A message from From our friends and Colleagues at Virtuoso - "Even in the midst of pandemic, we still believe that travel makes life richer, no matter where you are.
0 Comments
We just want to check-in with all of our BFFG family and friends to see how you are doing.
Typically when we reach out about "checking in," it's usually about checking in for your international flight or checking into one of the Bahamas specialty fly-fishing lodges. But today we're just checking in to see how you're doing. A time like this presents an opportunity to slow down and care for ourselves, our loved ones, and our global community. So while life at present is slower, keep in touch. If you, like us, are at home dreaming of places you've been and places you can't wait to go, please reach out. We can talk about designing incredible adventures to the destinations on your horizon when the time is right. We want to hear from you! Thank you sincerely for your trust and loyalty. We're in this together and we'll get through it together, stronger than ever. When this passes, the world will be waiting for you to explore it, and as always, we'll be here to assist you. Take care and stay safe, Stephen and Kim There are a number of funds goFundme options to help our friends in the bahamasNow that much of the damage has been assessed in Abaco and on Grand Bahama, the extent of the devastation is pretty clear.....people have died, and thousands of people are homeless, and their businesses destroyed. This is not just about the angling community, or about rebuilding fishing lodges. This is about helping the people of the Bahamas rebuild their lives.
In that regard, more funds have been set up so you can donate and help. This is the fly fishing industry site for donations www.ydccf.org/bahamas. Donating here is not just about fishing, but about helping as many people as possible. Click here for the GoFundMe led by Greg Vincent of H20 Bonefishing on Grand Bahama. Click here for the Delphi Club GoFundMe, Delphi Club on Abaco. Click here for the Abaco Lodge GoFundMe, Nervous Waters, Abaco. And there are others. Please pick at least one and help in any way you can. Thanks, Stephen and Kim Vletas Bahamas Fly Fishing Guide Dorian devastates northern abaco and grand bahama but most of the other islands suffered little or no damage. First off, yes, Northern Abaco and Grand Bahama have been hammered by Dorian, and there has been tragic loss of life. Many people have lost everything; homes and businesses. This is all completely heartbreaking, and our prayers are with the people of the Bahamas.
That said, we want to make it clear that most of the other populated islands have suffered little or no damage. Yes, high water and water damage in Nassau, but the island is already on the way to recovery. We've had many people in touch with us asking if Harbour Island is gone, or if Andros is damaged, and the answer is......those islands and the people who live there are all fine, and their lodges and guide operations will be open and awaiting their guests when their seasons start in October and November. It's important now that we all support the Bahamas, support our friends and guides and lodges and taxi drivers and business owners. The people of the Bahamas will be welcoming visitors and anglers, and they need our support and business more than ever, so whether you book direct with a lodge or guide, or through your favorite agent, start planning your trip to the Bahamas now. OK, back to the bad news. On Abaco its not news to hear that Elbow Cay, Marsh Harbour, Man O War Cay, Great Guana Cay (Nippers is destroyed), Green Turtle Cay, Treasure Cay have all suffered terrible damage. Abaco Lodge, a Nervous Waters property is destroyed. Good news is that Nervous Waters and Abaco Lodge have started a GoFundMe that has already raised over $100,000. Delphi Club has started a GoFundMe for their staff also, and for general support of the communities. People like Cindy Pinder are pulling people together to help across the board. And Lodges like Delphi Club and Black Fly survived the hurricane and are planning to be open this coming season. Be in touch with them for direct updates. On Grand Bahama.....its hard to imagine what the island suffered through with a category 5 hurricane sitting on top of them unmercifully for almost two days. The Freeport Airport is completely destroyed after being slammed from all sides by wind and water. Not a wall left standing. Some news from Abaco Sept 2 8 pm We have word from our friends at Black Fly Lodge and at Delphi Club that their properties were far enough south of the hurricane eye to have survived relatively unscathed. The main damage begins north of Causurina Point and gets worse as you go toward Marsh Harbour.
