EL PESCADOR LODGE & VILLAS, BELIZE

Transcription

1 EL PESCADOR LODGE & VILLAS, BELIZE April 23-27, 2019 Hosted by Andrew Harris Prior to departure To complete the arrangements for your trip you will need to: Review itinerary and El Pescador travel notes Arrange flights to/from Belize City International (BZE) Complete your personal online guest registration form Tuesday, April 23 Arrive Belize City International Airport (BZE): Please schedule flights to arrive before 7:00PM Upon arrival you will pick up luggage and clear customs. The Customs line to the far right has a green sign that states No Goods to Declare. Note: Please remember to save the bottom of your Immigration Form to use when you depart. Please proceed to the Tropic Air Counter, and you will find your tickets waiting for you under your e-ticket confirmation #: TBD (these tickets are included in your package and pre-arranged). If you miss your Tropic Air connection, you will automatically be placed on the next available flight. If you re International flight has been delayed and you are not scheduled to arrive until after 5pm, please call El Pescador at (Internationally ) and they will reschedule your flight. Depart BZE aboard Tropic Air: TBD (arranged by lodge) Arrive San Pedro (SPR): TBD

2 In San Pedro you will be met at the Tropic Air baggage claim area by an El Pescador Lodge representative who will transport you to the lodge s boat for the seven minute ride to the lodge. Once at the lodge you will be shown to your Lodge or Villa room, where you may unpack and prepare tackle. Wednesday, April 24 - Friday, April 26 3 full days of guided fishing at El Pescador Lodge. Typical daily schedule: 5:30AM Breakfast is served 6:30-7:00AM Prepare tackle, ready to depart the dock Mid-day Lunch on the boat 3:00PM Return to the dock for happy hour & hors d ouevres, and daily casting lessons given if desired 6:45PM Dinner is served Note: Please be aware that guides do not carry spare tackle. Before departing the dock each morning, anglers are encouraged to discuss needed items with their guide, and to supplement from the fly shop if necessary. Saturday, April 27 You will depart the lodge in time to catch your Tropic Air Flight back to Belize City and then home. Depart San Pedro (SPR) aboard Tropic Air: TBD (arranged by lodge) Arrive BZE: TBD Depart Belize City International Airport (BZE): Note: Upon departure from Belize a fee of US$37.50 per person may be due. Generally this fee is included in the price of your ticket. If not, it is payable at the airport in USD cash or credit card. Included: Accommodations and meals at the lodge, welcome drink, hors d'oeuvres, local Belizean beverages consumed at the lodge bar (including soda, beer and rum), round-trip transfers between Belize City and El Pescador, complimentary use of all amenities (pools, internet, gym, kayaks, bikes, etc), hotel tax, GST tax. Not Included: Staff and guide gratuities, fishing license, imported alcoholic beverages, items purchased in the gift or tackle shop, park fees (if applicable), fishing gear (which may be borrowed based on availability), diving gear (which may be rented).

3 Note: Anglers who miss their scheduled transfers to the lodge will be responsible for any incurred costs related to delays and special transfers. Contact Information El Pescador Lodge; Fly Water Travel: ; (Monday Friday 8:00 AM 5:00 PM) Fly Water Travel Emergency Answering Service: El Pescador Lodge Travel Notes Fishing Licenses: You will need a Belize fishing license, which is an additional cost of $25 per week. The lodge will have licenses available to purchase on site. Documentation Requirements: To enter the country of Belize, US citizens are required to have a valid passport that does not expire within 90 days of arrival and a return airline ticket. US citizens are allowed to stay for 30 consecutive days. Currency: The Belizean dollar is worth half of a US dollar. Dollars are accepted everywhere, but change will be given in Belizean dollars. For your convenience, please bring small bills to cover small expenses, such as Airport Departure Tax, bar bill, & incidentals. Travel Cash: As a guideline we recommend that each guest travel with approximately $800-$1,000 for staff & guide gratuities, alcohol, licenses, etc. Gratuities: This is a personal decision based on service. Please don t reward us if you have not been satisfied. Also, please let us know as soon as possible if you are not pleased with something so we have an opportunity to correct it for you. As general guideline, it is customary to leave US$75 - US$100 per boat/per day to be given to your fishing guide directly. All non-angling guides appreciate a 15 20% tip on the cost of the excursion. Our house staff includes front desk, housekeepers, bartenders, boat drivers, grounds keepers and wait-staff & kitchen staff. It is customary to leave a group tip of US$20 per guest, per day upon check out to be pooled and divided equally for all house staff to encourage teamwork. It is not necessary to tip management. There are gratuity envelopes included in your check out paperwork, as well as in the office. Climate: Temperatures typically range from the low 70 s to the mid 90 s. Isolated afternoon thundershowers are a possibility year round. Wind can be factor while fishing and the sun is very strong. July through November are the wet months in the region with October through November presenting the highest risk of hurricanes. Small biting flies are common in the evening hours especially when the wind dies down. Medical Facilities: The closest medical facility is in Belize City, approximately 30 minutes by air from the lodge. Guests have the responsibility to disclose any special medical, physical, or dietary needs to the lodge ahead of time. In emergency situations, a charter flight may be required to reach a medical facility. Guests may want to consider medical evacuation coverage. We recommend Global Rescue:

