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No matter what “mode” a given fish is in, always let the fly settle to the bottom. Bonefish feed almost exclusively on invertebrates and crustaceans living in the sand or coral, so it’s unnatural to present patterns that are not right on the bottom. On deeper flats with coral-free bottoms, flies with lead eyes are best because they sink to the bottom faster. When you make your presentation to a fish, you want the fly to be resting on the bottom when you begin your retrieve; thus, when making your cast, plan it so that you give the fly time to sink to the bottom before the fish comes to the fly. If you are unfamiliar with what patterns to use in any given water condition, consult with your guide and he can help you make the best selection.

The amount of time the fly will take to sink will depend on the weight of the fly, water depth, and speed of tidal current (if any), so place your fly in front of the fish to compensate for these variables. Take note of wind and water flow direction and allow for this in your presentation. Once the fish gets within a couple feet of the fly, 8-10 inch twitch strips seem to get the Bonefish’s attention. After you see him turn on the fly, make sure you don’t stop the fly as once again, a fleeing shrimp wouldn’t stop and allow the bonefish to eat it, keep stripping. Listen carefully to your guide as often he has seen the fish eat the fly before the angler has even felt it. Also the guide may ask you to vary your stripping technique from one presentation to the next.

Once the fish has eaten the fly the angler will be required to set the hook. This is done by means of a line strike, which is just an extended strip. Don’t ever strike with the rod as often the Bonefish will miss the fly resulting in the angler pulling the fly away from the fish and displacing it by the distance made through the arc of the rod during the strike. If the fish misses the fly during a line strike, you would have only displaced the fly by a few feet allowing the fish to relocate and possibly eat the fly a second time. Once again this method of setting the hook should be applied to all fish species on Alphonse. Once the hook is firmly set, raise the rod to around a 45 degree angle to the water. A fly rod is designed to cast a fly line and not to fight fish. The pressure of a fight should be displaced through the butt half of a fly rod and raising the rod too high will result in very little pressure being placed on the fish.

As soon as the fish begins to run, it is very important to get the fish “on the reel” by clearing any line that you have stripped in. The key here is to separate your hands i.e. the hand holding the rod and the line control hand should be as far apart as possible. Inverting the fly rod so that the reel points skyward usually minimizes a butt or reel wrap. Once this has been achieved, control the line onto the reel. Occasionally the fish will run towards you, in which case you will have to quickly strip in more line to maintain pressure.

Bonefish have rubbery mouths and very sharp hooks are important. Re-sharpen hooks with a hook hone after every three or four fish. Change flies after two or three refusals in a row. A good general rule is: one refusal, check your fly; two refusals, change your fly.

Try to keep false casts to a minimum, and once you have a hookup, follow the fish where practical. Remember not to rip your line off the water if you need to make another cast. Water loading spooks many fish however done slowly can be achieved and another chance created.

Spotting these elusive, well-camouflaged creatures can be difficult, especially for the novice. A good pair of polarized sunglasses with amber-colored (brown) lenses and a long-billed hat with dark underside are essential. The first day or two you may have to rely on the guide — their exceptional fish-spotting ability will leave you dumbfounded — but, in time, your eyes will sharpen, and you’ll see fish with increasing ease. Remember to use your guides abilities. He spends most of his waking hours on these flats ensuring that your trip is enhanced. Sometimes guides take their abilities for granted. Ask as many questions as possible and never be too proud to admit that you can learn from the guides, they are only too happy to help.