Bahamas Report

[Lee Haskin]

I just returned from a trip to Great Inagua, Bahamas. Unlike most Bahamian islands Great Inagua does not have the long, wide, sandy flats, normally thought of there. Although there are small ocean side flats, there is a vast inland estuary that is home to thousands of good size bonefish, permit, etc.

We were primarily targeting permit, but after 3 days, and only 2 shots apiece, we decided it was time to make a move. Although the bonefish are fun, a 1/2 day catching them was about all we wanted. We moved to the huge inland lake, operated by the Morton Salt Company. This is a very unusal lake, in that fresh sea water is pumped into the lake, along with many fish species, including tarpon, permit, snook, bonefish, etc. Once they are pumped into the lake (as embryos), they are landlocked.

My partner was anxious to find a big snook, so he manned the deck for most of 2 mornings. We did eventually find several snook, and one about 25 lbs., but even a perfectly placed fly couldn't interest this big girl.

It was the tarpon fishing that "made the trip". We were fishing shallow, clear, mangrove spotted, water that was loaded with nice size tarpon between 25 and 40 lbs. The action was almost constant, as my partner and I took turns jumping tarpon in the tight confines of the mangrove forest. (It reminded me of Isla Blanca, north of Cancun.)
I must admit that this type of clear water sight fishing, for one of the most exciting, high flying, species on the planet, is probably my favorite fly fishing-anywhere!

Check out my blog for more story and pictures!

http://leehaskin.blogspot.com/

Cheers,
Lee