Since Hurricane Dorian, we’ve been talking to a lot about the status of the Bahamas in general, but also about the fishing operations. There are a lot of different opinions on the effects of Hurricane Dorian on the Bahamas, but the truth is that the vast majority of the Bahamas was unaffected by the storm. Yes, we’ve lost a few lodges on the hardest hit islands of Abaco and Grand Bahama. However, there are fishing lodges that are in great shape on both islands right now, and are having some spectacular fishing. Evan Peterson just visited both Abaco and Grand Bahama islands and reported that Delphi and H2O Bonefishing are back up and running – all systems go! North Riding Point Club and Grand Bahama Bonefishing will open in January. With virtually no anglers in either fishery since June, both have been rested for 6+ months and the fishing is as good or better than it’s been anytime in the last 10 years! The best help that concerned anglers can give the people of the Bahamas is to visit the islands, to get people working to bring some normality, and much income to their lives, and enjoy fantastic Bonefishing at the same time.
The Delphi Club, Abaco
The Delphi Club is offering a 30% discount for all reservations in January & February. Evan visited Delphi in early December and gave a very positive report. The facility was totally unaffected by Dorian, providing the same excellent accommodations (private beach, immaculate pool, delicious meals and comfortable rooms with amazing views of the Atlantic). What has changed is the delivery of brand new Hells Bay skiffs and a renewed vision of the fishery: Delphi has expanded the areas they are fishing on a regular basis, in addition to the Marls, to include Sandy Point, the Bight of Robinson and Cherokee Sound.
January 27 – 31, 4-nights / 3-days, 8 rods, Save up to $1,590 pp
February 2 – 9, 7-nights / 6-days, 8 rods, Save up to $2,841 pp
February 8 – 15, 7-nights / 6-days, 6 rods, Save up to $2,841 pp
February 22 – 29, 7-nights / 6-days, 2 rods
March 1 – 6, 5-nights / 4-days, 2 rods
March 16 – 23, 7-nights / 6-days, 2 rods
March 26 – April 1, 6-nights / 5-days, 2 rods
April 11 – 17, 7-nights / 6-days, 4 rods
April 18 – 25 7-nights / 6-days, 2 rods
April 25 – May 2, 7-nights / 6-days, 10 rods
May 18 – 25, 7-nights / 6-days, 4 rods
May 24 – 31, 7-nights / 6-days, 10 rods
H2O Bonefishing is the only fishing operation currently open on Grand Bahama, leaving more 100 miles of shoreline all to themselves. While Evan was visiting Grand Bahama in early December, there wasn’t another bonefisherman in sight. The Mangroves are sprouting new leaves and the fish are healthy, happy and hungry. The Lucayan District is basically running like normal: The restaurants are open, the Pelican Bay hotel is fully operational and looks great. H2O was already a top choice for anglers targeting big bonefish, but should be at the top of the list.
January 23 – 30, 7-nights / 6-days, 4 rods
January 30 – February 7, 7-nights / 6-days, 6 rods
February 7 – 14, 7-nights / 6-days, 4 rods
February 25 – March 3, 7-nights / 6-days, 4 rods
March 3 – 8, 4-nights / 3-days, 4 rods
March 13 – 20, 7-nights / 6-days, 6 rods
April 2 – 9, 7-nights / 6-days, 4 rods
April 9 – 13, 4-nights / 3-days, 4 rods
April 20 – 27, 7-nights / 6-days, 4 rods
May 11 – 18, 7-nights / 6-days, 6 rods
May 18 – 25, 7-nights / 6-days, 6 rods
The other islands, like Andros, Crooked, and Acklins experienced no damage from the storm. Many of the lodges on these other islands are starting to fill up because there are fewer lodges available for the rest of Winter and Spring seasons. Please find a selection of available space at some of our top Bahamas Bonefishing lodges from other islands described below. Please Note that all space listed here is subject to change. Call or email to inquire about current availability.
