To hear fly fisherman Louie DeNolfo describe it, the catch of a lifetime lurks near the mouth of Pearl Harbor in a knee-deep stretch of hidden shoreline that anglers call Hickam Flats. The bonefish swim there, spoiling for a fight that can unspool hundreds of yards of fishing line in seconds.

For years, and no one is sure how many, the military allowed civilian anglers limited access to the flats. They would stalk bonefish amid the comings and goings of nuclear submarines, aircraft carriers and other ships.

But not after Jan. 31, much to the anguish of fishermen who love the area.

Turns out that hand-tied flies and national security are a bad mix. Civilian fishermen who use the flats or a nearby pier will not be allowed on base anymore.

"It's one of the most unique fisheries in all of Hawai'i," said DeNolfo, a 62-year-old Mo'ili'ili artist who wants to appeal the decision.

"It responds to Pearl Harbor," he said. "Pearl Harbor is a massive nursery that is closed to fishing. The Hickam Flats gives us access to these huge things that come out of Pearl Harbor."

Among them, bonefish. A bonefish weighing 10 pounds is a "trophy fish" anywhere in the world, but anglers at Hickam Flats regularly hook bonefish that weigh at least that much, DeNolfo said.

Hooking one is like catching a torpedo.

"They run like mad and they fight like mad," he said. "You hook things at Hickam all the time that you can't stop. That's why I love it."

But Hickam Air Force Base is a bustling military complex, home to the 15th Airlift Wing and eight new C-17 transport planes.

For civilians to fish on base, they had to pass a background security check and carry a photo identification card whenever they went fishing, which was only allowed at certain times.

Last month, the Air Force told fishermen that their annual identification passes would be revoked and the area closed to civilians, said Maj. Clare Reed, a Hickam spokeswoman. Military personnel, however, would get to use the spot.

"With the changing mission and the changing security requirements following Sept. 11, it's a requirement that we periodically re-evaluate the base access for members of the public, especially if they have no affiliation with the Department of Defense," Reed said.

Col. John Torres, wing commander, recently opted for the secure approach and eliminated access, she said.

Reed cited security issues and the time and money required to process a growing number of fishermen. She said it had become "unmanageable."

The Air Force gave out 350 passes last year and requests have grown by 15 percent a year in recent years, Reed said.

"It's labor intensive and expensive," Reed said. "Hickam folks have to process these passes. All the while we have to ensure our security needs are being met."

Base officials are unsure how long the passes have been available but Gregory Moss has had one for nearly three years.

Moss estimates 20 people have a pass to fish and another dozen people visit the area to pick seaweed. In contrast, there are about 15 active-duty military personnel who fish there.

Pass holders have always considered it a privilege to fish the flats and they've always been on their best behavior when they're on Hickam, said Moss, a 46-year-old Kahala resident.

"I don't know of any fisherman who would breathe the wrong way for fear of losing your pass," he said. "I think we are all overly nice and overly cautious because we don't want to lose the privilege."

Moss said he'll miss Hickam but he can't fight the change.

"I do have lots of other options, other places to go, absolutely," he said. "But exactly like Hickam? No. Nowhere else like that."

Reach Mike Gordon at mgordon@honoluluadvertiser.com.