Southcoast Flyfisher

ALWAYS BE GRATEFUL

 

              When my wife, Glynelle, and I decided to go on a cruise to Bermuda last year I thought about doing some bone fishing. Since we were going to be in port for several days it would be a good opportunity.


          After a brief web search I found Captain Ian Linnell of Jump dem Bones. I emailed the Captain. Made our arrangements. Trip booked. After all the years watching people on television fly casting to tarpon and permit and bonefish, I was finally going to get my chance.
Serenade of the Seas in port

        We left Boston on the Serenade of the Seas. A week earlier a hurricane had passed the island and headed up the Eastern seaboard. Not close enough to do any damage but the seas were still pretty rough. The people on board ship walked like they had too much to drink. Maybe they did.


        It took several days to reach port. On the day of arrival to Bermuda the winds were still pretty strong. My hopes began to sink. However the forecast was more optimistic. That night I called my guide. The trip was still on. He would meet us at the dock at 0800.


We left Boston on the Serenade of the Seas. A week earlier a hurricane had passed the island and headed up the Eastern seaboard. Not close enough to do any damage but the seas were still pretty rough. The people on board ship walked like they had too much to drink. Maybe they did.

It took several days to reach port. On the day of arrival to Bermuda the winds were still pretty strong. My hopes began to sink. However the forecast was more optimistic. That night I called my guide. The trip was still on. He would meet us at the dock at 0800.

        Captain Ian met us at the dock promptly at 0800. We made our introductions and headed to the leeward side of the island. It was like a mill pond. “ How do you like my office ” he said with a chuckle. We reached our first spot at 0830. I made my first cast at 0845.


        His voice cut through my dream-like state like a knife. “ Fish at 11:00 ”. My first thought was “ this is really going to happen ”. My next thought was ” then get with it ! ”.


Bait fish breaking the surface


        At one point there was a school of baitfish on the surface being chased by something. I made the cast. The line went tight. Whatever it was, it didn’t bend the rod. It straightened the damn thing out. After several tugs the line went slack. It either broke the leader or rubbed it against the coral.
Looking for the Gray Ghost

        I spent the next 4 hours sight casting to bone fish and to an occasional hog fish. I had fish that came up to the fly, turning away at the last minute. One even picked up the fly and then spit it out. I was that close. But because of my inexperience and timing, it got away.


        Finally the time came to return to the ship. We bid our farewells but we would see Captain Ian again the following year.


        I was disappointed that I didn’t land a bone fish. But I did meet my objectives. I did fly cast off the bow of a skiff. I did cast to bone fish – which even that wasn’t a guarantee. I almost had one take the fly. Despite my reassurances, I was still disappointed.

        When we got back to the ship it was time for lunch. Glynelle and I headed up to the galley. As I sat down at our table, out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a young man. I had seen him earlier on the cruise. By the way he wore his sneakers, it appeared that he had only clubs for feet. Now as he drank his soda, no doubt since birth, I noticed his hands looked like lobster claws. “SO YOU DIDN’T CATCH A BONE FISH. GEE ISN’T THAT TOO BAD”, I said to myself. This young man probably couldn’t even hold a fishing rod. I just spent the last 4 hours fulfilling a dream.


        It is things like this that makes you appreciate what you have. Always be grateful. I guess that was the best catch of the day.


        Always be grateful.


        M



almost had one take the fly. Despite my reassurances, I was still disappointed.

When we got back to the ship it was time for lunch. Glynelle and I headed up to the galley. As I sat down at our table, out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a young man. I had seen him earlier on the cruise. By the way he wore his sneakers, it appeared that he had only clubs for feet. Now as he drank his soda, no doubt since birth, I noticed his hands looked like lobster claws. “SO YOU DIDN’T CATCH A BONEFISH. GEE ISN’T THAT TOO BAD”, I said to myself. This young man probably couldn’t even hold a fishing rod. I just spent the last 4 hours fulfilling a dream.

It is things like this that makes you appreciate what you have. Always be grateful. I guess that was the best catch of the day.