Mangrove Cay Club, Andros
Angler Adventures’ senior staff member, Doug Schlink visited Mangrove Cay in early November and filed this report: “This was my 4th visit to the Club since it first opened in 2000. We’ve of course known owner/manager Liz Bain since she ran Cargill Creek Lodge in the mid-90’s. She did a great job there and has done the same for her 20 years at Mangrove Cay. The attention to detail here is truly amazing! The grounds are literally manicured, the skiffs maintained in tiptop condition, the staff and service is blue chip and Chef Iyke’s dinners are to die for. Having visited all the top shelf lodges in the Bahamas, I can say Mangrove Cay is among the cream of the crop and is truly one of the best run lodge operations in the Bahamas, and the flats of Andros are as healthy as ever. We fished Middle and North Bights and there was no shortage of fish. There are still some truly world class bonefish on Andros. I saw one, first mistaken for a shark, that I believe was the biggest bonefish I’ve seen in 30 years bonefishing. I’ve landed 12 – 13 lb bonefish, but this pig dwarfed them.” The Bights of Andros truly comprise one of the greatest bonefish habitats on the planet.
January 4 – 11, 7-nights / 6-days, 6 rods
January 18 – 25, 7-nights / 6-days, 6 rods
January 25 – February 4, 7-nights / 6-days, 4 rods
February 6 – 13, 7-nights / 6-days, 10 rods
February 19 – 23, 4-nights / 3-days, 6 rods
February 23 – March 1, 7-nights / 6-days, 6 rods
March 14 – 21, 7-nights / 6-days, 8 rods
March 21 – 25, 4-nights / 3-days, 12 rods
May 7 – 11, 4-nights / 3-days, 4 rods
May 28 – June 4, 7-nights / 6-days, 16 rods
Bair’s Lodge, Andros
February 12 – 16, 2020, 4-nights / 3-days, 4 rods
April 5 – 11, 2020, 6-nights / 5-days, 2 rods
April 11 – 18, 2020, 7-nights / 6-days, 2 rods
June 13 – 20, 2020, 7-nights / 6-days, 8 rods
June 20 – 27, 2020, 7-nights / 6-days, 4 rods
Mars Bay Bonefish Lodge, Andros
January 11 – 18, 2020, 7-nights / 6-days, 8 rods
January 25 – February 1, 2020, 7-nights / 6-days, 8 rods
February 1 – 8, 2020, 7-nights / 6-days, 2 rods
February 29 – March 7, 2020, 7-nights / 6-days, 6 rods
March 21 – 28, 2020, 7-nights / 6-days, 4 rods
April 11– 18, 2020, 7-nights / 6-days, 4 rods
April 18– 25, 2020, 7-nights / 6-days, 4 rods
April 25 – May 2, 2020, 7-nights / 6-days, 2 rods
May 16 – May 23, 2020, 7-nights / 6-days, 4 rods
May 23 – May 30, 2020, 7-nights / 6-days, 8 rods
Andros Island Bonefish Club, Andros
January 11– 18, 7-nights / 6-days, 12 rods
January 18 – 25, 7-nights / 6-days, 12 rods
January 25 – 31, 6-nights / 5-days, 12 rods
February 15 – 22, 7-nights / 6-days, 14 rods
March 1 – 8, 7-nights / 6-days, 12 rods
March 8 – 15, 7-nights / 6-days, 6 rods
March 17 – 21, 4-nights / 3-days, 12 rods
March 21– 28, 7-nights / 6-days, 12 rods
April 4 – 11, 7-nights / 6-days, 14 rods
April 18 – 25, 7-nights / 6-days, 14 rods
April 25 – 30, 5-nights / 4-days, 16 rods
May 2 – 9, 7-nights / 6-days, 20 rods
May 9 – 16, 7-nights / 6-days, 20 rods
May 16 – 23, 6-nights / 5-days, 20 rods
May 30 – June 6, 7-nights / 6-days, 20 rods
June 8 – 13, 5-nights / 4-days, 12 rods
June 13 – 20, 7-nights / 6-days, 12 rods
June 20 – 27, 7-nights / 6-days, 12 rods
Andros South, Andros
February 2 – 9, 7-nights / 6-days, 2 rods
February 9 – 16, 7-nights / 6-days, 4 rods
March 1 – 8, 7-nights / 6-days, 3 rods
April 12 – 18, 7-nights / 6-days, 2 rods
May 10 – 17, 7-nights / 6-days, 2 rods
Crooked and Acklins Trophy Lodge, Crooked Island
January 11 – 18, 7-nights / 6-days, 8 rods
January 18 – 25, 7-nights / 6-days, 6 rods
February 8 – 15, 7-nights / 6-days, 8 rods
February 15 – 22, 7-nights / 6-days, 8 rods
February 29 – March 2, 7-nights / 6-days, 6 rods
March 7– 14, 7-nights / 6-days, 10 rods