Many homes and businesses are destroyed in Marsh Harbour and one of our friends on Elbow Cay described the scene as a "total wreck, impossible to believe. Never imagined anything like it." Lots of people are trapped by the water that surrounds everything, and Marsh Harbour is isolated by water and debris. The U.S. Coast Guard is flying rescue missions to Abaco now. We have friend in Coopers Town who have family members missing. Same on Green Turtle Cay. A common theme is "I have never seen anything like this." Heartbreaking. No word from any friends on Grand Bahama yet as Dorian has been sitting on that island without mercy. The Delphi Club has started a GoFundMe Campaign for their staff (several lost houses in Marsh Harbour), and also for the overall rescue and recovery effort. You can see their Facebook page to contribute, or their web site. No doubt more people will be offering ways to donate or to provide aid. We'll keep you updated. Location, location, location, the saying goes, and that’s why we picked our dream West Side anchorages for the Eleven Andros Mothership - Live on the flats. Join us - February 2020 on a hosted adventure to the remote West Side of Andros Island aboard the Eleven Angling Andros Mothership, a 74' Hatteras, where we'll live on the flats with direct access to the Bahamas best bonefishing and tarpon fishing. Only 4 spots available. Email Stephen for more details and specific dates. And as always, we work only with the best Bahamian guides at every location we promote. On the Eleven Andros Mothership our exceptional team of Bahamian guides are led by Captain Marvin Miller and Captain Ornald "Shine" Greene. Imagine fishing remote land-locked lakes for bones tailing in 2 to 5 inches of water on Stand-up Paddle Boards. It's a thrilling visual experience. And we're exploring more lake systems all the time for tarpon, permit, cubera snapper, and big snook. Want shots at tarpon in crystal clear water, tarpon that are aggressive to eat a fly? So do we, which is one of the main reasons we love fishing the West Side of Andros. Love wading? So do we, and no better place than the Water Cays, and other remote areas on the southwest side of Andros. Are you ready to join us? Only 4 spots available. Email Stephen for more details. You must purchase a BAHAMIAN FISHING LICENSE to fish legally Many of our readers and friends ask about DIY and fishing licenses. All visiting anglers, non-Bahamians, must purchase a flats fishing license to fish with a Bahamian guide and or to fish on you own. Click here to go to the Bahamas government page to purchase your license online. Also, while on the site you can access a copy of the Bahamian fishing regulations.
We know many anglers love to fish on their own, and a number of anglers can't afford to fish with a guide every day....but we highly recommend that you fish with Bahamian guides as much as you can. We fish with Bahamian guides, many of whom are our long-time friends, every day we fish in the Bahamas. See the island pages for the guides and lodges we recommend. Or drop us an email to ask for additional recommendations. February and march are big bone time in water cays Looking for the best time to wade for big bones, those double-digit monsters flats anglers dream about? Or do you prefer staying busy and casting to lots of feeding fish in the 3- to 6-pound class? Try Feb and March and you can have both. Why? The big boys like cooler water. They stay on the flats longer, and you'll find the largest numbers of big bones on flats with easy access to deeper water on the oceanside, and on the west side out on those massive sand banks. The same holds true for numbers of fish feeding aggressively, The Water Cays has both, nearby ocean, and wide open access to the Grand Bahama Bank. Plus the area of wadable flats is seemingly endless. There are many flats you can't come close to covering in a single tide. Too many tailing fish to cast to, and just too much area to cross as the tide rises. Nice problem to have; too much good water to fish. And which tide do we prefer? First of the incoming for wading across large flats, and last of the falling for setting up at ambush points between the many cays. But hey, its all good, and as the tide gets up you head back to your skiff and your guide can pole along cay shorelines and bays that had gone dry earlier. Fishing the Water Cays usually requires long runs from lodges on the east side of the island, but with Eleven's Mothership anchored nearby, you can be on the flats earlier and stay later. On the Eleven Mothership our exceptional team of Bahamian guides are led by Captain Marvin Miller and Captain Ornald "Shine" Greene. Ready to book the most exciting and unique trip in the Bahamas? This is it. Space still available from January - May, 2019. SPECIAL DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE FOR JAN. - MARCH. Click here to see the detailed brochure on this off-the-charts Mothership experience, including sample itinerary, pricing, fishing details, and how to get there. For more information, or to book your trip, email Stephen directly, or give him a call: 307-690-7472 (Mountain Time). Summer vacation iS over! The fish are back and ready for action. We've always love fishing the Bahamas, and Andros especially, in October and November. For over 10 years Kim and I hosted group of clients and friends to Andros for the last two weeks in October and the first two weeks in November. And for good reason!
