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Here are some bits and pieces about the bonefish trip
to Andros Island, Bahamas last week.
No matter where you go to fish, the
total experience is what you bring back. In this case, the
fishing was unbelievable. We had made two previous trips
to the Bahamas, (Grand Bahama Island) and each had it's
own high (or low) points. On neither previous trips however,
were we privileged to the numbers or size of bonefish we
encountered this time. That is remarkable in itself.
We were on Andros Island, about
a 15 minute flight on Bahamian Air from Nassau. The
Nassau International Airport is modern, efficient, resplendent
with uniformed Bahamian police in their white jackets and
red trousers and pith hats. Elegant, helpful reminders of
the islands British past.
But traveling to the Bahamas is more than
a fishing experience. (More on that to come.) It is indeed a real
adventure. Unlike our previous trips, we flew a commercial flight
to Nassau, (American Eagle) met one of our FAOL Hosts slicfoot
there, and we all traveled on Bahamian Air to Andros Island.
On the previous trips we had flown by charter
with other guests to the Deep Water Cay island. We really did not
experience being in the Bahamas since the lodge was owned by
Americans and run by Americans.
This trip was a revelation. JC and I have done
a fair amount of fishing, but we are by no means "world travelers." So
staying at Tranquility Hill, owned and operated by Bahamians was special.
And being able to consider the Bahamians our friends even more special.
We were invited for dinner one evening at a
brand new lodge. So new, we really were the first dinner guests!
What a lovely place. More on that to come, but the name of it is
Mount Pleasant, on the beach just north of the U.S. Navy facility
on Andros. Secluded, modern, and very comfortable, it is a lovely
place to stay - or eat! Our dinner included several native dishes.
One of the menu I'd like to try next time was land crab.
We met new people, got to play show and
tell with our Gatti rods, caught fish, ate very well, and sunburned
our noses.
I've never dreamed about fishing before. But
the past couple of nights I remember dreaming about big bone fish,
tourquiose waters and singing reels. I hope to hang on to that for
a while.
And I guess that's what it's all about. It's
being there. . . no matter where it is.~ Deanna Birkholm
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post your views on the FAOL Bulletin Board!
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