Christmas Gift Wish

This is the month when we hope for that special present, I can't think of a better gift than the book I voted my book choice for the year 2000 titled ‘Bonefishing’ by Randall Kaufmann.

In my lifetime I have been privileged to read many fine Autobiographies, travel, natural history, wildfowling and fishing books. In my study I have over 2000 book titles from the 1700’s to the present day covering all aspects of salt and freshwater angling. Some have become classic’s in there own right where they have stood the test of time. Since the days of sailing ships, British anglers have been great travellers, During the 1800’s they were fishing all corners of the world. Then on their return home some of these adventurous anglers would put pen to paper writing about there travels, catches, and adventures. This in turn made others follow in their footsteps.

I suppose the 1980’s and 90's were the years when the bonefish become the cult fish, Salmon anglers no longer wanted to spend a couple of thousands of pounds on a fish-less river in Scotland with rain and mosquitoes as company, Why should they when for the same amount of cash they could travel to exotic locations such as the Florida Keys, the Bahamas Belize, Christmas Island or a dozen other destinations to fish for bonefish, tarpon and permit. Perhaps achieve the grand slam.

What wife or girl friend wouldn’t swap rainy Britain for the sunny Bahamas. No longer would she look upon your fishing as that old boring game. You the angler would be encouraged to go in search of bonefish. During the 1990’s several books were published on catching this great sporting flats fish known as the grey ghost or silver bullet. Hundreds, no thousands of articles have been published. During this period two books changed the face of bonefishing, Del Browns ‘Fly fishing for bonefishing’ published by Lyons and Burford and ‘Bonefishing With A Fly’ by Randal Kaufmann published by Western Fisherman’s Press.

Before a bonefishing trip the latter book would become my bedtime reading for several months. Even today two or three weeks before a trip chasing bones Kaufmann's books once again becomes important reading.

I have been very fortunate in meeting some excellent bonefish anglers who have helped me in my quest for this glamour fish of the 21st century. To them all I will always be grateful. It really started during a visit to Oregon in my quest for the steelhead. I met up with some great anglers Gordon Nash, Randall and Lance Kaufmann and Jerry Swanson who all worked in Kaufmanns Streamborn fly shop at Tigard near Portland Oregon. I would sit for hours at a time as they regaled me with tales of bonefish trips. At the start of a new century a new book was published simply titled ‘Bonefishing’ This is not just any bonefishing book, This is truly the bible for all bone fishers. Don’t go after those silver bullets of the flats before you have read Bonefishing by Randal Kaufmann published by Western Fisherman’s Press. This volume has 414 pages measuring 9" by 11" and weighing in at around four and a half pounds. That size of bonefish will pull your string and bend your stick like no salmon ever could.

Randall Kaufmann, Brian O'Keefe and Mike Stidham in this book have captured the magic and mystique of bonefishing. I can do no better than quote the following

"You sense the freedom of the wind and the surf tugging at your psyche. You experience the adrenaline rush of speeding bonefish and savour the tranquil ambience as the sun transforms into a fireball and sizzles into the ocean"

Fly fishing for bonefish is easy. It does not require mythical prowess or exceptional angling skills It is much less complicated and technical than fly fishing for trout.Neophyte anglers often hook bonefish on their first adventure This book tells you where, when, and how to do it.

Bonefishing is the definitive work on the subject. If you are a bonefish aficionado, you must have this book. If you are not yet a bonefish angler, you will soon be. Its without doubt the best book on this great sport of angling it has been my pleasure to read. In fifty years time anglers will still say "Have you read that book Bonefishing by Randall Kaufmann?"

Available from Coch-Y-Bonddu Books Tel 01654-702837