4 Power and Communications: El Pescador offers complimentary WI-FI internet access. Please bring your own laptop, tablet or PDA. The routers are above the bar and office respectively and work well around the bar, pool and office area. There are also routers on the north and south side villas. The connections are named PESCADOR GUESTS PESCADOR SOUTH, PESCADOR GUESTS 3 and GRAND SLAM. The password for all four is PLEASE NOTE: we do not have the bandwidth capacity for uploads, downloads or streaming of any kind. This includes music, video, movies, photos, satellite radio, facetime, SKYPE etc. Our internet service is provided for and basic web pages (weather, news). We have no ability to restart the system. Once the bandwidth has been consumed the internet service for all of El Pescador will stop; only time solves the problem. If you would like to enjoy the WI-FI please do not abuse it. Third world countries have wonderful fishing, diving and nature based activities, but do not have wonderful internet speeds or bandwidth capacity. Water: You may drink the water in the container in your room. Please do not drink the tap water. The thermos will be refilled daily. There is an ice tray in your in-room refrigerator. If you need the water or ice refilled, please go to the front desk or ask the restaurant. We use filtered water for all cooking, ice and drinking. Clothing: Quick dry pants and shorts, long sleeved quick dry shirts, casual cotton pants and t-shirts, shorts and shirts, sandals, bandana, Buff facial sun protector ( hat with wide brim, sun gloves, light rain coat, and swimsuit are recommended. Wet wading with flats boots (Simms, Patagonia) is the norm. Supportive sturdy flats boots are best, as many flats have tough marl bottoms. Boat fishing footwear: Non- scuff - white soled deck shoes or sandals: Crocs work well and are comfortable. Dress at the lodge is neat but casual. Laundry: Laundry and ironing services are available for a nominal fee per item. If you need laundry done, please fill out the laundry slip located in your bedside table. Please place the slip on top of your laundry pile just inside your door. Your housekeeper will collect it in the morning when she refreshes your room and will return it the following day. Keep in mind that we use brackish water for washing, which will leave small rust stains. Beverages/Alcohol: The lodge provides local beer and rum drinks as part of your package, and the bar is fully stocked with additional spirits and drinks available for purchase. Guests may also choose to bring their own. Our bar offers a full selection of top shelf liquors, wine and beer. It is open from 2pm until the last guest leaves or until midnight, whichever occurs first. Only alcohol purchased from El Pescador s bar may be consumed in any public area of our property, including the restaurant. If you have a request for a specific wine or alcohol please notify the front desk. We will do our best to accommodate you (if prior to arrival, please info@elpescador.com). There is a pool table, foosball table, a fly tying area and numerous board games located in the bar for your enjoyment. Many international cigars are available in San Pedro and are sold in the bar upon request. Please be sure to sign your bar tab each evening before leaving. The legal drinking age in Belize is 18. SPECIAL TACKLE NOTES Lodge Equipment: El Pescador offers a fully stocked fly shop featuring a complete selection of saltwater flies, lines, leaders, tippet, etc. A limited amount of demo fly and spin fishing equipment is available to supplement your personal gear, free of charge on a first come first serve basis. Please contact Fly Water Travel to discuss availability and needs.

