Bahamas 2024 – Day Zero

Zero is an appropriate way to describe the performance-service provided by Air Canada, but lets start off with what went well, and work from best to worst.

A++ the Ocean Breeze at our Exuma Cottage for 10 days

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Why the Bahamas calls us back every year.

A+ to Berlies Car Rental

In the Bahamas outer islands, there is no Avis, Enterprise or Hertz, and you rely upon independent family run companies, and in our case, we have been using Berlies (Exuma), and though we landed well after 8pm, they were there to get us our car (the last flights are normally finsihed well before 6pm)

Remember, like many transactons in the Outer Islands, it is a cash transaction. Bring cash.

Advice: Have the cell number(s) for all of your contacts, as texting (SMS) it the method of communications. Berlies, guides, et cetera ….
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B+ Toronto Alt Airport

As before, and as on this trip – fine.

As Air Canada flights to the Carribean leave Toronto in the morning, one must stay at a Toronto Airport hotel the night before. Other than the brief outside walk from the train to the hotel, it is convenient place to grab some sleep.

Oh yes, another negative mark to Air Canada …. they once flew between Ottawa and Toronto every hour, and thus allowing a late afternoon flight and arrive at the hotel before 10pm, but this is no longer available.

In continuation of noting the reduction of AC service, the previos trip (March) back from Sweden, my Ottawa to Toronto flight was cancelled and I was bumped to the end of the night return, and got home by midnight. In 2019, returning from Stockholm meant being home for dinner, today it means getting home at midnight.
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C- to BahamasAir

When we orignally book this flight, it was to take off at 3pm, so we could have had time to pick up groceries on our way to the cottage. But – between the booking and actual day of departure – BahamasAir change the schedule departures to 5pm. Sadly almost all afternoon-noon BahamasAir flights are schedule now from 4 to 5 now, so it is effectively impossible to get to the groceory store once you land.

And as they were more than two hours late, the stores were closed before we departed.

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D – Airport Security at Pearson

Between staff who cannot speak english clearly, nor agree amongst themselves how to handle the fly rods for hand inspection (rods do not fit in trays); and our checked in luggage was open for inspection but not properly closed-locked (fortunately, the suitacse did not break open before we fixed it), they did not shine.

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F to Air Canada for a Zero

1. Flight 940
   
2. Bad weather meant we sat in Toronto with the doors open at the gate for over two hours in seats with no entertainment, power or service.
   
   Obviosily Air Canada has no control over the weather (and this was a valid reason for a delay), with the doors open, the cabin crew does not get paid, and thus they refused to
   • provide water or any service
   • turn-on or reboot the enterainment set
   • address there was no power (charge the phone),
     
     and though the crew was not to be seen, other than sitting at the back or door, the pilot (or co-pilot) did walk back and was friendly,
     
3. Once, we took off, the cabine crew continue to refuse:
   
   • Provide service, including water; until the last 40 minutes (seat belt sign waas still on (and sadly they did not get back to the back of the plane before we begin the landing approcach)).
   • Answer or respond to a request for Service, but they did use the PA system to annouce, they will not provide service.
     
     setting in dead seats – no power or entertain system, but the safety video did play.
     
   • and for 2+ hours of the flight, they sat in the back of the plane

Now the pilot did advise they wanted to keep the seat belt sign on, in the event there was turbulence, but the ecomony cabin crew took this as the opportunity to say seated and do nothing. As you can see in see in the brief video, staff in Business Class did provide service and the flight was not turbulent.

As work relations between Air Canada management and their staff breaks down, so does the quality of service, and who suffers are the passengers.

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So my return from Sweden was rescueled-delayed.

This trip with no Service, oh yes the caterers were on strike for the return, but we did get water and the cabin crew was friendy.

And for the next trip for Judy and I – they cancelled the original flight to New Zealand (YVR to Auckland), but they did rebook us – me to the final destination (Queenstown via Virgin through Brisbane), but Judy was put on different flights with broken connections, leaving her stranded in Auckland. Yes, I did get it fixed, but not impressed.

So I am part of the Air Canda’s Million Mile Club, but I cannot sing their praises nor recommend Air Canada.

