Fly-Fishing For Bonefish
By Chico Fernandez ,with biology by Aaron J. Adams, Ph.D.
Foreword By Sandy Moret
Stackpole Books, 2004, 0-8117-0095-X · $49.95 Hardcover
Ok, let's get the basics out of the way. Chico Fernandez’s first book is 8.5" x 11", with a handsome cover and plenty of color inside. By my count there are 113 color photographs, 7 illustrations and 4 painting. In addition, it has fish scale design endpapers and a foreword by noted Florida Keys angler Sandy Moret. All in all a nice looking package.
While many saltwater books have touched on bonefishing, only a few have ever been devoted entirely to the subject. So let me begin by putting this particular one into some kind of perspective. The first book devoted to bonefish appeared in 1965. It was entitled Bonefishing and the author was Stanley Babson, a New York executive. After Babson’s book, however, we hit a long dry spell. The next bonefish title didn’t appear until almost 30 years later. It was Randall Kaufmann’s 1992 Bonefishing with a Fly. On the heels of Kaufmann’s effort came Dick Brown’s 1995 book Fly fishing for Bonefish. He followed that up with Bonefish Fly Patterns the next year. Then Randal Kaufmann returned to the ring in 2000 with his heavyweight tome Bonefishing!
Oddly enough, not one of these books was written by an angler that lived in bonefish country. That’s not to say these titles are in any way faulty. I own them all and can vouch for each every one of them; they are solid, believe me. But I've long thought we could use a bonefish book by an author who lives where bonefish roam. Thankfully with Fernandez's title we now do.
In his foreword, Sandy Moret informs us that his friend Chico has been contemplating a bonefish book since the mid 1990s. So this book has been a time in the coming; no race to press here. Rather, it is safe to say that the author has been gathering information and working on this manuscript for many years. That’s always a good thing. A careful approach often results in a well thought out book and I would say that is evident here.
Fly-Fishing for Bonefish is divided into three main parts: The Bonefish’s World, Tackle and Equipment, Catching Bonefish on a Fly Rod. Each of these parts contains several chapters making a total of twenty in the book. Part One -The Bonefish’s World- was penned by Dr. Aaron J. Adams, Ph.D. As a marine scientist, a fly-fisherman and the author of The Fly Fisherman’s Coast, Adams is well suited to the task. He offers beaucoup biological insight, but some sections stand out in my mind. I liked his discussion of how bones relate to various types of habitat from sea grass, rubble bottoms, to shorelines. His explanation of how bonefish use tides and current is very help too.
Still it’s his insights into what bonefish eat that I think anglers will benefit from most. It’s not just a run down of forge items; Adams goes into detail, telling the reader not only what bonefish dine on, but even what sizes dominate the menu. We learn, for example, that in the Keys the most common size swimming-crab gobbled up by a bone, measures one inch across the carapace. Now fly tyers are certain to eat that kind of news up, but even if you're just picking flies from a bin at your favorite shop, this is great information.
After Adams puts air in the tires, Chico drive us off to the wonderful world of bonefishing. First stop- bonefish flies. If you have ever gone on a bonefish trip, you know that a good deal of nervousness surrounds having the right selection of flies. Well fear not. In this chapter the author explains the rationale behind proper fly selection and presentation. He then examines fly sizes and colors, and also give us a detailed understanding of how much and what type of weight a fly should have. Then he lays out his seven all-time favorite bonefish patterns.
Fly lines are Chico's next stop on the bonefish highway. Lord knows there are so many lines on the market today, that a subject once covered in a couple of paragraphs has become far more complex. But Chico quickly separates the sheep from the goat. He has plenty of advice on line taper, density, colored lines, clear line, sink tips, and sinking fly line. After that episode we delve into fly rods. Isn't it surprising how many anglers purchase a fly rod without casting it? And often those that do test a rod, don't do it very well. To help rod buyers over that hump, Fernandez lays out a detailed method with which to properly test a rod before purchase. Good stuff. Of equally concern is the fact that many anglers automatically assume that the best rod action is someplace between mop handle and a Louisville slugger. Well, Chico waste no time in telling us why a slightly slower rod, one capable of making quick casts in the 25 to 65 foot range is a better bonefish stick. Here, here. Face it, sight-fishing is rarely a game of long distances connections.
After offering the reader advice on fly reels, the authors goes on to talk about how much backing is require and what type is best. Following that we find a chapter on miscellaneous stuff from cameras and hats to sunglasses. Then we journey on to a chapter entitled Rigging Your Tackle which contains all the knot knowledge you'll need to land bones. While that chapter may not contain any great surprises the following chapter - Leader Logic for Bonefish - is a doozie. Leaders are subject that Chico has obviously given a tremendous amount of thought. He starts out by discussing the basic construction of a leader and suggest brands of monofilament that he has found to be successful. Then Chico gets down to the real nitty gritty. Most experienced anglers are familiar with Charlie Ritz's time honored freshwater leader formula of 60/20/20. Using it as a starting point, the author has developed several modifications to produce bonefish leaders specifically constructed to fit various conditions on the flats. Believe me, this is very useful stuff. Even if your sight-fishing is limited to striped bass you're going to love this chapter.
Now onward to Part Three- Catching Bonefish on a Fly Rod. Chico begins by pointing out that many anglers reach the bonefish flats without the necessary casting skills under their belt. This is very true; hell I did it my first time out too. In large measure it because most anglers get very few bonefish trips and don't know exactly what to expect. To help us better prepare, the author defines the minimum accuracy and distance requirements. And then give us practice tips, including how to be ready to cast when a bonefish suddenly appears. If you're planning your first bonefish trip, this chapter is a must read.
Then Chico takes us out on the flats and tells us what to get ready for - how bonefish move - how to see them - tailing fish - cruising fish- mudding fish. Its all here. He explains the proper distance to place the fly in front of the fish based on how the fish is behaving. Naturally he covers how to strike, and how to clear the line from the deck as well.
Fernandez finishes up with three final chapters. The first covers casting a fly to some of the other game fish that prowl the flats, including permits, jacks, cuda, sharks. Those fish are fun too. And then he extends some valuable travel tips on things such as carry-on bags, fly rod cases, and beyond. And finally we end with a chapter on conservation- nice touch.
So what could be improved? Given the wealth of bonefish flies on the market, I would have liked to see more fly plates. And I believe a few more illustrations would have been help too, especially in Part Three. But none of that takes away from the fact that Fly-Fishing For Bonefish is an excellent text, chocker-block full of solid information written by an angler who sips his evening scotch in the land of bones. Equally important in my view, throughout this book Chico delivers his knowledge with a clear, common sense approach. Its makes for easy reading. Two thumbs up.
The End
If you have any questions about this book, drop me an e-mail ed@flyroddingthecoast.com