Disconnect to Reconnect
Kailey Price, Aubry Keliehor, and Shelby Berger
Delaney, two-time F4C participant, holding up a prized Bahamian bonefish. Photo: Jake Wood
Kailey price
"OMG Delaney did you see that?!" I say as I turn around and look at my best friend on the bow of the boat while I am still squatting in the water. Who knew that a 4-pound bonefish could make a 16-year-old girl feel such a wave of exhilaration.
That first day in the Marls of Abaco still gives me chills, which is funny because it was nothing but hot. "20 feet up against the mangroves, 3 bones go, now ... " our guide, Tony, says with a push pole in hand. I make the cast and I am off, but the fish sees it, "Strip, slow, not too fast," and just like that all the slack in my line disappears and the fish takes off. My knees are shaking, and I have goosebumps all over, but I soon see the fish dart into the short-scattered mangroves, and I think it's over, until Tony gets out of the wobbly boat and untangles my line without breaking any mangroves or my line. He shoots off into the open flat, "He has so much power for being so small," I yell out with a huge smile on my face, "Good job Kailey, oh my God," Delaney follows up. I get him back to the boat and at this point I am already in the water, with wet hands I pick up the fish and hold the 8wt rod in my other hand, the picture is taken, the moment I have been waiting for since the plane ride over, it happened; "These are so good!" Delaney shouts with an even bigger smile. I take the fly out and release him, still squatting I look up at the clear blue sky and say "Thank you God,". I stand up slowly, not wanting to wipe off the slime and salt water, and give Tony the most epic fist bump of all time-'cause that's my thing, I fist bump-but I had my fun, now it's Delaney's turn. The day continued and we caught four bonefish, two each, and we couldn't wait to get back to the lodge to tell everyone the stories from the day.
It's not like this back home in Florida. For the past few years I have watched the waterway I call home turn from beautiful grass filled flats and deep channels to hot flats with no grass, let alone fish. There are channels that get trash flushed through them, and I think about this here as I am sitting in a rocking chair on a lodge porch in Abaco with salty wind sweeping through my hair while looking at the bright blue horizon. I try to soak it up as much as I can but I know it's passing me by, waiting and longing for another adventure, just searching for more adrenaline. I think that is what draws me to fly fishing so much, that adrenaline you get from just laying your line out straight on a windy day, and the pull of gigantic fish on the end of your line.
Being in Marsh Harbor and connecting with this island and the people here makes me wish I had known them my entire life, which is crazy because I already feel like I have. The community that is built here has been through such a traumatic event together that has brought them closer and that is something you can feel without anyone saying anything. I think that is what I love most about Abaco, building connections with people you didn't even know a week ago and then having a new family when you leave is such an amazing feeling; I feel like I could sit here and write my heart about every person I met and how they all impacted my life differently, but I would never be done. My love for this sport has grown tremendously but the love I have for this island and its people will compare to nothing, they will forever be number one.
That first day in the Marls of Abaco still gives me chills, which is funny because it was nothing but hot. "20 feet up against the mangroves, 3 bones go, now ... " our guide, Tony, says with a push pole in hand. I make the cast and I am off, but the fish sees it, "Strip, slow, not too fast," and just like that all the slack in my line disappears and the fish takes off. My knees are shaking, and I have goosebumps all over, but I soon see the fish dart into the short-scattered mangroves, and I think it's over, until Tony gets out of the wobbly boat and untangles my line without breaking any mangroves or my line. He shoots off into the open flat, "He has so much power for being so small," I yell out with a huge smile on my face, "Good job Kailey, oh my God," Delaney follows up. I get him back to the boat and at this point I am already in the water, with wet hands I pick up the fish and hold the 8wt rod in my other hand, the picture is taken, the moment I have been waiting for since the plane ride over, it happened; "These are so good!" Delaney shouts with an even bigger smile. I take the fly out and release him, still squatting I look up at the clear blue sky and say "Thank you God,". I stand up slowly, not wanting to wipe off the slime and salt water, and give Tony the most epic fist bump of all time-'cause that's my thing, I fist bump-but I had my fun, now it's Delaney's turn. The day continued and we caught four bonefish, two each, and we couldn't wait to get back to the lodge to tell everyone the stories from the day.
It's not like this back home in Florida. For the past few years I have watched the waterway I call home turn from beautiful grass filled flats and deep channels to hot flats with no grass, let alone fish. There are channels that get trash flushed through them, and I think about this here as I am sitting in a rocking chair on a lodge porch in Abaco with salty wind sweeping through my hair while looking at the bright blue horizon. I try to soak it up as much as I can but I know it's passing me by, waiting and longing for another adventure, just searching for more adrenaline. I think that is what draws me to fly fishing so much, that adrenaline you get from just laying your line out straight on a windy day, and the pull of gigantic fish on the end of your line.