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🙂

Bahamas 2024, Day -1

Our sixth Bonefishing Trip to the Bahamas, starts tomorrow (tonight we head to Toronto) with our flight to the Bahamas. Note much has change from previous posts, but I note some changes and observations.

• Like many countries, including Canada, the government of Bahamas is expecting you to pre-check-in with their online “app” (Bahamas Exempt). Almost a VISA, but no fee. The App is fine, but expect 30 minutes to create an account and complete the authorization to enter.
  • All other forms, such as the fishing license (which was a debacle, when first introduce) is fine.
  • Remember Bahamas uses and prefers cash.
    
• Our spring – in eastern Ontario – is at least 2 weeks earlier this year.
  • Weather forecasting for the Bahamas is never great, but the 10 day forecast looks to be what we normally expect.
  • We picked this week for lowest tides.
    
• I will be testing out a new paid “app” called Navitide, whose closest station is on Long Island. I expect a 60+ minute lag.
  • This “app” is what we used for help confirm the dates, and it appears to be a good investment.
    
• Of late – assume to be a function of saving cost, shortage of planes and pilots, I have found my flights frequently reschedule, and this trip is no exception. We had originally expected to arrive in the Exumas before 4pm, which would allow us to get groceries, but the schedule was changed and added 2 hours, giving us a long pause in Nassau and we will not have enough time to get groceries. 😦
  
• The area around the cottage is building out, so we fear some of the past peace and quiet may be lost. I really enjoy doing nothing on the patio and then seeing the dark sky in solitude. So we will be exploring alternatives.
  • We are taking a cribbage board.
    
• No change in rods, reels, lines or flies. (One exception: A few right hand cast Alphexo flies in white)
  • I added a very small waterproof green LED light that I can wrap a pole, if we leave the kayaks on a bar in the evening.

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🙂

Bahamas 2023, Day 5 – Review of Reel Drags

On Day 5, I learnt the value of adjusting the drag during the fight, to protect the bonefish from a charging Blacktip Shark. We eventually landed and released the bonefish safely. Given this lesson, I have took note of the difference in drag adjustments, and thus my ranking on the drag capability of my reels.

The Bahamas standard reels and rods in bold

Daniellson L5W 8twelve (b8)

• Weight with Line: 12.0 ounces
• Default Line: (b8) RIO Bonefish Quickshooter
• Default Rod Match: TFO BVK 8wt
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• Ease to Access and Adjust Drag: Excellent, and though it is a small disc, it is easy to get to hold and adjust.
• Feedback: Excellent, with an audible click (thought quieter than CCF 2) and feel the click
• Adjustment Range: Excellent.
• Number of Turns from strong to very light drag: 3/4 (just right)
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• Handle: Very Good, solid, as it is comfortable and well shape with a nice pitch in the body.
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• Price: 239 USD (leader)

Nautilus CCF X2 8-10 (Turquiose)

• Weight with Line: 12.1 ounces
• Default Line: RIO Elite Permit 9
• Default Rod Match: Thomas Sextant 909
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• Ease to Access and Adjust Drag: Excellent with a substantial large knob.
• Feedback: Excellent, with an audible and you can feel the click.
• Adjustment Range: Excellent.
• Number of Turns from strong to very light drag: 3 (too many)
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• Handle Fine, but feels like toy plastic with a large swell end.
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• Price: 810 USD
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• One But: If you are fishing for large fish on light tippet, such as IGFA record hunting or nymphing for Steelhead, this fine adjustment should be coveted. But for Bonefishing with 12lb tippet, this fine adjustment is not necessary.

Einarsson 8 Plus

• Weight with Line: 11.3 ounces
• Default Line: RIO Flats Pro 9i
• Default Rod Match: Thomas Sextant 909
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  This reels was put in use to test out the Asquith 7wt with a RIO Elite Bonefish 7wt. As the rod is light, I have decided to buy a Danielsson F3W 7ten, and has since been repurposed to the Sextant.
  
• Ease to Access and Adjust Drag: Excellent
• Feedback: Excellent, with an audible and with a great good feel
• Adjustment Range: Excellent
• Number of Turns: <3/4
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• Handle: Fine, a solid barrel with minimal shaping.
  .
• Price: 700 USD
  .
  Trident reviews had report issues with start-up, but I have never experience this issue.

