Looking for BVI fly fishing info

Ashley Frohwein

unread,

Jun 21, 2016, 2:14:22 PM6/21/16

to Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders

Hi all,

So I was planning to go to Islamorada for a week in mid-July with my girlfriend, but she was kind enough to dump me over the phone last night, so now I will likely be heading to the British Virgin Islands [alone] instead. I'm just starting my Google research on the fishing situation in the BVI, and would greatly appreciate any info any of you could provide. My preliminary research leads me to believe that there's not a ton of flats fishing, and that I probably need to hire a guide, or at least rent a boat. I'm mainly interested in chasing bones, permit, and tarpon, but anything that pulls is fine with me.

Any input and advice would be greatly appreciated.

Misha Gill

unread,

Jun 21, 2016, 2:38:25 PM6/21/16

to Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders

My question is why not stick with Islamorada and chase big migratory tarpon?

Off the BVIs you could probably do some sick blue water fishing for sails and dorado. Not sure what else would be around but yeah I don't think the BVIs are renowned for their flats. Good coral reefs yes but not necessarily the best shallow water destination.

Ashley Frohwein

unread,

Jun 21, 2016, 2:46:42 PM6/21/16

to Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders

I could stick with Islamorada, but that would entail a ~16 hour roundtrip drive (to and from Jacksonville). I can use frequent flyer miles to get to the BVI, and have a friend with a boat there, so I'd have a free place to stay. But I'd be a bit more excited about the keys. I'm still trying to make up my mind.

Thanks for the input, Misha!

On Tuesday, June 21, 2016 at 2:38:25 PM UTC-4, Misha Gill wrote:

Jeffrey Silvan

unread,

Jun 21, 2016, 3:36:58 PM6/21/16

to tidal-potoma...@googlegroups.com

I can't provide a whole lot of info on BVI. If you're looking for somewhere to get with miles easily, you might want to try Puerto Rico. Fly guides aren't as common there, but you can find it.

If you choose the keys, make sure you go in knowing exactly what you're getting into. The majority of Keys tarpon guides simply are not enjoyable. You'll get yelled at if you miss a cast and they'll generally make you feel like you're a bad human being for not being perfect. If you've never done flats fishing - or only have minimal experience - I'd think twice about the Keys. That being said, I'm sure there are people on the forum that have had much better experiences, so if you choose to go that road instead, be selective and only use guides that someone has already vetted personally.

--
http://www.tpfr.org
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to tidal-potomac-fly-...@googlegroups.com.
To post to this group, send email to tidal-potoma...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/tidal-potomac-fly-rodders/89eae575-b7a1-46df-8b74-e1a4a09cb21a%40googlegroups.com.

For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.

Jim White

unread,

Jun 21, 2016, 3:42:51 PM6/21/16

to Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders

Sorry to hear about the phone dump. That sucks.

Few better excuse to get the hell out of dodge and go fishing.

Ashley Frohwein

unread,

Jun 21, 2016, 4:37:41 PM6/21/16

to Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders

Thanks, guys. I'm leaning toward BVI. I might try Anegada, and hire a guide.

Yeah, a phone dump is an odd way to end a multi-year relationship, but whatever. Beyond being a drive, the keys (where I would have been going with the ex) will prob be a little weird alone. Personal attacks aren't allowed on TPFR, so I'll just lie and say I'll miss her and that I wish her the best.

Right now, I'm just focused on fish. Oh yeah, and freedom.

Yambag Nelson

unread,

Jun 21, 2016, 6:07:43 PM6/21/16

to Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders

What are you basing this on? I have fished the keys quite a bit with a few different guides and they have all been great. One I would go as far as to say is the best guy I have ever fished with period.

To say that the majority are not enjoyable seems like a huge overstatement. Maybe one or two, but there are too many good guides down there for anyone to pay $600 a day to put up with a jerk.

On Tuesday, June 21, 2016 at 3:36:58 PM UTC-4, Jeff Silvan wrote:

I can't provide a whole lot of info on BVI. If you're looking for somewhere to get with miles easily, you might want to try Puerto Rico. Fly guides aren't as common there, but you can find it.

If you choose the keys, make sure you go in knowing exactly what you're getting into. The majority of Keys tarpon guides simply are not enjoyable. You'll get yelled at if you miss a cast and they'll generally make you feel like you're a bad human being for not being perfect. If you've never done flats fishing - or only have minimal experience - I'd think twice about the Keys. That being said, I'm sure there are people on the forum that have had much better experiences, so if you choose to go that road instead, be selective and only use guides that someone has already vetted personally.

On Tue, Jun 21, 2016 at 2:46 PM, Ashley Frohwein <ashleyf...@gmail.com> wrote:

I could stick with Islamorada, but that would entail a ~16 hour roundtrip drive (to and from Jacksonville). I can use frequent flyer miles to get to the BVI, and have a friend with a boat there, so I'd have a free place to stay. But I'd be a bit more excited about the keys. I'm still trying to make up my mind.

