An Invitation from Vaughn Cochran to View his New Exhibition at the IGFA Hall of Fame Museum Through April 15th
January 25, 2012 at 2:48 am | Posted in Bimini Big Game Club, Bonefish Bimini, Guy Harvey | Leave a commentTags: Bimini Big Game Club, Bonefish Bimini, Guy Harvey, Guy Harvey Outpost, IGFA
Ned Stone and Vaughn Cochran hang the artist's self-portrait during preparations for an exhibition of Vaughn's work at the IGFA.
From Vaughn Cochran – artist, conservationist, fly fishing guru and proprietor of Bonefish Bimini at the Bimini Big Game Club, a Guy Harvey Outpost Resort & Marina:
You are invited to attend the GRAND OPENING of my newest art exhibition at the IGFA Hall of Fame Museum in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. There will be a reception in the main entry to the Museum on Wednesday, January 25th from 5 to 7 pm serving food and drink. The exhibit will run until April 15th.
ABOUT THE SHOW
The invitation to do this show arrived at the same time I decided to venture into the difficult world of portraits. Not just any portraits but drawings and paintings of the legends of the industry, following the path I chose years ago to create art that spoke about the images, ideas and concepts of the fishing industry….the tools, the colors, boats, familiar scenes and of course the fish. Degas painted dancers and Andy Worhol through his colorful paintings, silkscreen prints and sculptures elevated everyday items of the popular culture into the art world, (where the term “Pop” came from). This would be my chance to elevate the icons of fishing and to explore bringing my interpretation of my friends to the walls of the IGFA. What better way to force myself to actually execute the idea of contemporary portraits from conception to “hanging a show”.
Each piece in this show could be a starting point for another show, paintings that would be take offs, exploring the concepts that were established in that particular painting. I’m sure you’ll see these thoughts again in paintings somewhere down the road, as every artist is always asking the same question…where do I go from here? Should I keep painting the same thing over and over again or should I take a chance and risk failure?
Take a chance…..failure is not an option!
I hope you enjoy the show.
Return of Legendary Big Game Club Sparks New Tourism Opportunities in Bimini
January 7, 2012 at 11:28 pm | Posted in Billfish Invitational, Bimini Big Game Club, Bonefish Bimini, Dive Bimini, Guy Harvey, Guy Harvey Outpost Ltd. | Leave a commentTags: Billfish Invitational, Bimini Big Game Club, Bonefish Bimini, Dive Bimini, Guy Harvey, Guy Harvey Outpost, Neal Watson, Vaughn Cochran
BIMINI, ALICE TOWN—JANUARY 6, 2012— At the gateway to the Bahamas—an archipelago of 700 islands sweeping across 500 miles of open ocean—Bimini has been a media darling in 2011, as dozens of journalists from around the world have re-discovered this tiny island in the stream.
At the forefront of the news surrounding Bimini in 2011, was the successful re-opening of the historic Bimini Big Game Club, a legendary 51-room fishing resort, fully renovated and repositioned as a Guy Harvey Outpost Resort and Marina. Dr. Harvey, known internationally for his marine wildlife art and conservation initiatives, and his Outpost Resorts partners, drove home the message that not only was one of the most legendary offshore angling outposts of all time back in operation, it was also re-inventing itself in a tourism market, where eco-systems and bio-diversity are considerations when promoting traditional pursuits such as fishing, diving and boating.
“In addition to dozens of traditional sport fishing and diving media, the Big Game Club’s return and Bimini’s ever-intriguing storylines drew travel journalists from Switzerland, Spain, Canada and the Netherlands and several US based television news and cable TV operations—we even had the Food Channel here doing a piece on Lionfish, which we catch, prepare and serve in our dining room,” said Michael Weber, General Manager of the Big Game Club. “We also successfully returned to tournament fishing with the launch of the First Annual Billfish Invitational last May as well as hosting events with Hatteras and Bertram Yachts, which celebrated their 50th anniversary here.”
As the result of the local publicity and Bahamas Tourism Board promotions, according to Weber, guest visits are improving and a new wave of tourism interest in Bimini is beginning to build. Bahamas out-island tourism, according to reports through October 2011, showed visitor numbers were up 13% year-to-date.
The Big Game Club is continuing to build its own tourism focused base in 2012, promoting its traditional water sports activities along with a new push for meetings, weddings and group related programs.