Islander AR LA 4W – open cork

• Weight with Line: 12.8 ounces
• Default Line: Cortland Bonefish 9
• Default Rod Match: Winston BL5 9wt
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• Ease to Access and Adjust the Drag: Very Good, with disc on the side of the winder’s hand
• Feedback: Good, with an uniform increase in tension
• Adjustment Range: Very Good
• Number of Turns: 1.5 (fine)
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• Handle Ok, but swell to the base a little too much.
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• Price: 624 USD for a LA4, but note AR model is discontinued.
  .
  Though I like this reel, Judy is not fond of the feel of an AR reel in a bonefish fight.

Nautilus CCF Original 10

• Weight with Line: 12.2 ounces
• Default Line: SA Bonefish 8wt
• Default Rod Match: Scott Meridan 8wt
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• Ease to Access and Adjust: Good, but large CCF-X2 is easier to grip.
• Feedback: Good, providing only tension (uniform)
• Adjustment Range: Excellent
• Number of Turns: 1.5 (fine)
  .
• Price: Discontinued many years ago.
  .
• Handle: Nice, similar to the Danielson and unlike it younger CCFs.

Abel SDS 11/12 Purple

• Weight with Line: 12.8 ounces
• Default Line: Cortland Crystal Tarpon F 11
• Default Rod Match: Scott Sector 11
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• Ease to Access and Adjust: Good, with a large diameter knob, but not easy to grab.
• Feedback: Good, providing a click with even tension (but a little stiff)
• Adjustment Range: Very Good
• Number of Turns: 7/8 (good)
  ..
• Price: 1225 USD in Black and the nice metal handle
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• Handle: Awesome ventilated metal handle with a nice flare and textured.

Nautilus NV-G 8/9 Orange

• Weight with Line: 10.8 ounces (good)
• Default Line: SA Bonefish 8wt
• Default Rod Match: Scott Meridan 8wt
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• Ease to Access and Adjust: Fair. Knob is little smaller than the CCF Original and smoother,
• Feedback: Good, but click and tension is not there for the full range.
• Adjustment Range: Just Good Enough
• Number of Turns: 3/4 (good)
  .
• Price: Discontinues in early 2022
  ,
• Handle: Fine, but feels like toy plastic with a large swell end.

……………………………………. add for 2024 …..

Danielsson F3W 7ten (add after the trip)

• Weight with Line: 9.3 ounces (really good)
• Default Line: SA Bonefish 7wt
• Default Rod Match: Loos Asquith 7wt 7wt
  .
• Ease to Access and Adjust Drag: Excellent, and though it is a small disc, it is easy to get to hold and adjust.
• Feedback: Very Good, with an audible click and feel the click. Tension is noticable at the end.
• Adjustment Range: Excellent, and I may re-adjust the idsks to lower it.
• Number of Turns from strong to very light drag: 3/4 (just right)
  .
• Handle: Very Good, solid, as it is comfortable and well shape with a nice pitch in the body.
  .
• Price: 189 USD (a great buy)

The Best for me in Each Group

• Ease to Access and Adjust: Tie: Nautilus CCF-2, Danielsson
• Feedback: Tie, Nautilus CCF-X2, Danielsson, Einarsson
• Adjustment Range: Danielsson, Einarsson, Nautilus CCF-*, Islander, Abel
• Number of Turns: Danielsson, Einarsson, Abel, Nautilus NV-G
  .
• Handle: Abel, but second Danielsson and the old Nautilus CCF.

In summary, all of these reels are up to the job, but the price of a Danielsson direct from the Sweden manufacturing makes this reel attractive, so I continue to see Danielsson as the best reel for the job.

But if you need some thing custom colour, then look to Nautilis CCF-X2

And why a custom colour? Well, it helps when you have more than one rod in the boat, rigged differently, to say, pick up the “blue reel”, versus get the Thomas 9wt.

