It is recommended you bring your own fly fishing gear; however, if you cannot do so or don’t have something in particular, you can borrow rods from the lodges. Bonefish: an 8 wt is best with 10 lb leader, Permit: a 9 wt with 12 lb leader, Tarpon: a 10 wt with 16-20 lb leader. For the rods themselves, a 9’-9.5’ rod is optimal.

Destinations: Ambergris Caye, Punta Gorda

Duration: 9 days

*Price Range: $$$

*Rates inclusive of full vacation experience – hotels, tours, domestic transfers, and tax (excluding international airfare).  Actual price based on length of travel, number of travelers/rooms, seasonal rates (high, low, peak), number of tour activities, and mode of domestic transportation.

$$$: At or under $1,200 per person.

$$$: $1,200 – $1,800 per person.

$$$: $1,800+ per person

1. Day 1

   Fly into Belize City, Belize (BZE) where you will go through Immigrations and Customs and then walk directly over to the Tropic Air desk. You’ll then board a quick 20-minute domestic flight to San Pedro on Ambergris Caye.  Upon arrival you’ll be met by El Pescador and taken by boat just ten minutes outside of town to their resort. The main lodge, which was completely renovated in 2015, features 13 air-conditioned guest rooms and four luxury 3-bedroom villas. A family run business for over 40 years, from the moment you are met on the dock with a welcome drink you’ll know you are in fly fishing heaven. Attend a quick fishing and resort orientation presented by the full-time fishing director and meet your private fly fishing guide for the week.

2. Day 2

   Let’s go fishing! El Pescador features twenty of the best full time guides in Ambergris Caye, some of them spanning three generations. They’ll do their best to match you up with the right guide for your personality, skill level, and experience.  You’ll fish with this same guide during your stay so you can develop chemistry as flats fishing involves a lot of skill, teamwork and communication. Whether you are polling across the shallow flats or wading, you’ll have the opportunity to land a grand slam each and every day as El Pescador boasts a 400 sq. mile fishery.

3. Day 3

   Let’s go fishing again today! Head back to the flats to stalk tailing bonefish and the ever-so-spooky permit.  Don’t forget to keep an eye out for jacks and barracuda, both of which are incredibly fun to fight on the fly.  If you find yourself rusty or needing a tune-up, take advantage of the free daily casting lessons given on the dock each day by the casting instructor.

4. Day 4

   Last day of fishing at El Pescador!  If there is one species of the grand slam that eludes you, today is your day to make it happen (it’s the permit, isn’t it?).  Enjoy another full day of fishing on the flats, the mud bottoms, and the mangroves to earn a plaque with your name on it and forever be remembered as a legend at the famous El Pescador Lodge.

5. Day 5

   Today you’ll fly from bustling Ambergris Caye in northern Belize to the sleepy fishing town of Punta Gorda in the southernmost region of Belize.  “PG”, as the locals say, is the self-proclaimed ‘permit capital of the world’.  For this reason fly anglers from all around the world flock here in search of their elusive trophy permit. Set on a hilltop overlooking 12,000-acres of rainforest, you’ll stay at the award-winning Belcampo Lodge.  Enjoy personalized service, first class dining and accommodations, and a setting unlike anything else in Belize.  All 16 private suites each come with A/C, ceiling fans, Wi-Fi, private veranda/porch, safe, and complimentary laundry service.

6. Day 6

   Let’s go fishing!  You came to the ‘permit capital of the world’ for a reason so let’s get on the water and make it happen. You’ll fish with Punta Gorda’s legendary local guides who have been fishing these waters for 20+ years. Each 23’ panga is rigged for hardcore fly anglers with rod holders, large casting platform with lean bar, and even a bimini top for shade from the hot sun.

7. Day 7

   Fishing day!  If you stayed up all night thinking about your missed opportunities to land a permit the day before rest assured you aren’t alone and you’ll get another crack at it today.  If you fished the saltwater flats yesterday, today you can try the ‘lagoon’, an expansive system of mangroves and mudflats that hold permit and bonefish in just about any type of weather condition.

8. Day 8

   Last day of fishing!  While Punta Gorda is famous for its permit you can also get plenty of shots at bonefish, tarpon, snook, and barracuda.  The mouth of the Rio Grande, which Belcampo is on, is a great spot to find big tarpon and snook.

9. Day 9

   Take a quick 55-minute domestic flight back to the Belize City for your international flight home.