The "Marls of Abaco" is a vast expanse of prime, wilderness bonefish habitat, situated along the western shore of Great Abaco Island in the Bahamas. This little fished area spans some 300 square miles: 30 miles north - south and about 10 miles off the west coast of Abaco. The Marls have long been known by well-traveled bonefishermen as one of the most unique and productive fisheries in the Bahamas.

Abaco Island is one of the larger and more developed Islands in the 700 mile long Bahamian chain, but its development is principally along the eastern shore with white sand beaches and easy access to deep water. Much of the land mass along the western shore drops off to swampy wetlands, referred to as the "The Marls". Comprised of hundreds of square miles of mangroves, creeks, cuts and flats, navigable only by shallow draft flats skiffs, the Marls remain an undeveloped wilderness and ideal Bonefish habitat. The first fishing lodge access to the Marls came in the early 90's from the now defunct Great Abaco Bonefish Club (GABC) on the eastern shore at Cherokee Sound. Recognizing the potential of the fishing in the Marls, owner Nettie Symonette acquired a piece of property extending from the main highway to the western shore. She had a road built as far west as possible and when they could go no more, she brought in a back hoe to dig a channel the final 150 yards through the wetlands (affectionately known as "Nettie's Ditch") to allow boat access to open water just to the south side of the Marls. The project was a success and the fishing was fabulous! The area is loaded with medium sized bones ranging from 2 - 7 pounds, occasionally larger. These fish had never seen any pressure and were extremely cooperative! GABC only fished the southernmost 10 - 20% of the Marls. There was no need to run farther north as the fishing was so good. Nettie's focus changed and she closed the fishing lodge in 2005 to move on to other hotel projects.

There is a more northern access point to the Marls, about 5 miles northwest of Marsh Harbour. A few local guides fish this section of the Marls, but for the most part, the bulk of the Marls have remained largely untouched for years. In November of 2008, Nervous Waters, a company based in Buenos Aires, acquired a small hotel property with waterfront property on the Marls. Soon after, they began extensive renovations and new construction of what is called, "Abaco Lodge", the only lodge on Abaco with direct access to this incredible fishery. Nervous Waters owns and operates seven of the world's finest fishing lodges, including the famous Kau Tapen, Villa Maria and Toon Ken Lodges in Tierra del Fuego and the fabulously successful Bair's Lodge on South Andros in the Bahamas.

Nervous Waters adds "Abaco Lodge" to their impressive list of properties and will host their first guests, April 24, 2009. As with all Nervous Waters properties, you can expect comfortable and well appointed accommodations, world class cuisine, top of the line boats operated by experienced guides, and a management & staff committed to providing the utmost in service and attention to detail.

Abaco Lodge will accommodate a maximum of 8 anglers, each in a single room with private bath. The waterfront guest rooms and main lodge overlook a small bay that opens to the Marls. The bonefish move into the Marls on the rising tide looking for food, and the drill is to follow them in, and when the tide starts to drop, follow them back out. Some of these interior flats are wadable, but as the term "marl" implies, many of the interior flats are too soft for comfortable wading, so are fished from the skiff. The outer edges of the Marls are typically firm, and the guides may target tailing fish on these wadable flats during the lower stages of the tide. From time to time, Tarpon may be encountered on some of the deeper flats.

Unlike some of the less developed islands in the Bahamas, Abaco has the third largest airport in the Bahamas (Marsh Harbour). Good numbers of direct flights from the U.S. makes traveling relatively easy and the lodge is an easy 15-minute drive from the airport. Packages of any duration are available. Below rates are based on single occupancy accommodations and fishing 2 anglers per boat and guide. Single fishing rates are available on request.

Abaco Lodge 2010 - 2011 Rates (subject to change)

October 15, 2010 - March 31, 2011 & June 1 - 30, 2011 7 Nights / 6 Days Fishing $4,550 per person 6 Nights / 5 Days Fishing $3,950 per person  5 Nights / 4 Days Fishing $3,400 per person 4 Nights / 3 Days Fishing $2,775 per person 3 Nights / 2 Days Fishing $2,100 per person

April 1 - May 31, 2011 7 Nights / 6 Days Fishing $4,850 per person 6 Nights / 5 Days Fishing $4,195 per person  5 Nights / 4 Days Fishing $3,650 per person 4 Nights / 3 Days Fishing $2,950 per person 3 Nights / 2 Days Fishing $2,220 per person

Included in the rate: transportation from Marsh Harbour airport to the lodge, round-trip; single occupancy room; all meals; refreshments onboard the boat; beer and soft drinks and liquor at the lodge; wine with dinner and a boat and guide for each two anglers, daily. Not included and/or additional charges would include: air travel to Marsh Harbour; tackle, lures, flies, personal items and gratuities. A 50% deposit is necessary to confirm a reservation. Final payment is due 65 days prior to arrival. Given Nervous Water's reputation as a world-class outfitter and the caliber of this fishery resource, we expect that Abaco Lodge will enjoy the same popularity and success that Bair's Lodge on Andros has had over the years. Reservations are already coming in for 2011, and beyond, so if you would like to sample this world-class fishery from a truly great lodge, we recommend you call now to make your reservations.

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