Hurricane Ike and Tropical Storm Hanna brought to light a small cluster of islands east of Cuba and north of the Dominican Republic. The highlight was both good and bad for the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI). There was extensive damage to the islands of Grand Turk, Salt Cay, South Caicos and North Caicos. The storms were a wakeup call for most belongers (native islanders), because a hurricane had not made a direct hit on the islands in almost four decades, says Providenciales resident Mike Flynn.

The good news was that an exceptional fishery got some media coverage on T.V. Bonefish and permit fishing is epic inshore; wahoo, billfish, dolphin and tuna roam offshore. Florida Sportsman magazine highlights the exceptional offshore fishery in October’s Tropical Sportsman section.

Fishing home base in TCI is often the island of Providenciales. “Provo” was largely spared the damage that the surrounding islands sustained. The majority of the hotels located on Grace Bay, and all flights into Provo’s international airport, are already up and running. The rest will be open by October 1. Below are some photos from the trip to Provo.

Anglers travel from all over to fish the deep waters right off Providenciales for world record-size wahoo. Wahoo are common year-round at any of the island’s tournaments.

Sportfishers get the nod in this offshore fishery; constant trade winds keep the waves high and choppy. This sportfisher rigs for pelagics on the short run to the fishing grounds.

From head to toe, Mike Flynn hides behind an average-size wahoo. Mckeever Lewis, right, caught the fish not more than two football fields from shore.

This ballyhoo/lure combo proves barracuda and sharks are also a common catch.

The cut into Turtle Cove Marina is well-known among tournament anglers. Most tourneys out of Provo are based there.

Sportfishers from Florida motor down to the islands in winter to experience the exceptional fishery. Andrew Dover prepares the Outta Here, based out of Destin, for a day’s fishing.

Expect dolphin, among other pelagics like tuna and billfish, when fishing area waters.

If you’re lucky, the Tiki Hut at the Turtle Cove Marina will cook up your wahoo, dolphin or tuna catch at day’s end.

Grace Bay beaches look like postcards. The waters are protected by coral reef surrounding Providenciales.

Ocean Club Resort on Grace Bay Beach; the pink umbrellas and beach chairs are packed away each evening.

Ocean Club resort pools provide a second option to the beaches.

Bonefish flats are accessible by car. Try some of the “lakes” on the southwest side of the island.

Pictured is a decade-old conch on display at the Turks and Caicos Conch Farm.

The conch farm offers daily educational tours. This is what conch gametes look like.

Immature conch starts out in pools on land. Plenty of filtration is necessary. Gravity pulls water down the staggered pools.

Larger conchs are placed offshore after a year into fenced areas like the one above.

The fences spread far on the world’s only conch farm. Conch can live past ten years, but most are harvested after a year or two and shipped to ports like Miami for consumption.