Weber said the recent completion of the Gulfstream Conference Center and Hemingway’s Rum Bar & Social Lounge will be heavily promoted as a convenient out-island venue for corporate, scientific and social group events.
Inspired by the renewed public interest, airlift into Bimini continues to improve into 2012.
Bimini has scheduled air access by several carriers including:
* Silver Airways Corp, a new regional carrier launched with assets from the former Gulfstream International Airlines, (the code sharing partner of Continental/United) has acquired a new aircraft (34-seat Saab 340), which should be in service by February/March 2012. At present Silver has increased their frequency to two flights daily from Fort Lauderdale.
* IBC Airways currently operates with Saab 30 passenger aircraft out of Fort Lauderdale International Airport with four times a week service.
* Western Air services Bimini via Nassau with two flights daily.
* For North Florida residents AirGate Aviation has announced regular scheduled service to Bimini.
* Tropic Ocean Airways is the newest member to the Big Game Club offering seaplane service to Bimini from Fort Lauderdale on a charter basis and as a scheduled carrier in March.
For scheduling flights, Weber said its recommended to use the Outpost Travel Concierge Service through the Big Game Club’s reservation office: 1-800-867-4764.
Another potential public transportation service is The Bahamas Express, a high-speed ferry service currently linking Fort Lauderdale and Freeport in the Bahamas. Future plans call for more regular service ports, including Bimini (tentatively March 2012).
Attracting the bulk of travelers to Bimini, according to Weber, will be the traditional blue water angling, backcountry fly fishing and diving pursuits offered at the Bimini Big Game Club and other properties.
“New for 2012, we hope to add water sports activities such as kayaking and kayak nature tours, kite-boarding and instruction and paddle boards,” Weber added.
As for the more traditional pursuits:
Located on the main navigation channel in Bimini Bay, The Big Game Club provides a 75-slip marina capable of accommodating boats up to 145 feet in length. Boaters crossing the stream to Bimini and The Big Game are asked to call the US Marina Reservations Office to arrange for slip accommodations and confirm other special requirements.
Offshore charters are currently available through noted Carolina sportfishing captain Skipper Gentry and his 46’ Post powered with 625 hp diesels.
The Big Game Club is also represented on Bimini’s record setting backcountry flats with fly fishing guru Vaughn Cochran at the helm of Bonefish Bimini. Neal Watson, known fondly as the “Dive God” for his superhuman record breaking scuba records, has launched Neal Watson’s Dive Bimini, a Guy Harvey Outpost Dive Center featuring M/V Bimini Blue, the largest recreational dive boat in the Bahamas.
“Bimini has no shortage of great dive sites: Reefs, Wrecks, Walls, Drift Dives, our famous Atlantis Road and a truly amazing Wild Dolphin Encounter – you name it,” said Watson. “And did I mention, Shark Encounters”, he asks with a grin.
As for future dive sites, an effort currently is underway to sink the tugboat “Manatee” south of Turtle Rocks to make a good dive site in prevailing northeasterly winds. The “Manatee” is currently docked in South Bimini.
Bonefish Packages Announced at Bimini Big Game Club, a Guy Harvey Outpost
November 21, 2011 at 6:13 pm | Posted in Bimini Big Game Club, Bonefish Bimini, Guy Harvey Outpost Ltd. | Leave a commentTags: Bimini Big Game Club, bonefish, Bonefish Bimini, IGFA, permit, Vaughn Cochran
Set a New World Record for Bonefish or Permit and Win a Week’s Stay For 2
ALICE TOWN, BIMINI-NOVEMBER 21, 2011-Management at the Bimini Big Game Club, a Guy Harvey Outpost Resort and Marina has created a novel challenge tied into their newly announced bonefish fishing travel package – break any world record in any line class for bonefish or permit on fly or spinning rod and win a week’s all-inclusive stay for two!
Bimini, located just less than 50 miles from Miami/Fort Lauderdale, is home to some 50 World Records, with four of those current world records being for bonefish/permit.
Perhaps the most remembered bonefish record was set in 1971 by Virginia Beach sportsman Jerry Lavenstein, who along with legendary guide Ansil Saunders landed a 16-pound, 3-ounce monster just some 300 yards from the
historic Big Game Club.
Break Lavenstein’s 40-year-old record – or any IGFA registered record for Bonefish or Permit – and the Big Game Club will provide a complimentary seven night stay, including airfare and transfers, and a day on the water with fly fishing personality Vaughn Cochran.
