Previous bonefishing experience unnecessary but to avoid disappointment you must be a competent fly-caster.

BfG (Bonefish Graham) will be hosting the following Bonefish Adventure Holidays during the next 12 months...
 

There are currently no vacancies during our Winter 2010 trip.
If you would like to be considered should a vacancy occur due to a cancellation, please phone Graham to discuss.
 

Alternatively, we have limited availability next Spring...

Until paid in full, holiday prices may be subject to surcharges of up to 15% being made towards increased costs beyond our control.
Single person supplements are not normally charged providing you are willing to share.
Non-angling partners use the same facilities as anglers and therefore pay the same rates.

All holiday package prices are in GB Pounds. To convert to another currency click here.

   Transfers between Governor's Harbour Airport and the accommodation
   7 nights Accommodation (normally at Rainbow Inn)
   7 days Meals (breakfast & dinner)
   7 days use of Rental Cars (normally 2 share each car)
   6 days* fly fishing for bonefish including one day accompanied by BfG
   BfG’s "Rainbow Guide to Fly-fishing for Bonefish on Eleuthera"
   Tide charts, maps, daily help and advice regarding tackle selection, fishing locations and tactics.

* depending on your flight schedules, you may also have time to fish for a few hours on your arrival and/or departure day.

14 night holidays include........

   Transfers between Governor's Harbour Airport  and the accommodation
   14 nights Accommodation (normally at Rainbow Inn)
   14 days Meals (breakfast & dinner)
   14 days use of Rental Cars (normally 2 share each car)
   13 days* fly fishing for bonefish including at least one day accompanied by BfG)
   BfG’s "Rainbow Guide to Fly-fishing for Bonefish on Eleuthera"
   Tide charts, maps, daily help and advice regarding tackle selection, fishing locations and tactics.

* depending on your flight schedules, you may also have time to fish for a few hours on your arrival and/or departure day.

Prices do not include...

Flights, travel insurance, fishing tackle, fuel for cars, drinks, snacks, lunches, tips and anything not specifically included above.

THE FISHING

With the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Bight of Eleuthera on the other, the two shorelines of Eleuthera offer a variety of wadeable flats suited to fly fishing for bonefish, therefore we can virtually guarantee bonefish to cast to every day regardless of the conditions. Furthermore, all the places we fish are accessed by road without the additional expense of renting boats or hiring guides. However, if you would like to employ a local guide for one or more days we will be happy to arrange this. Charters are also available for blue-water or bottom fishing.

When you arrive on Eleuthera, or on your first full day at Rainbow Inn, one of us (usually Graham) will show you where to find bonefish and how to fish for them (we don't just give you a car and a map!) In fact most anglers catch a bone or two on their first day with us. We mainly wade the shallow flats, sight-casting flies to bonefish of up to 6lb (and often bigger) in warm crystal clear water less than knee deep. We are familiar with how and when the tides and weather conditions affect the different fishing locations on Eleuthera (which is around 100 miles long and averages 2 miles wide) and will suggest which areas to visit each day. Without this help you would probably not find the right location to suit the ever changing conditions!

Other species you can catch on fly include barracuda, pompano, blue runners, bar jacks, cowfish, grouper, triggerfish, mangrove snappers, mutton snappers, lemon sharks and occasional permit and tarpon. Bait fishing is discouraged for several reasons but spinning or plug casting can be effective for barracuda etc. However, we ask that you do not use those methods near anglers who are fly fishing. During our last 27 trips only one of our clients failed to catch a bonefish on fly, even though many were not experienced bonefishers.

You don’t need any experience of bonefishing but to maximise your time with us you should at least be a competent fly-caster who can double-haul and cast reasonably well in windy conditions. You also need to be over 18, able-bodied, and want to stalk and sight-cast to bonefish on the flats. All bonefishing is strictly catch & release and we insist that you only use barb-less or de-barbed hooks.

On average we catch well over 100 bonefish each trip, mainly in the 2lb to 6lb range but with an occasional whopper and most of us come home with stories of even bigger ones that got away!

