“SERVING THE ANGLER WHO TRAVELS” $5 A MONTHLY NEWSLETTER THE ANGLING REPORT August 2015 Vol. 28, No. 8 DateLINE: BAHAMas tions call for the imposition of a $20 al symposium on the new regulations daily fishing fee on non-Bahamians, in Nassau. We noted in our bulletin that News...News...News and they contain language that has the proposed regulations were poorly More Conflict Erupting some lodge owners worried about the drafted and open to differing interpreta- prospect of a partial or full nationaliza- tions: over Bonefishing Rights tion of their businesses. Additionally, “Will they indeed cast doubt on the the regulations contain language that legality of fishing activities at foreign- hat report we published in the owned lodges? Will they make it illegal June issue about independent for foreign-owned lodges to operate Tguides harassing on-your-own boats unless they re-title them as Baha- anglers in the Bahamas has taken a new mian-owned? Can lodge owners sen- ominous turn. Seems those same guides sibly do that? Will lodge-based clients have now expanded their target list to have to have a daily fishing permit? The include privately owned lodges, caus- cost for that would be $120 for a week. ing a wave of concern about the island And consider the section of the regula- nation’s attitude toward foreign invest- tions dealing with anglers who want ment in its tourist sector. We released an to fish without a guide. In one place it e-mail bulletin about this development says anglers can apply ahead of time, that some readers did not see. Here are online, for daily fishing permits. Else- some excerpts: may make it difficult or impossible for where in the regulations it appears that “The Bahamas Ministry of Agricul- anglers to fish on their own in the Baha- the authority to deny fishing permits ture and Marine Resources has just re- mas without a registered guide....” will be vested in individuals, some of leased draft regulations calling for some The bulletin went on to describe whom are opposed to on-your-own fish- major changes in the way flats fishing is the tight deadline that was set for public ing—namely, guides and lodge owners. conducted in the Bahamas. The regula- comment, followed quickly by a nation- If the latter reflects the final outcome of the deliberations, it will probably end SUPPORT OUR CORPORATE SPONSORS on-your-own fishing in the Bahamas by non-citizens. That will have a huge impact on family-run island hotels, ma- rinas, restaurants and car rental agencies that have long catered to on-your-own anglers. It will even have a negative impact on independent guides who earn IN THIS ISSUE a goodly portion of their income from anglers who want to do a mixture of Chile Costa Rica guided and unguided fishing. A Heartfelt Tribute to An Important Update on “An overarching concern about the Posada de los Farios Rio Colorado Tarpon Fishing Pages 2–4 Pages 6–8 regulations is their punitive tone. They suggest a negative attitude toward for- California India eign investment in the tourist sector, and What’s the Latest on The Himalayan Outback Delta Striper Fishing? Takes Record Mahseer they are just not friendly and forgiving. Pages 4–5 Page 8–9 If implemented as currently proposed, these regulations call for the imposition Cuba Subscriber-Written Reports of a fine of up to $3,000, a prison term Fishing Area Shakeup: Cuba Outfitter Gets Rave, Rant. Who Is Getting What? Plus, a Report on Moore’s Island of up to three months, and confiscation Page 6 Pages 10–13 of all fishing gear and related supplies THE ANGLING REPORT of anyone who breaks any of the new to take anglers out as before. As for on- rules. An offender might be a visitor your-own anglers, they would be able to from afar who simply didn’t know he buy multiday and possibly even annual had to have a permit to walk the beach licenses. The issuance of the licenses with a fly rod while his wife and kids to on-your-own anglers, most observ- enjoy other activities. For sure, the first ers feel, would serve to fully legitimize time these kinds of sanctions are im- on-your-own fishing and make it harder posed the travel blogs and forums are for the police to turn their back on ha- THE ANGLING REPORT going to light up. Millions of dollars rassment and vandalism by independent EDITOR of damage will be done to the tourism guides. Don Causey industry of the Bahamas. As this issue goes to press, the “What’s really unfortunate here sense of relief among everyone involved ADVERTISING DIRECTOR is the fact that the new regulations in flats fishing in the Bahamas has given Michael Lyons point in some very positive directions. way to a sense of unease and worry MARKETING DIRECTOR Indeed, why not impose a fishing fee that Parliament, goaded by a handful of Michael Lyons on visiting