2021 marks the X anniversary for the Fishwest hosted trip to the Andros South Lodge located on Andros Island in the Bahamas. For those of you who don’t speak roman numerals this was our tenth adventure to a spot that we affectionately refer to as Bonefish Heaven.
The Andros South is located on the South Island of Andros in a small settlement called Kemps Bay. Geographically speaking the lodge sits right in the middle of the island and is home to a vast collection of flats and some of the biggest bonefish in the world. The reason we continue going back to the Andros South Lodge year after year is because the team at Andros South focuses on the amazing fishery the South Andros Island is. That is not to take away from the amenities, food, or other accommodations that the lodge has to offer. They are all top notch. From family style meals, to a beachfront white sand bar, to nightly bonfires on the beach. The Andros South Lodge never ceases to amaze. By the end of any adventure here you are left feeling like part of the family!
Traveling amid the COVID-19 pandemic to the Bahamas came with a variety of extra hoops to jump through. C-19 PCR Test, A Bahamian Health Ministry Travel Visa, Nightly Bahamian Ministry Health Surveys, as well as one additional nose tickling test to get back into the country made for quite the adventure. However, with all that said, the Fishwest group was glad to be home once again with our Andros family of guides, Max and Liz the wonderful AS management team, lodge staff, and beach dogs.
Six days is never enough time to fully explore all that Andros has to offer but our group made the most of the trip. Luckily, we had two solid days of fishing with plenty of sunshine and good visibility producing plenty of shots at large bonefish. For many in the group it was the first-time saltwater fly fishing and everyone successfully caught multiple fish throughout the trip. When it was all said and done, the group brought to hand a bunch of Bahamian bones, toothy barracudas, fast paced jack crevalle, jumped one tarpon, and Fishwest Ambassador Nathan Brown leadered a 7 and a quarter foot lemon shark with the help of Andros South veteran guide Phillip Knowles and a 12wt G-Loomis NRX+ Saltwater Rod & Ross Evolution R Salt. A birthday fish that I am sure Nate will cherish for many years to come.
All and all, an amazing time was had by all. I will leave you with this, fly fishing travel is and always will be a luxury. So, if you find yourself fortunate enough to travel in these times please keep an open mind and be flexible with whatever regulations or travel curveballs are thrown your way. Lastly, remember that these guides no matter where you are in the world depend on YOU for their livelihood and many of them are hurting right now due to the lack of travel. So, if you can, tip a little extra, possibly leave some gear, and say thank you for all the effort put in. I know that those guides wont forget it anytime soon!
All of us at Fishwest live to fly fish but we also live to travel! Over the years we have travelled to many different locations and have had many great adventures with our guests. Check out our full slate of destination partners and hosted trips by visiting the Fishwest Travel Page and Contact Us for more details.
