On Monday, October 5th, 2020, Andros South lost a beloved family member. Captain Joseph ‘Josie’ Sands was a legend among legends. A father and a brother, a mentor and a friend. He was born to be on the water. He loved sailing & commonly, in his words, “cleaned the whole fleet out”, taking first place in his hand-made sailboats, named Tamarind Switch & Gold Rush. In the offseason, if the crawfish season was slow, he tended his farm, growing okra, corn, pumpkin, and beans.
But to many, he was a bear of a bonefish guide. He was known for being a big fish guide. Hunting for cruising singles, and many times, landing 13 pound+ bonefish. He was gruff & sarcastic but under all that was a heart that enveloped all who were lucky enough to call him a friend. We will forever be indebted to him & all he has done for the bonefish community here on South Andros. Fish on dear friend, we love you. The next fish is for you.
RIP Josie. Andros and all of us you have touched will miss your larger than life presence.
So very, very sorry to read this, Had many lovely hours on the bow of his skiff. An incredible set of eyes, with amazing knowledge and lovely man to boot.
Godspeed Josie. Your friends, family and community are missing you…….
Joseph josie Sands was an exemplary father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle, coworker and friend. He was a pillar in the community of Little Creek, South Andros. I was fortunate to have known him all of my life. He will always be remembered and his legacy will forever live on in his children. RIP Captain Josie!!
When I missed a bone, I moaned: “It was a real big one.”
Josie answered smiling: “It’s still a big one, man!”
R.I.P Josie
Sad to hear about Josie. He was great and put us on big fish.
Condolences to his family and all who knew him.
Chuck
Rest in Peace Josie. I have wonderful memories of Bonefishing with you.
God just needed another great fishing guide.
Teri Beatty
RIP Josie, I will forever miss you cursing me with “why you do dat mon”. I hope you find great flats loaded with bonefish in heaven, you will greatly missed by myself and all my friends. We will be tipping back a guiness in your honor tonight.
My favorite day with Josie: I spot a fish, cast, and catch a nice 3 pounder. Josie is silent. I spot another, cast, and catch it. I say (somewhat as payback for 20 years of hard critical reviews from Josie) “Hey Josie, do I have to do all this myself? Why don’t you do some of that guide s…t?” He replies, “I’ve been watching a big fish on the shoreline. Get your s…to together, 100 feet, 11 o’clock.” And so another 10+ pounder came to hand, with Captain Sands on the platform. Wow. What a wonderful guide, and a lovely man. I will miss him.
My favorite day with Josie: I spot a fish, cast, and catch a nice 3 pounder. Josie is silent. I spot another, cast, and catch it. I say (somewhat as payback for 20 years of hard critical reviews from Josie) “Hey Josie, do I have to do all this myself? Why don’t you do some of that guide s…t?” He replies, “I’ve been watching a big fish on the shoreline. Get your s…t together, 100 feet, 11 o’clock.” And so another 10+ pounder came to hand, with Captain Sands on the platform. Wow. What a wonderful guide, and a lovely man. I will miss him.
RIP Josie Sands, Loved you and fished with you many times in South Andros since 1998! You always were patient, kind, funny and an expert in your guiding abilities. I always felt safe on the water as you expertise in boating was amazing. Your humor when I screwed up a cast was contagious.
Fish on! My friend may the loving arms of our father embrace you for all eternity.
Judy S. Hall
Thank you for your kind words Judy, you have been a long-time friend to Deneki and to the members of our staff. We appreciate you sharing your memories of Joe, we will all miss him very much.
Our best,
The Deneki Team
Thank you very much for sharing a memory of Joe with us Jim. Even though most of us only got to spend a week out of the year with him, the stories we accumulated are incredibly special. We appreciate you sharing one of yours.
Our best,
The Deneki Team
My Dad had been telling me Andros guide stories for years, and Josie was always at the top. I was so nervous to finally fish with him.
Josie, you demanded the best of your clients. Because YOU were the best.
You took us to the farthest point of the flat (or so it seemed), found the biggest lone bonefish, and told me exactly what to do. I will never forget that sense of pride and gratitude when I landed that beautiful ghost.
Across multiple waters across the globe: you were the best. God rest your soul.
Hi Emily, thank you very much for share a memory of Joe with us, we sure appreciate it. That was Joe, he simply wanted his anglers to be successful. Boy he could find big fish.
Thank you again for your note and warm regards.
Be well and be in touch.
Our best,
The Deneki Team
Can’t express how much you are miss Joe, coming back to South Andros which is my home would never be the same without my cousin Joe, you were the best man on the water RIP my dear cousin and friend for you are missed.