anglers, a larger one on un- jingoists, might do the unthinkable after guided anglers, maybe, than on guided all and fully nationalize sportfishing, or ADVERTISING MANAGER anglers? Why not register guides? And, at least revert to enough of the original Michael Lyons most important of all, why not earmark draconian measures to make second LAYOUT & PRODUCTION the revenues from all this to conserva- home buyers in the Bahamas dump Ben F. Badger Jr. tion causes? I think most fair-minded their homes and boats and run. Also, anglers would support all those steps. how many ordinary anglers, guided or ILLUSTRATIONS Let’s just hope these progressive steps unguided, are going to want to fish in a Gordon Allen are not overshadowed by some of the country that is ready to fine you $3,000 really mean and draconian measures and throw you in jail for three months The Angling Report envisioned by the individuals who wrote for wandering down a beach with a fly 202-770-9942 these draft regulations. .” rod? Stay tuned. The future of Baha- After this bulletin came out, a new mian flats fishing, maybe its thriving The Angling Report (ISSN: 1045-3539) is published monthly by Oxpecker Enterprises, Inc., 4431 group emerged in the Bahamas, specifi- tourism industry, is hanging in the bal- Greenwich Parkway, Washington, DC 20007. cally, the Abaco Guides Association, to ance. —Don Causey. Periodicals Postage Paid at Washington, DC. and counter the draconian proposals that at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send DateLINE: CHILE address changes to The Angling Report, 4431 had put everyone on edge, including Greenwich Parkway, Washington, DC 20007. The lodge owners and individual anglers. On-Site Report Angling Report is not a booking agent, nor is it For a while it appeared their counter- affiliated with a booking agent, outfitter, or guide. proposal was going to carry the day. Posada de los Farios: How can we help you? The key component of their proposal is A Heartfelt Tribute a call for the issuance of a moderately New Subscriptions: A one-year subscription costs $49. Add $11 per year in Canada/Mexico. $29 priced daily fishing license that would Don Causey Note: It never ceases to overseas. Visa/MC/Amex accepted. Contact us on the be available online, with fees earmarked amaze me how well some subscribers to Web (www.anglingreport.com), by phone (202-770- for conservation-friendly activities. For- this publication can write. Witness this 9942), by e-mail ([email protected]), or by mail (The Angling Report, 4431 Greenwich Parkway, eign-owned lodges would be allowed report by Tom Fort on Posada de los Washington, DC 20007). Online Extra Upgrade: One year costs $24, in addition to regular subscription fee. Puts one on list Honor Roll Subscribers to receive e-mail invitations to go fishing FREE in return for filing a report. Unlimited access to our trip- The Angling Report encourages Roll subscribers also get special con- planning database also included. Plus, e-mail and hard subscribers to file reports on great sideration for FREE trips. If you have copies of monthly newsletters. Same contact details places to fish and important news been on an interesting trip recently, as above. developments that help the rest of us send a letter-length report to see if Trip-Planning Materials: Same contact details as above. By phone, fax, e-mail, or mail. Do your own decide where to go—or not to go— you can get on our subscriber Honor searches on our website, www.anglingreport.com. Click fishing. Subscribers who file unusu- Roll. E-mail it to doncausey@anglin- on “Trip-Planning Tools.” Thousands of pages of sub- ally important and useful reports are greport.com. You can find the com- scriber reports and previously published articles. placed on our Subscriber Honor Roll plete list of Honor Roll subscribers on Subscription Questions: Same contact details as above. On our website, www.anglingreport.com, click and sent a complimentary Angling our website, www.anglingreport.com. on “Subscribe.” Report Honor Roll fishing cap. Honor Click on “Honor Roll subscribers.” August 2015 -2- Volume 28, Number 8 THE ANGLING REPORT Farios, the wonderful River Cisnes that clear the land, these pioneers lit fires that de los Farios are rich and varied. There it sits on, and the stunning overall am- burned on and off for ten years, consum- are miles of fishing on the Cisnes itself— bience in which it is nestled. Caution! ing much of the old-growth lenga forest, some of them generally floated in an This report will make you want to drop leaving swathes littered with bleached inflatable, some waded, all seething with whatever you are doing and jump on a trunks and branches like casualties from superbly conditioned brown trout (there plane to Chile! some long-ago battle.