Fishing Report #28
September 01 – 08, 2024
Welcome to the Caribbean
Ancient Mayan fishermen say that in the crystalline waters of the Caribbean lived a special fish, the Macabi (bonefish), known for its agility and speed. These fish were considered sacred, as they were said to be the messengers of the gods of the sea, connected to the soul of the water and the cycles of life.
Long ago, in a small coastal village, there lived a fisherman named Ixch’aan, known for his incredible ability to catch any kind of fish. His nets never returned empty, and the villagers depended on him to feed their families. However, there was one fish that always eluded him: the bonefish. Ixch’aan had heard stories about how these fish were not common and that by catching one, a special connection was made with the spirits of the sea.
One day, while Ixch’aan was sailing alone in his small canoe, he saw a school of bonefish swimming close to shore, moving with a speed that seemed to defy wind and water. Determined to catch them, he cast his net hard. But when he felt the tug of his trap, there was no bonefish in it; instead, the water began to swirl and suddenly a shimmering figure emerged, a cross between fish and man, with silvery scales reflecting the sun.
“I am Ah Muzenkab, the god of the oceans and the creatures that dwell therein,” said the figure in a deep voice that echoed like waves. The macabies are my messengers, and whoever tries to catch them without due respect will be put to the test.
Ixch’aan, astonished, tried to apologize, but Ah Muzenkab interrupted him.
“You have not been malicious, but you must understand that the macabies represent the cycle of life: quick, elusive, but essential. I give you a chance. If you succeed in catching a bone bonefish, I will grant you a wish. But if you fail, you will never find one in your nets again.”
The fisherman, intrigued, accepted the challenge. For days he sailed and cast his nets, but the bonefish always managed to escape his grasp. Frustrated, he began to understand the wisdom of the god. In his determination to catch what he wanted, he had forgotten to appreciate the beauty and freedom of the fish, the cycles of nature and the balance that Ah Muzenkab had revealed to him.
Finally, at dawn on the tenth day, Ixch’aan saw a lone bonefish swimming near his canoe. But this time he did not cast his net. Instead, he paused to watch the silver fish glide through the water with indescribable grace. It was as if the bonefishs every movement was in harmony with the ocean.
At that moment, Ah Muzenkab appeared again, smiling.
“You have learned your lesson, Ixch’aan. Maccabi are not to be captured for their material value, but to be understood as part of the whole. I will grant you one wish, as promised”
Ixch’aan, now humbled, asked that his people never lack fish and that the fishermen always have the wisdom to respect the cycles of nature.
Ah Muzenkab accepted the wish, and from then on, the fishermen of the village lived in harmony with the sea. The bonefish continued to swim free, fast and elusive, and although some tried to catch them, few succeeded. But those who did, always told of feeling a deep connection with the spirit of the ocean, a bond that reminded them of the balance between life and nature.
Fishing of the week:
This week we had the always-anticipated visit from John and Sam Thomas, Mark Blackburn, Rock Onstad, Chris Koch, Nick Head, David Phillips, and leading the group, Capt. Billy Trimble.
The first day of fishing began with light easterly winds, some scattered clouds, and a group of anglers eager for new experiences in Espiritu Santo Bay. I can hardly imagine a better start to the week. Christ and Mark quickly put the first Permits on the scoreboard, Nick caught good snook, David and Bill, tarpon, snook, bonefish, while Sam and John were the MVPs of the day. John signed a Grand Slam with a tarpon that almost reached three figures, and Sam, almost irreverently, managed a Grand Slam and a Super Grand Slam. Yes, you read that right: both, and I’m not counting the same catches for both. That is, each Slam has its own Permit, its own tarpon, its own bonefish and only one snook, because surely his arm would be tired by now. Who wouldn’t sign up in advance to have a day like that?
Tuesday’s day started with cloudy skies that left us with intermittent showers both at the lodge and in the bay, light winds and light conditions that made it very difficult to detect fish movement consistently and from a distance. Despite this, Nick measured his strength with a large tarpon that, on its third aerial acrobatics, managed to break free from the sharp hook. Although practically the whole group had a shot at Permits and snooks, the bonefish were the only ones that consistently accepted their lures willingly, proving that the god Ah Muzenkab was pleased to acknowledge the respect of all anglers for the inhabitants of the bay.
