Belize 2003

There is no easy way to get to the country of Belize from California. You either go on Continental through Houston or American through Dallas. Both of which I don’t enjoy, so we went on TACA, a Central American airline with daily flights to El Salvador with a connection to Belize City. At the pretrip meeting, I informed all that these were the choices. TACA seemed to be OK with everyone present. After booking all of the flights I received a call from one client who had some reservations about flying TACA. Here is a good tip, if you have any doubt about the airline please remember, 1) if they land in the USA they must comply with FFA rules and regulations, 2)look at the NTSA website for their safety record. Please do so with caution, it might surprise you just what you think is a safe airline to fly. With that said, here is a run down on the trip.

After arriving in Belize City, we took a short hop to Dangriga. A short boat ride, about 14 miles, we were at our home for the next three days. Our guides all of which are from Placencia arrived early that evening. After they settled in, we had a chance to meet all of them and all of the anglers got their guide assignments. All of the guides are excellent fly fishermen and know the water like the back of their hand.

Here is how the fishing went for the next week.

The first day of fishing, we all took off in different directions. George, my partner, with Bruce as our guide, we headed off to do some bone fishing. This is something that I haven’t done in Belize, spending most of my time in the past in pursuit of permit. We were both surprised just how big bonefish are in Belize. We each hooked and landed several the first day. John W. was the man, hooking a big permit the first day, unfortunately, it was a LDR. His partner, Roger also had a good shot at a big permit. They referred to their stern guide as Captain Bly. Doug and his son John, did not have a good first day and Willie and his son caught several bonefish, both groups were not quite sure about their guides. I told them let’s give it another day and see what happens.

Second day of fishing, George and I, Doug and John went out at 5:30 am in search of the tarpon that make the break their home. The tarpon were there but no hook-ups. Back to the lodge for breakfast. Again we headed off in all directions. George and I caught lots of "jacks", Doug and John got into the bonefish big time, John W. hooked another permit and Roger missed a good one too.

Third day, we talked about changing guides mid way through the week, but now no one wanted to change. They all were happy with their guides and adjusting to the different style. A close friend had died in Placencia and the funeral was to be held later that day, so the guides asked if it would be OK if we went into town early so they could attend the service. George and I both hooked tarpon, neither one landed. My count now 0-9 in Belize. We arrived early at our new home for the next three days.

Day four, we started early and covered lots of water for permit, tarpon, jacks and even made a run outside the reef for a great jack and black tuna bite. This lasted several hours and was a BLAST. Lots of stories when we were all back in town; John W. lost a tarpon, and had lots of good shots at permit by all.

Fifth day, lots of permit this morning, I sure that George had a permit eat his fly but you must keep stripping to set the hook. Later that day George hooked a good tarpon, you should have seen the look on his face when it made its first jump. The others went up the rivers in search for tarpon, some grabs but no fish landed. John W. landed a 45 pound tarpon and they had several others on.

Final day of fishing, I hooked a 3’ shark but didn’t land it, sure was a good pull while it lasted. John and Roger hooked some good snook to 15 pounds. Willie and James had a great final day on the bones.

What a treat, my good friends Bruce and Carolyn prepared an excellent fish and shrimp dinner for the whole group. Many thanks, from all of us.

Well, that’s how the week went, lots of lessons learned, some great stories to tell and we are sure looking forward to our return next year.

Check the web site for next year’s trip.

 

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