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some distorted panoramas from the Airport Flats

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🙂

Bahamas 2023, Day 4 – Left and Right Handed Crab

When you are fishing off the boat, you are more likely to cast

• Left (Port, 9-12 o’clock)) if you are right handed
• Right (Starboard, 12-3 o’clock)) if you are left handed

If you believe the crab should be facing the bonefish on the retrieve, then eye and claw orientation is important, if you are doing a side placement.

Not thinking about this, I went to the Bahamas with just left handed crabs, as illustrated below.

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and though I saw some large crabs with Blue, what I saw where white crabs that blended into the background of the light white sand of the Exumas.

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If we look at the fly above, the leg and body natural crabs were close to the white chenille and crab legs, and the body is generally too dark.

The size of this fly (body diameter is just over 1″ / 2.5cm) was fine.

So my next set for the Exumas, will have:

• Light-White Body, Legs and Craws
• Very small eyes
• Tied for left and right casting.
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The Exuma Airport Flats, where I studied the crabs.

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🙂

Bahamas 2023, Day 3 – Polar Charlie and …

Pretty simple – we fished 3 fly patterns, but the majority of the time was the Polar Charlie from the boat.

the fly	Bead Chain	Small Weight
Polar Charlie	Yes	Yes
Flats Fiend	Yes	Yes
Rabbit Shrimp	Yes	No

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Of note:

• All flies were white
• Tippet was Seaquar 12lb
• After the tenth fish, we found “the wings” excessively chewed up and we need to replace them
• Lost two flies in trip, break off in the fight: One broke near the knotand the another 2′ in the 12# tippet.
• We effectively never had to replace a leader, but some leader maintenance was required

Some past images, showing what we did fish.

Number 1 – the Polar Charlie – weighted (as shown)

Though we call this a “Charlie”, but recognizing I prefer a mylar body without a plastic rib, it is closer related to it younger sibling the gotcha.

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Number 2 – Flats Field with polar bear wing

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Number 3 – Rabbit Shrimp in Bead Chain

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We did see small white crabs being active, and though not fished, I would consider them

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Not fished but glad, I had it – tan Flat fiend or Charlie (as below) for the mangroves

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Q: Do I believe I missed anything out on the water?

A: Yes, I am thinking about a waterproof sling (a replacement to my trusted fishpond hip pack), so when I wade deep as I walk out, I not bothered with drying everything else at the end of day.

Summary

This years fishing proved the axiom, it is not the fly, but the presentation.

What is required for the Exumas

• One of each fly for every day fishing – 3 minimum, 5 maximum for a week.
• Add a tan polar charlie, when in a colour mangrove

So what do we need to have? A 6 position Myran Box from Sweden – in each section, 4 white, and one tan fly of.

• Group 1: 5 Unweighted Flies
• Group 2: 5 Bead Chain Rabbit Shrimp
• Group 3: 5 Bead Chain Polar Charlies
• Group 4: 5 Bead Chain Flats Fiend
• Group 5: 5 Weighted Polar Charlie
• Group 6: 5 Weighted Flat Fiend

Carry-On, flies were inspected and passed through security with no problem

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A left handed crab

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My favourite time to hunt for bonefish, as the sun is low.

🙂

Bahamas 2023 Day 2, Rod & Line Review

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As previously stated in this blog, most internet reviews are useless and google hits are crammed with useless reviews and ratings. What is the difference then:

• I am not generating traffic or revenue, so I am not moderated in voicing an opinion. Though, by my nature, I will likely only discuss the good.
• I will not to do a review until it has been used. Of course, this means some of my reviews are based on products that are discontinued (and only available as used)

So our goto rods on this trip, with the typical rigging …

• Loomis Asquith 7wt – Danielsson F3W 7ten Black with RIO Elite Bonefish 7wt + long leader with a bead chain fly (though I started with an Einarsson 8plus reel), for light presentations to tailing bonefish.
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• Scott Meridan 8wt – Nautilus Reel NVG-G Orange with SA Bonefish 8wt + long leader with a bead chain fly. Either wading or on the boat, this is the universal does everything well setup.
• Scott Meridan 8wt – Nautilus Reel CCF Black with SA Bonefish 8wt + long leader with a bead chain fly.
• The Scott’s well handle a weighted fly well, but as we are more likely to fish a weighted fly off the boat (were only one casts), we keep on the boat the next rod rigged with a weighted fly.
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• TFO BVK 8wt – Danielsson L5W 8twelve Grey with a RIO Bonefish Quickshooter with a weighted fly and well suited for casting into the wind off the bow off a boat.
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• Thomas Sextant 9wt – Nautilus Turquoise CCF-X2 8-10 with a RIO Elite Permit 9wt with a weight fly.
  .

