MoT plans 'biggest' fly fishing plan

Wed, Mar 27th 2013, 11:15 AM

The Ministry of Tourism plans to aggressively market fly fishing, as it shows great economic potential for the country.
"Fly fishing is by far the biggest segment that we are going after in our marketing initiatives moving forward. It's an area where Bahamians can compete with the rest of the world," according to Earl Miller, the Ministry of Tourism's general manager for vertical markets.
Miller explained to Guardian Business that the country's fishing market consists of three sections: fly fishing, deep sea fishing and recreational fishing.
However, the tourism executive revealed that fly fishing is leading the way. The tourism official believes it is an area in which Bahamians can compete, estimating thousands of dollars could be made during a weekend fishing excursion.
"A Bahamian doesn't need $1 million to build a lodge. He can build a four- or five-room lodge and it can be very profitable and that could sustain him and his family for years simply because this is not a high-end accommodation," he told Guardian Business.
"It's rustic, but clean and comfortable. He can make an average of $3,500 for a weekend fly fishing trip. It's an area where Bahamians can compete with the rest of the world in terms of foreign investors that want to come in and build lodges."
He pointed out fly fishing can take place throughout The Bahamas, but admits that islands like Andros, Exuma, Crooked Island, Grand Bahama, Abaco and Acklins are all considered "hot spots".
Fly fishing can also be done on Nassau, which most people would overlook. There is great fly fishing on the southern end of the island and sometimes even deep sea fishing, Miller explained.
As exclusively revealed by Guardian Business, the $5 million Black Fly Lodge recently opened at Schooner Bay. The destination is reporting full occupancy between now and the end of June.
Clint Kemp, one of the owners at Black Fly, described it as the "new wave" of fishing lodges.
"We feel the lodge will create a substantial number of investors that will either come back and stay with us or perhaps invest in the community itself," according to Kemp.

Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian

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