Fly-Fishing for Bonefish [Hardcover]

Chico Fernandez (Author), Aaron J Adams Ph.D. (Contributor)

Book Description

Called the ghost of the flats, the silvery bonefish is the holy grail of flats fishing. Its speed in the water and chameleonlike color make it the ultimate challenge to catch, and because of its elusiveness, much of the joy of bonefishing is in searching for the fish. Finding bonefish from a skiff and while wading are thoroughly covered, as is catch-and-release. Details on the bonefish's environment and its food provide the essential background, and you'll learn what tackle and flies to take and how to cast efficiently in the flats.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Dr. Aaron J. Adams is manager of the Habitat Ecology Program in the Center for Fisheries Enhancement at Mote Marine Laboratory, and is director of operations and research for Bonefish & Tarpon Unlimited.

Chico Fernandez took his first bonefish on a fly rod in the late fifties and has been hooked on bonefish ever since. He lives in Miami and writes regularly for the saltwater magazines.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Stackpole Books; Second Printing edition (July 16, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 081170095X
• ISBN-13: 978-0811700955
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #184,743 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not just for bonefishers, December 19, 2004

By 

Robert Miller - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Fly-Fishing for Bonefish (Hardcover)

This book is one of the best nonfiction fishing books I've ever read. I'd recommend it to any flyfisher, even those who've never seen a bonefish. Chico Fernandez has an incredible amount of experience and knowledge about bonefish and flyfishing generally, and his writing is clear, interesting, and sometimes hilarious. He is careful to explain why he thinks a certain way about an issue, includes many examples, and isn't afraid to express uncertainty. All these are refreshing qualities in a genre dominated by those who typically issue piles of dogma, seemingly believing themselves to have risen above other ordinary fishing nuts, to the status of gods or celebrities. Chico reminds us it's just fishing, but damn, it's an unbelievably interesting and fun way to spend time.

The beginning section on bonefish biology, by Dr. Aaron Adams, strengthens the book immensely, giving it the depth of scientific authority. Don't skip this section - it provides much interesting information that will come back to you as you read the rest of the book. It's presented with the same clarity and authority Dr. Adams exhibited in his own book, A Fisherman's Coast.

Word of warning - if you don't want to feel that you must be on the flats now, barefoot, looking for tailing bonefish, don't read this book.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Please with the Detail on Biology, July 5, 2007

By 

Belize Fisherman (Houston) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fly-Fishing for Bonefish (Hardcover)

I bought the book while planning an extended trip to Belize. While the book is somewhat Florida Centered, I found it extremely useful. The chapters on biology and fish behavior gave one an insight that how complex the "hunt" for the bonefish can be. In reading the book, I found many useful insights while still keeping me grounded in the fact that pursuit of flats fish is hard work. There is only so much that can be said about reels, lines and rods, but the references to how a slightly larger or smaller kit might work are useful. Overall I think that there is something for everyone in the book, and for those that already know it all, a nice book for the lodge....

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bonefish, May 23, 2008

By 

D. B. Grisham "digger" (Buford, Ga. USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Fly-Fishing for Bonefish (Hardcover)

Chico Fernandez is a wealth of information about bonefish. A must read for the novice and experienced fisherman.