Thinking Back - by Joe Filer

It’s early December. In a normal year, we would already be chasing rainbow trout on the Guadalupe. The fall rains have pushed back our annual stocking until the water flows subside. So, thoughts turn to other opportunities both past and future. Memories of past trips include some reflections.

As I reflect on memories, I could not help but think of a simple question: What makes fishing so special? What makes a relatively simple act so important that we would consider traveling to remote places just to get a chance to catch something we typically release back to where it came from? A recent summer trip to Turneffe Atoll in Belize helped me to gain insight into how I would answer these questions.

My Belize trip involved 7 days with 6 days on the water. But, the “trip” lasted much longer. Belize had always represented an outstanding destination for bonefish. It was nice to know that permit, tarpon, snapper, and other species were present as well during the week I intended to go.

One of the least appreciated aspects of planning a trip like this is the research involved. Sure, you can let an outfitter handle the details and just show up... But, I chose to learn as much as possible about the following:

• Timing (When would be the best time to go?)
• Lodges (Where would be the best place to stay?)
• Fish (Which species would be available during the time selected?)
• Flies (What would I use to catch target fish?)
• Approach (How would I increase my chances of being successful?)

Several outstanding books were available. Each served to provide information to help answer these questions and others. This study made the trip come “alive” way before we left to catch the plane.

Tying flies began months in advance. Some bonefish flies were useful for other local species such as redfish and speckled trout. But, most seem developed specifically for the “gray ghost” of the flats. Filling a fly box in preparation for the 6 days of fishing was a lot of fun. It also served to make the day of departure that much closer.

The trip itself was absolutely incredible. I suspect that my enjoyment was very much enhanced by the preparation involved. I knew what questions to ask and some things that might have “slipped by” were appreciated.

I knew that it was going to be a special time just 15 minutes into the first day. We pulled into a lagoon right next to a stretch of flats that ran the entire length of the oceanside reef. Knee-high water with turtle grass and coral heads stretched as far as one could see. Barely 75 yards of wading from the boat and our guide pointed toward a group of about 150 shimmering clear tails…. Bones!!!!!!

Murphy’s Law was very much in effect for most of the morning and into the early afternoon. My first few hours of bone fishing were filled with anything and everything that could go wrong. Several hookups found coral heads. One ended as my reel handle caught my shirt’s sleeve. Powwwwwwww! As powerful as a hooked bonefish takes off, it does not take much to end the fight.

Early afternoon of the first day it finally came together. After “running” in knee-deep water for about 100 yards to avoid every possible obstacle, a beautiful 6-pound bonefish was cradled in the guide’s hands. And, my goal for the trip was met. Just one bonefish!

The following 5 days were just bonus. At that point, I expressed my desire to target as many species as possible. My guide seemed to enjoy the change and my desire to see more than the flats. Trips to the mangroves for snapper were a lot of fun. Along the way we kept up a lookout for permit and tarpon. At every opportunity, we threw flies to barracuda and ended up with a couple of hookups. One was kept for the guides who love to eat it.

Portions of a couple days were spent over deeper bonefish “holes” where lots of bones seemed to love brown and white Clousers. This was some of my most favorite times as it was fun to watch the flashes followed by violent takes and solid fights by testy little bones. On the last day (the wind finally slowed down) and I caught a nice 4-pounder in one such hole that burned off a lot of line quickly to my surprise. I guess you never know. Most of these fish were in the 1.5 to 2 pound range. Just a blast to catch.

The final results for the trip are 8 species including:

• Bonefish (33 total)
• Barracuda
• 2 kinds of jacks
• 4 kinds of snapper (mutton, mangrove, black, and yellowtail)

Why was it so special?

1. I was prepared and the trip lived up to every expectation.
2. I met my goal - Just one bonefish!
3. I have a reason to go back – permit and tarpon.

So, take a minute or two when you get a chance and reflect back on a pleasant fishing experience. Ask yourself, “Why is it so special?”.

And, if you want to head down to Belize to catch “just one bonefish”, let me know. I would be happy to share my insights into my “special” trip…..