Ambergris Caye - July, 2024

Took the fifteen year old to El Pescador for four days of fishing and two days of snorkeling. We had a blast. Trip tally - three permit and five tarpon by dad on fly; one very large permit, a large jack and countless snapper by Sam on spinning gear.

Yucatan 2024

We made it back to Mahahual and Xcalak for the first time in a couple of years. The conditions were less than ideal, with back-to-back high-pressure fronts. Nonetheless, it was great to catch up and fish with Nick and Evaristo....both of whom are excellent humans.

 

Coming Up Next:  We leave for Cuba on April 19th. We'll be exploring Havana and fishing the Zapata Peninsula for a week.

Then heading to Andros the first week of May to chase bonefish on the fly with the legendary Benry Smith at the Red Bay Sunset Lodge.

Stay tuned.....

 Belize is sublime.

When I am on the water, there is nothing greater than watching a tarpon roll, a permit flash, or a bonefish tail. Every interaction with these amazing creatures is a gift from the fish gods. 

Wednesday, May 2nd was a day I will never forget. Although I received no less than 15 rejections from permit, it was one of the best days of fishing in my life. I got to spend my day watching unicorns in the wild and it was fantastic. Every mistake I made was a new opportunity to learn. 

Then, on my second cast the next morning, I got an eat.

As you are no doubt aware, the permit code is a tough one to crack but I am enjoying the ride.

Fortunately, the flats of Chetumal Bay also have an abundance of healthy bones.

...and the neighboring lagoons and cenotes have healthy populations of juvenile tarpon.

The Entrance to an Amazing Place

Photo by Nick Denbow

Photo by Nick Denbow

I could go on and on about how much I love Mahahual and Xcalak, but here are some more photos.

Chetumal Bay Bonefish Flat

Costa de Cocos

Downtown Xcalak

It was so damned hard getting on the plane and saying goodbye to this amazing place - but I will be back soon.

Thank you Nick, Steve and Nacho for an amazing week.

'Palometa' - Spanish for 'Heartache'

"They call this place 'permit alley,'" John said as we exited the dense Mexican jungle and made our way onto the flat.  Upon scanning the horizon line, it became apparent why.

100 yards to our south was a large black sickle, waving back and forth as if to say, "Hey gringos! Over here."

"Damn," I thought, "I haven't even warmed up with a single cast yet and I have to give the performance of a lifetime." 

I must admit, watching a permit feeding and waving its happy black tail is about as cool as it gets.  I could sit there and watch it for hours.

But I was here to fish, not watch.

My heart was pumping like a plunger and my mouth went dry.  We waded within casting range and it was apparent the fish had no idea we were there.  I let her rip.

The merkin landed about three feet to the right of the permit.  The fish flipped me the bird, then flushed like a toilet.

That's okay, I never expected it to eat anyway.  That would be foolish, right?

My compadre tapped me on the shoulder and handed me my 7-weight.  "Let's go have some fun with bonefish," he said.

I nodded my head and tied on a pink #6 gotcha.  We got into a school on the same flat.  Game on.

Watching a school of bones compete for the right to eat your fly is a nice prescription for anyone suffering from dolor de palometa.

My partner in crime for the day, John Earls, is a former trout and steelhead guide from Oregon who now lives in Tulum.  He offers assisted walk and wade trips in the southern Yucatan via Tulum Fly Fishing.

Although I'd previously fished these flats on my own, I wanted to get some additional local insights this time around to help ensure success.

John's knowledge of the area and local fish proved invaluable.  For a very modest fee, he will spend the day with you - wading the flats, scouting fish and imparting knowledge.  I highly recommend fishing with him when in the area.  He knew exactly where to find fish.

After landing a few bones, we spotted a pair of cruising permit.  We spent about five minutes getting into casting range before I lobbed a crab fly toward their feeding lane along the mangroves.  They were gone before the fly hit the water.

Another dose of humiliation.

Fortunately, there were plenty of bones to save the day and, overall, I was thoroughly impressed with the 'park and play' flats John helped me explore.

Tomorrow, head held high, I will drive south to Punta Allen in search of snook and baby tarpon.