In 1997, Lincoln Westby and his wife Perline decided to build a fishing lodge in Southern Belize, located in one of the worlds most productive permit fisheries. Coined, “permit alley” the fishing grounds are known for their expansive pancake flats that teem with marine life. There is no better place to fish for tailing permit in shallow water, than Permit Alley with Blue Horizon’s expert guides. This unique lodge merges Lincoln’s original “fish camp” feel with all the modern amenities a travelling angler wants.
There are no long boat rides to get to the flats. Blue Horizon’s professional team of guides will have you casting to permit (or bonefish or tarpon) within minutes of leaving the lodge. The proximity to the flats allows you to maximize your time on the water during the most productive moments of each tide cycle. They will have you fishing the tides, not the clock. The entire fishing program is determined by the tide cycle, not the time of the day or when a meal is served.
While most anglers who stay at Blue Horizon Lodge are focused on fishing for permit, there is an abundant population of tarpon nearby. And don’t forget about bonefish! Bonefish can be targeted and caught any day of the year, making this fishery the best place to target a Grand Slam in Belize.
Fly Fishing Opportunities by Month
In this part of Belize, bonefish, permit, and tarpon can be caught year-round. Some periods of the year are more likely to have better fishing for a specific species than other time frames. We’ve broken down the fishing by month. NOTE: different parts of Belize have slightly different seasons. This is what you can expect to see in the Southwater Caye Marine Reserve each month.
January: The new and full moon tide will create the most productive fishing for permit. Bonefish are a daily option. Tarpon schools are migrating and following bait. The fishing will be great if you find them, but they can be challenging to locate cause they move frequently. January is the most likely month for a dreaded “Northern”. The high winds can make fishing the flats more challenging in January.
February: Similar to January, in the first two weeks of the month. The best tides remain the new and full moon. Weather is the most significant factor this month. By mid-month, the chances of a “Northern” diminish dramatically. By mid-month, we expect to start seeing some of the best catch rates for permit of the year.
March: March brings the beginning of the most favourable time for fly fishing for permit in southern Belize. For the next six months, the permit fishing will be the best of the calendar year. Bonefish remain catchable daily. Permit are the primary focus, and all-tide cycles will give the advantage to the angler. Tarpon continue to migrate with baitfish and, when found, will eagerly eat a fly. March can have higher winds, but it is not common to have a north front.
April: Bonefish are always an option. Permit fishing will remain outstanding with the new and full moon phases. During the full moon this month, more tarpon will arrive in the region. These tarpon tend to be larger than the resident tarpon that swim in the waters of South Water Caye Marine Reserve. The weather in April is settled and typically calm with little rain.
May: This is the hottest and often the driest month of the year. It is common to have calm clear weather for weeks in a row. Bonefish are available. Permit fishing is excellent, especially during the new and full moon phases. Tarpon are caught with daily regularity. Weather is always the factor, but rarely this month.
June: Technically, June is the start of the rainy season, but don’t let this stop you from fishing during one of the best fishing months of the year. The rainy season is highlighted by quickly passing rainstorms. These storms can drop inches of water in less than 30 minutes. Luckily, they are most commonly isolated storms and won’t interrupt the fishing. June is the start of one of the best months for a grand slam: permit, bonefish, and tarpon on the same day. Again, new and full moon phases will bring the best fishing.
July: Nearly identical conditions as of June. One of the best months for fishing in Belize. Hurricanes can be a factor.
August: This is one of our favourite months of the summer season. In the first part of the month, the new moon has consistently produced more Grand Slams than any other time of the year. Hurricanes can be a factor.
September: By mid-month, the migrating tarpon have mostly moved to other areas of Belize or the Caribbean. Permit fishing will be good this month too, but we will start to recommend focusing on the first and last quarter moons, especially in the latter part of the month. Bonefish remain a daily possibility.
October: Weather and tides are the biggest challenges in October. The new and full moon tides are so high they create challenging conditions, as the flats will have too much water on them. The first and last quarter moon phases offer the best fishing in October. Tarpon are still possible, however, they are mostly the resident fishing (who often migrate throughout the region). Permit continue to dominate the focus, with bonefish being possible every day of the month. Hurricanes are still a potential complication during the first weeks of October.
November: At some point during November, the weather will slide into a calm, clear weather pattern, with little to no wind or rain. Ideal conditions. Bonefish are still a daily target, with permit productivity picking up, especially during perfect weather. Full and new moon phase is preferred. Tarpon can be found. As the month grows long, the chances of experiencing a “Northern” becomes more likely.
December: Some years, the ideal weather spills over into December. When this happens, the fishing remains excellent. Same story for bonefish daily. Permit and tarpon can be found, as long as the weather pattern is calm and settled.
Our experience supports that mid-February through the end of August offers the best fishing of the calendar year. November has a ‘sweet’ some for fishing too. September and October can produce great fishing, but not as consistently. December and January have the highest likelihood of weather affecting the productivity of your fishing trip.
2024 FLY FISHING PACKAGE COST:
US$5,025 per person based on 7 nights / 6 days, shared room and shared guide
US$7,875 per person based on 7 nights / 6 days, single room and single guide
US$6,190 per person based on 7 nights / 6 days, single room and shared guide
2025 FLY FISHING PACKAGE COST:
US$5,300 per person based on 7 nights / 6 days, shared room and shared guide
US$8,425 per person based on 7 nights / 6 days, single room and single guide
Single room supplements for shared anglers can be priced if space is available.
FLY FISHING PACKAGE INCLUDES:
- Accommodations and all meals, snacks, local beer, local alcohol, and non- alcoholic beverages
- The number of full days of fly fishing in the package
- Ground transfers between airstrip and marina
- Boat transfer to and from the island
- WiFi & Marine fees, hotel taxes, and GST
DOES NOT INCLUDE:
- International flight, In-country commuter flights or ground transfers from BZE
Flies, terminal tackle, or other rental gear - Extra tours or Purchases in the pro/gift shop
- Fishing guide or lodge staff gratuities
For more information on Blue Horizon Lodge please contact Alex Jardine or Peter McLeod, alternatively you can call our office on +44(0)1980 847389.
