All Great sportsman in pursuit of big game know that the extreme latitude a species presides is home of the largest. This is no different for Bonefish. Hawaii falls in this catagory.
Specifically, Oahu is known to have the highest potential for the first 20+ lb. bonefish.
With that said, my mentor, Capt. Terry Duffield [aka Coach Duff] specializes in just that goal with flyrod. He ties some of the most life like crab patterns i have ever seen. That's big words from an ex-florida keys guide that has rubbed elbows with some of the greats including Tim Borski! He is also the only FFF certified fly casting instructor on the island. Truly a perfectionist but very patient and full of encouragement [coached for the 12-0 university of hawaii football team]. I must say i am very lucky to have met the guy! Anyway, let's get to the meat and potatoes.
Last week, the weather took a 180 degree turn.
We went from wind, rain and clouds to light wind and bluebird skies. Some would say perfect for stalking world record bones but savy anglers know better. Sure the bones are very easy to see with this type of condition but the same goes for the bonefish as they have remarkable vision. A trophy bonefish has eyes nearly the size of a golf ball!
With that said, Coach had the pleasure of doing 4 days with Japanese flyfishing legend and major flyfishing magazine author, Kenny Matsuda.
Armed with #2 size crab patterns and class tippet, they were in pursuit of only the largest bonefish ever caught with flyrod. Fish over 40 inches fit this catagory and are regularly seen on the flats around oahu. Needless to say, they were always a cast away from potentially being the first to get a fish over 20 lbs. Kenny saw many fish that even myself would love to latch into but refused to cast in fear of not being ready when the toad appeared.
Coach spotted 3 very large fish way out of casting range. He positioned the boat to intercept the collasil group. Kenny waited patiently for the perfect angle and let it rip, gently laying down the perfect cast. One sharp strip and the smallest of the group lunged out and inhailed the fly. The fish motored to the edge of the flat at typical drag testing speed.
Kenny was able to turn the fish with the perfect amount of pressure and soon a fish in the 8 lb class was released.
Over the course of the 4 days, some which were cut short due to weather, Kenny hooked 7 fish, 3 Coach estimated over 10 lbs. Very large bonefish have a way of finding the coral heads and with over 150 yds of line out, bad things do happen. True sportman, especially the likes of Kenny and Coach, find great pleasure in just being out there and fooling such incredible beasts with fur and feathers. But when the reef takes the fish over 40 inches, they may not be so jovial natured as they are as competive as it gets and that's coming from the 2004 rolex inshore world championship top guide, haha!
