By the time we got back to the Duck Inn, had a few drinks and made dinner...well...we were toast! Even missed the fish fry one friday.

You're so right about the effect of vehicles on the bones at Savannah. I recall driving along the flat on our first trip there watching in amazement as bones would tear off the flat before the vehicle was even within 100yds of them. I'm certain they're atuned to the vibration the vehicle transmitted through the wet sand. We spooked so many bones that we'd have otherwise had legitimate shots at...it's a learning curve I suppose.

Mabey we'll have a chance to get together next year.

[old geezer]

1 week was a tease, as a newbie when you think you have it down for spotting them, nervous water, a flash, a shadow, a tail, or a school just zooming by you at 20 +mph with a 5 foot cuda after them like it was shot out of a cannon and the water exploides 40 yds away when he gets his meal. Darn it its time to leave and aya just get the hang of it.
What a trip, the local people, the atmosphere and great fishing. I'll get the turtle grass tailers next year and my casting will improve (Sage 4pc 8wt will help also).

Winds where a factor for me and will be better prepaired for them next year. Minimum of 2 weeks and might rent at Ten Bay. The little house with the concrete wall from a couple in NJ.

Per your suggestion I met Gershom Pinder from Hatchet bay, great guy and he will get a call from me on my next trip. He remembered you and Max and the spot.

My best to all and we had an old station wagon and a ford explorer.

Till we meet again, and regard to Max
Tight lines and long runs

Philip

[knapper]

hello henry

it looks like those guys in govenors harbour who spooked the fish just might
have been myself and my buddy. we arrived april 1st and stayed in govenors harbour with 2 other couples in a house up on the hill. piccola. this being my
first experience at bonefishing i found it rather frustrating at first. it took me
11/2 days to even know what i was looking for. my friend had been there 4
times and tried to explain a nd show me but i kept throwing to needle fish and whatever moved.affter a couple of days and might i say a few kaliks later
we went to bolera bay and there i hooked my first bone. this was quite an
experience, because no sooner had i released it and cast again , then bang,
another about 18 inches . i was in fish heaven. my friend told me he had been here his first time for 2 wks and had never caught a bone. i found myself quite lucky and happy. we fished for the next 9 days and i caught 2 others 1 in savanah sound, and the other in govenors harbour, but that was it
the fish fry on friday night was enjjoyed by us all and i must say that it doesnt get any better than sitting on the wall at the harbour sipping a cold
kalik out of a brown paper bag, and watching the sun set. we are planning to go back next year possibly for 2 wks. and stay in and around the harbour if not the same location. take care and good fishing.

knapper
ontario born and raised.