The bones, tarpon and other flats species have been on vacation, off in deeper water, and now as the temps cool a bit, and the big fall tides roll in, our favorite flats fish return in numbers as well. Including the big boys, double-digit bones, and lots of resident tarpon 40- to 100-pounds. Here are some of our top recommendations to take advantage of the great fall fishing. Eleven Angling South Andros Mothership, West Side, Miller Creek, Water Cays and More - Remote southwest Andros, part of the West Side National Park, is a pristine saltwater wilderness, uninhabited and wild, bursting with bird and sea life. Miles of wadable sand flats, mangrove-lined creeks, and a zig zag of countless islets create a home for schools of bonefish that can color acres of flats a shimmering silver. These masses of fish swim in waves that ripple the water across a hundred square yards, while their larger kin cruise the edges of sand bars that drop off into turquoise cuts. The plentiful population of resident tarpon layup in the creeks and on the outer Grand Bahama Bank, then roam across the white-bottomed flats with the tides. The Challenge: No lodges, no people, and the only way to access this region is by enduring long boat rides from southeastern Andros or even longer runs from the North and Middle Bights. The Solution: The Eleven Mothership live aboard experience; your casually luxurious home on the most productive flats in the world, where you can fish with the tides, sunrise to sunset.There’s no such thing as an 8-to-4 routine here. You can fish until you drop, all the while knowing the Mothership awaits your return, ready to refresh and recharge you. Click here to see the detailed brochure on this off-the-charts Mothership experience, including sample itinerary, pricing, fishing details, and how to get there. For more information, or to book your trip, email Stephen directly, or give him a call: 307-690-7472 (Mountain Time). Big Charlie's Lodge, On Cargill Creek - One of our favorite guides of all time--Charlie Neymour makes every day on the water fun. Charlie, and his wife, Fatiah, have a lodge that feels like home on Cargill Creek. The four comfortable air-conditioned guest rooms can take up to eight anglers. This is a classic bonefish lodge, with a large dining room and bar overlooking Cargill Creek, or you can sit out on the deck and enjoy a cold Kalik and conch fritters while watching the sunset. And you won't go hungry, as Fatiah is an amazing chef, and she serves a number of dishes spiced with her Moroccan style of cooking. You can book Charlie and some of the other best independent guides on Andros by emailing Stephen directly. Please note: If you are looking for the best possible "serious fishing" trip, staying here and fishing with Charlie and our other top independent guides is a great option, one of our favorites. Broad Shad Cay Lodge - Andy and Sharon Smith have created a unique lodge on this special cay in the North Bight. The lodge is nestled in the mangroves, and offers sensational views of the bight and Big Wood Cay. Wrap-around wooden decks, native stone work, and super-detailed interior finishes make this a casually elegant place to hang your hat, and to enjoy yourself after a hard day of fishing. Andy and Sharon can only take four anglers at a time, so this is an exclusive place that focuses on hard core fishing. Andy runs the program himself, and bases each fishing day on the tides. He has no problem running to the West Side, then back east to meet the right tide at the right time of day. If you want to focus on fishing for Big Bonefish, and for permit and tarpon, then Andy will do everything possible to put you on those dream fish. The best way to Andy is by emailing Stephen directly. Two Boys Inn - Great Value and DIY Options -- Frankie Neymour, Charlie's brother, and his wife Melinda, operate a comfortable guest house on Cargill Creek that takes up to 8 anglers....this is an ideal spot and a great price for anglers who want to fish with a top guide and/or DIY....excellent wade fishing options in the area, and packages are available that include a rental car for DIY. Rooms are large and comfortable, with good meals cooked up by Frankie's wife in the casual dining room. Satellite TV is available in the bar. Please email Stephen directly to facilitate your booking. LIVE ON THE FLATS. No need to make those long bone jarring back crunching runs from East Side lodges any more....and waste a couple of hours of your fishing day. Live on the flats on the Eleven Mothership, and fish with one of the best groups of Bahamian guides in the islands.
Of course the bonefishing is great, for numbers of fish and the double digit monsters, but living on the West Side flats, you are always there for the right tides for the best tarpon fishing also. You can be on the flats at sunrise, and still be on the flats near sunset when any other boats who made the long journey from the East Side have long since returned home. And the Eleven Mothership is the ideal place for your group of friends to enjoy a unique feeling of camaraderie in a remote saltwater paradise. Click Eleven Angling Andros Mothership to see the brochure with fishing program, ship details, travel info and more. Or email Stephen for details, pricing for your group, and to begin your booking. |
AuthorStephen and Kim Vletas Archives
March 2024
Categories |