The Flyfish Journal - The Flyfish Journal 14.4
THE LEGACY OF “BONEFISH” SIMON BAIN
Words: Larry Littrell 2023-06-16 10:05:57
“Bonefish Simon had a laugh that rocked the world,” Linda Bain says. “He took his fishing legacy to a higher level. Being great at his art was so special to him, but I know for sure his two kids, his grandson and I will take his legacy to the next level. Simon, you in heaven casting down on us. Miss you so much, sleep on, tight lines.” Photo: Courtesy Linda Bain
Years ago, an aspiring bonefish guide from Andros Island took the hand of Linda Smith—daughter of Bahamian fly-tying and bonefishing legend Charlie Smith—in marriage. That young guide, Simon Bain, came from a prominent bonefishing family himself, with both brothers and uncles who either had lodge operations or were known for their guiding prowess.
Over the years, I was fortunate to have met and fished with “Bonefish” Simon Bain several times, and so I was saddened to learn that he had poled his last flat, having passed away in Nassau on January 26, 2023.
Bain was a larger-than-life personality. If you ever had the pleasure of being in his presence, you know he was the boisterous type; loud, animated and bursting with positive energy. His guiding career spanned more than 30 years, according to his wife, Linda. Yet, despite decades of experience on the water, the last few years had been tougher than usual. When he lost his two skiffs in a civil dispute over storage fees while they were idled due to COVID-19, he found a way to push forward—this time on a floating dock.
Bain’s last client, a south Florida fishing guide named Johnny Stabile, got to experience Bain’s pivot to the dock in the interior lakes and ponds of eastern New Providence in early January 2023. As Bain pushed the raft along the shallow, mangrove-lined lagoon, Linda scanned the water for signs of bonefish. Despite the entire set-up and location feeling suspect at first, it wasn’t long before Bains had spotted fish and the hunt was on.
Stabile caught bonefish that day, but what he remembers more than anything was Bain’s extroverted personality. He was not a believer in the age-old practice of being hushed and stealthy while on the water. Instead, he sang and laughed nearly the whole time, unless he was issuing instructions.
Linda was aboard the raft that day because of Bain’s failing eyesight, yet another obstacle he had cheerfully overcome with help from his wife. He was always that guy, the one who saw the possibilities. He once told me he didn’t go fishing, he went catching. Bold? Maybe. More likely, it was simply in his DNA to see the world through the prism of success. He simply manifested it.
Shortly after that last trip, in an unlucky turn, Bain stepped on a nail and the wound became infected. Hospitalization soon followed. Drastic measures were taken to fight the infection, including the amputation of the affected digit. While recovering from the emergency surgery, he fought the infection, but ultimately succumbed to pneumonia. He was 54.
During their recent setbacks, one thing remained true: the Bain family had bonefish in their blood. Linda had been polishing her casting and poling skills so that she was able to guide alongside her husband. Bain was a renowned fly caster, the best instructor Linda could have asked for.
“Simon was the best fly caster in the world,” she told me. “With both hands, right hand and left hand, he was capable with both.”
As Simon’s health faded, he asked Linda for one thing: “If I should die, keep the legacy going on.”
For now, that’s her plan. She knows the backwater haunts where Bain plied his craft and intends to share them with as many anglers as possible. But she also plans to share tales of one of the Bahamas’ legendary bonefish guides in the corners of isolated lagoons, where mangroves and happy tails are plentiful.
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