Dear Friends,

            Another year has gone by and we fully enjoyed visiting with everyone who made a trip to BRL in 2009.  The fishing stories, jokes and conversation always makes our jobs and lives entertaining, and for this, we thank you. 

 

We always enjoy visiting with our friends who yearly make the voyage to Belize and continually look forward to meeting our new guests, who by the time they are leaving BRL, we hope are feeling like they are leaving home. In 2009, we had guest making their 23^rd trip to BRL and another guest who has landed 16 slams in his last 7 or 8 trips (we lose count).   And for 2010, we are looking forward to Charles making his 33^rd trip. These are all great milestone for us, and we enjoy telling the stories, but we look forward to the first time guest, making his first saltwater trip, just as much as Charles on his 33^rd trip. It is always exciting for us, hearing the stories and tales of new and old. 

 

In 2010, we have a few fun things to look out for.  Bonefish and Tarpon Trust are returning to BRL to try and land a few of the big migrating tarpon to tag.  They are trying to track migrating patterns of these spectacular fish.  Along with this, BRL is tagging bonefish and taking tarpon samples for testing. Hopefully, we can all find out more about these great saltwater fish, which are now legally protected in Belize.

 

Along with BTT returning to BRL, Barry and Cathy Beck are hosting a trip in April.  For more information on this trip, please contact Denise Schreiber [dschreiber@frontierstravel.com] or Barbara Alden [balden@frontierstravel.com] at Frontiers Travel.

 

For freshwater anglers looking to make a move into Saltwater or for saltwater anglers who would like to improve their skills, we have two good options for you. 

 

#1.   Conway Bowman and Rob Provost’s Tarpon School

            Conway and Rob will be mainly targeting Tarpon fishing from BRL in mid March. But remember, BRL has a variety of fishing, so not only will you be able to fish tarpon, but also, Bonefish, Snook, Permit, Jacks, Cuda’s, Snappers, Trippletail and many other species.  So bring your 10 wt and 12 wt rods to fish for the magnificent jumping silver kings, along with an 8 wt for most others.  For more information, please contact Conway Bowman at conwayxbowman@gmail.com  or Rob Provost with Grand Slam FlyFishing Destinations at info@grandslamflyfishing.com.

 

 

#2.  TheFlyshop’s Saltwater School

            Not only will they be targeting Tarpon, but also, Bonefish, Snook and Permit and all the others.  This is an excellent way to get your arm casting in saltwater. The Flyshop will be sending an Instructor, who along with the BRL guides will help to pave your way into these Saltwater species.  The Flyshop Saltwater School is scheduled for late May, a great time for Bonefishing, Snook fishing, Permit Fishing and Tarpon (all size) fishing.  For more information on this program, please contact Mike Caranci at mcaranci13@hotmail.com or Bill Marts at bill@theflyshop.com.

 

 

            Along with the above hosted trips, February thru June is an excellent time to fish Central Belize.   Bonefish, Snook and resident tarpon fishing is year round. During February thru late July, the migratory tarpon come through the water of BRL, making for some really exciting fishing.  Imagine seeing these big fish tailing like a bonefish, they really do tail!   Also, Central Belize has an excellent Permit fishery, but it is weather dependent, as is most permit fishing.  In addition to the four main sporting species, BRL anglers also have fun with Trippletail, Snappers, Jacks, Cuda’s, Ladyfish and anything else that will take a fly. 

 

            There are still a few spaces available February thru June.  And as Belize River Lodge has no preset arrival or departure days, whichever dates are available that best fit your schedule can work.  We recommend to look for the best pricing on airfare and travel those days, if you have flexibility to your schedule. 

 

We can be easily reached by e-mail at info@belizeriverlodge.com;  toll free at 1-888-275-4843 or direct to BRL at 011-501-225-2002 or fax to BRL at 011-501-225-2298.  We look forward to visiting with you in 2010 and if you have any questions, please e-mail us or call us.

 

Best regards,

Mike, Marguerite & Misha

 

PS

            Some of us from BRL will be at the Somerset, NJ FlyFishing Show in January and the Pleasanton, CA FlyFishing Show in February. We will also be attending the Houston Fishing Show in March.  We hope to see you there.

Smuggler's Run Plantation

GUEST COMMENTS!

The Gunther Family
Riverbank, CA


"I really enjoy the surprise of the variety of fish and fishing locales I can run into in a day or a week at BRL. Small tarpon, giant tarpon, snook, snappers, permit, bones. I dig the jungle rivers and the ocean flats. I dream about the homemade food. And I love my guide Pedro!"
Darrell Smith
Utah


"Every time I come to the lodge the fishing gets better. I don't know if it's the fish, or me, or both. My last trip brought me a super slam, two grand slams, and a hookup with a 150 pound tarpon. That, together with the hospitality and great food, is a guarantee that I will keep coming back!"
Mick Kolassa
Oxford, MS


" I recall my first visit to BRL in early 1962. The lodge and the fishing experiences were terrific and not too different from today except the country British Honduras is now independent and the new Belize has become widely known and a very popular destination. Little did I realize in 1962 that I would return to BRL over 30 times including this year with my two sons and stepson (who wants to move to Belize!). And the Lord willing, my wife and I will return next year."
Charlie Eberle
Powhatan, Virginia


"Everything was perfect. Well almost, I forgot to bow to the 100+ lb tarpon that Raul put me on. The "big one" got away this time. I will forever remember that bout and promise to redeem myself. I fired my wife as my personal photographer, she missed every jump the fish made. She was as thrilled as I was. I landed my first bonefish and at least 15-20 more casting to groups of tails all day. I landed a dozen more smaller tarpon in the river. I still cannot figure out why you guys call fish that size a "baby tarpon". Yes the fishing was great. Everything was great. We were treated so well at the lodge. Mike and Marguerite were wonderful. My wife just loved Mike's stories and Belize history lessons. The food was amazing, much more than we expected. My wife got some of the recipes to take home. Raul is a true professional guide. He worked so hard to put me on the fish. I felt like when I lost that big tarpon he felt as bad as I did. He was a joy to fish with. I am coming back to be sure. I thought about the big boats, but would miss the lodge. So maybe a combo would be best. We can plan that in the near future. Thanks to all for a truly wonderful trip and making my first trip one that I will always remember."
James Miller
Texas


"Out of all my fishing trips to Belize my most favorite is fishing from the Blue Yonder. The only thing better than getting up in the morning, being on fish in about 5 minutes, fishing for about an hour and then coming back to the boat for breakfast is having to show up late for breakfast because a monster tarpon is ripping the line off your reel 15 minutes into your fishing day."
Rick Smallwood
Houston, TX


"I have fished at the Belize River Lodge now for twenty years. Sometimes for one day and sometimes for a week. I have fished all times of the year and all kinds of weather. Sometimes there was fishing and no catching and sometimes there was fishing and catching, but I have never failed to have a great time."
Dr. Kinloch Nelson

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