January 29th - February 5th 2011 Fishing Report

WHAT GUESTS WERE CATCHING:

BONES: We have seen some bigger bonefish this week. It seems when a cold front lingers, we tend to see fish over five pounds – which is a big bonefish for Belize. Beginners started fishing large mudding bonefish, and then found a lot of fun as they moved to sight fishing in the shallow water. Judge Lucy started her saltwater experience this week. She and Erlindo had a blast wading on the incoming tide.
PERMIT: Permit fishing was on fire this week. Incredible. Jeff went out his first day and landed two permit on fly with Capt. Kachu. Yeah, first day. Second day, landed a 23 pounder on fly.
TARPON: Everyone was chasing permit!
SNOOK: Not seen as much this time of year - they are closer to the mainland.
JACKS: Really nice jacks landed all week. I’m not really a fan of eating jacks, but the locals love it bbq’d. So the guides were happy that the anglers gave them a treat.

FLIES THAT WORKED

FOR BONES: Christmas Island Specials size 8 and 6, Charlies and Gotchas. Tan, gold, sexy patterns. Sexy patterns are flies that move so great in the water you just to have it.
FOR TARPON: 3/0 yellow toads, green Toads, Black Death cockroach, and look out with purple! Your choice, circle hooks will help people who have not had experience setting tarpon, while the standard is still with J-hooks, or set hooks.
FOR PERMIT: Orange and pink Christmas Island Specials size 4 stripped fast. Tan and green crabs, size 6, when they are tailing. We strip a lot of flies for permit. It is the way the San Pedro guides do it, and it works! Shrimp patterns, size 6, on long 14-16 ft leaders down to 16lb test. Glass minnow patterns work as well. You just have to be brave enough to try.

REPORT SUMMARY:

This week was consumed with upping the angler’s game. We practiced our casting out on the casting platform in front of the lodge after fishing all day….if you didn’t have your double haul, you do now. If you didn’t know how to get the most out of your cast, you do now. I appreciated the tenacity of the anglers thirsty for learning about fly fishing the salt. My “Dentist” buddies, Tim, Ted, Aaron, and Matt….we hope to see you here another time! Jeff, another dentist, was the luckiest of all – 3 permit landed on fly in 2 days with Kachu. Wow. Thanks for making it a great week everyone. Lori-Ann.

If you have any questions or would like more information, please email us at [email protected]. Happy fishing!