Day Three: Wind, Waves and Bonefish

Another very windy day out of Deep Water Cay. Though there was sun, it was accompanied by a relentless, howling, whitecapped flats kind of wind. It was tricky to spot fish over sand, and nearly impossible to spot anything over turtle grass. Still, today was memorable. Still plenty of wind-sourced frustrations, and a still-adapting cast to compensate. I fished with a different guide and learned more history of the club and of nearby Sweeting's Cay. Saw lots of lemon sharks, including a couple better than six feet in length. As for bonefish, I hooked six and landed five, including three while on foot.

The day's last fish was the most noteworthy thus far. While poling the edge of a hard sand flat, we spotted a small group of distant fish. Being too windy to effectively re-direct the boat, I grabbed a rod and set out on foot to try for a shot. Absolutely solo, a hundred yards from the boat and surrounded in every direction by the vast palette of turquoise and white, it was just me and the bonefish. No guide, no nothing - just a barefoot guy with a nine-weight.  Working across the direction of the wind, I finally punched a cast, and it found its mark. A couple of strips, and I came tight on a thick Bahamian bone. A few seconds later I was well in to my backing, and savoring that prolonged sense of elation that bonefishing with a fly rod is all about.

The fish wasn't huge, but respectable at maybe seven pounds. It was a great way to cap the day. One last crack at it tomorrow, and hopefully under slightly better conditions. Before that, however, I'm in need of some sleep.

Maybe more tomorrow.