Wednesday came with more rain, light winds, but a cloudy sky that again stained the surface silver-gray, hiding the shadows and movements of the fish. Once again, there were several chances to catch Permits, tarpons and snooks, but they refused to participate in the game. Again, bonefish, triggers, snappers and other species were in charge of animating the day.
On Thursday, the weather did not improve and there were some moderate but scattered showers. Once again, the chances of shooting the most valuable sport species were present during the day, but the results were the same as the previous day: the bonefish saved the day once again. In the afternoon, the rains became more intense and were accompanied by lightning, which forced the group to end the day an hour earlier than usual.
With the highest spirit and infinite patience, our anglers faced Fridays day, which started a little later because of the rain. The winds became a little more intense, but without clearing the sky of gray clouds. And yes, as you might suspect, there were chances, shots, fish following flies, but only the bonefish accepted the bent wires dressed with feathers and synthetic glitter.
With the arrival of the last day of fishing, the god Hurricane seems to have finished playing with the clouds and the winds, leaving us practically clear skies, a bright sun and moderate winds. No one squandered the day’s advantages and everyone closed out the week beautifully. Mark and Rock added new Permits to the scoreboard, Nick battled hard against a tarpon of incredible size for almost half an hour, until his tippet said “I’m not playing anymore”, denying him the victory. Bill signed off a Super Grand Slam with an anecdote that really deserves to be told.
Having landed permit, tarpon and snook, he went in search of bonefish to finish signing his feat. While his expert eyes searched among the lights and shadows reflected in the low, crystal-clear waters of the bay, a curious spectator landed on the bow of the skiff. And since four eyes see more than two, it was Bill’s eyes and a great egret that searched the waters of the bay for signs. Bill spotted a small school of bonefish moving very close to shore, in ridiculously shallow water. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed that his unanticipated fishing companion also spotted them. He quickly made an accurate cast in front of them, and only a couple of strips later felt his line tighten, while his white fishing partner remained motionless at his side.
A brief tussle quickly ensued, thanks to years of experience guiding in the salty Texas waters, leaving his vanquished opponent just short of the skiffs gunwale. His fishing partner seemed to come back to life and, with quick movements, tried to catch the seemingly beaten bonefish, but it, with nimble maneuvers, eluded the heron’s long, sharp bill. Bill, for his part, was trying to help his rival by releasing some line to facilitate his movements. This scene was repeated two or three more times, until the bonefish, applying an unknown reserve of energy, executed a quick and powerful leap in the direction of the skiff. Such was the speed of its movements that neither Bill nor the heron was able to react. With the bonefish finally surrendered on the floor of the skiff, the heron retreated, and Bill felt a mixture of pain and joy that is hard to describe. Joy because he had achieved a Super Grand Slam on his last day of fishing, and pain because the intrepid bonefish, before landing on the skiff floor, broke its fall by hitting Bill’s crotch directly, leaving him both happy and painfully uncomfortable.
Weather:
Gray clouds and light to moderate showers were almost the constant for most days of the week.
Winds remained between 5 and 9 mph on calm days and between 11 and 15 mph over the end of the week.
Tides were not greatly affected by wind action as the wind was not constant allowing for natural water movement.
Mocas:
Although all the flies that were presented to the different spices of the bay managed to capture their attention and keep them interested, the little collaboration they showed when carrying out the attacks makes it difficult to define the most effective ones.
The permits were tempted with the classic crabs and shrimp, such as flexo, ESB spawning shrimp, Casa Blanca, Esb Yellow Eyes Raghead Crab, etc.
The bonefish showed a good attitude by presenting crabs and shrimp in sizes no larger than #6.
Medium sized baitfish, EP style, were chosen by the Tarpon as usual in all the wide range of colors that this type of patterns usually present.
I’ll wait for you next week with a new report and the adventures of our next guests and their exciting adventures, that’s what the ESBL experience is all about, because, as my grandfather said “fishing is not just catching fish”.
See you next week with a new report and do not hesitate to contact our friends at The Fly Shop® so they can tell you first-hand what life is like in Espiritu Santo Bay, the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve (which means “Where the sky begins”, in the Mayan language).
Taak ulak k’iin and Ka xi’ik teech utsil
(See you later and good luck! in Mayan language)
Martin Ferreyra Gonzalez and the entire ESB Family
800-669-3474 | 530-222-3555 | travel@theflyshop.com | ESB Lodge
