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The intense warm sun illuminates the shallow flats and my eyes scan the water for shadows. Concentrating tenses the grip on my 9-weight and behind me on the platform Bernard says softly, “Get ready Mon, here day come.” Suddenly the fish materialize swimming lazily ahead no longer blurry shadings, now there are several distinct moving shapes. I suddenly realize that this is what it is all about. Bernard barks orders “Get some line in de air. Eleven o’clock. Farther, farther! Put it down. Strip slow. Strip. Leave it. Now, long strip.” I see a V formation of several Bonefish swimming nervously to intercept my fly. I realize that excuses are a luxury and second chances may never come. As I strip long with my line hand the line stops. “Fish on!” Bernard barks and suddenly the fly line shoots from my hand. I frantically guide the whipping coils towards the stripping guide and as the line gets to the reel I raise the rod tip slightly to remove the tension. The Bonefish is approaching a speed of thirty miles an hour and the reel drag whirs as the fish sends a water ski trail of line behind him at 75 yards away. “There are no parallels, no analogies no comparisons and no training grounds in any other type of fly fishing. This is opportunity fishing at its finest, where an angler can stalk his quarry with the skill and finesse of a hunter….Once sampled, the experience will never be forgotten and you can bet that you will be back again and again.” Mark Sosin and Lefty Kreh, Fishing The Flats. Sometimes the second run of a

Bonefish is as strong and long as the first. These are the wary speedsters of the sea. Pursuing these fish will test every piece of gear you bring from your feet to your hat. These fish will test each ability I hope to gain or improve; my eyesight, patience, casting accuracy, wading stealth, equipment selection, even fly tying. Bonefish demand and get your best efforts. That’s why I love them.

• Re: Bahamas Bonefish: Excuses Are A Luxury, Second Chances May Never Come by MarshallD
  

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