Guide Profile: Locksley "LJ" Bean

Meet Locksley "LJ" Bean, a Soul Fly Lodge fly fishing guide from Andros with a hunter's instinct for permit, bonefish, and everything else that swims the Berry Islands flats.

While destination fly fishing trips are typically catalyzed by a particular fish species, a specific location, or perhaps a certain style of fishing, more often than not it's the people we spend time with while on the trip that make it memorable and beckon us to return. Of the people we meet, fly fishing guides are the most impactful: they introduce us to the fishery and show us its special secrets; they share their wisdom and stories, and teach us the required tactics to be successful; they sharpen our skills and help us unlock our greatest angling potential; and, they are our partners with whom we share our finest moments on the water.

At Soul Fly Lodge, we are privileged to work with a team of seasoned, passionate, and professional bonefish and permit fly fishing guides who, collectively, have over 125 years of experience in The Bahamas. Each guide has a distinct style and approach, and over the course of a week's fishing, guests have the opportunity to fish with, and most importantly learn from, them all. Our series of Guide Profiles introduces each of our talented guides and shares some details on their backgrounds, interests, and talents.

Some guides talk about fish. LJ talks about the hunt. Locksley "LJ" Bean Jr. hails (with a big smile) from South Andros, an island whose flats have shaped generations of great Bahamian guides, and that heritage runs deep in him. His father is a longtime Andros guide who paved the way for LJ to become the talented guide he is today. When LJ arrived at Soul Fly Lodge, he was curious, humble, and hungry to learn. He also came with a handful of witty jokes that can make anyone's day on the water a good one.

From day one, LJ made himself a student of both the Berry Islands and the guides who know them best. He put in the long days it takes to truly understand a new fishery (its flats and channels, its tides, and the way fish move through it all), and he soaked up everything our veteran guides were willing to share, from how to approach a fish to the countless small details that separate a good guide from a great one. That work ethic has paid off. Today, LJ guides with the confidence of someone who earned his knowledge the hard way, and the humility of someone who knows there is always more to learn.

Permit sit at the very top of LJ's list, and he'll tell you plainly why: to him, “they are the hardest saltwater fish to catch. Every permit is a puzzle with a dozen moving pieces: what's on the menu, how the fish behave as conditions shift, where they'll be on each stage of the tide, and exactly how the fly needs to land.” LJ relishes fitting those pieces together, knowing full well that a permit can still turn its nose up at a perfect shot. And when one finally eats? For LJ, that means it's party time! The energy goes through the roof with loud shouts of joy, dancing, and the whole nine yards. It's a sight to see!

His love of the hunt doesn't stop at permit. LJ is in his element stalking bonefish on foot, wading the flats after a fish he calls explosive and honest, one that fights hard right to the end. He has a soft spot for the barracuda's mean streak and blistering speed, and he's quick to champion the mutton snapper, an often-overlooked target on fly that hammers a Clouser around wrecks, grass beds, and structure. For anglers, this versatility means there's always another opportunity in play when LJ is on the push pole.

For all his intensity, LJ's message to his anglers is a calm one: patience wins in every fishing scenario. Take a breath, settle the nerves, and be ready when the shot comes. It's simple advice, but on the flats it's often the difference between a refusal and a fish in hand.

LJ's story is still being written, and that's part of what makes a day on his skiff so rewarding. His curiosity is contagious and his love of the hunt is genuine. Step aboard ready to hunt, keep an open mind about what the tide may bring, and you may well find yourself sharing a permit celebration with one of the brightest young talents in The Bahamas.

• Year started guiding: 2021
• Home island: South Andros
• Favorite species to target: Permit
• Angling words of wisdom: Patience is key in every fishing scenario. Breathe and stay calm before the shot.
• Desired superhero power: Echolocation, to sense the species, size, and location of every fish within a mile!