…An introduction to a Bahamas Research Project and the history behind some of the flies.
Ghost Stories – Pioneering Bahamian Guides, Their Knowledge, Their Stories and Opportunities for Resource Management.
Flies for the tying session will center around the Crazy Charlie, developed by legendary Andros Island Guide, Charlie Smith, who will be interviewed during this research, and a valuable resource of local knowledge. Variations to the fly as well as fishing techniques will be discussed.
Ghost Stories, is a conceptual book, film documentary and collection of short films centered on the lives of prominent pioneering Bonefish guides in the Bahamas. Tom Karrow will develop these works along with a PhD dissertation, where he will be using ecosystem knowledge held by Bahamian guides for resource management in the islands.
Historically Bonefish were caught for food, and recreational angling for the species was not a priority. Early anglers like Joe Brooks, soon recognized the importance of Bonefish as a recreational species, introducing cultural icons like Grey, Hemmingway, American Presidents and notable celebrities to the sport. The majority of early Bonefishing initiatives and techniques were established in the Florida Keys but anglers soon sought Bonefish on the expansive flats found in the Bahamas where techniques and tackle for pursuing shallow-water game fish evolved. Initially Bimini was the center of Bahamian Bonefishing although Andros, with extensive flats and prime Bonefish habitat soon became known as the “Bonefishing Capital of the World”. Bonefishing in the Bahamas exploded in popularity and locals quickly became experienced guides for traveling anglers, working to establish a multi-million dollar tourist industry existing today. Men like Smith, Neymour, Cleare, Rolle, Pinder , Bain and others spent countless hours on the flats learning the biology of flats species, passing their knowledge on to their children, many of whom are now world class, highly esteemed guides.
This project will document the lives of these men, give them credit for their efforts in developing a world-wide angling phenomena and along with local Bahamian stakeholders, apply their environmental knowledge to local resource management.
If you are interested in learning more about these ventures or helping, please contact Tom Karrow directly at [email protected] or through his Linkedin profile at http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=110593256&trk=nav_responsive_tab_profile.
Details on this research project can also be found at a website developed by Tom. http://tomkarrow.wix.com/bahamas-guide-tek
Donations towards this research are greatly needed and welcome. If you are interested and able to support this research, visit the link above or donate directly to Bonefish and Tarpon Trust making sure to indicate the funds are for supporting the Bahamas Research TEK Initiative. Charitable receipts are also available if donations are made through BTT. Bonefish and Tarpon Trust have been leading the field in angler driven science for conservation purposes. BTT is a stron collaborator in this research.
