I've got my wife talked into going to Belize, but we wont be staying at a fly fishing lodge. A hotel in San Pedro it is. So I'm looking for any recommendations for guides. Bones, tarpon, permit- anything that will grab a fly in shallow water is fine.
thanks guys!
Al
I went with Wil Flack's company booked through Yellow Dog. No complaints. https://belizefly.com/the-fly-shop/
They came and got me off the dock at the VRBO where I was staying. They will probably come get you at your hotel too. We only fished for bonefish. We caught plenty of fish and the service was great. YMMV. ;-)
That sounds good.
This post spurred me to look at Ambergris Caye on Google Maps....things have changed a bit since I went there in 1998.
Yes, Woodsman, I took a very large group to Ambergris Cay in about 1987, to the famous El Pescador Lodge.Quote:
Originally Posted by Woodman
Ambergris was probably about 10% of what it is today. I have heard that many resorts have been built there now.
There were many good fly-fishing guides on Ambergris Cay who became wealthy by building cottages for their clients.
Their wives and family ran the accommodations, and they guided the customers from the US and Europe.
When staying on Ambergris Cay, I always recommend taking an early morning water taxi to Cay Caulker for the day.
Years ago, Nor Cal guide, Fred Gordon, used to stay on Cay Caulker for a month and fished with local guide, Piggy.
If you like to experience a nice little quiet island, go to Cay Caulker for a week. There are fly fishing guides there.
I fished and explored the entire length of Belize for 20 years, fished all the lodges, and even stayed on remote cays.
Call me if you want to talk about going to Belize.
Things have definitely changed down there. I just checked on the Blue Horizon out of Dangriga and it looks nothing like it did when we were there several years ago. We landed in Dangriga, got picked up in an old van and taken to the mouth of the Sittee River where two pangas were waiting. We then headed out to sea in the pitch black looking for a certain mangrove island where the lodge was. The pangero's began driving around in circles several times and finally a light came on at one of the islands and we headed in to our lodge.
Lincoln Westby and crew were our guides for the week. He has several brothers also Westby's that guided too closer to Belize City.
The NEW Blue Horizon is fancy and located on the mainland near Hopkins. I really preferred the old place out on the mangroves.
Tony
Things have definitely changed down there. I just checked on the Blue Horizon out of Dangriga and it looks nothing like it did when we were there several years ago. We landed in Dangriga, got picked up in an old van and taken to the mouth of the Sittee River where two pangas were waiting. We then headed out to sea in the pitch black looking for a certain mangrove island where the lodge was. The pangero's began driving around in circles several times and finally a light came on at one of the islands and we headed in to our lodge.
Lincoln Westby and crew were our guides for the week. He has several brothers also Westby's that guided too closer to Belize City.
The NEW Blue Horizon is fancy and located on the mainland near Hopkins. I really preferred the old place out on the mangroves.
Tony
Thanks for this Tahoe Joe. Sounds like just what I'm after. I was in Belize around 1990 and spent a few days on Caye Caulker. I did go out with a local and caught a few barracuda on conventional gear which his wife turned into ceviche. Added some Scotch Bonnet and I couldn't taste barracuda or anything else! Fun times on a very sleepy little island.
I went to San Pedro and booked a trip with Bent Hook Adventures, and it was an awesome experience! Their guides are super knowledgeable and took us to some amazing fishing spots. We did a full-day trip, and they provided all the gear, plus drinks and lunch. Whether you’re into reef fishing, deep-sea fishing, or even just a relaxing boat tour, they’ve got you covered.
Late February to early March is a great time to go—perfect weather and plenty of fish. If you're looking for a solid guide in Caye Ambergris, I’d definitely recommend checking them out!
We took groups to the Belize River Lodge for decades, and they liked April/May for the prime time for Tarpon.
The rainy season starts in June, which can blow out the area.
It is one of the few places with shallow white flats and cruising Tarpon.
Do not go there on a full moon.
You can take an 8-weight outfit for Bones and Permit and a 10-weight for Tarpon, both with floating tropical lines.
When you get in the boat, let your guide look at your rods so they can adjust your leader.
Then, show him your flies, and he will pick one, or he will offer to use his flies.
Andy Guibord at Flyfishing Specialties in Sacramento can help you get the right fly lines, leaders, and flies.
He can also give you a tune-up so you can cast better, with the double hall, if necessary.
If you have not cast a 10 weight with a float line much, get out and practice first.
For a "couple's trip" with a little fishing, you can go all winter for "a little cooler weather."
Then you can go with a guide who provides everything for fishing.
Anglers have been going to San Pedro on Ambergris Cay for over 50 years.
It has tons of good local flyfishing guides.
While you are there, take a water taxi in the morning to Cay Caulker for the day.
I caught my first bonefish ever on Caye Caulker this year. The docks around the islands are private but publicy accessible. Site fishing from the docks produced some fish. We took a guided trip to some islands south of Caulker that had bigger fish. Good luck!
He is a fun video on what Cay Caulker looks like today:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNC0_jsAj2M
Veteran Nor Cal flyfishing guide, Fred Gordon of Dunsmuir, CA, used to go there for a month, annually, about 30 years ago.