TourismToday

Courtesy of The Tribune

When it comes to worldwide fly-fishing destinations, Fly Fisherman editor Ross Purnell has his pick of the litter. From salmon fishing in Alaska to striped bass fishing on Cape Cod to trout fishing in South America, his invitations are as frequent as a cup of coffee in the morning.

When Mr Purnell jumped at the opportunity to visit the East End of Grand Bahamas’ legendary Deep Water Cay the island’s management, staff and guides were hugely excited.
To a fly fisherman who loves to catch bonefish, Deep Water Cay is something of a Holy Grail.

The legend began in the 1950s when Gil Drake and AJ McClane set out to explore the numerous Bahamian islands.

While searching for a private spot with access to prime bone-fishing flats, they came upon a small cay that was surrounded by 250 square miles of some of the most gorgeous bonefish and permit flats. These flats were situated around an archipelago of moderate-sized cays that are oriented on a north/south tack.

The ecosystem of cays and bays created baitfish and bonefish breeding grounds. Permit fishing is good as well.

Mr Purnell had fished throughout the Bahamas, and wanted to add his name to the storied guest book here. His would be in good company, for some of the most famous names in fly-fishing have been to Deep Water Cay, including Joe Brooks, AJ McLane, Curt Gowdy, Ted Williams, Flip Pallot and Lefty Kreh.

Mr Purnell’s trip began with some light clouds and rain. Conditions were good, and he had numerous opportunities at medium-to-large-sized fish.

As one might expect, he is not only an excellent fly caster but also a world-class fisherman, and he landed more than a dozen good fish in the 3-7 pound range each day.

Deep Water Cay general manager Dana Dribben took Mr Purnell out for a few extra hours of fishing to see if they could hook a big fish.

“I was poling Ross around a flat that was adjacent to some mangroves and saw a small pod of four or five fish that were very relaxed and tailing.

“Ross had to make a 75 foot cast into a slight head wind and to lead the fish by a few feet. The fly dropped perfectly in front of the bone and when the tail tipped up the fish sucked in the fly. Ross set the hook but there when the fish bolted forward it hit a mangrove root and broke him off. He’s promised to come back to Deep Water Cay for round two. We just sent him a picture of a guest’s 13+ pound bonefish and he’s ready to book a trip today.”

Mr Purnell’s wife Anna joined him on the trip and they spent a day learning to scuba dive in the lodge’s Infinity Pool.

After passing all requirements, they were led by Molly Brady on an open water dive into some of the area’s Blue Holes.

“The Purnells were quick learners,” she said. “It was their first time scuba diving and they were able to see underwater what they had been staring at from the deck of the boat. Visibility improved as the weather cleared and they had a phenomenally clear final few days.

“The new ownership has built the finest bonefish lodge in the Bahamas right where it should be–smack dab in the middle of some of the Bahamas’ most historically important bonefish and permit flats.

“You can literally step out the back door in the morning light and catch a bonefish before you get your morning cup of coffee,” Ross Purnell, Editor, Fly Fisherman magazine. “I’m looking forward to returning soon.”