Loomis Asquith 7wt for Bonefish

Lighter than the classic Scott Meridian 8wt, and it is a great bonefish flats (wading rod) and with a good caster, you can manage the winds on the flats, so highly recommended.

As it is a light rod, think about a light reel – such as a Danielsson F3W 7ten.

Though the RIO Elite Bonefish 7wt line is a heavy 7wt, I find it is a very good match and the best of the three lines I have trialed for a light presentation.

The SA Amplitude Bonefish 7wt is true 7wt, and it is fine with the Asquith, but requires a little more power to drive, and thus it is not the right line for me, considering I want this line for light presentations. I would add the tip of the SA Bonefish is a little shorter than its bigger brother the 8, and may contributed to what I sense as a heavier presentation.

Acceptable – and will be used as a backup – is my older Airflo Clear Tip 7WF floating line.
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Loomis 1990s GL3 4pc versus a 2023 Asquith

I have 3 7wts

• 1990s Fenwick 7wt 2pc HMG that is easy to load and cast, that is a fantastic fun rod to fish streamers for trout. It was under-powered for me (then) to cast large small-mouth deer hair poppers, so I bought the GL3.
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• 1990s Loomis 7wt 4pc GL3. This was the first rod, I bought at a fly fishing store (American Angling in New Salem, NH, USA) after test casting many rod. It is has been used for many years, and starting to show its age with dirty cork and the black reel seat is bronzing from the sun.
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  For Bonefishing it is a good rod with the RIO Elite 7wt Bonefish, as I can lay down a good presentation at 30′ and the power to get more than 60+ feet out.
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• 2023 Loomis 7wt 4pc Asquith is a great rod, but here is the challenge, is it better than my nearly 30 year old rod GL3? Yes, but only at the edges. At 30′ to 60′ they are near equals, with the ability to get the fly out and gently laid down the line and fly. Though, the light Asquith with a little more bend and has a fast recovery tip, I can present the fly with greater accuracy when the target is closer than 30′ and greater than 65′, which is not a frequent demand.
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  Lesson a great rod from the 1990s is still a great rod in the 2020s. Yes, there are some advantages with the “latest and greatest”, but not substantial.
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Scott Merdian 8wt and SA Bonefish

A great rod, and I can echo all the great things that have been said about this classic (and discontinued) rod.

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TFO BVK 8wt and RIO 8wt Quickshooter

Another discontinued that is a great rod good to punch into the wind. As you were able to buy a blank, I built this rod with Single-Foot Guides and nice barrel grip with quality cork, making this a great rod.
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The Thomas Sextant 9wt and the RIO Elite Permit and Flats Pro

I do agree with Trident that the 9wt is an excellent rod (they consider it the best out of the series), but I disagree with their recommendation with this stiffer tip to use the Grand Slam to compensate. I found the Cortland Bonefish 9wt (a true 9wt) and the RIO Elite Permit 9wt (heavy) performed really well.

As the Sextant can bend deep and has some power in reserve, so using a heavy RIO Elite Flats Pro WF9 and WI10 performed well. So whether it was a light Cortland Bonefish 9wt or a heavy RIO Flat Pro WF10I, I was able to 80′ of fly line out. So in IMHO, this is a “smashing” flexible rod:

