• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Deneki Outdoors Fishing Lodges

Alaska | The Bahamas | Chile

  • About Deneki Outdoors
  • Our Fishing Lodges
    • Alaska West
    • Andros South
    • Rapids Camp
    • Rio Salvaje
  • Deneki Blog
    • Alaska West
    • Andros South
    • Chile
    • Fish
    • Fishing Reports
    • Fly Tying
    • Gear
    • General
    • Guest Posts
    • News
    • Rapids Camp
    • Rio Salvaje
    • Tips
  • Contact Us

Apr 29 2009

Keith Westra’s Report from Andros South

Photo: Keith Westra

Keith Westra from Leland Flyfishing Outfitters and the fine folks at Flywater Travel organized a group trip to Andros South earlier this month.  Here’s Keith’s trip report.

—

There’s nothing better than a few flies in your pocket, a rod in your hand, and a cold “Kalik” waiting for you at the boat.

People say you get obsessed over certain things…  Yes, fishing is an obsession of mine, but in the last few years stalking bonefish on a flat has become a drug and I’m refusing treatment.

This was my first trip to the Bahamas (specifically South Andros), and I can tell you it won’t be my last.  I took a small group of my loyal traveling clients to this destination on April 4 -11 of 2009.

The ride in the 10 seater Cessna 402 from Fort Lauderdale was AMAZING. After the hour flight, our adventure was well underway. After clearing customs we were met by Kermit (our taxi driver on South Andros).  Within 15 minutes we were at the lodge and given a tour by Kateri Clay, one of our hosts for the week.  We also met the ladies of the kitchen who cooked wonderful meals for the entire week.  Everyone was so accommodating and available to lend a hand at any moment or answer our questions.

The rooms were simple, clean, and yes, had air conditioning.  Paul and Sally Hayward took the Conch House with its decorated Conch Shell walls.  The patio of the house served as our “after hours” spot after having a few drinks at the “Slack Tide Bar” on the beach.  We continued the décor of the house with a line-up of Kalik beer bottles along the wall.

Photo: Keith Westra

Our first night we were given an overview of how they week would work by John Toker.  The organization of the operation impressed me as all details were clearly laid out: from lunches, to the guide/client chart to even tipping.

What amazed me most about this destination was the diversity of the fishing.  Our first guide took us chasing after huge schools of bones, while others focused on stalking singles and smaller schools along the mangroves.  I really enjoyed exploring some killer wading areas with Torrie as he has a passion for bonefish that is so contagious.  If you fish with him ask for a “Cheese Doodle” fly – the bonefish find it irresistible.

Photo: Keith Westra

The amount of barracuda available was also amazing.  Often, I would be running back to the boat to retrieve my “cuda” stick after a wade for a few bones.  The speed of a pissed off cuda is insane and such a rush.  They attack with a sense of determination that will blow your mind!

While fishing with our guide Josie, Don Nelson and I had a killer session with a small group of Blue Runners.  I hooked one, and while the others stayed with it Don cast out and stuck another.  While I landed mine the school stayed with Don’s fish so I cast out again and hooked a 2nd Runner.  They are such a gorgeous fish.

While the Bonefishing was good, I’d have to say one of the highlights of my trip was going out offshore on Roggie’s 25-foot Prowler.  This is a “must” when you go down to the Bahamas.  When the seas are calm a 30 – 40 minute boat ride will take you to one of the Naval Buoys out in the open ocean where the ocean floor drops to around 3000 feet.  The numbers of Dorado and Tuna are mind blowing this time of year.  Birds are diving and the fish are busting on the bait.  Take a 10 weight, some poppers, and hold on.  Dinner is served!  While the boat holds 4 clients, we found it easiest for 2 to fly cast while the others use light conventional tackle while holding onto a cold one.  Roggie and Steve (his deck hand) will take care of supplying the conventional tackle and bait.  Oh, and they will clean your fish as well and if you’re lucky enough you’ll be taking a Yellow Fin home for some fresh sashimi at the Slack Tide Bar for appetizers.

Photo: Keith Westra

On our trip Sally Hayward landed a nice 60 lb. tuna and another in the group brought up one around 25 lbs.  There were lots of Dorado to be had and often we would have multiple hook-ups both on fly and conventional tackle.  In fact the day we went out was so good we went out for a half-day on our last day in Andros, as our plane didn’t leave until 5:00 pm.  It was a great finish to the trip.

The characters I meet up with at these exotic locations always intrigue me; it often makes better memories for me than the fishing itself. When you go down to visit stop by and see “the shell man”, have a Kalik with Sterling and bring some extra cookies for “Boy” the dog.  It was also “Back to the Islands” on Friday night so we went out and enjoyed some live music, carnival games, watched the kids play and roll down the inflatable slide and played a few rounds of pool at one of the local clubs.  The Bahamian people are a friendly bunch and South Andros Lodge is an amazing place to take it all in.

Tight Lines Man!

Keith Westra
Leland Fly Fishing Outfitters

—

More Guest Reports from Andros South
Paul Johnson
Simon Gawesworth
Karen Wilken
Michael White

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Fly Fish Chick says

    April 29, 2009 at 6:47 am

    it’s a drizzly day here in South Austin. now I’ve got the bonefish blues. great report!

  2. Deneki Outdoors says

    April 30, 2009 at 12:54 pm

    Thanks. Think happy tropical thoughts!

  3. Larry K says

    February 18, 2010 at 8:01 am

    Its been a week since my first trip to Andros and my mind is still rememebering an experience beyond expectations. Thanks to everyone .

Trackbacks

  1. Bonefishing Advice says:
    March 20, 2010 at 7:02 am

    […] Leland Fly Fishing Outfitters Group Trip […]

  2. Andros Fishing Report from Captain Rick Grassett | Andros South Lodge says:
    June 18, 2012 at 6:01 am

    […] Keith Westra […]

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Plan Your Trip

Let our experts plan the fishing adventure of your dreams.
Contact Now

Search Topics

Subscribe to our newsletter

All Blog Posts

Recent Posts

  • 7 Most Popular Smoked Salmon in the World
  • Fly Tying: March Brown by Kevin Foley
  • Who Doesn’t Like Potcakes?- Support The Bahamas by Helping the Potcakes
  • Tips on Mousing for Rainbow Trout and Grayling at Alaska West
  • What’s Happening with Pebble Mine- Good News for Alaska

All About Spey

All About Trout

All About Bonefishing

All About Gear

Best Posts

Footer

Deneki Outdoors

Mailing address:
200 W 34th Ave.
PMB 1170
Anchorage, AK 99503

Office:
4451 Aircraft Drive
Suite 202
Anchorage, AK 99502

US Information and Reservations
800-344-3628

International Information and Reservations
+1 907-563-9788

Email: info@deneki.com

Our Lodges

Rapids Camp
King Salmon, Alaska

Alaska West
Kanektok River, Alaska

Andros South
South Andros Island, The Bahamas

Rio Salvaje
Puerto Montt, Chile

Deneki Outdoors thanks Peter Viau, Tosh Brown, Abe Blair, Kyle Shea and Kara Knight for the beautiful photography used on our sites.

Connect With Us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

#denekioutdoors

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Copyright © 2023 · Deneki Outdoors · Privacy Policy · Site by 21 Designs