FISH TALES AND FISH TALES in Review

July 10, 2025

Our last posted fishing report was May 31, 2023, hard to believe! We have been fishing, just not writing about our fishing. We have gotten photos from guests and will make a collage to add to this post with highlights of the last two years or so.

Species:

All the same, nothing new, we target them all and all give a tug to the fly ~ Bonefish, Permit, Snook and Tarpon, along with jacks, snappers, barracuda, tripletail, ladyfish, and in the rivers, an assortment of cichlids.

Sargassum

Yes, we have sargassum; as does everyone from the Florida coast to South America. Our guides are learning to fish around or under as may be. Depending on the size of the Sargassum mats, fish tend to hang out under the mats, so these have been making a new opportunity for fishing areas. One good thing about anglers, we are a positive group and will find a way to fish anything and everything. We have been trying the floating crabs, but to date have had better luck with Tarpon under the mats, than Permit. We now fish everything inside the Barrier Reef from flats to coastline, river and lagoons and now, sargassum mats. We are making “lime-ade” with our sour limes.

Flies / Lures

Most of the “old faithfuls” are still working well with nothing new to tell about, except for the floating crabs. The pink puff has made a comeback and Crazy Charlies are still the wonder fly for Bonefish. Depending on the size of the tarpon and the water, Half and Halfs to the Tarpon Snake are working, with Whistlers being a newer fly and they come in red/orange and red/white. The Puglisi Everglade and Deceivers still work well for smaller Tarpon and Snook. And Permit, anglers are using crab pattern in tan or olive, Spawning Shrimp and new to the game for the Permit under the sargassum, floating crabs. All are tried and still working well.

For our spin angling guests, the “oldies are still goodies”. Some form of lightweight jig in pink or tan gets the attention of Bonefish and Permit. Snook and Tarpon are attracted the red/white, Chartreuse or blue/white Mirrolures, or some type of minnow style bait – topwater, slow sink and a weighted lure for fast sinking. And of course, you cannot go wrong with the pink or chartreuse tube lure for barracuda.

Write-Ups, Reviews, Stories

Over the last year or so, we have had guest and agents write up some cool stories, feedback and review – the best type of fishing report.

April 2023,  Dale and Don of Sport Fishing on the Fly

FLY FISHING PREMIER SHOW: BELIZE RIVER LODGE DAY ONE – SHOW #7 OF SERIES 28

Chris Hunt of Hatch’s travel review for June 2023

Chris Hunt of Hatch Travel in June 2023

April 2024, Alan Caolo’s visited in April 2024 and wrote an awesome short story that is entertaining as hell!  “Gangstas” the story of his first Snook on a fly. Amazingly, Alan also landed a Permit, but the landed Snook was the fish that was the most memorable for him. Story in a separate email next week, a good July 4^th read!

July 2024, Matt Kelsick, Bryan Gregson with cinematographer,  Chris Patterson visited from Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures

YouTube Video of Northern Belize

October 2024, Earl and Doreen Harper of Hatch Travel

Hatch Facebook Note 1

Hatch Facebook Note 2

I really wish I could remember and add all the Facebook reviews!

Michael Caranci’s April 2025 Trip Report to the Redding Flyshop

April 2025 Trip Report by Michael Caranci, The Redding Flyshop

Belize River Lodge Google Reviews

While not a typical fishing report, this gives you an idea of what has been happening, the good and the windy.

Some of our reviews and video are from travel agents with whom we have worked with for many years. If you have a favorite travel representative, not a problem, Belize River Lodge is easy to work with and happy to help get your trip scheduled.

If you do not have time to sort and see them all, we will be highlighting one of the stories or videos in the  upcoming weeks.

And Fish Tales are not complete without photos, some 2025 Feature Fish.

And a stay at BRL is not complete without something to celebrate.  Mike enjoyed his birthday at the Lodge and he had his favorite Belize Lime Pie complete with a Tarpon Cookie. Also served was a Belize Lime icecream cake, both were delicious. If you are visiting and have an “important date”, let us know and we are happy to plan a celebration around your date.