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I think the record still stands at 5 permit on a fly in one day. That incredible day was Dan Bank’s first time permit fishing. Where you ask? In southern Belize. On my recent (July 2002) visit to southern Belize, I met “permit addict”, Russell Thornberry, founder and card carrying member of D.O.P.A.P. (Distinguished Order of Permit Angling Purists). He landed 11 permit in 6 days. During this exploratory trip, I visited five lodges in southern Belize; Black Point Retreat, El Pescador Punta Gorda, Tarpon Cay Lodge, Blue Marlin Resort and Blue Horizon Lodge. All are located between Dangriga and Punta Gorda. |
| Two lodges stand out leaps and bounds above the others I visited. First on the list is El Pescador Punta Gorda (known as Machaca Hill Lodge as of 2006). Sitting atop “Big Hill”, with panoramic views of jungle, ocean and mountains from the Port of Honduras to Guatemala, this lodge has close proximity to mile upon mile of choice permit habitat. Troops of howler monkeys and toucans cruise the trees at eye level. The sunsets are breathtaking. A swim in the fresh water pool adds a refreshing end to a day of tropical fishing. |
| The rooms are beautifully appointed and air conditioned. The food is excellent. Transit
time from lodge to fishery averages approximately 35 minutes. Those of us who have fished southern Belize in years
past have been waiting for a first class lodge to materialize and in ELP PG we definitely have it. ELP PG uses a pool of local, experienced guides and each has their own boat or panga. They have varying degrees of experience fly fishing, but all know where to find permit. |
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| A 7 Night / 6 Days fishing package at ELP PG (Machaca Hill Lodge) costs $2,500 per person, double occupancy. Shorter packages or trips combining ELP PG and El Pescador Lodge on Ambergris Cay are also available. For additional information please visit our web site: www.angleradventures.com/machaca |
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At the opposite end of the comfort spectrum is the other lodge I really liked, Charlie
Leslie’s Tarpon Cay Lodge. Located on Tarpum Caye, 15 miles from the coastal town of Placencia, owner / guide Charlie
Leslie has put the word “fish” back into fish camp. This is no 8-4 operation. Charlie and his guides want you to fish optimum tides. Expect early morning wake ups to catch the tide and afternoon siestas to wait for them, or fish all day long. As Charlie says “We do fishing here!”. |
| Tarpon, bonefish and permit are all within a short boat ride from the cay and if
you choose, some of the most highly productive areas can be accessed on foot by wading right from the lodge.
A 40 minute crossing from Placencia in Charlie’s comfortable transfer boat has you arriving at Tarpon Cay, dry
and ready to fish the day you arrive. Client’s are housed in two new, elevated wooden cabins, which are clean, basic and functional. Large louvered and screened windows provide excellent ventilation for tropical breezes. Each cabin has fresh water, private shower, toilet and sink and electricity. Beds are comfortable and clean. Meals are great! Melanie, the cook, provides well balanced local Belizean dishes such as conch, lobster, fresh fish and shrimp. Charlie grows much of it in his “ocean garden” where we dove for conch. A week at Tarpon Cay Lodge costs $1,975 per person, double occupancy, maximum 4 anglers. Shorter trips are available. For additional information visit our web site:www.angleradventures.com/tarponcaye If you’d like a first hand report, please give me a call. Kind Regards, Steve Wolff Angler Adventures |
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