The competition challenge offer, which is open through 2012, is available to anyone purchasing the special Fly Fishing Package. Details are available at Bonefish Bimini, or call Captain Vaughn Cochran at 904-997-2200 or BBGC reservations at 1-800-867-4764.
Bonefish & Tarpon Trust Symposium Set for Nov. 11th & 12th
August 29, 2011 at 2:41 pm | Posted in Bimini Big Game Club, Bonefish Bimini | Leave a commentTags: Black Fly Bimini, bonefish, Bonefish and Tarpon Trust, Bonefish Bimini
Fly fishing guru Vaughn Cochran and Bimini Big Game Club guide "Eagle Eyes" Fred enjoy a bountiful day bonefishing on the Bimini flats.
The Fourth International Bonefish and Tarpon Trust Symposium will take place on November 11th and 12th, 2011 at the International Game Fishing Association Hall of Fame in Dania Beach, FL. Representatives from Guy Harvey Outpost will be in attendance.
Held every third year, this Symposium promises to be the largest and most informative to date. Two full days of presentations on cutting edge scientific research of bonefish, tarpon and permit from fisheries scientists around the world is scheduled, as well as panel discussions, fly casting seminars and tying clinics by some of the world’s noted flats anglers. On the final night an “Evening with the Legends” banquet will be emceed by author and angler Andy Mill, participants include; Joan Wulff, Bob Popovics, Lefty Kreh, Flip Pallot, Chico Fernandez, Sandy Moret, Rick Ruoff, Mark Sosin, Ralph Delph, Steve Huff, Bill Curtis, Stu Apte and George Hommell.
Leading up to and as part of the Symposium, Bonefish and Tarpon Trust will be auctioning multiple guided days of fishing and special one of a kind fishing adventures with expert guides who have donated their time to benefit BTT. For more information on these auctions and to submit your bids please go to the “Symposium Auctions” button on the BTT web site.
Space is limited, so be sure to register early. All interested anglers are welcome. For more information and a complete schedule of events, please visit the BTT web site, or call 239-283-4733.
Maimi Herald: Bonefish quest in Bimini proves to be an adventure
July 25, 2011 at 5:37 pm | Posted in Bimini Big Game Club, Bonefish Bimini | Leave a commentTags: Bimini Big Game Club, bonefish, Bonefish Bimini, permit, Vaughn Cochran
The following article appeared in the Wednesday, July 20th edition of the Miami Herald.
BY SUSAN COCKING
BIMINI, Bahamas – If Pat Ford — an accomplished fly fisher and nature photographer from South Miami — were to write an account of the bonefish he caught and released on a recent trip to Bimini, it would be pretty cut-and-dried, something like:
“Fishing with Black Fly Outfitters president Vaughn Cochran and a local guide, we saw about 20 bonefish and caught 11 on fly rod in a single day.”
Ho hum. Among accomplished anglers like Cochran, who used to be a guide in the Keys, and Ford, who has won trophies in several Keys fly-fishing tournaments, double-digit bonefish releases are fun but don’t generate much bragging.
Fortunately, things got a lot more exciting for Ford in Bimini a day later when he fished with guide Freddie Rolle and me.
EQUIPMENT FAILURE
Despite an impending low-pressure system, Rolle managed to find a respectable number of bonefish on the flats for me to cast. I blew quite a few casts until a group of four or five approached. Putting the fly directly in their path about 40 feet away, I was excited and gratified when one of them picked it up and performed its signature speed run across the flats.
But happiness quickly turned to dismay when my 9-weight reel fell into the water. The reel’s foot, which anchors the reel to the rod, had broken.
Ford, obviously bored by watching me not catch fish for the past 11/2 hours, sprang into action. As I held the rod bent high to try to keep tension on the fish, he attempted to hand-line the reel back into the boat. This proved tricky. Because the bonefish had emptied all the fly line, the reel held only backing, and I had the drag set very lightly. When Ford tried to pull in the backing, it slipped through his fingers as the reel sat on the bottom.
Meanwhile, the fish had no intention of being caught. It made several erratic dashes, one of which nearly tangled the backing into knots. The language erupting on the skiff during this channeling of a Three Stooges episode does not bear repeating.
Somehow, Ford managed to bring the reel back on board and wedge the broken foot onto my rod. Unbelievably, the line had remained untangled, and the fish was still connected. I held the reel onto the rod with one hand and cranked with the other.
