Fishipedia Report: Mount Pleasant Lodge, Andros – Day 6
Alone With the Bones: One angler, one week, alone on the flats of Andros Island. The sixth of seven reports, in which Rory Batho serializes his week spent fishing the waters around Mount Pleasant Lodge, Bahamas
Day 6: A final cast, a final surprise
My last day on Andros and there’s just time to grab an hour or two on the White Bight before heading back to Nassau and onwards.
Now, if there’s one thing I like more than bonefish tailing in the evening sun, it’s bonefish tailing in the morning sun. After the fireworks of the day before, my thinking was that pretty much any fish today would be a bonus. When I arrived on the White Bight, with the tide just starting to flood, there were tails everywhere, as groups of happy fish rooted about up against the mangroves.
As if that wasn’t enough, it turns out that Andros Island had saved one last treat for me. Sure, I caught a couple of solid fish which was a great finale in itself, but something else really iced this particular cake.
Having caught sight of what I thought was a huge tailing bonefish up against the mangroves, I made way over. With every step, the tail seemed to grow impossibly large, before it morphed into two tails, then three, then four. On closer inspection, it turned out to be two nurse sharks, wallowing in the shallows.
Seemingly oblivious to my presence, they cavorted for about 10 minutes in what looked like some kind of courtship ritual. Not being an expert in the mating habits of sharks, I couldn’t be sure of course. But they definitely weren’t feeding. (I had to wait until I returned home to discover that nurse sharks do indeed mate in shallow waters, returning to the same spot every year to repeat the process).
To have been lucky enough to stumble upon such an event is one thing – for it to be pretty much the last thing you see before heading for home is unforgettable. It was like having my own personal encore.
But then it was time to wave goodbye. Goodbye to the White Bight and its resident bonefish. Goodbye to Stacey and her cooking, goodbye to Lynden, goodbye to the two-bedroom cottage I’d made my home, goodbye to swinging in a hammock at the end of a day watching the sun set over the top of Kalik bottle, goodbye to waking up every day with that sense of optimism and promise that you only really get on a fishing trip.
Time to start planning the next trip.
Check out other instalments from Alone with the Bones:
Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4, Day 5, The Journey Home
Very much enjoyed your report! having fished Kamalame twice now, I am seeking alternative ways of experiencing the incredible bonefishing, both guided and not, on Andros. Funny you mention, Lynden as he was our taxi driver duing our stay. Great guy! If you had to do it again, what would you differently? Based on your observations, would your trip be based on “falling” tides?
Hi Glenn,
Thanks for that – glad you enjoyed it! It’s certainly a special place and one I can’t recommend highly enough.
If you’re looking for ways to mix and match with guided and unguided, it’s perfect – the folks at Mount Pleasant can set you up with a guide for a few of your days, all of them or none of them, whatever you like.
Good question about what I would do differently. Like most people, in the last I’ve often concentrated on finding a rising tide – waiting for it to flood and looking for the bones coming onto it. This was the first occasion where the geography of the fishery so clearly dictated that you should do the opposite. It took me a couple of days to suss that out. Don’t get me wrong, there were plenty of fish to be found on a rising tide too, particularly just as it started to flood into the huge mangrove network where the fish are so keen to be.
But the best fun was on a falling tide – there were particular entry/exit points and channels the fish used, and seeing them come steaming out of there in big schools was spectacular.
Other things I’d do differently: The fish are much harder to catch on the bright white sand in the middle of the Bight, even though (or more likely because) they’re easier to spot. I’d like to have done better out there – next time I’d try a longer leader and crouching down more to minimize visibility. I’d also definitely have a cuda rod at the ready (there are plenty of them about). Oh, and pack a bottle of rum (it’s expensive in the local store).
As for Lynden – a terrific guy. As I was the only guest for most of the week, I had the pleasure of shooting the breeze with him over dinner most evenings. Great fun.
All the best, and don’t hesitate to get in touch if there’s anything else you want to know.
Rory
Hey Rory,
Haven’t been back here for awhile. Thank you for the info! When I spoke to our guide Solomon Murphy, he said liked very early morning highs so that we could fish the falling tide which is consistent with what you describe. On one of our trips, I know we lost some beauties when they simply ran into the mangroves when the tide was up. I don’t know when my wife and I will be back to Andros but I hope it is soon. A buddy and I are visiting Christmas Island for the first time next October. After all of my hyping of the wily bonefish, he hopes to catch his first one then. We’ll have plenty of shots as we’ll both be wading the flats simultaneously.
Thanks agan,
Glenn
Looking forward to hearing about the Christmas Island trip. That’s one for the bucket list! Tight lines Glenn…
Hi Rory,
I’m heading back to Mt. Pleasant for a second visit, this one for a full week. I’ve enjoyed reading about your trip last year, and chuckle as I recall learning and experiencing much like you did. If you like, I’ll keep you posted on how next week goes!
Mark
Hi Mark,
I’m more than a little jealous, I can’t deny it. I’m hoping to get back in the near future myself. It’s a truly special place.
Would absolutely love to hear how you get on on the trip. If you fancy sending over some pics, I’ll happily post them on the site for you.
Be sure to send my best to Stacey, Lynden and the rest of the family.
All the best
Rory
PS Take one off the White Bight for me!