5 For a complete list of tackle and gear please see below. Tackle and Equipment List Bonefish: A wide range of patterns will work for Belize bonefish. Be sure to have some patterns that are lightly weighted (small bead chain eyes) or have no weight at all (blind or plastic eyes). Lead eyed flies should also be in the mix. Also be sure to have some flies with weed guards. Flies can be retrofitted with a single strand of 30lb mono extending from just behind and underneath hook eye to just over the hook point. Rods: 7-9 wt. Reel: minimum of 175 yards of backing Lines: weight-forward floating line, lb. tippet; small spool of 10 lb fluorocarbon Flies: Gotchas (sz 6 & 8), Crazy Charlie (sz 6 & 8), Ververka s Mantis Shrimp (sz 6 & 8), Bonefish Bitters (sz 4 & 6), Christmas Island Specials (sz 4 8, pink w/ tan wing is a favorite), Clouser Minnows (sz 6 & 8 Tan or Olive). Permit: Rod: 9-10 wt. Reel: minimum of 175 yards of backing Lines: weight-forward floating line and/or a floating line with a clear intermediate sink tip lb. tippet; 20lb fluorocarbon Flies: Squimp (sz 4 & 6), Christmas Island Specials (sz 4 & 6), Raghead Crab (sz 2 & 4), Avalon Crab Fly (lead eye and bead chain eye), Merkin Crab (sz 2 & 4), Bauer Flats Crab.] Tarpon: Hook sizes should be between 1/0 and 4/0 depending on the hook brand. Rod: wt. Reel: 200 yards of backing min. Lines: Floating and clear intermediate sinking or sink-tip lines. Flies: Tarpon Bunnies (chart., tan, white, black, purple), Black Death, Tarpon Toads (chart., olive, white, purple), Cockroach (various color variations), Lefty s Deceivers (white/red, white/green). Leaders: 60lb flouro or mono w/ 80lb shock tippet or straight 80lb. Pre-tied leaders w/ 30lb class tippet is also acceptable (80lb shock). Leaders, Tippet & Knots: We like Rio s Saltwater Tapered Leaders. Bonefish leaders should be 10-12ft long tapered to 10lb or 12lb fluorocarbon tippet. Bring additional tippet material in 8lb, 10lb, 12lb, 16lb, 20lb test to adapt to conditions. Permit leaders should also be ft long tapered to 15lb or 20lb test. For bonefish and permit we suggest starting with Rio 10ft saltwater leaders and adding two feet of fluorocarbon tippet with either a blood knot or double surgeons knot.

6 For juvenile tarpon and snook leaders we suggest starting with a 10ft Rio Saltwater Leader tapered to 16lb or 20lb test. Out of the package cut off 2ft from the front and attach 2 feet of 40lb or 60lb fluorocarbon shock tippet with an Albright knot or an Improved Blood knot. We also recommend bringing a spool of 40lb knotable wire for rigging barracuda flies. For large resident or migratory tarpon in the 80lb 150lb class we suggest attaching straight 80lb fluorocarbon directly to the fly line via an Albright knot. This allows you to apply maximum pressure to a big fish in order to land and release it quickly. Many anglers prefer to buy pre-made tarpon leaders with 20lb class tippet to act as break away section should it become necessary to intentionally break the fish off. 1. Make a loop in the heavier line and run about 10 of the lighter line through the loop. 2. Hold the 3 lines between your thumb and index finger. Wrap the light line back over itself and both strands of the loop. loop the same side as it entered. 3. Make 10 tightly wrapped turns. Feed the tag end back through the loop and exit the 4. Hold both ends of the heavy line and slide the wraps to the end of the loop. Pull the light line to tighten and clip tag end close to the knot. The non-slip loop knot is advised for attaching all of your saltwater flies to your leader. The loop knot allows your flies to move freely imparting a more natural action and is ideal when dealing with heavy shock tippet or knotable wire. Note: Our preference is to omit passing the tag end through the overhand loop first and only passing it through once, just before you cinch it down.

7 1. Make an overhand knot in the line about 10 inches from the end. Pass the tag end through the hook eye and (omit this) back through the loop of the overhand knot. 2. Wrap the tag end around the standing part 5 or 6 times. Bring tag end back through overhand knot, entering from same side it exited from before. 3. Moisten he knot then pull slowly on the tag end to cinch the wraps loosely together. Then pull the loop and the standing line in opposite directions to seat the knot. Trim tag end. Fly Water Travel s Suggested El Pescador Packing List: Documents: Rods: Reels: Floating Lines: Sinking Lines (Optional): Leaders: Tippet: Passport, plane tickets, FWT final travel documents One #7 - #8wts (bonefish rod) One #9 or #10wt (permit rod/juvenile tarpon/backup bonefish) One #10 or #11wt (jacks/barracuda/backup tarpon/permit) Note: For purposes of keeping the weight down we take our 4-piece rods out of individual metal tubes and put into one lightweight travel case. Three large arbor saltwater reels. Three floating, tropical saltwater lines total. One 30 sink tip for a 10wt or 11wt, one clear intermediate. Two 10-foot 12lb saltwater tapered leaders (bonefish). Two 10-foot 16lb saltwater tapered leaders (permit). Four 10-foot 20lb saltwater tapered leader (permit, baby tarpon, various utility) 1 pre-made migratory tarpon leader (optional) Flourocarbon tippet: 8lb, 10, 12lb, 16lb, 20lb Monofilament tippet: 40lb (jacks/cuda, 60lb (jacks/cuda/tarpon shock), 80lb (optional)

