Belize Fly Fishing For Permit, Bonefish and Tarpon
by Pat McCarty
10/30/2002

Two great fish stories this month, not to mention our weekly fishing averages which are strong despite the nagging cold fronts which seem to just barely make it to Belize.

First, the offshore fishing project continues to show all the signs that we really have something going for us. Capt. Jim Sharpe, author of "Dolphin, The Perfect Gamefish" and last years winner of the Bimini Big Game championship and his wife Barbara joined us for a week of fishing and training.

On day two of our trip we had a blue marlin somewhere in the range of 200 to 300 pounds on for a while until he pulled the hook out and we had another blue crash the teasers but missed the lure, two white marlin came up into the baits but wouldn't eat and five sailfish up. That's a grand slam folks! The week was a great learning experience for all of us and we thank Jim and Barbara for helping us to bring our guide staff and captains up to the championship level that you're accustomed to here at the lodge.

Second, Bob and Catherine Smith, long time guests at the lodge were back with us for their fifth time last month when Bob got the suprise of his fishing career. Bob lost a nice bonefish after several long runs to a piece of coral on the wading flats. Shortly after that, Bob saw a large school of bones coming his way and made the cast. Wham! Bob was on again. This one doesn't get away. As Bob grabs his bonefish he noticed his fly and leader from an hour ago hanging from his newly caught fish. What fly was that Bob?

The island was visited this past month by Jimmy Buffett and family. Jimmy, a long time friend of mine since the early days in Key West brought his 93 foot Choy Lee trawler and seaplane to Turneffe for some bonefishing and to drop off his new CD (by seaplane of course).

I think we had some Sherman Margarita specials too!

I hope to see you all soon and until next time....

Capt. Vaughn Cochran (Original member of the Coral Reefer Band)

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