Thanks for the input, Misha!

On Tuesday, June 21, 2016 at 2:38:25 PM UTC-4, Misha Gill wrote:
My question is why not stick with Islamorada and chase big migratory tarpon?

Off the BVIs you could probably do some sick blue water fishing for sails and dorado. Not sure what else would be around but yeah I don't think the BVIs are renowned for their flats. Good coral reefs yes but not necessarily the best shallow water destination.

--
http://www.tpfr.org
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders" group.

To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to tidal-potomac-fly-rodders+unsub...@googlegroups.com.

To post to this group, send email to tidal-potoma...@googlegroups.com.

Yambag Nelson

unread,

Jun 21, 2016, 6:10:13 PM6/21/16

to Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders

If it makes your decision any easier, the migratory tarpon aren't really around in mid July. You can fly into Fort Lauderdale and rent a car for pretty cheap though. Probably a lot of cheap places to stay that time of year and there is great camping nearby if that is something you are interested in.

Jeffrey Silvan

unread,

Jun 21, 2016, 6:14:43 PM6/21/16

to tidal-potoma...@googlegroups.com

I'm basing it off personal experience, and clearly we've had different experiences. I've never found a good tarpon guide and actually personally haven't met anyone that mentioned they have found a decent tarpon guide in the Keys. That's why I said make sure you vet them with someone that's fished the guide before. I had a guide curse at me and call me an idiot because I didn't see the fish 150 feet away that he was trying to point out. I had another that despite making about 20 perfect casts in a row, when I made one poor one and spooked a fish and he cursed at me and told me I was wasting his time if I was going to cast like that. My experiences in the Keys for Tarpon have been so soured that I'll probably never go back, and if I do, I'll make sure to hit you up for some good recommendations.

On Tue, Jun 21, 2016 at 6:07 PM, Yambag Nelson <northstreet...@gmail.com> wrote:

What are you basing this on? I have fished the keys quite a bit with a few different guides and they have all been great. One I would go as far as to say is the best guy I have ever fished with period.

To say that the majority are not enjoyable seems like a huge overstatement. Maybe one or two, but there are too many good guides down there for anyone to pay $600 a day to put up with a jerk.

On Tuesday, June 21, 2016 at 3:36:58 PM UTC-4, Jeff Silvan wrote:

I can't provide a whole lot of info on BVI. If you're looking for somewhere to get with miles easily, you might want to try Puerto Rico. Fly guides aren't as common there, but you can find it.

If you choose the keys, make sure you go in knowing exactly what you're getting into. The majority of Keys tarpon guides simply are not enjoyable. You'll get yelled at if you miss a cast and they'll generally make you feel like you're a bad human being for not being perfect. If you've never done flats fishing - or only have minimal experience - I'd think twice about the Keys. That being said, I'm sure there are people on the forum that have had much better experiences, so if you choose to go that road instead, be selective and only use guides that someone has already vetted personally.

On Tue, Jun 21, 2016 at 2:46 PM, Ashley Frohwein <ashleyf...@gmail.com> wrote:

I could stick with Islamorada, but that would entail a ~16 hour roundtrip drive (to and from Jacksonville). I can use frequent flyer miles to get to the BVI, and have a friend with a boat there, so I'd have a free place to stay. But I'd be a bit more excited about the keys. I'm still trying to make up my mind.

Thanks for the input, Misha!

On Tuesday, June 21, 2016 at 2:38:25 PM UTC-4, Misha Gill wrote:
My question is why not stick with Islamorada and chase big migratory tarpon?

Off the BVIs you could probably do some sick blue water fishing for sails and dorado. Not sure what else would be around but yeah I don't think the BVIs are renowned for their flats. Good coral reefs yes but not necessarily the best shallow water destination.

--
http://www.tpfr.org
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders" group.

To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to tidal-potomac-fly-...@googlegroups.com.

To post to this group, send email to tidal-potoma...@googlegroups.com.

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/tidal-potomac-fly-rodders/89eae575-b7a1-46df-8b74-e1a4a09cb21a%40googlegroups.com.

For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.

--
http://www.tpfr.org
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders" group.

To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to tidal-potomac-fly-...@googlegroups.com.

To post to this group, send email to tidal-potoma...@googlegroups.com.

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/tidal-potomac-fly-rodders/8bb24378-9273-4ab6-b5db-1e1b727c625a%40googlegroups.com.

Message has been deleted

Yambag Nelson

unread,

Jun 21, 2016, 6:36:52 PM6/21/16

to Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders

Damn, that is ridiculous. I would have ended the day right there. Nobody deserves that especially when you are paying the kind of money those guys charge.

I have heard of a couple of tough guides and fished with one who I was warned about but even he was fine (and an outstanding fishermen on top of it). As far as knowledge and angling skill the guys I have fished with in the keys blow away guides I have fished with anywhere else.

