CAMP STORIES:

Stories about people, place, and, of course, fish!

Curiosity has a funny way of shaping a life. For Kyle Schaefer, it started as a kid asking what fish swam in a puddle as he drove down the highway. That fascination led him west to Colorado, where he cut his teeth guiding for trout, then back east to Maine to run a full-time striped bass guiding business. Over the years, Kyle explored other fisheries in Argentina in the winter, lodge management, and eventually heard whispers about the Berry Islands in the Bahamas. The idea stuck, and he couldn't shake it. At no point did he talk himself out of it. Four years later, the lodge is thriving, and Kyle is just as captivated as the first day he set foot on the flats.

Why the South?

What pulled him south wasn't just geography; it was the style of fishing. Kyle has always gravitated toward sight fishing, the shallow-water finesse that demands patience, precision, and connection with the fish. Striped bass in a foot of water on the New England flats gave him a taste. Still, species like tarpon, bonefish, and permit offered a deeper challenge and intimacy. He spent winters exploring the Southeast and the Bahamas, learning the waters, understanding the culture, and falling in love with the environment. For Kyle, it wasn't just fishing—it was a rhythm, a way to keep a steady cadence through the year, staying engaged with a sport that's as much mental as it is physical.

Discovering the Berry Islands

Most people think of the Bahamas as one island. The reality is more than 700 islands and countless unnamed keys. When Kyle scouted the Berries, there was no lodge, no established operation—just untouched flats and healthy, abundant fish. On the first trip, with guide legend Percy Darville at the helm, Kyle caught permit and bonefish on day one. "We just couldn't believe it hadn't been done before," he says. It was luck, timing, and a little bit of instinct—perfect for a small, four-boat operation that balanced fishing pressure and conservation.

Target Species: Bonefish and Permit

Bonefish dominate the flats—roughly 70% of the fishing—but permit is a prized target, more aspirational and challenging. Both species of Berries are mature, larger than average, and thriving thanks to intact mangrove habitats and minimal human impact. Other species like triggerfish, mutton snapper, and barracuda round out the experience, giving anglers variety and keeping the fishery balanced.

Skills for Success on the Flats

Success down there isn't just about showing up. Kyle emphasizes two skills: high-percentage casting and quiet feet. Too often, anglers rush difficult shots, trying to reach a fish at 80 feet instead of waiting for a 60-foot opportunity with a higher chance of success. Pausing, visualizing, and staying calm make a huge difference. Stealth is just as critical. A shuffle of feet, a bump in the boat, and a feeding fish can vanish in seconds. These small details separate a good day from a great one on the flats.

Double hauling is another essential skill. It allows longer, more precise casts while relieving strain on the casting hand—especially important in calm conditions when every ruffle matters. The flats where many of these fish live are massive and crystal clear. So a few extra feet in your cast could be huge. Kyle also stresses patience and mindfulness. Observing the fish, understanding their patterns, and controlling variables make flats fishing as much a mental game as a physical one.

Conservation and Stewardship

The Berries' fish populations are healthy, not by accident but by design. The mangroves remain intact, hurricanes have been sparse, and runoff and pollution are minimal. Catch-and-release is carefully managed, especially around sharks. When it comes to catch and release, it is essential because many of these fish release a fear pheromone that sharks can smell, lowering their survival chances. In areas with sharks, guides may even avoid fishing. This care for the species is embedded in each guide at the lodge. The guides take part in conservation projects throughout the islands and serve as watchful stewards to ensure illegal fishing doesn't occur. All these factors combine to keep the Berries a special ecosystem.

Embracing the Experience

For anyone looking to explore the Berries, the takeaway is clear: come prepared, respect the fish, and embrace the pace of the flats. Whether you're casting for bonefish, hunting elusive permit, or just learning the rhythms of a wild, untamed fishery, the Berry Islands offer a combination of challenge, beauty, and discovery that few places in the world can match. And for Kyle Schaefer, it's precisely where curiosity meets opportunity a perfect blend of adventure and stewardship.

Links: Soul Fly Lodge, Kyle Schaefer