Hello, I am new to the forum and a newb to saltwater fly fishing, but I have done some limited freshwater fly fishing and tying in the past. I have been freshwater fishing my entire life, however...Well I guess that is enough about me - I will get to the point.
My wife and I have scheduled a week long stay in Belize (San Pedro) in mid-July. I have always wanted to take up salt-water fly-fishing and thought this would be a great opportunity to start and hopefully have at least one annual trip, so I have started to read up and gather gear.
My time is somewhat limited as it is just me and the wife and I want to keep her involved - she will not be fishing, but may tag along if it is ok with the guide and we have to set some days aside for other stuff - snorkling, beach time, etc. So I expect to have about one full day and 2-3 half-days for fishing.
My general question is how I should approach Belize on a Budget - I can probably afford around $500 in guide money plus a bit on supplies. I was thinking of taking a one day guided trip for Bones, a 1/2 or full day of waded guiding for Bones and trying to do a bit hear and there on my own, maybe rent a kayak if it is possible.
Any thoughts on this good idea, bad idea?
Any recommendations for a guide to touch base with?
Do I need to book a guide in advance?
Are there some days of the week that are better to go out (e.g., weekdays better than weekends, etc..)?
Is it worth tying up flies, or should I just go with what ever pattern they are using at the time, and buy them locally?
Basically, any info would be helpful! Thanks in advance.
Actually... I am going to be in Belize around the same time. I will be up at El Pescador Lodge and they are running a guide special two for the price of one. You might inquire with them...
Thanks 72Twenty - The packages look a bit out of my range, but I may give them a call to see if they have any seperate guided rates.
Also, I am expecting that bonefish will be the most likely canidate, but should I pack something for Permit also? Basically, I have an Orvis PowerMatrix/Mid-Arbor 8wt set up with standard orvis WF salt water line - Should I make an effort to buy an extra spool with 9 wt just in case? Or will the 8 wt work "good enough". I just don't want to get down there and be short of "needed" equipment.
I went down last year and had a great time. If you go down to where the local school is and look across the street from the play ground there is a guide that you have to go upstairs and knock on the door. Him and his brother both guide at Turneffe. I used them and had a great time. I paid 250 for the day. The 8 wt is perfect you may want to over line with 9wt line. Makes punching th breeze a little easier. As far as flies shrimp and crab patterns bought here are the way to go. They are pricey down there. Crazy charlies several and chernobyl crabs. Check out Belize fishng for other recommendations. The guides fish out of Panga flats boats. Plenty of room for wife. The guides are very friendly and accommodating DIYi is a little difficult but if you have access to a golf cart notor to the south of the island. There are several wadable flats. Walk careful the bottom cam be knee deep mud. Also take some spinning gear the docks hold tarpon at night and tasty snapper during the day. And the wife can use the spinning gear on the guided trips. Just let him know and they will provide live bait. Oh and one last thing down by the local boat dock just past the community soccer field there is a bar. You gotta go feed the Tarpon, It's a real hoot. Especially after 12 Belikins
One more general question - should I worry about booking a guide in advance? All of the travel guides consider this the "low" season so I am thinking there should be guides available that I can track down when I get there. Any thoughts?
A far as flies go, I am going to start tying again this week - I figure I'll stock up on some basics and buy more specifics down there. From some of the websites it looks like flies are in the $5 range?
Also, are there any fly shops I should plan on visiting - or are they all kind of incorporated into guide services?
txfly, If you are not on a schedule I would book when i get there. You book in advance you pay the booking rate. If you book when you get there you have the opportunity to be flexible and the price comes down. When you get off the ferry you will see several guide sings. From ther ferry dock if youy walk straight ahead you will walk right past the school. Omar is the guide right past the playground. Check out Big Y Fly. com. Good prices on flies. Crazy charlies, gotchas , Cockroaches and of course a hand full of clousers. Hope the info helps Oh one other thing if you follow the main road south outta town it turns to dirt. you will wee a sign about a mile after it turns to dirt for snorkeling diving etc. There is a pink condo the left dock holds nice tarpon at night. If anyone ask you where told by jimmy from Atlanta to give it a try.
I have fished with Vincent Dawson several times and I can highly recommend him although his panga will be rather rustic compared to El Pescador's boats. Local guide rates should be under $300 for a day and maybe as low as $250. As far as DIY, you can rent a bicycle or walk the beach and usually see bonefish tailing. I was a few miles north of the cut last time I went and there were plenty of bonefish although these get much more pressure than out in the flats and mangroves accessible only by boat.
You should take an assortment of Yucatan bonefish flies especially if you plan any DIY fishing. These are small bonefish so it has to be Yucatan/Belize size flies not Florida Keys bonefish flies. If you are casting to a mud, small clousers work well. An 8 weight is more than enough for these fish and is needed more for wind than size of fish. Mid-July is also prime tarpon season and for this you need a 10#. Here you stake out on a flat and hope the tarpon come cruising by.
For nightlife, I would go to Fidos (good food also), the chicken drop at the Pier Bar and try to see Dennis Wolf over a Belikin (kind of hotel lounge style but a local icon that wrote Gringo in Belize covered by Jerry Jeff Walker). I would also try to go snorkeling at Hol Chan marine preserve which has many large fish, nurse sharks and big stingrays.
Ambergis Caye is a special place that has a good vibe and great people and hopefully does not outgrow its charm. I hope you enjoy your trip.
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