Bonefishing Crooked Island, Bahamas

A Guest Blog by Michelle M. Yelton

Guide Shakey shows off a bonefish.

Shakey. The name, not the fly-fishing. The fishing is spot on.  Standing atop a powder white flat seasoned with a gray-toned rock bottom, Shakey points his finger with the confidence of a military sniper and commands, “ten o’clock, 30 feet, cast it now.”

To the untrained eye, even donning a pair of polarized lenses, one might think Shakey is off.  But, he couldn’t be more precise.  Hidden in clear sight is a bounty of bonefish.

To someone listening in, one might mistake Shakey for an intense gym trainer.

“Cast it again! Now, now! Go! Aww, shit, you missed it.  Dropped it too hard. Try again, man.”

It’s no wonder these stunning fish, nearly transparent and adorned with sterling silver tiger stripes, are also known as the “ghosts of the flats.” It’s the unlikely scenario where camouflage meets pristine beauty giving fly fisherman and guides the challenge of first spotting, then landing one.

But after 18 years as a fly-fishing guide on the Crooked Island of the Bahamas, make no mistake, Shakey’s eyes and judgment are not a reflection of his nickname.

Born Elton McKinney, Shakey remembers the first time he witnessed the sport of fly fishing.

“In 1994 this guy came to the island to fly fish, and I thought it was the craziest thing I’d ever seen,” Shakey recalls.  “But after watching him a while, I asked him to teach me.”

That was just the beginning.  His family thought he was foolish for spending gas money to boat around the islands looking for bonefish, but Shakey knew he discovered a gem that could profoundly impact his town’s economy.

“I told them to relax; that this was my money and my time. Knowledge is power and I just keep pushing on.” 

And he was right. Before guiding for bonefish, Shakey and his father hauled in bonefish commercially. Once Shakey realized the fish had more potential as a tourism draw, he took action to stop that practice.

“After I started guiding I told my old man, ‘We aren’t hauling no more bonefish,'” said Shakey. “And he wasn’t happy about that. Then, I went to the police and told them these fish mean more to us than the nets, and the police agreed with that.”

Shakey and his team of seven anglers guide all year round.  While prime season is October through May, the fishing is still worthwhile the entire year.  Trips can be booked through Crooked Island Lodge.

Lodging
A group of four-room bungalows that a few yards from the beach complete with restaurant, gift shop and bar make up Crooked Island Lodge. Built in the late 1960s, the rustic and serene lodge offers the only commercial lodging option on the island. Accommodations are air-conditioned and comfortably simple, yet a good night’s sleep is never a challenge with the rocking cadence of ocean waves right outside your window. Maxing out at 12 rooms, action and adventure are only found on the water. On land, it’s all about relaxation whether it is lying beachside underneath shaded hammocks or strolling the immaculate shoreline.

Activities
In addition to the excellent fly-fishing, there are a variety of incredible spots for diving, deep sea fishing, swimming and snorkeling.  Better yet, hire a guide boat or rent kayaks and head across the bay to the old, abandoned lighthouse.  While there, learn how to catch conch or spear fresh lobster, and watch in awe as the guide transforms it into a gourmet seaside meal with just a knife, some foil and a hand-built fire. For an added treat while fly-fishing, ask Shakey to make the dolphins jump.

Dining
Meals are cooked to order three times a day at Crooked Island Lodge, and lunch coolers are packed for excursions. Dinners are the highlight of the dining experience where everyone is served the same meal, which is always a surprise of freshly caught seafood. The food is divine.

Local Tips
UV tops and pants recommended to fight the daytime sunrays, especially if going out on the water.  Pack some lightweight, long-sleeved shirts and pants or bug spray to ward off the mosquitoes and sand fleas while on land.

How to Get There
Bahamas Air flies to Crooked Island early on Saturdays and Wednesdays, which requires an overnight stop in Nassau the night before. Likewise, Pineapple Air flies in early on Mondays and Fridays.  Otherwise, hire a private charter and fly straight to Crooked Island Lodge, which has its own seaside runway.  Travelers on charter boats often make pit stops at Crooked Island Lodge where they can find food, drinks and wireless Internet.  Anchor in the bay and use a dinghy to come ashore.

Learn More
To learn more about fly-fishing in Crooked Island, Bahamas, contact The Granddaddy Fly Fishing Experience at info@granddaddyflyfishing.com or 828-288-1221 or visit their website at www.granddaddyflyfishing.com.  Additional information about Crooked Island Lodge and Crooked Island, Bahamas can be found at http://crookedislandlodge.com/.

North Carolina resident Michelle Yelton works for a public relations firm. She enjoys fishing in the Bahamas.

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