March 21 – 28, 7-nights / 6-days, 4 rods
April 4 – 11, 7-nights / 6-days, 6 rods
April 11 – 18, 7-nights / 6-days, 6 rods
May 2 – 9, 7-nights / 6-days, 10 rods
May 9 – 16, 7-nights / 6-days, 10 rods
May 16 – 23, 7-nights / 6-days, 8 rods
May 23 – 30, 7-nights / 6-days, 10 rods
Grey’s Point Bonefish Inn, Acklins Island
January 11 – 15, 4-nights /3-days, 8 rods
March 18 – 25, 7-nights / 6-days, 6 rods
April 22 – 29, 7-nights / 6-days, 8 rods
May 2 – 9, 7-nights / 6-days, 8 rods
May 9 – 16, 7-nights / 6-days, 8 rods
May 16– 23, 7-nights / 6-days, 8 rods
In addition to supporting the Bahamian people by spending money on a fishing trip, which is the start of the stability that many need to move forward, there is still a great need in general on both Abaco and Grand Bahama. During Evan’s visit, it became clear that in addition to Bahamians who are trying to rebuild their homes, there’s a second and third circle of needs for many living on Abaco and Grand Bahama. In other words, people may have their minimum needs met, but there are secondary needs that are important to the rebuilding process. Our continued support for our friends in the Bahamas is needed as mush now as it was right after the storm. The following is a quick update from our September 9, 2019 email highlighting the Hurricane Dorrian Relief funds that are in need of money to continue the direct support of the people of Abaco and Grand Bahama.
Air Flight Charters: https://www.gofundme.com/f/victims-of-hurricane-dorian-bahamas
The Delphi Club: https://www.gofundme.com/f/the-delphi-club-abaco-relief-fund
East End Lodge: https://www.gofundme.com/f/dorian-relief-effort-east-end-grand-bahama
H2O Bonefishing: https://www.gofundme.com/f/h2obonefishing-hurricane-dorian-recovery-fund
Please make note the currency is UK Pounds £
North Riding Point Club: The club is very fortunate to have a 501(c) (3) through which we can direct assistance allowing your donation to be tax- deductible. Issue checks to Amiable and mail to Amiable, Inc., c/o Mark Andrews, 755 Johnnie Dodds Blvd, Mt Pleasant, SC, 29464. Alternatively, if you would like to wire us funds send us an email and we will forward wiring instructions for Amiable’s 501(c) (3).
Stay tuned for a more detailed write upon Evan’s Abaco and Grand Bahama Trip after the holiday.
Happy Holidays from everyone here at Angler Adventures!
Playa Blanca
Based in South Africa, FlyCastaway offers 3 of the most sensational, cutting edge fly fishing destinations on the globe:
Tim Comstock & Mercedes Kornfeld have been hired as the General Managers at Turneffe Flats Resort in Belize, effective October 1st, 2013. For the past 6 years, Tim & Mercedes managed North Riding Point Club on Grand Bahama Island. No strangers to saltwater, they spent the majority of their careers running luxury charter yachts in the Caribbean; Tim as captain and Mercedes as chef. They are warm and welcoming hosts, eminently qualified, and well liked by the 100’s of traveling anglers they’ve served.
Replacing Tim and Mercedes at North Riding Point Club (NRPC) is veteran lodge manager Paul Adams. Originally from Indiana, Paul was raised in the Bahamas, while his parents managed Deep Water Cay from 1976 – 1984. Paul attended school in McLeans Town, where he became friends with many of the famous Grand Bahama Guides, including NRPC head guide, Stanley Glinton, who taught Paul how to pole a skiff. Paul’s fly fishing instructor at an early age was none other than well known sportsman and author, AJ McClane. Paul and his wife Alison also managed Deep Water Cay for 8 years, from 1996 – 2004. Paul’s local knowledge, hands on management style and angling experience make him the perfect choice for this position.
