By Kirk Deeter

Because I travel and fish a lot, I often get asked that question: If you could be "beamed"   anywhere in the world, to fish for any species, where would it be?  And I usually answer that I live out West for a reason... namely, I like to catch big trout on flies.

But I'm changing my answer.  Bonefish rule.  I like tarpon, I like sharks, and I like stripers.  But there's something about bonefishing that I think is an ultimate challenge for a fly angler.  You're spotting fish.  Then you have to make a long, accurate, delicate cast.  You need the right fly, and the right presentation.  And when everything works (good gear matters, from polarized glasses to rod, to reel, and especially line).. there's noting quite like seeing the "eat" and feeling that fish burn off at 25 m.p.h.

I just got back from the best bonefish flats I've ever seen... totally unspoiled, gin-clear, and loaded with 4-pound-plus fish (some 10-plus). For anyone who can name the "mystery island" where I caught the fish above, I'll thow names in a hat, pull a winner, and send them a dozen killer Charlie Craven bonefish flies.

Here are your hints:  The island is 1300 nautical miles from New York City.  It is 110 square miles in size--roughly three times the size of Manhattan.  But it's a little less populated than NYC; it has only 300 residents, 150 of whom are kids.  There are no full-on bonefish lodges here, just one beach resort with 16 rooms. 

Good luck.

Deeter

Comments (16)

from KingFisher907 wrote 3 years 3 days ago

Im going with Mayaguana Island, the most easterly island and district of the Bahamas...

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from TimberDoodle wrote 3 years 3 days ago

Mayaguana. You stayed at the Baycaner and the Kalik tasted great.

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from karmano wrote 3 years 3 days ago

Kirk,
Couldn't you have posted this a bit earlier? I really need those flies. Headed to Roatan, Honduras tomorrow. Check out the lodge http://www.mangocreeklodge.com/
Sounds like you had an awesome time. This is my first time flats fishing. I hope I don't get too hooked because I really like living in CO.

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from Alex Pernice th... wrote 3 years 3 days ago

Christmas Island? Deeter, never got the chance to go for bonefish, but I love Tarpon, and when I was in florida last I threw flys for Redfish.

AP

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from Alabama Flygirl wrote 3 years 3 days ago

Looks like a great trip Deeter. I believe it is Mayaguana Island.

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from deanlikes2fish wrote 3 years 3 days ago

i say the seychelles, the island off the coast of madagascar.

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from FloridaHunter1226 wrote 3 years 2 days ago

Mayaguana seems to be the most populare answer but I wana say Andros Island . But it does look like a beautiful trip... sounds and looks like you had some good fishing and some good fun, glad to hear it.

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from Redfish wrote 3 years 2 days ago

I also say Mayaguana, only one place to stay there and that is Baycaner.

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from fflutterffly wrote 3 years 2 days ago

Samana Cay

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from kyka1865 wrote 3 years 2 days ago

Christmas Island, I think.

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from alabamahunter wrote 3 years 2 days ago

I know I'm wrong, but Bimini

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from Ed J wrote 3 years 2 days ago

Tristan Da Cunha
LOL

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from alabamahunter wrote 3 years 1 day ago

Woops, should have read the hints before guessing. Oh well, I don't use the long rod anyway.

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from anselmo wrote 3 years 15 hours ago

Los Roques? I might be out on the distances but the rest sounds right ...

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from fitd22 wrote 3 years 15 hours ago

You were on Mayaguana in the southern Bahamas.How about A full report on the fishing Deeter.

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from buckhunter wrote 3 years 8 hours ago

Belize?

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from KingFisher907 wrote 3 years 3 days ago

Im going with Mayaguana Island, the most easterly island and district of the Bahamas...

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from TimberDoodle wrote 3 years 3 days ago

Mayaguana. You stayed at the Baycaner and the Kalik tasted great.

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from karmano wrote 3 years 3 days ago

Kirk,
Couldn't you have posted this a bit earlier? I really need those flies. Headed to Roatan, Honduras tomorrow. Check out the lodge http://www.mangocreeklodge.com/
Sounds like you had an awesome time. This is my first time flats fishing. I hope I don't get too hooked because I really like living in CO.

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Alex Pernice th... wrote 3 years 3 days ago

Christmas Island? Deeter, never got the chance to go for bonefish, but I love Tarpon, and when I was in florida last I threw flys for Redfish.

AP

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from Alabama Flygirl wrote 3 years 3 days ago

Looks like a great trip Deeter. I believe it is Mayaguana Island.

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from deanlikes2fish wrote 3 years 3 days ago

i say the seychelles, the island off the coast of madagascar.

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from FloridaHunter1226 wrote 3 years 2 days ago

Mayaguana seems to be the most populare answer but I wana say Andros Island . But it does look like a beautiful trip... sounds and looks like you had some good fishing and some good fun, glad to hear it.

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Redfish wrote 3 years 2 days ago

I also say Mayaguana, only one place to stay there and that is Baycaner.

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from fflutterffly wrote 3 years 2 days ago

Samana Cay

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from kyka1865 wrote 3 years 2 days ago

Christmas Island, I think.

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from alabamahunter wrote 3 years 2 days ago

I know I'm wrong, but Bimini

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Ed J wrote 3 years 2 days ago

Tristan Da Cunha
LOL

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from alabamahunter wrote 3 years 1 day ago

Woops, should have read the hints before guessing. Oh well, I don't use the long rod anyway.

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from anselmo wrote 3 years 15 hours ago

Los Roques? I might be out on the distances but the rest sounds right ...

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from fitd22 wrote 3 years 15 hours ago

You were on Mayaguana in the southern Bahamas.How about A full report on the fishing Deeter.

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from buckhunter wrote 3 years 8 hours ago

Belize?

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All submitted comments are subject to the rules set forth in our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.