Beat the winter blues and head to the warm sun of the Caribbean in early 2019 for your next saltwater fly fishing get away. We have rounded up the space at several of our favourite lodges in The Bahamas, Mexico and Belize. So whether your sporting diary is looking a bit quiet post the shooting season or you are in need of a warm boost before the trout season begins, there is still time to secure your next trip.
Bair’s Lodge, The Bahamas
Bair’s Lodge on the east side Andros Island in the Bahamas is ideally situated giving you access to some of the largest and most varied flats in the world. Andros Island has long been associated with the biggest bonefish, Bair’s Lodge is an ideal base from which to try for a ‘giant’. Guests can fish primarily for bonefish and the occasional tarpon and permit. Both Deep Creek and Little Creek lie within easy striking distance from the lodge, and offer more protection from potential wind than oceanside flats. Both creeks are also conduits to renowned West Side and other remote cays to the south and southwest. The lodge sets the bench mark in terms of quality guiding, delicious food, comfortable accommodations and courteous hospitality. Bedrooms are open and airy, air-conditioned, with plenty of storage space and electricity outlets to recharge phones and camera batteries.
Availability:
19 – 24 January: 10 anglers (5 night / 4 day)
20 – 24 March: 6 anglers (4 night / 3 day)
30 March – 6 April: 2 anglers (7 night / 6 day)
10 – 15 April: 2 anglers (5 night / 4 day)
15 – 21 April: 4 anglers (6 night / 5 day)
21 – 27 April: 2 anglers (6 night / 5 day)
8 – 13 May: 8 anglers (5 night / 4 day)
13 – 20 May: 4 anglers (7 night / 6 day)
20 – 25 May: 4 anglers (5 night / 4 day)
25 May – 1 June: 12 anglers (7 night / 6 day)
1 – 8 June: 12 anglers (7 night / 6 day)
Cost:
7 night / 6 day: US$6,150 per person
6 night / 5 day: US$5,775 per person
5 night / 4 day: US$5,200 per person
4 night / 3 day: US$4,305 per person
Abaco Lodge, The Bahamas
The lodge offers some incredible fishing and for some 20 miles the average depth of the flats is four feet. Cherokee Sound, the Bight of Robinson and Snake Cay are minutes from the lodge and offer opportunities at challenging bonefish. With so many options at Abaco it is very rare to miss a day of fishing due to weather. The majority of the fishing is from the flats boats but there are places to wade should you prefer. The lodge sits on a rocky shoreline of the Marls just north of Marsh Harbour, the principal town of Abaco. It has eight beautifully furnished ensuite rooms as well as a fully stocked bar, dining and indoor seating area, comfy sofas on the veranda, outside fire pit and also a small pool. The food here is fantastic and wonderfully varied.
Availability:
1 – 7 February: 4 anglers (6 night / 5 day)
9 – 16 February: 4 anglers (7 night / 6 day)
19 – 25 February: 2 anglers (6 night / 5 day)
23 – 26 March: 2 anglers (3 night / 2 day)
20 – 24 April: 2 anglers (4 night / 3 day)
28 May – 2 June: 14 anglers (5 night / 4 day)
8 – 15 June: 4 anglers (7 night / 6 day)
29 June – 6 July: 12 anglers (7 night / 6 day)
Cost (please note January and February dates are $200 less):
7 night / 6 day: US$6,150 per person
6 night / 5 day: US$5,775 per person
5 night / 4 day: US$5,200 per person
4 night / 3 day: US$4,305 per person
3 night / 2 day: US$3,450 per person
Punta Allen Fishing Club, Mexico
The lodge sits in the Heart of Ascension Bay and the small fishing town of Punta Allen, with its multi-cultural background the lodge combines Mexican, French and Italian influences to offer guests great comfort and a fantastic fishing experience on one of the Caribbean’s most productive flats systems. The bay features miles and miles of shallow flats, a perfect breeding ground for crabs, the cherished delicacy of permit, and the reason permit grow to world-record sizes here. The bonefish are plentiful, so your opportunities for landing these fierce fighters are numerous. Ascension Bay is world-renowned for its seemingly endless saltwater flats and fishermen come here primarily seeking the challenge of the elusive permit and bonefish, plus the chance to achieve a Grand Slam.
The lodge comfortably houses 6 to 8 anglers at a time in well-appointed twin rooms. Accommodation is shared but there are two rooms that can be taken on a single occupancy basis. Breakfast and dinner is served in the wonderful upstairs open palapa whilst the sunrises and sets on each day. Non-fishing guests are welcome, there are a limit range of activities that can be done including eco-tours and visiting Mayan ruins, but please note that Punta Allen is a small quiet fishing port with nice beaches.
Availability:
9 – 16 February: 4 anglers (7 night / 6 day)
30 March – 6 April: 6 anglers (7 night / 6 day)
4 – 11 May: 4 anglers (7 night / 6 day)
11 – 18 May: 6 anglers (7 night / 6 day)
3 – 10 June: 6 anglers (7 night / 6 day)
10 – 16 June: 6 anglers (6 night / 5 day)
16 – 23 June: 4 anglers (7 night / 6 day)
23 – 30 June: 6 anglers (7 night / 6 day)
Cost (please note special offer rates apply to June weeks):
7 night / 6 day: US$3,100 per person
6 night / 5 day: US$2,620 per person
El Pescador, Belize
A little closer to the mainland, Ambergris Cay is no more than a 15 minute hop in a Cessna. This long cay runs all the way up to the old Mayan channel dug centuries ago. From there it carries on to the Mexican border. El Pescador is a longstanding favourite and was one of the first lodges to gain fishing standing. Owned and run by the same family, it is a combination of lovely lodge rooms (recently refurbished) and private villas. The bustling town of San Pedro is close by for those that might not be quite so interested in stalking permit or bonefish. For fishermen, Ambergris Cay is one of the best spots for migratory tarpon in Belize from July through to September. For those not fishing, there are three saltwater pools to relax in and a variety of activities to choose from. From snorkelling and beach picnics to the mainland ruins of Altan Ha and Lamani. From ziplining through the rainforest to searching for the endangered West Indian Manatee, there is something for everyone.
Availability:
9 – 16 February: 4 anglers (7 night / 6 day)
16 – 23 February: 6 anglers (7 night / 6 day)
23 February – 2 March: 4 anglers (7 night / 6 day)
2 – 6 March: 2 anglers (4 night / 3 day)
17 – 23 March: 4 anglers (6 night / 5 day)
23 – 30 March: 6 anglers (7 night / 6 day)
30 March – 3 April: 6 anglers (4 night / 3 day)
8 – 13 April: 4 anglers (5 night / 4 day)
13 – 20 April: 6 anglers (7 night / 6 day)
20 – 27 April: 6 anglers (7 night / 6 day)
27 April – 2 May: 6 anglers (5 night / 4 day)
Cost (please note non-fisher rates available):
7 night / 6 day: US$4,420 per person
6 night / 5 day: US$3,835 per person
5 night / 4 day: US$3,250 per person
4 night / 3 day: US$2,665 per person
If you would like more information about any of the lodges above or require different travel dates please contact us by email or call our office on +44(0)1980 847389.