Hightailing

SOLD, original commissioned (90cm x 60cm (36" x 24") Acrylic on board)
Please contact craig@wildlifeartist.co.za for enquiries
© Craig Bertram Smith

A fish that needs no introduction as a saltwater flyfishing species, is the bone fish. Pound for pound, they are possibly the strongest fish on light tackle. Their reputation is not over-stated as you will probably see your backing every time you hook one of these speedsters.

Seeing a bonefish for the first time you really notice how well adapted this fish is. It is shaped like a bullet from front to back ending in a highly forked tail-fin built for speed. It is mostly grey / silver with faint dark bars running down its back. It's scales and gill plates are very reflective, like mirrors, making it virtually invisible underwater. This created a challenge in conceptualizing this painting so I decided to offset the fish against the background blue, allowing me to stay true to its reflective "colour" of the sandy floor.

Preliminary Sketch