Persistence paid off, as I caught 4 bonefish today...whew! I was getting worried about this Fall Bonefish vacation.

Seven Years Ago, and Four Score

I moved to the Florida Keys seven years ago and started learning how to catch bonefish. Just being
on the flats, 80 degree water, 85 degree air, and the sun brightening your day, is almost too good to be
true; but then add catching a bonefish...you are hooked! I caught my first bone after about 1 year of
studying, different flats, spotting, casting, hooking, knots, flies...etc., as so much happens so fast; so
hooking doesn't necessarily mean catching.

Today was a whole different experience, because this is the first time that I have caught 4 bonefish in
one day. I have done 3 a few times; but 4 seems incredible, making me feel better about my
persistence this Fall, because it has been very tough fishing.

At near High tide today, I saw a broken school of 20 bonefish about 50 feet away. It took me about 5
shots at them to get one to take, as I was begining to think that maybe they weren't bonefish, because
some were swimming mid-level and non-interested without being spooked, when I scurry down the
beach, cast, move along farther, cast, move back up the beach, cast...finally, fish on! Bone 1

About 45 minutes later, I see a School of "Light Grey" down deeper, which I thought could be mullet or
small perch, and cast. Fish on! Bone 2

It could have been an hour later, when I spot a few shadow movements in a 5 - 6 feet deep 20X40
foot-sized depression section; so I cast a few times that didn't spook anything. I still see shadows
moving and cast again...fish on! Bone 3

It must have been about 2:30 when I was walking on shore scanning the flats. I see 2 bones bolting
along, parallel to the beach. I cast about 20ft in front of them, they stop at the fly...fish on! Bone 4.

Today was a real treat to be on the flats, because I saw a School of 15 Tarpon, 1 Snook, 2 more bones
that wouldn't bite, a School of 10 adult Barracuda, and possibly 2 Redfish. I have put my time this fall;
but the rewards are unforgettable from these 3+ pound bonefish.
http://www.threebone.com/Florida_Key...ckcountry.html

The 3Bone Address mark@threebone.com