ACCOMMODATION, MEALS & DRINKS

You will stay in a comfortable air-conditioned en-suite twin bedded room in a villa at Rainbow Inn. A double room may be available on request. Full breakfasts and dinners are included in our holiday packages. Breakfasts are served in our villa, dinners are either served in our villa or in the famous Rainbow Inn's restaurant, where twice a week you will be entertained by Eleuthera's famous "Dr Sea Breeze" and his guitar. A wide range of wine, mixed drinks, cocktails & beers are available at the Inn's "Nautical Bar". Beer, spirits, soft drinks & snacks can also be purchased locally and kept in our large fridge/freezer. Tea & coffee making facilities are also freely available in the villa. Coolers are provided so that you can take cold drinks and picnic lunches to the fishing locations each day. Please be advised that smoking is not allowed in the accommodation or restaurant.

AMENITIES (ON SITE)

Eleuthera is a “Quiet Zone” - You won't find a phone or TV in your room! Other modern amenities you won't get are daily newspapers, room service, fast-food and jet-skis!

However, while staying with us, you will be free to enjoy the Rainbow Inn's facilities which include...

   Freshwater swimming pool
   Hammocks
   Bicycles
   Tennis courts
   Snorkeling equipment
   And of course some beautiful Caribbean sunsets!  

STUFF YOU WILL NEED

PASSPORT: Please ensure that it is valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of your return flight.
CASH: $200 - $250 (US Dollars) per person, per week to pay for fuel, snacks, drinks & tips.
CREDIT CARD: for medical emergencies. A Debit Card is also useful in case you need extra cash (there are several banks and ATMs on the island).
DRIVING LICENCE: Because all the bonefish flats are accessed by road, it is preferable that most anglers in our group are prepared to drive one of the rented cars.
EQUIPMENT: 9ft #8 or #8/9 fly rod, disc-drag reel loaded with 200yds backing and a weight-forward floating fly line, bonefish flies (de-barbed), tapered leaders 10 to 15lb with stiff butts (fluorocarbon preferred), 10 or 12lb fluorocarbon tippet material, polarised glasses & disgorger or forceps.
CLOTHING & PROTECTION: Neoprene booties for wading, socks to wear in booties, short & long lightweight trousers, short & long-sleeve lightweight shirts, lightweight waterproof jacket, flats hat or cap with long peak, insect repellent and waterproof sunscreen (we use Boots Soltan or Avon Bronze sunscreen and after-sun lotions which contain insect repellent!).
FLIGHTS: You will need to arrive at Governor's Harbour International Airport (GHB) on the Saturday. If traveling from Europe this is best achieved by traveling to Nassau or the USA on the Friday and staying in a hotel overnight. See "Other Information" below or click here.  
TRAVEL INSURANCE: It is a requirement of our Booking Terms & Conditions that you have adequate travel insurance including cover for medical emergencies and cancellations. We suggest that you arrange this at the same time as booking your flights, or as soon as possible afterwards.

STUFF YOU MAY NEED

Fly tying equipment?
Stripping gloves (also for sun protection)?
"Reefs" (sandals that won't fall apart if they get wet)?
Camera?
Tape measure?
Hook sharpener?
Compass?
Hand held GPS?
After-sun lotion?
Spinning tackle?
Car top rod carriers (either magnetic or suction)?
Torch (flashlight)?
Spare fly tackle (rod, reel, line etc)?
Ladies may also want to bring a 110V hairdryer and travel iron?
Casting lessons? Learn to double-haul? (see below)
Mobile phone? click here for more info.  

CASTING

Generally speaking you will not need to cast long distances very often. However, the ability to cast quickly and accurately is very important, and if you can cast 80ft in windy conditions while up to your knees in water then you will have a big advantage! Most of the time you will be stalking or ambushing fish in water less than 15" deep so stealth, speed and accuracy are more important than distance. You also need to be familiar with your equipment so that you can cast automatically without taking your eye off the fish. Learn to cast by "feel" rather than turning to look at your back-cast. Therefore, to get the best value out of your bonefishing holiday, we suggest you prepare for it by improving and practicing your fly casting technique...

