As editor of Field & Stream magazine, A.J. McClane was undoubtedly the most influential, widely travelled and knowledgeable angling personality of his day. To those of us that knew McClane, his bias regarding the choice of the Bahamas over other light tackle destinations was perfectly understandable. He loved fly fishing the East end of Grand Bahama Island, and it was no secret he’d rather be there than anywhere else.
“Poling or wading the tidal flats of the Bahamas produces some of the best bonefishing in the world. While other locations may score a heavier fish occasionally, or greater quantities of small bonefish, veteran flats anglers make this their first choice.”
A.J. McClane
Field & Stream Int’l Fishing Guide (1971)
McClane was invested more than emotionally in the Bahamas. He owned property on Great Harbour Cay and Grand Bahama Island and was one of the founding members of Deep Water Cay Club (no longer in operation).
McClane’s feelings on the Bahamas are as correct now as when they were written nearly fifty years ago, and a still accurate reflection of how most veteran fly fishermen feel about choices in today’s saltwater.
The Bahamas has it all! There are convenient daily flights and regularly scheduled charters from Florida to every island in the Bahamas. The “Out islands” may be a bit more difficult to reach, and the occasionally unreliable Bahamas Air flights can be frustrating, but nearly every lodge we represent can be reached in a single day from anyplace in the continental United States.