MORE SURPRISES
After what seemed like decades, I fought the fish close enough to the boat for Rolle to grab it and bring it on board. We estimated it at 5 pounds. Stunned, I tried to smile as Ford obligingly snapped his trademark photos. Then he went to remove the fly before putting the fish back in the water.
That’s when we all got a new surprise: the shank of the hook had broken, and the only thing holding it together were layers of tying materials wrapped around it.
I shook my head. An incredible upending of Murphy’s Law. I wonder if there ever was a fish caught with so many factors working against it. Who needs a world record anyway?
Billfish Invitational Auction Spotlight – “Bimini Big Gamer” Package
May 12, 2011 at 5:17 pm | Posted in Billfish Invitational, Bimini Big Game Club | Leave a commentTags: Billfish Invitational, Bimini Big Game Club, Bimini Blue, Bonefish Bimini, Capt. Billy Black, Dive Bimini, Neal Watson
BILLFISH INVITATIONAL AUCTION ITEM: The Bimini Big Gamer
The Big Game Is On at the legendary Bimini Big Game Club, a Guy Harvey Outpost, and this package is a front row seat to all the action. Swanky accommodations. A day of offshore fishing. A day of backcountry fishing. A day of diving. A night of wining and dining and some flying around on your own private plane. You’re in the major leagues now! Enjoy a five night stay in one of the Club’s four penthouse one bedroom suites which give new meaning to phrase “million dollar view”. Each is designed with an individual style – the Hemingway and Lerner suites, side by side, as these two legends were in real life, or Guy Harvey’s personal suite and the adjoining Blue Marlin. Get rested up because every day is “Game Day” at the Big Game Club.
Day 1 – Sunrise…time to suit up and go chase the Man in the Blue Suit! Gear up for some serious blue water angling with the legendary Captain Billy Black, a man who knows these waters like Hemingway knew his mojitos! Enjoy a day with Captain Billy and three of your fishing buddies aboard “El Viejo”, a classic 53 Rybovich fishing machine. The Man in the Blue Suit doesn’t take kindly to amateurs, so make sure you know your stuff, and if not, you’d best follow Captain Billy’s orders. It’s true, fish fear him!
Day 2 – And speaking of orders….bonefish, 2 o’clock, 30 feet, cast, strip, try again. Yes, on Day 2, we’re talking tough love from one of Bonefish Bimini’s expert guides. These guides grew up fishing the flats of Bimini, and their knowledge of local bonefish and permit habits might constitute trade secrets. The skiff accommodates two anglers, but you may not want to share these secrets with anyone!
Day 3 – Time to suit up again…this time in your swimsuit or wet suit, because you and three friends are off for a two tank dive aboard M.V. Bimini Blue with the dive pros of Neal Watson’s Dive Bimini. Wrecks, walls, reefs and the mysterious Atlantis Road – there’s no end to the diving options. Enjoy diving in style aboard the Club’s 60ft double deck, glass bottom boat, complete with men’s and women’s bathrooms, warm water showers, and snack bar with adult beverages on board. During your stay, you’ll be a guest of the Bimini Big Game Bar & Grill, the island’s most popular waterfront restaurant and bar. Enjoy a complimentary dinner for four while overlooking the marina and debating who’s winning the Big Game. We’ll buy you dinner and a nice bottle of wine, but these types of debates go on long into the night, so cocktails are for your account!
When it comes there is no more time on the score clock, and the Big Game draws to a close, regardless of the score everyone’s a winner, for you and your friends are going home in style….just like the way you arrived ! On your very own private Sky Limo Cessna Caravan charter that seats seven – or you alone and a lot of luggage – round trip from Ft. Lauderdale Executive Airport. As you climb out over Bimini and look back at Alice Town and the Big Game Club, you know the Big Game will go on, but the Outpost team awaits the return of you, the Bimini Big Gamer! . Donated by the Bimini Big Game Club, “El Viejo” Sportfishing Charters, and Sky Limo Charters.
AUCTION INFORMATION:
Tickets to nightly events of the inaugural 2011 Billfish Invitational are available for $150/pp. Price includes cocktails, dinner and participation in the auction and award presentations.
On-site auction is Thursday, May 19th at the Bimini Big Game Club. Online bids accepted through Midnight, Wednesday, May 18.
Please contact Capt. Ned Stone (nstone@guyharveyoutpost.com) for details.
