In all sports there are venues that epitomize the very best aspects of the game. Wrigley Field, Churchill Downs, the Rose Bowl, and Madison Square Garden are all symbols of achievement and perfection. When you visit one of these landmarks you can feel the greatness in the air, and see the game played at its highest levels in a perfect environment. In the sport of fly fishing for bonefish, the area off north Andros known as the Joulters is one such place.
Joulters
The Joulters Cayes and their surrounding flats encompass nearly fifty square miles of shallow, wade able, bonefish infested flats. Many times you’ll find yourself in calf-deep water surrounded by schools of bonefish on a flat that runs as far as you can see. Saying that bonefishing is good in the Joulters is like calling Lefty Krey a decent caster. It’s simply as good as it gets.
In the Joulters fisherman have the chance to experience one of the most gratifying and exciting aspects of our sport – stalking bonefish on foot. Schools of 4 to 6 pound bones cruise mile after mile of hard bottom, shallow flats. Singles and doubles approaching ten pounds tail in water so clear you can see the whites of their eyes.
In addition to the Joulters, our location in Nichols Town gives us access to the fabled west side of Andros. The 100 mile-long, un-inhabited west-side is a remote wilderness that to this day has been fished by relatively few anglers. Many lodge clients on Andros have to endure a kidney pounding run of two hours or more to reach these waters. We can hit the west side easily from the Red Bay boat ramp, a short twenty-minute drive from the cottage, and be exploring the miles and miles of creeks and bays for big bones, permit and tarpon in thirty minutes.
Guides
Our guides could easily be mistaken for Key West captains with their Maverick Flats Boats, G-Loomis Rods, and Simms apparel. Their knowledge of the area is un-matched, and friendly, humorous personalities make them a blast to be around.
Lodging
We stay in clean, comfortable, air conditioned cottages in Nichols Town. Our meals are prepared by a local chef and served family style at the cottage. Each evening we’ll arrive back to cold Kaliks (the beer of the Bahamas) and appetizers. Dishes are prepared with local catches from the nearby reef and are sure to be a highlight of the trip.
Trip Leader
Oarsmen’s Steve Hoovler is the trip leader for our Andros program. Steve will be with you every step of the way on this saltwater adventure. From the time you step off the plane to the time you wash you rods and reels at the end of the trip, Steve will be there to make sure everything runs smoothly, and to deal with any un-expected hick-ups along the way.
What’s Included
This seven day Oarsmen Expedition includes 5 days of guided flats fishing, six nights of lodging in Nichols Town, all meals, and transportation from the San Andros airport.
What’s Not Included
Not included are international flights to Andros, bar tabs, and guide gratuities.
Rates & Dates
$2600 per person (based on double occupancy)
April, 2012