Today Granny and I arrived at a place that is very close to my heart, Belize. Belize is where I cut my teeth in the world of saltwater fly fishing back in 1989. It was the beginning of cracking the code to see the world.
I was a 23 year old whippersnapper that worked in a fly shop in Jackson Hole and in the late 80’s is when saltwater fly fishing was taking off. From behind the fly shop counter I was hearing thrilling salty stories. So many that I had to go see it for myself. But I was amidst paying back my college loan, I could barely afford the Jackson Hole rent (even in 1989) and my car had 375 thousand miles on it. A trip to Belize was unrealistic.
But the Jackson Hole fly shop was a well-connected platform to the world of fly fishing travel. I had avenues. It’s a long story of how I actually pulled off that first trip but I can assure you some of it had to do with the generous owners of Belize River Lodge and Turneffe Flats Lodge. Let’s just say these owners, Mike and Marguerite of Belize River and Craig and Karen of Turneffe Flats have become great friends. This week Granny and I are here to visit Belize River Lodge and catch up with not only Mike and Marguerite but also their family that’s taking over lodge duties, Misha and Dirk.
We landed in Belize just before noon today and were at the lodge before 1 pm. I know, that sounds way too simple but Belize River Lodge is right by the airport. It was once about 7 miles from Belize City but the historic lodge was built in the early 1960’s. Belize City, the airport, nearby towns, they have all grown considerably and the reality is that there are houses across the river from the lodge and we hear traffic from our hammocks these days. But its still a spectacular setting and regardless of all the changes, I felt very at home upon arrival today.
You don’t fish on arrival day. Granny used the afternoon to join Marguerite and Misha on a trip to do some sightseeing and shopping in Belize City. I was exhausted from our early departure out of Minneapolis this morning so I napped then took over our screen porched balcony and rigged all our Winstons for fishing this week. This included my 6-weight for oddball upriver freshwater cichlids that live in Belize, 7-weight for bonefish, 9-weight for permit, 10-weight for barracuda, sharks, snook and baby tarpon and two 12-weights for big tarpon.
At 5:30 we headed over to the lodge and visited with Mike and Marguerite. Spending time with Mike and Marguerite is as enjoyable as the fishing for me. Like I said in the beginning of todays blog, these folks are great friends and were the first people I met when my world travel and saltwater fly fishing started in 1989. I cherish time with them.
Mike is in his mid to late 80’s now and has slowed dramatically. I’ll miss kicking back to listen to his stories. Today however, he remembered about how when I was here on my first trip I could switch from casting with my right hand to my left in mid stroke sometimes to dodge a bad gusty wind. Marguerite joked about how many Belikin Beers I took fishing with me back in the day – heck, I was just out of college! They also visited Jackson Hole about 20 years ago and I helped Mike catch his first ever trout. Of course we talked about that.
We just finished up a delicious dinner. Belize River Lodge is famous for a lot of things fishing but I’ll personally add that this place has some of the finest homecooked meals imaginable. No doubt Granny and I will be heading home a bit heavier.
That’s all for today. Time for a very deep sleep after the long day. Then its on the water with one of the long time guides and good friend of mine, Pedro.
I Be sure to keep tabs on my IG at @jeffcurrier65
Family, Friends and Fishing. Perfect. Good luck. Belize is amazing.
Belize River was home to my 145 pound tarpon which we boated after 2hrs and 45 minutes. Belize was a real treat and worth going back to as often as possible.
Have a blast! I need to get to Belize ASAP.