Being in Marsh Harbor and connecting with this island and the people here makes me wish I had known them my entire life, which is crazy because I already feel like I have. The community that is built here has been through such a traumatic event together that has brought them closer and that is something you can feel without anyone saying anything. I think that is what I love most about Abaco, building connections with people you didn't even know a week ago and then having a new family when you leave is such an amazing feeling; I feel like I could sit here and write my heart about every person I met and how they all impacted my life differently, but I would never be done. My love for this sport has grown tremendously but the love I have for this island and its people will compare to nothing, they will forever be number one.
Kailey Price, 16, Florida.
Kailey was the Captains for Clean Waters Scholarship Recipient and is a leader within her local fishing community in Florida.
Kailey was the Captains for Clean Waters Scholarship Recipient and is a leader within her local fishing community in Florida.
Aubry Keliehor
Everyday in my life is the same boring routine. Living in Austin, Texas has definitely let me explore the outdoors to an extent, but coming to Fish for Change in Abaco islands has changed my perspective on life completely. It makes me realize how little I get done on a day to day basis. Fish for Change has made me feel productive and accomplished. No one ever really sits and thinks about what they are doing during the day. In Abaco everything changed when at the dinner table we would all come together sharing insane fish stories and cracking jokes left and right. The instant friendships made with the people at this organization makes you realize that every day in your life is the same. People fail to venture out and meet new people, but when you are put into a lodge on the Abaco islands everything changes. Coming into the trip I was wondering who could be my roommate, what kind of people were going, or how old everyone would be. This week at Fish for Change has made me realize that none of that matters, whether it's making friends with Dale (13) or my roommate Dre (20). It blows my mind how you can put 10 random people that have never met into a lodge and they instantly click. Having a connection to fishing .
Aubry Keliehor, 17, Texas.
Aubry is one of many Fish for Change alums from Austin, Texas who joined us this year for a week of fun in Abaco.
Aubry Keliehor, 17, Texas.
Aubry is one of many Fish for Change alums from Austin, Texas who joined us this year for a week of fun in Abaco.
Shelby Berger
The week before the Fish for Change trip, I spent a week with Bonefish and Tarpon Trust in Abaco. I really enjoyed talking to the adults, but every night I sat on my bed thinking about how much fun I knew the following week would be with Fish for Change. There was no doubt in my mind that this week would be the best week of my year, and I was absolutely correct. All year I look forward to the seven days I get to spend with old and new amazing friends, laughing, fishing, and making lifetime memories. Something about being around young, fun, passionate fly fishermen or new fly fishermen is so refreshing and absolutely exhilarating. All of the pranks, the missed permit, the hog sized bonefish, the knotted line, the lost flies, the deep talks, and so much more is the reason why Fish for Change is so unique. On top of that, seeing the damage hurricane Dorian did to the island and being able to help with mangrove restoration, cleaning up a church, and
playing with local kids at the beach was extremely rewarding. Fish for Change is all about the laughs, the fishing, the memories, but it is also about giving back to the community that lets us stay here and borrow their waters. When I am at home, I live on a cycle of school, work, tennis, homework, and sleep. It is incredibly exhausting and can be unrewarding at times. Whilst I love everything I do (minus home work), it can feel like I am wasting my life away. spend too much time on my phone, and while I want to go fishing, the fishing where I live is not the best. I go a few times a year, but not much more. Fish Change makes me realize how much I don't do, and it makes me want to live. Want to travel. fish. do absolutely everything I can in this life because it is the only life I get, and I want to pack it so tightly with activities, trips, laughs, and more, that when I die, whenever it is, I feel fulfilled. Fish for Change continues to impact me everyday, and I think about
it all year long, from the day I hop on the plane to go home, to the day I hop on the plane to leave for another life changing experience.
Shelby Berger, 17, Virginia
Over the past few years, Shelby has partnered with Bonefish and Tarpon Trust to pursue her love for the environment and fly fishing. At home, she is an avid tennis slaver and academic who will be attending Vanderbilt next fall.
playing with local kids at the beach was extremely rewarding. Fish for Change is all about the laughs, the fishing, the memories, but it is also about giving back to the community that lets us stay here and borrow their waters. When I am at home, I live on a cycle of school, work, tennis, homework, and sleep. It is incredibly exhausting and can be unrewarding at times. Whilst I love everything I do (minus home work), it can feel like I am wasting my life away. spend too much time on my phone, and while I want to go fishing, the fishing where I live is not the best. I go a few times a year, but not much more. Fish Change makes me realize how much I don't do, and it makes me want to live. Want to travel. fish. do absolutely everything I can in this life because it is the only life I get, and I want to pack it so tightly with activities, trips, laughs, and more, that when I die, whenever it is, I feel fulfilled. Fish for Change continues to impact me everyday, and I think about
it all year long, from the day I hop on the plane to go home, to the day I hop on the plane to leave for another life changing experience.
Shelby Berger, 17, Virginia
Over the past few years, Shelby has partnered with Bonefish and Tarpon Trust to pursue her love for the environment and fly fishing. At home, she is an avid tennis slaver and academic who will be attending Vanderbilt next fall.