Start off by casting into a stiff breeze without taking your eyes off a target 40ft away - then try again with the wind on your left shoulder, then your right shoulder, then with the wind directly behind you. Easy? Now kneel on the ground and start all over again! This will roughly simulate the mechanics of casting to a cruising bonefish while up to your knees in water on a windy flat (but without the adrenaline rush!) It's important that you can cast while keeping your eyes on the target because bonefish are hard enough to see at the best of times and are constantly changing direction, so if you take your eyes of the fish for just a second you may not locate them again. If you can't do all of the above quickly and efficiently then you need to improve your technique. Don't make the common mistake of rushing out to buy a more expensive rod - it won't turn you into a good caster and your casting may even suffer (along with your bank balance)* and will make you feel foolish when you turn up on the flats with an expensive rod that you can't cast! Better to invest the money on a course of casting lessons with a qualified** casting instructor, and then practice as often as you can before getting on the plane!   

Most days out on the water it will be breezy so you should always try to make the wind your friend! ...Ideally, you will want to position yourself with the wind on your left shoulder (or right shoulder if you cast left handed). Experienced fly-fishers will do this automatically, but there will still be times when you cannot deliver your fly to the fish without casting into the wind. To do this you will need to generate sufficient line speed so that your line, leader & fly all turn over (straighten out) on the back cast as well as the forward cast. If the wind is very strong, it will even be difficult to cast with it on your back! (This is because a successful forward cast is dependant on having first made a successful back cast to "load" the rod.) Learning to double-haul will not only enable you to generate sufficient line speed to defeat the wind but also cast further, quicker and with less effort under all conditions. Other techniques such as side-casting, back-casting, roll-casting and ambidextrous casting are also very useful weapons in your angling armory, but are not substitutes for the ability to double-haul.  

* Expensive saltwater fly rods tend to be high-performance with very fast actions which potentially enable experienced casters to generate more line speed (and therefore greater distances), particularly useful in windy conditions. They will not make a novice into an expert, mainly because there is no margin for error in the timing which is crucial when casting with a very fast action rod. Like any other piece of high-performance sports equipment (golf, tennis, skiing, motor racing etc) high performance rods are only useful if you have learned how to use them properly. In fact, many of the rods made specifically for tournament (distance) casting are of little or no practical use when actually fishing (in the same way as an F1 racing car is of little use when doing the weekly shopping). Another common mistake made by novice casters trying to "buy" more distance is to purchase a longer or stronger rod rather than trying to cure the underlying problem of bad technique. If you want unbiased advice about choosing a suitable rod, talk to Graham.

** We say qualified because not many good fly casters are also good casting instructors! Learning to cast properly is like learning to play golf or drive a car - you should always have lessons from a qualified instructor otherwise you'll pick up bad habits that will probably stay with you for life. Once you have mastered the double-haul you should practice until you can do it automatically - you will then be able to concentrate on out-witting the fish without having to think about the mechanics of casting.

