Belize Fishing Guides

Isa Rodriguez  (center) is from the village of Valley of Peace in central Belize. Isa began his training at El Pescador in 2008 and was our Associate Fishing Director from 2013 - 2018. Isa was promoted to Fishing Director in 2018.

Isa obtained his Casting Instructor Certification from the Federation of Fly Fishers in February of 2013.  Isa joins three other El Pescador guides as the only Belizean certified casting instructors currently teaching in Belize.

Isa has a remarkable ability to teach both novice and experienced fly casters due to his easy going, no pressure sessions but at the same time drawing on the skills and techniques from any source that crosses his path. Isa is the quintessential student and loves to learn; he will be a lifelong student and teacher of fly casting.

His knowledge of the local culture, his ability to explain casting techniques and styles, and his knowledge of knots as well as our home waters make him an invaluable member of our El Pescador family.

All El Pescador guides are native San Pedranos born and raised on the island and all speak English. We pride ourselves on having some of the most experienced guides in Belize. Many of our guides have been with us for over 30 years. Now our second and third generation of El Pescador guides is in full swing! Most of them have been trained by their fathers and uncles with whom they typically spend a decade learning the craft before becoming a Captain of their own flats boat. Our guides’ encyclopedic knowledge of this fishery comes from a lifetime dedicated to learning where the fish are and how they behave. El Pescador guides are talented casters and will be happy to provide instruction during your fishing day.

Communication is key to success. Communicate with your guide throughout the day. Do you want to bonefish all day? Is there a chance for permit or tarpon? Are you interested in different species? If you would like help or advice, please do not hesitate to ask. Maybe you change your mind during the day and want to see if a different opportunity is available, ask away! If you have been tarpon fishing for 3 hours without a bite and you feel like you need a tug desperately, ask to go catch a bonefish! If you enjoy wading, just ask the guide. The point is that the guide will not know what you are feeling unless you tell him.

All El Pescador guides have obtained a Belize Port Authority Boat Master’s license, are licensed Belize Tourism Board Tour Guides and are First Aid certified. Every guide’s boat has PFDs, a fire extinguisher and a cell phone for emergencies.

El Pescador guides receive continuing education annually on various topics of interest ranging from angler service, to local flora and fauna, to poling, casting instruction and even photography.

Fly Casting Lessons

Complimentary fly-casting lessons are available daily from 3-5 pm on the casting platform of the dock. You will be tired after 8-10 hours on the boat, but please try to spend a few minutes to work on something new. The guides are great teachers, but they tend to focus on finding you fish. On the dock, we can work off some skills that need time to develop, like a double haul or getting rid of a tailing loop. If you would like help with knot tying or fly tying, please do not hesitate to ask.

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