My first time to the keys (when I had no idea how to really fly cast) my guide took me out for a free day on his day off because he wanted me to catch a tarpon so badly. Also gave me an 11 weight rod to take home and practice with. One of the nicest guys I have ever met in the sport.

On Tuesday, June 21, 2016 at 6:14:43 PM UTC-4, Jeff Silvan wrote:

I'm basing it off personal experience, and clearly we've had different experiences. I've never found a good tarpon guide and actually personally haven't met anyone that mentioned they have found a decent tarpon guide in the Keys. That's why I said make sure you vet them with someone that's fished the guide before. I had a guide curse at me and call me an idiot because I didn't see the fish 150 feet away that he was trying to point out. I had another that despite making about 20 perfect casts in a row, when I made one poor one and spooked a fish and he cursed at me and told me I was wasting his time if I was going to cast like that. My experiences in the Keys for Tarpon have been so soured that I'll probably never go back, and if I do, I'll make sure to hit you up for some good recommendations.

On Tue, Jun 21, 2016 at 6:07 PM, Yambag Nelson <northstreet...@gmail.com> wrote:

What are you basing this on? I have fished the keys quite a bit with a few different guides and they have all been great. One I would go as far as to say is the best guy I have ever fished with period.

To say that the majority are not enjoyable seems like a huge overstatement. Maybe one or two, but there are too many good guides down there for anyone to pay $600 a day to put up with a jerk.

On Tuesday, June 21, 2016 at 3:36:58 PM UTC-4, Jeff Silvan wrote:

I can't provide a whole lot of info on BVI. If you're looking for somewhere to get with miles easily, you might want to try Puerto Rico. Fly guides aren't as common there, but you can find it.

If you choose the keys, make sure you go in knowing exactly what you're getting into. The majority of Keys tarpon guides simply are not enjoyable. You'll get yelled at if you miss a cast and they'll generally make you feel like you're a bad human being for not being perfect. If you've never done flats fishing - or only have minimal experience - I'd think twice about the Keys. That being said, I'm sure there are people on the forum that have had much better experiences, so if you choose to go that road instead, be selective and only use guides that someone has already vetted personally.

On Tue, Jun 21, 2016 at 2:46 PM, Ashley Frohwein <ashleyf...@gmail.com> wrote:

I could stick with Islamorada, but that would entail a ~16 hour roundtrip drive (to and from Jacksonville). I can use frequent flyer miles to get to the BVI, and have a friend with a boat there, so I'd have a free place to stay. But I'd be a bit more excited about the keys. I'm still trying to make up my mind.

Thanks for the input, Misha!

On Tuesday, June 21, 2016 at 2:38:25 PM UTC-4, Misha Gill wrote:
My question is why not stick with Islamorada and chase big migratory tarpon?

Off the BVIs you could probably do some sick blue water fishing for sails and dorado. Not sure what else would be around but yeah I don't think the BVIs are renowned for their flats. Good coral reefs yes but not necessarily the best shallow water destination.

--
http://www.tpfr.org
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders" group.

To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to tidal-potomac-fly-rodders+unsub...@googlegroups.com.

To post to this group, send email to tidal-potoma...@googlegroups.com.

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/tidal-potomac-fly-rodders/89eae575-b7a1-46df-8b74-e1a4a09cb21a%40googlegroups.com.

For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.

--
http://www.tpfr.org
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders" group.

To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to tidal-potomac-fly-rodders+unsub...@googlegroups.com.

Ashley Frohwein

unread,

Jun 21, 2016, 11:40:49 PM6/21/16

to Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders

@Yambag: When you said "You can fly into Fort Lauderdale and rent a car for pretty cheap though.", did yid you mean that there ARE migratory tarpon around Ft. Lauderdale?

Yambag Nelson

unread,

Jun 22, 2016, 9:24:21 AM6/22/16

to Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders

Nope, just meant you could save some timee by flying into Lauderdale and driving to the keys.

Message has been deleted

Nick Bowler

unread,

Jul 7, 2016, 1:38:48 AM7/7/16

to Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders

Just a thought, but if you are going somewhere in mid July you could do Alaska. And if you are on your own and want to go somewhere exotic to fish, I suggest Sweden or Norway.

Nedak

unread,

Jul 13, 2016, 8:14:43 AM7/13/16

to Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders

If you are still on the BVI trip, check out arawak adventures based in USVI. I went out with him once and he showed me some awesome bonefish pics from BVI. not sure if he guides in bvi but worth an email.

Ashley Frohwein

unread,

Jul 17, 2016, 12:03:02 AM7/17/16

to Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders

Hey guys. Thanks for all the advice. I got back a few days ago from the British Virgin Islands. I had a blast catching Bonefish and also was able to get into some other fish including a tarpon. I will provide a lengthy trip report when I get back. I am currently fishing for redfish in Jacksonville. I also had a blast fishing the Deschutes River in Oregon. I'll provide details soon

Reply all

Reply to author

Forward