• Thomas Sextant listed Grain Window: Not Stated
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• Cortland Bonefish 9wt – 220 grains at 30′ (measured) – Excellent and light
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• RIO Elite Permit 9wt – Green-Yellow – 270 grains at 30′ – Excellent
• RIO Elite Flats Pro 9wt – 280 grains at 30′ – Excellent
• RIO Elite Flats Pro 10 wt – 330 grains at 30′ – Good, but I like the 9wt better.
  .
  If you were only casting from a boat, and not having to pick up and re-cast, then the WF10 can the better choice, but I would be inclined to try the 9wt BoneFish Quicklshooter first.
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• RIO Bonefish Quickshooter 9wt – 300 grains at 30′ – not tested, but expect it would be good
• RIO Elite Bonefish 9wt – 260 grains at 30′ – not tested, but I suspect it would be good.
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• SA Bonefish 9wt – 240 grains at 30′ – not tested, but probably great when wading a flat.
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• SA Grand Slam 9wt – 270 grains at 30′ – no, as it does not feel good (to heavy at tip). This is not about the weight, but about the line design,

In conclusion: This rod is a cannon, thus when I am on the the Boat and want to cast a weighed crab, I would use RIO Elite Permit WF9 or RIO Flats Pro WF9I, but walking the flats and wanting a softer presentation then use a true 9wt line.

And though it can be over-weighted, and you bend deeper into the lower belly of the rod, you lose some speed from the fast recovery tip. If you were double-haul casting long lines into no wind, overlining with a competition is fine, but otherwise do not exceed the grain window too much.
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A look at line listed weights – lines available from 6 to 10wt

Line	Line (wt)	Head (Grains)
AFFTM Standard	6	160
	7	185
	8	210
	9	240
	10	280
SA Amplitude Bonefish * True Weight	6	160
	7	185
	8	210
	9	240
SA Grand Slam * series typically 1 wt heavy	6	180
	7	205
	8	235
	9	270
	10	320
RIO Elite Bonefish * series typically 1 wt heavy	6	200
	7	198
	8	225
	9	160
RIO Elite Flats Pro * series typically <0.5 wt heavy	6	185
	7	210
	8	240
	9	280
	10	330
RIO Elite Permit * series heavy, <1 wt	8	230
	9	270
	10	316
RIO Quickshooter * series typically 1 wt heavy	6	200
	7	215
	8	260
	9	300
Airflo Clear-Tip * series typically 0.5+ wt heavy	7	200
* Though it feels cast 1wt heavy	8	225
	9	259
	10	306

And though not listed, there is also the Cortland Bonefish lines to, which I have experienced as true weight lines.

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SIMMS Rod Vault – Carry Case (see Day 0)

🙂

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Bahamas 2023 Day 1, Cameras

	Still Image Q	Conv	Crtl	View	Survival
Nikon Coolpix	Low	A+	C-	C-	B
SeaLife	Good	A+	C+	C-	A
iPhone	Very Good	B	B	B	C
Samsung Tablet	Poor	F	C-	B+	D
Nikon DSLR	Excellent	D	A+	A+	D
GoPro 2019	Fair (exc video)	A	C-	C-	A

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• Image Q – Image Quality
• Conv – Convenience in a fly fishing pack
• Controls – Ability to adjust exposure
• View – ability to frame the picture
• Survivability – Not accounting for a drop in the sea,

Sample images

Nikon Coolpix – I no longer use this camera

Sealife

• ISO 125, 11.6mm, f 8, 1/1250 sec
• Image was too dark (as a result of my setting of -1EV), so in post-processing, LR Exposure adjustment of +1 applied.
  .
• Pro: Survival in a harsh environment.
• Con: The camera’s view screen is “bleached out” in the sun.

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The tones are blue (fine) and does not have the sharp-contrast that you get with a iphone without post-processing, but it is easy to access and will survive a drop, and even will allow you take images under the water.

If there is an major issue, it is hard to see the screen with a bright backlight (sun).

iPhone 12

• ISO 32, 4.2mm, f1.6, 1/4800sec
  .
• Pro: Great images (from post processing)
• Con: Must be treated kindly to avoid environmental damage.

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The iphone (algorithms) are quite impressive and creates magnificent snapshots, but it will not survive a drop in the sea, so I keep it in a Sealine case, making it slow and sticky to get out, and not really practical if you are by yourself and trying to photograph with a fish on the line.

Samsung Tablet

• Image is bleached and shows limited dynamic range.
  .
• Pro: If you have the tablet on hand (reading or scanning), then it is convenient.
• Con: Poor quality and control.