Bimini Celebrates 40th Anniversary of Record Bonefish Catch
March 7, 2011 at 5:19 pm | Posted in Bimini Big Game Club, Bonefish Bimini | Leave a commentTags: Ansil Saunders, Bimini Big Game Club, bonefish, Bonefish Bimini, Vaughn Cochran
Journalists and Residents Mark The Occasion with Tournament and Parade
ALICE TOWN, BIMINI—MARCH 7, 2011—In 1971 a Virginia Beach sportsman named Jerry Lavenstein and local Bimini bonefish guide Ansil Saunders headed out on the Bimini mud flats to cast their luck and hope for a trophy catch.
Lavenstein and Saunders gained immortality that day with a record catch, a 16-pound, 3-ounce monster bonefish, caught just 300 yards from the historic Big Game Club.
Jump ahead to early 2011 and new Big Game Club Outpost owner, celebrated artist Guy Harvey and his group of partners, had just opened a new outfitter operation, Bonefish Bimini with fly fishing guru Vaughn Cochran at the helm. Celebrating the 40th anniversary of that record bonefish catch just off their docks made good sense to Dr. Harvey and his Outpost team, so the first annual Bonefish Challenge was born.
The Bonefish Bimini team invited some of the world’s top fly fishing writers to officially commemorate the occasion this past month with a bragging-rights tournament and local islanders pitched in with a junkanoo style parade, complete with a paper-mache replica of a bonefish and a grand marshal lead boat float led by Ansil Saunders, now considered the dean of Bimini’s legendary group of bonefish guides. Cochran, also a well-know marine wildlife artist, made the parade a viral global event, by encouraging fans to enter a virtual parade design entry to celebrate the record catch anniversary.
As for the journalists, awards went to:
–Top Bonefish Angler—Glenn Pittard with www.midcurrent.com
–Top Bonefish Team—Glenn Pittard, Photographer Pat Ford and Guide Eagle Eyes Fred Rolle
–Top Bonefish Team/Second Place—Colin Archer, www.theaverageangler.com, Jim Sutton, Jacksonville Times-Union and Guide Bonefish Ebbie David
–Largest Bonefish Caught and Released—Rick Low, Saltwater Adventures, with Guide Bonefish Tommy Sewell
–Top Permit Angler—Rick Low with Bonefish Tommy Sewell
–Hell’s Bay Strongest Guide Award—Eagle Eyes Fred Rolle
–Wild Thing—Bonefish Ebbie David
The biggest award of the day went to Ansil Saunders, who received a plaque honoring the record catch, complete with a picture of he and the late Jerry Lavenstein admiring their record catch.
Today, Bimini is home to three Bonefish world records as well as being recognized for some 50 record setting catches in its surrounding waters.
A top-of-class bluewater tournament comes to Bimini on May 18th with the Billfish Invitational, which marks the Big Game Club’s return to a world-class tournament, after a decade long hiatus.
A Call to Artists: the Bimini Bonefish Challenge Art Contest
January 18, 2011 at 3:56 pm | Posted in Bonefish Bimini | Leave a commentTags: art contest, Bimini Big Game Club, Bimini Bonefish Challenge, bonefish, Bonefish Bimini, Vaughn Cochran
A message from Vaughn Cochran, renowned artist, fly fishermen and conservationist:
We’re having a parade on February 25th to celebrate the inaugural Bimini Bonefish Challenge tournament. And what’s a parade without parade floats? We need some, and we need your help!
Design a float for Bimini Bonefish Parade that celebrates the 40th anniversary of the catching of the 16lb, 3oz world record monster bonefish in Bimini. For those of you who can’t join us in the actual parade in Bimini, we’re going to host a virtual parade on the Club’s website. The floats in our virtual parade will be judged by writers and editors from the fishing industry and the winner will receive a complimentary two night stay at the Club, and a full day of backcountry fishing.
You can use any media to create your float. Now you realize, we’re looking only for a photo of your float design because its only going to exist on our website! So dream big…dream in color….get fancy, or keep it simple. It doesn’t matter - except to the judges! Submit your entry on the Club’s website. As entries are received they will be displayed in an updated loop. Please submit your entry with a white background. The winner will be announced in Bimini at the conclusion of the parade and the award ceremony for the Bimini Bonefish Challenge. The deadline for entries is February 23rd. Now, go to your studio and unleash that artist in you….and remember, Vaughn and Guy are looking over your shoulder!
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