Prime Lower Keys flats have nearby channels and firm bottom for wading.

The weather's hot, the tide's low, the sun's sinking in the west-it's time to go bonefishing!

The water's surface was like a sheet of glass. Looking around, I could see wakes everywhere as a variety of fish moved onto the shallow flat to feed. You just knew that every ripple or bulge meant a fish. There were a lot of ripples and bulges. I watched the fin of a bonnet shark zigging and zagging across the flat, at first nearly mistaking him for a giant bonefish. Beyond the shark, a permit's tail reflected the rays of the setting sun, too far away for me to give chase. Closer, a stingray's tail momentarily broke the surface, yet another distraction to catch my eye, momentarily interrupting my search for bonefish tails. The joint was certainly jumping.

Finally I saw what I was looking for. A big silver tail waved at me only three casts away. This lone bonefish had moved out of a 3-foot deep depression onto the shallower flat, combing the bottom for succulent little goodies, dipping down to feed whenever it spotted something it liked. With every dip, the tail waved. With every wave, my heartbeat accelerated.

The bonefish was working into the current, slowly feeding and closing the gap. I waited impatiently until the bone was in range, then dropped my fly 10 feet in front of the fish, letting it lay on the bottom, hoping and praying nothing would change the fish's course. In only a foot of water without so much as a ripple, I was aware of how easy it would be to spook the fish. My long-lead strategy worked. The tail popped up where I thought the fly was lying. I gave it a gentle twitch and watched the tail swirl as the fish pounced.

The bonefish did a quick hundred-yard dash, turned and made for the channel, skirting my staked-out skiff and reached deeper water bordering the flat. I splashed after the fish, high-stepping as fast as I could in an attempt to reach the channel dropoff to prevent the line fraying on the edge. Seconds later, I watched in amazement as the fish pushed a wake on the flat across the channel, 100 yards away.

I increased the pressure on the fish, moving him back into the channel. I kept as much pressure on the bonefish as my 8-weight rod and 12-pound tippet allowed. It was imperative to work him back across the 6-foot-deep channel as quickly as possible. The more time in the deeper water, the better the chance of being eaten by a shark or cuda.

The bonefish and I were lucky. I was able to work him back to the flats on my side of the channel fairly quickly and without incident. There was another shorter run of a hundred feet or so, after which I gained control of the fish. Finally I got my first close look at one very nice bonefish. I led it to the boat and measured it out at just a little over 28 inches. This was a fat, heavily proportioned fish, not a 10-pounder, but not far from it. I was happy to see it swim away tired but looking strong and healthy.

I had two more opportunities that evening. One was a permit, which swam right over my fly and kept going. The other was at a school of a dozen bonefish, including one in front of the main body of fish that I didn't see and unfortunately lined. That took care of that bunch.

The sun dipped into the horizon, telling me it was time to head for home. It had been a wonderful evening on the flats for me. It would have been great even if I hadn't been fortunate enough to land a prize fish, but, as always, catching a big bonefish on a fly of my own design put the icing on the cake.

A combination of factors brought that flat to life that evening. First, there was a minus low-tide height, so low in fact that many surrounding flats were exposed. Secondly, the water was flat calm. It doesn't have to be completely calm to find and catch fish on these late-afternoon low tides, but it does make for more exciting fishing. Not to mention a better idea of what's coming my way from a greater distance. A mirror-like surface keeps the angler aware of what's happening on the flat for a long way. The third factor was the presence of so much visible life on the flats. When you see rays and sharks and baitfish, you can expect to see bonefish and maybe a permit or two. Last but not least, it was very warm. And that kind of action is typical of a summertime fishery that rarely occurs in cold weather.

My bonefish was substantial, but it didn't compare with the monster that Fletcher White caught and released from that area the same summer. His fish was over 32 inches long and he and another guide estimated the weight to be at least 14 pounds. It too, was caught just before dark on a minus low tide on a Gulfside Lower Keys flat. Bonefish caught in the Lower Keys are smaller on average than those caught in the Middle and Upper Keys. That brute is a big fish anywhere. I've noticed that many of the Lower Keys bonefish caught during similar tidal conditions are much larger than average.