When I think of saltwater fly-fishing I think of crystal clear water, white sand, sun-drenched skin and tons of fast action! The grace of a fly rod coupled with the speed of a saltwater fish sets this sport apart from all others. You cast to the perfect spot…the fish hits…and then ZING, the line races off the spool at the speed of light – it’s extreme fishing at its finest!
Ten years ago when I discovered saltwater fly-fishing, my life changed forever. These days it’s all I want to focus on (difficult to do when you live in Wisconsin). As fate would have it, however, I found a job that feeds my need. I work as an outdoor travel specialist for a large, Minnesota-based outdoor retailer, selling fishing and hunting trips worldwide. Part of my job is to understand the places that I sell from personal experience; therefore it’s a must that I travel.
As a self-proclaimed future-famous saltwater fly-fisher girl (that’s a mouthful), I figured it was time to add a few “hot spots” to my résumé. So one day, when an invite came across the office fax asking us to come check out a Belizean lodge, I seized my opportunity. I packed my bags faster than you could say “bonefish” and departed, alone, to this tiny Central American country. Admittedly I was nervous, but the anticipation of seeing Belize had me as excited as a teenager about to go on her first date.
Upon arrival in Belize City, an “island hopper” quickly whisked me away to Ambergris Caye. The short, fifteen-minute flight flew us over the most beautiful Azure blue water I had ever seen; I could hardly stand it. As soon as we landed I was escorted to the first of two world-class fly fishing lodges on my agenda. It wasn’t my destination lodge, but since I was in the area I figured I better stop by and check it out – I was glad I did.
Upon arrival I got the tour, then made friends with the bartender, Jason, who proceeded to show me his homemade tarpon flies – he even let me keep a few. The following morning my guide and I sought bonefish where the expansive lagoon met up with the Caribbean Sea. We caught twenty-one bones in four hours! They were small (2-3 pounds) but plentiful and their large schools, once spooked, would circle back much to my surprise. It was a great morning of fishing but quickly ended due to a tight schedule.
After waving goodbye to Ambergris, I moved on to lodge number two. This private island resort was simply amazing – a true paradise! The resort sits on is nothing more than a white sand spit with coconut palms, surrounded by more of that beautiful, Azure blue water. With cozy, air-conditioned cabanas, private hammocks right outside your door, a large beach and a beautiful freshwater pool for the offering, I could not conjure up a more relaxing place in my dreams.
Here I fished for bonefish, tarpon and permit for four days straight, catching no permit (they’re tough buggers) but catching many bones and several tarpon. In fact, I caught my tarpon on one of the flies that Jason had given me. It just goes to show you should always trust the locals when it comes to knowledge of fly patterns and colors! One was nearly 80 pounds, which after two spectacular jumps in the moonlight took the line down to the backing where it unfortunately jammed. In one spectacular jump, the tarpon broke off the fly and was gone. It was heart wrenching yet exciting. To see the moonlight reflect off the big, silvery scales of the tarpon was one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen in all my days of fishing!
During my stay I also had the privilege of swimming with two ten-foot nurse sharks, visiting with a mother dolphin and calf only five feet from my boat and learning, seeing Belize’s famed “Blue Hole”, viewing the Red-footed Booby at Half Moon Caye, and learning to scuba dive. Scuba opened up a whole new world for me, allowing me to watch tarpon and permit under water in their natural habitat. It was very educational, not to mention cool.
After nearly a week of incredible fishing, delicious tropical food, and eco-enjoyment, it was time to go…a sad realization for me. Belize had a serious affect on my heart; the kind that you experience on those rare occasions in life – I fell in love. Of all the tropical places I have fished, none measure up to the beauty of Belize. Whether your quarry is tarpon, permit, or bonefish Belize offers it all…amazing fishing, incredible scenery, and some of the nicest people I have ever met. I highly recommend to anyone, novice or expert alike, to go if you get the chance – you, too, will fall in love.