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Nikon D600 – shot in jpg

• ISO 100, Zeiss Distagon 25mm, f9, 1/250sec
• No post processing adjustments were made

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The quality is more than you need to post snapshots, but the images are better, and the default *.jpg compression does not create the “edgy” look of the iphone.

No doubt, greater control, but it is big and not practical on the flats, unless you are taking extraordinary measures to protect the camera.

and what about the GoPro – It is a video camera that can take stills, but as illustrated below it does lack sharpness and it colour compression algorithm is not strong. Never-the-less, it is small, waterproof and has poor controls for stills.

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🙂

Bahamas 2023 Day 0, Travel to Bahamas

Travel arrangements to George Town, Exuma Bahamas are limited, and frankly a same day arrival is risky from Canada, unless you live in Toronto.

Flights to George Town, Exuma Bahamas

Air Canada	Toronto	9:30 -> 13:00	Just Sundays
American Airlines	Miami	10:11 > 11:34 13:47 > 15:00	Twice Daily
Delta	Atlanta	11:10 > 13:30	Daily
Air Canada to Nassau	Toronto	11:00 > 14:10	Daily in Winter
BahamasAir	Nassau	06:45 on MT….Sun 09:15 on M…… 14:00 on M.W…. 16:45 on .TWT,S. 17:00 on ……Sun 17:25 on .Tue….. 17:30 on M.W.F.. 17:45 on …..F	2-4 Flights a Day

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Simplified times in the above table reflects a travel date of Thursday April 27th or Sunday April 30th, and subject to change!

Oh yes, the disadvantage of a Sunday trip is that the grocery store closes at 3pm …. so it is a tight race from landing, clearing customs, getting a car and getting to the grocery store before it closes.

I have to add these tables were hard to create. In the days of Hipmunk – seeing alternate and multiple flights was a simple and reliable search; but now most search engines are driven by commercial interests for ticket sales and advertising. Some tools, such as “flight connections” and “AMEX Canada” are slow (consume CPU) and inaccurate as they feed their un-identified commercial bias (or frankly poor programming)..

From BahamasAir, their April 2023 schedule from Nassau to George Town, Bahamas,

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A Bahamian Air alternative is also Western Air.

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And if you are going from South Andros, you would also use Western Air from Nassau.

As a Canadian using a US Airport to get to Bahamas is not complicated, but as for transit point back to Canada, it is time-consuming as TSA has in the past make you re-check-in from scratch. (My last trip using Newark from Stockholm, required almost 2 hours to retrieve my bags, exit customs and immigration, re-check-in, change terminals, get new boarding passes (they do not trust foreign printed boarding passes) and then security and this is with virtually no lines using pre clearance and Priority lines).

Anyway, flying to an Out-Island (anything other than Nassau) needs to be seen as an adventure.

Canada Airport Security – Rods and Flies

• Carrying On Rod-Reels and Lines and Bonefish Flies – no problems, but I was subjected to detailed screening in all cases, including, have everything pulled out (every rod section, reel), et cetera, do not be surprise with a slow inspection.
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• If wearing a medical device, remember to wear loose clothes so they can get easy assess to it, so they can take a contact test. In this case, my LifeStyle Blood Meter was poked off, by an apologetic (and kind) security agent.

Air Canada and Toronto

As a frequent business traveler, I am aware and proven again on this trip, Air Canada is over-routing flights to Toronto, so Pearson Airport (Toronto) is chaos, where as Ottawa is very quiet. All but one of my flights since 2022 has encountered delays getting to Toronto or leaving Toronto (from 10 to 50 minutes) because of heavy travel, with the reasons stated ….

• No gates available, so we sit waiting in the plane at Toronto (10 to 30 minutes)
• No space available, so we wait in the plane to depart, until Toronto approves take-off. (20 minutes)
• Plane is late, so we stand-sit waiting to board. (10-40 minutes).
  
  So if you are travelling through Toronto – until Air Canada smartens up – plan for a lost of an hour, and hope all you lose is an hour.
  
  I have not experience similar delays with other airlines in Stockholm, London, Olso, Copenhagen and Newark.
  