OTHER INFORMATION

CHECK-IN: 2.00 p.m. (earlier check-in can sometimes be arranged but your room may not be available until 2.00.p.m.)
CHECK-OUT: 10.00 a.m. (you must vacate your room by 10.00.a.m. but can normally use the main accommodation facilities until departure)
CURRENCY CONVERTER: Click here
DRESS CODE: Shirts should always be worn in public (except on beaches) and particularly in shops & restaurants. "Smart casual" is customary in the evenings (T-shirts, shorts & sandals are OK)
DRINKING WATER: The tap water at Rainbow Inn has fallen from the sky and is considered safe to drink, but bottled water can be purchased locally if preferred.
FLIGHTS: You will need to arrange flights to Governor's Harbour Airport (GHB) where you will be met and transferred to the accommodation free of charge.
From the UK you have several options but British Airways is currently the only airline offering regular non-stop flights from London (LHR) to Nassau (NAS).
From Nassau, both BahamasAir and Southern Air have several flights each day to Governor's Harbour (GHB).  
From Canada, Air Canada and WestJet have non-stop flights from Toronto to Nassau (NAS).
From the USA, BahamasAir and most US airlines offer flights to Nassau (NAS) and Continental has direct flights from Fort Lauderdale (FLL) to Governor's Harbour (GHB).
NB. If traveling from Europe you will probably need to stay overnight in either Nassau, the USA or Canada on the Friday before continuing to GHB on the Saturday. We can arrange accommodation at discounted rates. For more information or advice please phone Graham.
MOBILE PHONES: BTC (The Bahamas Telecommunications Company) uses the North American standard of 1900Mhz for its GSM network so most US cell phones but only a few European mobiles will work OK in the Bahamas, and only if "roaming" has been enabled by your provider. Click here for more info.
PASSPORTS are required for British citizens and most other nationalities and should be valid for at least 6 months after your visit to the Bahamas. Citizens of certain countries (eg. Canada & USA) have different requirements. For more information consult your travel agent or visit the Bahamas tourism website.
SMOKING: is not allowed in the accommodation, restaurant, bar or vehicles.
SNAKES & BUGS: There are no poisonous snakes on Eleuthera. We get few problems with insects although "no-see-ums" (tiny sand flies) can be tiresome early morning or in the evening if there is no breeze. Some people are more susceptible than others so we recommend a good insect repellant together with a sting-relief treatment just in case! We also use sun-screen and after-sun lotions containing insect repellant (available in the UK from Avon or Boots). However, most sun-screens and insect repellents are thought also to be "bonefish repellents" so make sure you apply these well before going fishing and wash your hands before handling your flies! 
VACCINATIONS are not usually considered essential but you should check with your doctor.
VISAS are not required for British citizens visiting the Bahamas as tourists.
Others should check with their travel agents or the Bahamas Ministry of Foreign Affairs website at www.mfabahamas.org.
However, all non-US citizens intending to travel to the Bahamas via the USA under the VWP (Visa Waiver Program) must now apply on-line to the US Dept for Homeland Security (DHS) for pre-approval by ESTA* at the official DHS website: https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov. 
*ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) is a free, automated system that determines the eligibility of visitors to travel to the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Program. The ESTA application collects the same information collected on Form I-94W. ESTA applications may be submitted at anytime prior to travel, though it is recommended travelers apply when they begin preparing travel plans, and beware of on-line ESTA scams, see www.usembassy.org.uk/americanservices/?p=519
To avoid all this hassle we recommend you fly direct to the Bahamas without traveling via the USA!
WEATHER: At the times of year that we run our trips it is generally warm and sunny with relatively low humidity, a pleasant breeze and relatively few bugs.
Hurricane season is officially June to November but more generally considered to be July to October.
For more information on weather please click these links...
National Hurricane Center
Governor's Harbour Weather Forecast
Average Climate (Nassau)

BOOKING

All holiday bookings are made and accepted subject to our Booking Terms & Conditions, It is important that you agree and understand them so please read them before contacting us.

A 50% non-refundable deposit will be required to confirm the booking. The balance of the holiday price will be due no later than 12 weeks prior to departure. If booking less than 12 weeks prior to commencement of the holiday, the full holiday price will be payable immediately.

Payment must be made in Pounds Stirling (GB Pounds) by Cheque, Bank Transfer (BACS), Cash or International Bank Draft. We can also accept payment by International Bank Transfers (CHAPS etc) providing all fees are paid by the sender.

Until paid in full, holiday prices may be subject to surcharges of up to 15% being made towards increased costs beyond our control.

Numbers are strictly limited so the first thing to do is to phone Graham to check availability. Also, if you have not been with us before, it is essential that you have a general chat with Graham to make sure our holidays are suitable for you! At the same time, you can discuss travel options, dietary requirements, health issues and tackle recommendations.

The next step will be to complete a booking form and pay the deposit (or total amount if you want to avoid possible surcharges). The booking form will be sent to you by email or post.

(Page last updated 28 July 2010)

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