“The charm of fishing is that it is the pursuit of what is elusive but attainable, a perpetual series of occasions of hope.” ~ John Buchan

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“Today I will walk out, today everything negative will leave me, I will be as I was before,
I will have a cool breeze over my body.
I will have a light body, I will be happy forever, nothing will hinder me.
I walk with beauty before me. I walk with beauty behind me.
I walk with beauty below me. I walk with beauty above me.
I walk with beauty around me. My words will be beautiful.
In beauty all day long may I walk.”
~ Traditional prayer of the Navajo People

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To our Dear Friends,
We are about half way through the first month of our future and we already have 20 days of 2022 as part of our past. 2021 was a blur and along with COVID and its ups and downs we have learned that as a people when we work together we will overcome and move forward, hopefully with HOPE!

The year 2022 makes this the 61st year the Lodge has been operational from Barothy’s to Belize River Lodge and 36 years since Mike and Marguerite took over as owners and managers and created the conservationist brand: Belize River Lodge – take only photographs and leave only footprints. It is hard to believe that our historic Lodge is 61 and still as beautiful as ever; blending today’s modernization with our traditional Colonial charm.

Looking at some of the comments of guest from 2021, we are so happy to be here for 2022.

“Perfect 82 degree weather, great fishing, and Yvonne’s incredible local cuisine made it one of the best in my 35 years of coming to Belize River Lodge.” ~ Larry K.

“Very memorable, fantastic experience” ~ Nick

On a day tour trip, ~ John and David ~ liked the “Mayan Stair Master” at the Xunantunich

“Belize River Lodge will exceed your expectations. It’s like a little slice of fishing heaven. It’s so easy to get to, and we were treated like kings from the moment they picked us up at the airport. Imagine being at a five-star tropical resort where your every need is met with a smile,. and every detail is tended to. Then add a star or two. That’s what BRL is like.” ~ Jim S

Our group “had an awesome time with good fishing, excellent staff, delicious food and beautiful white sand and coconut trees at Long Caye Outpost” ~ Mark

“thanks for another great week @ the lodge … the photos prove that even when its blowing +25, there are still plenty of options available if you’re willing to put in the time and effort, and stay flexible … already trying to figure out when i can return to belize … but first, my garden is in desperate need of attention …” ~ Bob W.

Thank you to all of our guests from 1961 to those booked through 2022. We look forward to meeting and visiting with everyone this season and hearing your stories, whether fishing, touring or a combo of both.

We are still taking reservations for spring and summer of 2022 – migratory Tarpon time, and also Permit, Bonefish, Snook and every other fun Flats fish species. If you have not planned your 2022 Flats fishing get-away, there is still time. Please contact your favorite agent or us by EMAIL or toll free: 1-888-275-4843.

Please continue reading below for Mike’s latest “Fish Tales”. We look forward to seeing you all soon.

Tight lines and warm regards,
Marguerite and
The BRL Office Ladies

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BRL Fish Tales
DECEMBER 31, 2021

The weather in December was near perfect for productive fly fishing on our Rivers, Coastline, Flats, Mangrove Cayes and Reef. The average winds in December at BRL were mostly 6 to 10 mph from the North and Northeast with one high of 18 mph and dead calm periods some days. Daytime temperatures were 70 to 80 degrees. Days were mostly sunny or partly cloudy with very few rain showers. Notable expressions voiced by some anglers on return to the lodge were: “Best day of my life“. “Best two days of my life“. “Best week of my life“. “The guides were the best and most helpful with our casting‘. “My first Bonefish is a fish of a lifetime, a feeling of pride that made it the most spectacular fish I have ever caught“.

Lots of Snook 4-16 pounds, Baby Tarpon 3-25 pounds and Bonefish were caught. A few Big Tarpon were landed, photographed and released including 66, 77, 82, and 115 pounders. Many other big ones were cast to, jumped and fought for up to an hour before escaping.

Some unforgettable fishing action for those anglers and their fishing buddies:
Shortly after arrival from the airport in the afternoon, Bruce M. and Rand S. had a big Snook on for quite a while before losing it. Over the next few days Bruce and Rand, conventional tackle anglers, caught Tarpon, from small ones to 115 pounds, Snook, Bones, Barracudas, Snappers, Jacks, Ladyfish, Bay Snook & Tuba (two large river cichlids). We have lost track but we figure this is Bruce and Rand’s 15th+ trip to BRL and fishing with guide Pedro.

Dan L. had Bonefish on his life list of to do’s. The first one caught was sixteen inches then four more on his first day. Dan also caught a 24 inch Snook and landed a Grand Slam: a 22 lb Sook, 18 inch Bone and a 66 pound Tarpon. Dan wrote us a long letter documenting his fishing pleasures, both here at BRL and elsewhere, ending with this little poem “If I should die, Before I finish my list, Please understand, It was my only wish, To enjoy the journey, And catch some fish.”

Gary M. was spin fishing and Mark H. fly fishing. They landed two big Jacks, hooked a big Snook which ran under the boat and straightened the hook. They then landed four Snook, two at 20 pounds each, two big Tarpon and jumped several more. They had a “Grand Adventure, new style“.

Harry and Jennings H. fished together for a week splitting their time between BRL and the Outpost. Son, Jennings, successfully landed and released a 77 pound Tarpon and two others at 20 pounds. Father and son missed their first three Snook then caught a nice one. They casted to many Tarpon over the week, some takes, some not, some jumps and some landed, both Harry and Jennings mentioned “Great day, did not expect such a long fishing day“. Mid-week, Harry and Jennings fished their way with Guide-Captain John to BRL’s Long Caye Outpost for a few days. Out at LCOL they “saw and caught tons of Bonefish“. They loved the staff, food, service and accommodations. Both enjoyed fishing with their guide John and mentioned a return trip in the future.

Dave B. had a “great first day fishing with guide Pedro as he got into lots of Bones, two Snook and one Cuda“. Other days he caught four Tarpon 15-20 pounds, four Snook, one Bay Snook, an eight pound Gray Snapper, Ladyfish and many small Jacks. On the last half day before going to the airport he landed ten small Tarpon, some up to 30 pounds and lost a few more. This is an example of the convenience of BRL near the international airport. Half day fishing, morning or afternoon can be scheduled based on airline arrival and departure times.

Tom P. and Rodney N. fished separately, three days with Pedro and three days with John and then switched guides for the next three days. Tom got a Grand Slam; 2 pound Bone, 28 inch Snook and a six pound Tarpon. Rodney then caught an 82 pound Tarpon and Tom caught a 113 pound Tarpon. They also hooked and lost another big Tarpon, caught 18 Bones, three Snook, three Jacks, and eleven Tripletails. Tripletails in the bay on Dec 13! What a day and now we know the migratory Big Tarpon are here!!!!

Looking forward to early 2022 Big Tarpon fishing at BRL. Hope to see you in 2022 and several new airline flights are coming non-stop to Belize, very convenient!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Warm regards,
Mike Heusner

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Long Caye Outpost ~ Our little piece of paradise

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“Sometimes people describe my hair as gray, but I prefer the term silver, for I will never grow gray. Gray is a mind-set, a metaphor for growing old, but silver is vibrant and alive, a celebration of life.”  ~ Marty Norman, Generation G

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