Big changes are coming for the 2018
Bahamas Bonefish School
Jan 13-20 and 20-27, 2018
The Bonefish School on South Andros is one of our most popular trips. It’s hands down the best way to shorten the learning curve for saltwater fly fishing and build the skills and good habits you need to be a successful and self-sufficient saltwater angler. Many anglers return year after year to enjoy the camaraderie, the laid-back atmosphere and the amazing fishing on South Andros.
This season we are upgrading the experience with a new venue. I will be hosting 2 weeks at the famous Bair’s Lodge. Part of the Nervous Waters family, Bair’s offers a relaxed, unpretentious vibe with personal service and amenities unmatched on the island. Delicious food, an exceptional guide staff, a fleet of brand new Maverick skiffs and an in-house fly shop are just a few of the things which set Bair’s apart. I am excited to be partnering with them to provide the best experience possible. Check out the Bair’s site; you’ll like what you see.
“Reid and I both could not have asked for a better trip — in large part thanks to time you dedicated to answering our numerous questions and to teach us about everything from strip setting to casting to tying flies and leaders. We learned more about fishing in our one week at South Andros than we have in our entire lives previously.”- John Hamilton
Not sure how hosted trips work? Click here.
The School
Don’t stress, there will not be a test. The Bonefish School is as laid back as it gets. On our arrival, I offer my Bonefish 101 primer to anyone who is interested. This brief rundown is designed to prepare you for your week and get you off on the right foot. Anglers who are new to the salt always find it enlightening. Repeat offenders appreciate it as a refresher and as a great opportunity to heckle me!
I will work with you to be sure that you have your gear set up for success and feel confident stepping onto the bow, whether it’s your first time or your thousandth. Each day you will fish with a guide who not only put you on bonefish, but reinforce the techniques needed for success. I will be available to work with you individually as needed, to answer questions, work on casting or just mix drinks. I am there to see that you have the best possible experience. You don’t need any saltwater experience to have a blast and catch plenty of fish.
The Fishing
I’ll never forget how excited I was the first time I visited South Andros. Before my trip I asked a friend what to expect. He thought for a moment and said,
“The Bahamas is the best bonefishing in the world, and South Andros is the best bonefishing in the Bahamas.”
That simple description has proven to be true year after year. South Andros really does offer something for everyone. Schools of hundreds of eager bonefish, big singles and doubles, endless sand flats to wade and the world famous action of the expansive and intricate West Side. Your guide will have plenty of options to show you and you’ll seldom see another boat.
In addition to plentiful bonefish, South Andros also offers great fishing for big barracuda, shark, jacks, snapper and a host of other species, including the occasional permit or tarpon sighting. The island features the world’s highest density of blue holes and it’s always fun to see what’s in those ocean deep pools.
The Island
South Andros is one of the most beautiful places you’ll ever visit. Although it is the largest island in the Bahamas, it is the least populated. The vast expanses to the south and west are extremely remote and isolated. The fish see very little pressure and when you cast a fly to one, chances are he’s never seen one before.
The island and flats are dotted with ocean deep blue holes, which are a real natural wonder and marine life is everywhere. The folks there are warm and authentic. You’ll never meet a stranger on South Andros. This island is the real Bahamas. It’s easy to imagine the days when pirate ships moored off shore to bury treasure and locals rowed handmade skiffs into the Tongue of the Ocean for weeks at a time. It’s my favorite place on earth and I look forward to sharing it with you.
Travel
South Andros is easy to reach by two options. You can fly into the Congo Town airport via Nassau on Western Air or via Fort Lauderdale on Watermakers Air. Your shuttle to and from the airport is covered in your trip.
Gear
The basic gear I recommend for bonefishing is an 8-weight fly rod with a good large arbor reel and tropical line. If you don’t have that kind of setup, no worries. The lodge offers loaner gear at no additional charge. You will need good protective sun clothing, sunscreen and a pair of wading shoes. I can help you with a packing list and any specifics that arise.
Pricing
The folks at Bair’s are as excited to be hosting the G&G community as we are to be there and they are making us a pretty sweet exclusive offer to help introduce themselves. This 6-day, 7-night trip, which includes everything but your travel to the island and gratuities costs $5650 per angler, but when you join us for the Bonefish School, 2 anglers come for $6650. That’s a savings of $2325/angler!
There are no restrictions on angler pairings. Bring a spouse, a child or parent, a fishing buddy, or let us help pair you with another angler. That’s a phenomenal value for one of the best and most famous bonefishing lodges anywhere. This pricing is only available through Gink and Gasoline, so don’t wait.
Whether your goal is to learn the saltwater game, make new friends, see one of the wildest and most productive fisheries anywhere, or just get out of the snow and onto a beach, this trip is a great time. I hope you will be able to make it part of your most memorable fishing season yet. I look forward to sharing this amazing island and its flats with you.
To reserve a spot or get more information, shoot me an email at hookups@ginkandgasoline.com
