Event Description: Fly Fishin' for dem Bones
Note: registration is still open with 6 current signups and a maximum of 8 total. Additional signups require a minimum of 2 new anglers to share a room and boat together.
This is a great opportunity for bonefish fishing in the flats off Andros Island, and possibly terrific Dorado fishing if the weather cooperates.
Why all the fuss about a little silver fish? Anyone asking that question has never stalked the beautiful flats of the Out Islands. Bonefishing brings together skill, finesse and stealth like no other form of fishing. Your quarry is the bonefish, a mirror-finished flash of a fish with bright eyes and a soft underslung mouth designed to suck down clams, crabs, and shrimp.
The Flats is what Andros is all about. There are endless flats for poling and hard-bottom flats for excellent wade fishing opportunities. Nearly every day presents shots at double-digit bones. We'll be fishing on the prime Bahamas bone fishing grounds of Andros Island’s North and Middle Bites between Behring Point, Moxey Town and the West Side – where legendary guides like “Crazy Charlie” Smith, Rupert Leadon, and Frankie’s late uncle Ivan Neymour pioneered the art of fly fishing for bonefish.
Beside bone fish there are opportunities for other tropical species (tarpon, barracuda, dolphin/dorado, snook, etc.).
Cost:
Price for the lodge and fishing includes 5 days guided fishing, 6 nights lodging, all meals, lunch, guides, boat, ice and water. Not included are: transportation to/from the lodge, licenses, alcohol, soft drinks, tips.
Deposit and final payment: A 50% deposit is due by Tuesday December 10, 2019 via credit card payment or cash/check delivered to TVFF (see registration). Final payment of the remaining 50% is due from each member upon arrival at the resort on February 5, 2020.
Cash price: You may pay by check or cash directly to the Club Treasurer within two weeks of registration and not pay the credit card surcharge of 3.0% if you desire. If you do pay cash you will be put into "Pending Registration" until your payment is received within the two weeks. Late payments will require you to register once again if there is space still available. The total cost for this trip is $2,100 for TVFF members and $2,145 for non-members and guests that includes an annual membership to TVFF. The initial deposit amount due by 12/10/19 is $1,050 for TVFF members and $1,095 for non-members and guests. Balance of $1,050 is due upon arrival.
Credit Card price: Price of $2,163.00 includes the full payment by credit card for members with the 3.0% surcharge. The initial deposit amount is $1,050 for TVFF members and $1,095 for non-members and guests. Balance of $1,050 is due upon arrival.
Additional cost considerations and options:
Pairs of anglers can have the option of extending an extra night and days fishing for $500 per person.
A rough budget for travel is:
Round trip Bay Area to Nassau = $450
Round Trip Nassau to Andros = $110
Ground transportation to lodge split by # of people = $75
Bahamas fishing license for $30.
Additional week opportunity: If there is sufficient interest in the trip we can add an additional week at a later date. Contact Martin if you're interested.
Fishmeister: Martin Plotkin
Accommodations and Food:
We will be staying at Two Boys Inn located at the South End of North Andros at Cargill Creek, Behing Point. The lodge is run by Captain Frankie Neymour and his wife Melinda. Two Boys Inn can accommodate up to 8 anglers in four air-conditioned rooms featuring two queen beds and private bath. Meals are served “family style” in the dining room and bar where guests, guides and locals gather over ice cold Kaliks beer and hot conch fritters.
Each morning, Melinda prepares a full, made-to-order breakfast while you assemble your own lunch from selections of cold cuts, fresh fruits, snacks, and beverages. At day’s end you’ll be treated to happy hour appetizers followed by Melinda and Frankie’s authentic Bahamian home cooking. Specialties include Melinda’s homemade soups and chowders, cracked conch, grilled crawfish, pan-seared wahoo, steamed grouper or a tangy chicken BBQ… topped off with a delectable dessert.
Gear and Tackle Recommendations:
Bone Fish: Flies tied #2 to #6 hooks; tan, brown, pink and chartreuse in Clouser, Crazy Charlie, Gotcha, Shrimp and Crab patterns. Use bead chain and lead eye flies to get down fast on the deeper flats, some lighter ones for tailing fish on the shallower wading flats. Gear: 10 to 15# tippet; 7 wt. to 10 wt. rods (a 9 wt. is ideal). Leader: 14#+/-, 9' tapered. Permit: Same with heavier leader.
Tarpon: Flies: Tied 2/0-6/0 hooks Clousers, Crease Fly, Black Death, Tarpon Snake Gear: 10-12 wt. for tarpon. 20# straight fluorocarbon.
TVFF Cancellation Policy:
To sign-up for a TVFF Event that is currently open for registration and chargeable (as set by the Fishmeister), you must both register and pay online, or via check or cash, within two weeks of registering (sent to the TVFF Treasurer) whatever fee is described for that particular Event (trip) at the time of registration. There may be multiple payments required before the trip is actually taken (usually in the case of expensive trips), but it is necessary that you do make payment in the above timely fashion for the initial amount to secure your position on the trip. However, please note that you are still responsible for the entire amount of the trip if you should need to cancel.
Once you are registered, there are no refunds for chargeable Events and trips. In the situation that a member is, for any reason unable to attend, they may resell their registration slot to another TVFF member (by first pulling from the waitlist if one exists). New participants must come first from the waitlist in the order they signed up. The member cancelling is fully and solely responsible for contacting potential members to replace them and notifying the appropriate Fishmeister.
If an event/trip is fully registered and closed to registration, you may still sign up on the Wait List to be notified if there are any cancellations. In such a case of registering provisionally on the Wait List, you do not have to pay until such time that you clear the Wait List and are confirmed for participation.
