Our trip starts with the red-eye flight out of San Francisco International. After boarding and settling in and try to get some sleep. About four hours into the flight our rest is interrupted by a stop in Guadalajara to clear immigration. A short time later we arrive in Mexico City. A short layover and we are on our way to Cancun.

Upon arriving in Cancun and clearing customs, we are met by Rogelio, travel director for Pesca Maya. A short detour through the hotel strip. Where more mega buck resorts are being built that anywhere in the world. I can’t believe the changes that I see every year.

We are finally on our way down a new modern four lane concrete highway to Tulum. The driving time to the lodge is a four hours on a good day.

The journey continues, through the jungle we go! What a magnificent drive it is . You have to realize that the peninsula to Punta Allen is only 100 to 300 yards wide for 30+ miles. The road weaves back and forth from the Caribbean to Ascension Bay. And at some points we are completely engulfed in the flora and fauna. The road is a jewel and it seems to go on forever.

Finally, Pesca Maya Lodge. We are met by Brian Jones, manager of the lodge and his staff. Brian says, "sit yourself down and rest awhile". One thing you learn right from the start is that you don’t need any shoes here. The white sand is incredibly soft. We are assigned the front beach bungalows. Great!! With two beds in each room, a screened porch and bathroom, it couldn’t get any better! We have time to unpack and get our fishing gear ready to go for tomorrow.

After an incredible dinner, Brian gives us our boat assignments for the next day. It’s about 9 o’clock by now, since we have been awake for two days, it's time for bed.

For those of you that are early risers, you can always get a cup of coffee by 6 am. Breakfast cooked to order is served at 7 am. Your biggest responsibility in the morning is to fix your boat lunch and tell Brian how many drinks you want in your ice chest

After an introduction to your guide and assistant, it’s time to go fishing. A short walk through the jungle we arrive at the boat dock. The shallow panga style boats are extremely clean. With two anglers per boat, there is plenty of room for two anglers to cast. Most times we anchor the boat and wade in opposite directions to hunt for bonefish and permit. There is always, one captain (head guide) and one assistant on every boat. That’s a one on one situation.

The first day I teamed up with James T. He was a rookie fly fisher eager to learn and wanted desperately to catch a few bonefish. As we left the dock I asked James, if he had been practicing casting his new rod. He answered back, "just a little". For his benefit, I was hoping the wind would be calm. As we made our way onto the first flat, we encounter a few bonefish. I told James he was up. Grabbing his fly rod he jumped onto the front deck of the boat, a very good casting platform. James stripped out some line, as he waited for Augustine, the helper, to give him the signal to cast. Augustine pointed to where some bonefish were tailing. Luis (our Captain) poled the boat into position to make a cast. After James spotted the fish, he made his first attempt to cast his new fly rod. The fly fell way short of the fish and off they took. This is why you should practice before you get into the fishing situation. I decided that we take time right then and there and work with James on his casting techniques. On the third attempt to hook one of these silver bullets. With the reel screaming and a big smile on his face, I could tell he was having a great time. We ended the fishing day, both hooking and landing several nice bonefish.

Back at the lodge, over a few cold cervasas and several marguerites we discussed our success and failures. Everyone in the group had a great first day and was excited about what was to come.

My partner the next few days was Roger H. We decided to concentrate on tarpon. We made our way to the back channels, where the tarpon hung out. Sometimes lots of tarpon inhabit these small channels but are very difficult to hook and land. WE jump several, some in good locations, but no hook ups. On the way back, we stopped at a place I call the lake. When the time is out a huge lake is formed, if it wasn’t for the rivers of water that drain this area, the bonefish would be trapped. By the time we arrived the tide was well on its way in. The huge schools of bonefish were scouring the freshly covered sand in search of crustaceans. The wind was blowing quite strong, making it difficult for both of us to fish out of the boat. I told Augustine let’s get out and wade. The fishing was awesome. Both of us were continually hooked up. Both exhausted we returned to the lodge. When we got to the dock, the stories were flying about the big permit that was caught. We hurried back to the lodge. Big Dennis was standing at the bar with a huge grin. After a long battle ( 1hour 48 minutes) he landed a 30+ lbs. permit. (sorry no pictures)

 George, his partner had a good shot a one too but blow his cast.

For the rest of the week we all had permit fever.

Glen and his son Greg came back beaming every day about the fishing. Greg managed to hook and land a barracuda over 35+ lbs., it destroyed his top water imitation. He also landed the only tarpon for the week. Glen and Greg were also giving Brain a bad time every morning about not enough beer in their ice chest. So one morning during breakfast, Brian walked over to them with four bottles of beer and told them that this should at least get them to the dock.

The week has sure gone by fast, we are down to our last day. Willie and I decide that we are going to give the tarpon and permit one more shot. As usual the schools of tarpon are hanging around the mangroves. Small school (8-10 fish) would come out into open water where we were able to make a few cast at them before they would retreat. They just won’t bit. We moved over to some outer flats in search of permit. With the wind blowing not only was it hard to spot the fish, it was tough to get a good cast in front of them. We finally stopped the boat on a long flat that holds lots of bonefish. Willie went in one direction with Manual and Pedro and I the other. I left my permit rod in the boat, not thinking I would need it! I could see Willie in the distance having fun with some bonefish. Pedro and I ran into a good school of bones. After landing several, he grabbed the rod out of my hand and quickly tied on a crab pattern. He was extremely excited and pointed in the direction of the school of bonefish – permit. A large school , maybe 50 fish just behind the bones. I tried to make a 60’ cast in their direction but the gusty wind kept blowing my fly back. Where was my permit rod? Back in the boat. It was a very frustrating seeing that many permit just out of casting range. Another lesson learned!

In all it was another exceptional trip to Pesca Maya. Many thanks to the staff, the exquisite cuisine and excellent guides at the lodge.

We are looking forward to next years trip.

This year group:
James Tsusaki
Willie Tsusaki
George Tsusaki
Roger Houston
Glen Bockmon
Greg Bockmon
Big Dennis McGowan
Al Smatsky