  My message to Air Canada is – if you treat Ottawa as a satellite end-point, with the expectation we will use Toronto, I actually have more choices to other airlines and other airports, specifically Newark and Chicago (who has many direct flights to the Nordic locations I frequent).

ALT Hotel at Pearson

We continue to happily use the ALT Hotel – close to the Airport Tram (3rd stop from T1) – as our morning staging point from Toronto.

Bias declared: I do not like <7am flights from home airport, as it means I am arising by 3:30am and disturbing good sleep.

SIMMS Case Review

It is a nice harden bag that protects rods and reels, even if check-in, but has three limits.

• Reels space is a little too tight for salt large reels, another 1/2″ would be good
• Getting the advertise 6 rods, if for the salt is over-packing, were 5 is a good tight fit.

Arrival Times in George Town, Bahamas

If you need to get a grocery store, many stores are open to 6pm, except Sunday. On Sunday, you have to 3pm to get to Exuma Market in George-Town, about a 20 minute drive from the airport.

Eventually we arrive at the cottage, relax have a swim in the sea and wash up to get the grim of travel off.

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Last tip – expect all transactions to be in cash

Lets just say, the family at the car rental before us was having challenges, as the AMEX transaction to book the car did not go through (and would not clear for another 2 days). I will add, I have also experience AMEX errors not releasing the cash and being shocked at airport counter or at the hotel check-in.

Where-as in Sweden all transactions are on plastic, but be prepared all transactions on an Out-Island is in cash.

🙂

Bahamas 2023 Day -1, Bonefish Rod & Reels being taken

Rod	Reel	Line	Spare Line
Loomis Asquith 7wt	Danielsson F3W 7ten	RIO Elite Bonefish 7wt	Airflo Clear Tip 7wt
Scott Meridian 8wt	Nautilus CCF 10 Black	SA Amplitude Bonefish 8wt	RIO Bonefish
Scott Meridian 8wt	Nautilus NV-G 8 Orange	SA Amplitude Bonefish 8wt	Cortland Bonefish 8wt
TFO BVK 8wt	Danielsson L5W 8twelve Grey	RIO Quickshooter 8wt	Airflo Clear Tip 8wt
Thomas Sextant 9wt	Nautilus CCF-X2 810 Turquoise	RIO Elite Permit 9F	RIO Flats Pro 9i
Guideline RSi 11wt *	Danielsson L5W 8twelve Grey	Monic Phantom Tip 11wt	none*

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Table shows updates made since th trip
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• Rods were taken in a SIMMs’ Rod Vault, a review will be posted soon.
• I was not 100% sure on the best fly line for the Thomas Sextant, so I took many to test. More to be posted withing the week.
• Fitting in the 6th rod and reels was a challenge, so at the last moment, I removed the Guideline RSi and reel.
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• Post-Trip Update: Next year, I am likely to make the following tweaks
  • Loomis Asquith 7wt gets a Danielsson F5W 7ten (done).
  • Einarsson 8plus will be respooled with a Flat Pro 9 Intermediate Tip Line (done)
  • Nautilus CCF-X2 810 will be re-spooled with a RIO Elite Permit WF9 (done).
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the core saltwater reels, left to right, but we took the five (5) on the left

• Danielsson F3W 7ten with RIO Elite Bonefish 7wt for the Loomis Asquith 8wt
  • Initially we started with an Einarsson 8plus
• Nautilus NV-G 89 Orange with SA Bonefish 8wt for Scott Meridian 8wt
• Nautilus CCF 10 with SA Bonefish 8wt for Scott Meridian 8wt
• Danielsson L5W 8twelve with RIO Quickshooter 8wt for the TFO BVK 8wt
• Nautilus CCF-X2 810 Turquoise with RIO Elite Permit 9wt for a Thomas Sextant 9wt
• Danielsson L5W 8twelve with Monic 11wt for the Guideline RSi 11wt
• Abel SDS 1112 with a Cortland 11 Tarpon for the Scott Sector 11wt.

In the future, if I find a nice green or red reel Nautilus CCF-X2, I may pick this up to replace the black Nautilus CCF to help with on boat identification.
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🙂
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Bonefish 2023: Day -14

And this year, we will keep a rod ready for barracuda.

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🙂