Thanksgiving is a time designed to place families together over a common theme of giving thanks for the important aspects of life. However, there are no rules around how a given group of people must celebrate. As such, this past Thanksgiving, I took a trip down to the Bahamas to go bonefishing with my partner, Amanda, and her family.
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I grew up visiting the Bahamas with my father. We would make a pilgrimage every couple of years in search of the elusive bonefish on a fly rod. There is little more exciting in fly fishing than seeing your first bonefish on the flats and having an opportunity to cast to it.
In my youth, I only visited Grand Bahama Island. However, a couple of years after graduating from college, I went to Small Hope Bay Lodge on Andros Island with a group of friends. That is where I returned for Thanksgiving in 2025. Small Hope has treated us so well that we are already planning our trip in 2027.
This past trip gave me a new appreciation for my partner’s family. While I have spent a lot of time with them, there is something to be said for traveling with others. It is a more intimate experience, especially when the lodge places everyone together for meals and social time.
Of course, I would be remiss if I did not mention the fishing. This past trip featured the best day of bonefishing I have ever experienced. Let’s dive into the tale, along with a pseudo-review of Small Hope.
The Crux of the Idea
From the moment we stepped onto Andros Island in 2023, Amanda and I knew we would be returning. Once we were back stateside, we immediately put the bug in her parents’ ears for a Thanksgiving trip. We tried to plan a trip for Thanksgiving of 2024, but the lodge was already booked about eight months in advance. We did not let the opportunity to travel in 2025 slip away.
At first, Amanda’s parents were skeptical. Thanksgiving is a busy time at both of their jobs, and there were extra moving parts with her brother still in school. Still, we were persistent, and we got them on board.
Traveling to the Lodge
You never know what travel will be like with people you have never traveled with before. Some people are nervous travelers. Others are much too relaxed. Of course, there is also everything in between.
Travelling with Amanda’s family was a very easy experience. It helps that getting to Andros from New England is fairly simple. A quick flight from JFK to Nassau got us into the Bahamas. From there, we just had to wait for a small prop plane to hop us over to Fresh Creek, Andros.
Upon arrival at the lodge, we were greeted by many familiar faces, most of whom remembered us and all of whom welcomed their new guests with open arms. Everyone was offered a welcome drink and a quick rundown of operations. Amanda and I were turned loose to explore, while her family was given a tour of the grounds.
Amanda’s parents were sold on Small Hope before dinner on night number one. After his tour of the grounds, her dad remarked, “This place rocks!” That acceptance immediately brought a smile to our faces. This is a place we want to return to for many years. To have family on board is just icing on the cake.
After one night of conch fritters, a delectable three-course meal, dessert, and a few fruity cocktails, it became clear that this tradition was here to stay.
Bonefishing With the Fly Rods
We generally begin every vacation with a day of fishing. Even if we are fishing multiple days, day one always kicks us off.
Small Hope offers a wide variety of fishing, but our focus lies in chasing the grey ghost on the fly. That first morning always brings sheer excitement. Walking out of the cabin to the salty air and the sea breeze blowing fresh off the Atlantic is something I live for.
We are always the first ones up at the lodge. Breakfast is not even ready as we enter the lodge and lay out our gear. Soon enough, the kitchen staff presents us with either a traditional Bahamian breakfast or a spread of pancakes and eggs. Either way, you’re in heaven.
Following breakfast and a half-hour ride down the boats, we meet up with the guides. I personally love Glister, Ricardo, and Eddrico. All three guide for various lodges on the island, and all three have distinct personalities that bring a lot of liveliness to the day.
As soon as they fire up those 100 hp motors, my excitement begins to boil over. At this point in the morning, we are a mere few minutes away from standing up high and scanning for fish. That hunt is unrivaled in fly fishing.
Day one was difficult due to some high winds and tough tides. Amanda and I were unable to come tight. We left the boats feeling somewhat dejected, but still enthusiastic. After all, we had two more days of fishing ahead of us.
Catching a Monster
Day two turned out to be magical. Eddrico is one of the fishiest guides I have ever met. He could find fish with ease and spot them with laser eyesight as they came towards us. Not to mention, he is relatively similar in age to Amanda and I. He brings a light attitude and a great sense of humor to the boat.
I came tight almost immediately, now it was Amanda’s turn. Amanda struggled through the first couple of schools she cast at, and I took some grief from Eddrico for being too in her ear. However, she eventually dialed in and made a perfect cast at a school of about five fish. The lead fish slammed her fly, she set the hook, and as soon as that fish turned, Eddrico and I knew she was in for the fight of her life to this point.
This fish took off and put Amanda in her backing almost immediately. Mind you, she was fishing a 9-weight rod. Eddrico coached Amanda through the entire process. Eventually, the fish tired out, and we got it next to the boat. This beast was pushing nine pounds. For a bonefish, that is starting to get into monster territory.
Day three turned out to be quite fun as well, but it was day two that I will always remember. We pulled a dozen-plus fish to the boat that day. Had we been on our game the entire day, we probably could have caught 20.
Best of all, Amanda was able to feel a serious sense of accomplishment. I haven’t ever caught a bonefish that large myself.
Rounding Out the Trip
Outside of the fishing, our trip featured a journey to the local Androsia Boutique to make our own fabric, snorkeling, and serious gorging on food. Small Hope’s Thanksgiving spread featured a whole smoked ham, turkey, and pig along with classic Thanksgiving sides and 22, yes 22, desserts.
Of course, the best story from our trip may be from our bike ride to one of Andros’ blue holes. We overshot our turn and wound up biking about four miles farther than we were supposed to. Our detour featured busy roads and an escape from some dogs. However, we made it!
Best of all, the trip centered all of us as family and extended family. Although Amanda and I found Small Hope with our friends, I feel honored to have been included in her family’s vacation. Shared experiences like these are what create connective tissue between individuals and form lifelong bonds. All five of us will always have the memories of this trip to look back on with fondness.
Check Out Small Hope Bay
I would be remiss if I did not give Small Hope Bay Lodge its own plug. You must visit this resort. The hospitality is unlike anywhere I have ever been. The staff remembers you, they greet you, and they welcome you. Best of all, the staff wants you there.
Supporting Small Hope also means supporting the local community. Many members of the community are well taken care of by the Small Hope ownership, and the employees take pride in what they do. They are also quite good at what they do.
Whether you are a couple, family, or individual and whether you like to fish, dive, snorkel, kayak, or lounge on the beach, Small Hope is the place for you. See you in 2027.
