In spite of a weather forecast causing the Bahamas Tourism Office to cancel the first official Bahamas Fling scheduled to depart from Harborage Yacht Club and Marina in Stuart, three boats carrying 18 persons and the Flahama banner headed across the Gulf Stream to Grand Bahama on Thursday, June 25.

The crossing was smooth, 2 feet with an occasional 3 footer on the way over. On the Sunday return, seas were 2-3 feet for the first 10 miles, then backed down to 1-2 feet, to flat calm the rest of the way. The 23-foot Mako ( Mako -My -Day) and the 29-foot Dusky (Catisfaction) made the trip easily. For the 52-foot Ocean ( What We Do II), captained by Capt. Jim McKenzie, the ride was smooth as silk.

Boating conditions all around Grand Bahama Island over the four days were great, except for a period of gusty winds Saturday afternoon that made offshore snorkeling challenging. Nevertheless, visibility was great.

It was rumored by locals there was a consistent tuna bite around 5 p.m. for the last week. Fling participant Dr. Jeffrey Lang, his son David and friend Paul, ventured out in anticipation of yellow fin tuna action. The tuna bite didn't happen, but within one and one-half hours, they had caught 18 mahi-mahi in the 20-25 pound range. Needless to say, they had a good day of fishing.

Bone fishing guide Stanley Glinton of the North Point Riding Club fishing lodge, shared bone fishing in the East Grand Bahama area has been exceptionally hot. Most bones have been in the 7-8 pound range with many up to 12-pounds.

Talkin' Tourism hosts Gary Guertin and Robin Hicks-Connors, conducted the show's second international live radio remote from Pelican Bay Hotel at Lucaya on Friday. Guests included: Marva Monroe, sales and marketing director of Pelican Bay Hotel at Lucaya; Betty Bethel, Ministry of Tourism general manager of business development for Grand Bahama; Keith Cooper, sales and marketing director of Undersea Explorer's Society (UNEXO); and Stanley Glinton, a bonefishing guide from the North Riding Point Club.

On the return trip, Harborage Yacht Club and Marina provided shuttle service to the St. Lucie International Airport for the group to clear U.S. Immigrations.

The next Flahama boating fling is scheduled to depart July 15 from Harborage Yacht Club and Marina and return July 26. During this trip Talkin' Tourism will host its third international live remote Friday, July 17 at the Green Turtle Club on Green Turtle Cay in the Abacos.

For more information on Bahamas Boating Flings visit www.bahama.com/boating or www.flahama.com. For more information on Talkin' Tourism, visit the show's blog at http://talkintourism.blogspot.com. For information on Harborage Yacht Club & Marina, visit http://www.harborageyachtclub.com.