8 Flies: Pliers: Nlippers: Knife: Flats Boots: Socks: Flats Shirts: Flats Pants: Clothing: Hats: Rain Jacket: Sandals: Sun Gloves: Face Sun Protection: Sun Glasses: Sun Screen: Lip Balm: Tape: Backpack: Camera: Headlamp: Toiletries Kit: Wire: 40lb knottable wire (cuda) Approximately 2 dozen flies for bonefish, 6 12 permit flies, 6 12 tarpon flies, 3 6 barracuda flies, 6 12 jacks/snook/poppers flies One good pair of saltwater pliers. One nippers One medium size travel knife. Flats boots or zip up neoprene style. Neoprene guard socks for wet wading. Three long sleeve, quick dry flats shirts. Two pairs of quick dry flats pants Two shirts to wear around the lodge after fishing. Two pairs after fishing shorts. 4 pairs quick dry underwear, 1 light sweatshirt for airplane and cooler nights, 2 pairs socks. Two fishing hats. Note: Suggest at least one wide brim or safari style as they offer the most sun protection. One rain jacket. One pair of lightweight sandals, flip flops or Crocs. One pair sun gloves. One UV protected Buff facial sun protector. Two pairs of polarized sun glasses. One rose or copper. One amber. Note: It is great to have a lens cleaner and a soft cleaning cloth as well We recommend bringing 12 small pre-packaged alcohol wipes! They work great for camera lenses as well. One full bottle sun block cream. 45SPF+ recommended One tube of 45SPF+ lip balm. One roll of white athletic tape, for taping fingers. Note: Alternative is stripping guards or gloves. One waterproof backpack (for use on airplane and in the boat) Small digital camera, (don t forget extra batteries, memory cards and waterproof case/bag) One small LED headlamp with batteries. Toothpaste and toothbrush, deodorant, razor, lotion, mini shampoo bottle, Advil, liquid bandage (for minor finger cuts), sleep aids, ear plugs, band aids, Bactroban (prescription anti-bacterial ointment), Benadryl, Goldbond

9 powder (to prevent jungle rot!), seasickness pills, Z pack, and Cipro (see doctor). El Pescador Lodge At El Pescador you can achieve the fly anglers' ultimate dream - a Grand Slam of bonefish, tarpon and permit. Belize's shallow water contains the only classic tarpon flats outside South Florida. Their flats are world renowned for offering the opportunity to sight cast to tarpon 12 months a year. All El Pescador guides were born and raised on the island. The lodge prides itself on having some of the most experienced saltwater fly fishing guides in Belize. Many of their guides have been at this Belize fly fishing lodge for over 20 years, and now the second generation of El Pescador guides is in full swing! Most of them have been trained by their fathers and uncles with whom they typically spend several years learning the craft before captaining their own flats boat. El Pescador guides are excellent technical fly fishermen and will be happy to provide instruction during your fishing day. Location: El Pescador Lodge is located outside of the town of San Pedro, Belize on Ambergris Caye. The time in Belize is one hour later than Pacific Standard Time. Fishing Program: The bonefishing grounds are only minutes from the lodge. Most of the bone fishing is done from the bow of the boat, but there are flats that can be waded as well. The bones run from 2-5 lbs and are plentiful. The El Pescador fishery has year round resident tarpon over 100 lbs. The tarpon are spread out over a 250 square mile fishery. In the late summer (July, August, September), they have the added bonus of a large migratory population, which doubles the tarpon numbers. Moon phases tend to effect tarpon more than other species. The guideline is to fish around the new moon. Remember, this is only a guideline, not a hard and fast rule. The permit are found in large schools and range from 4-30 lbs, with the majority running about 8-10 lbs. Jack crevalle, barracuda, cobia and snook are also found on the flats and in the surrounding mangrove lagoons. Non-Guided Fly Fishing Options: El Pescador maintains kayaks and canoes which provide access to an extensive system of lagoons behind the property, where you can fish for bones for a couple of hours in spectacular solitude. These boats are available at no charge to El Pescador guests. The lodge will give you some basic guidance and directions, and then you are off for your own bonefish and nature adventure! You can also fly fish the lagoons for lady fish or snook, or go outside the reef into the deep water for tuna and wahoo. Troll the reef for king fish or barracuda. Jig the bottom for snapper and grouper.

10 Each day your guide will assist with casting and fly fishing instruction, and when you return to the lodge you may choose to join our evening casting workshops, where they will work on the tools needed to succeed in fishing the flats. Catch and Release: Permit, bonefish and tarpon are always released; some snook, snapper, barracuda, & grouper are kept for the table. Non-Angling Activities: This beach-front location provides several amenities for your enjoyment after a great day of fly-fishing, snorkeling the reef, or inland adventure. Their experienced staff may help you arrange any number of activities including: a massage in the lodge massage room, a private fly-fishing lesson, a day of diving or snorkeling in a world-famous barrier reef, a round of golf on a private island, a cave tubing adventure or jungle river cruise to a Maya archaeological site. The lodge facilities and services include the following: restaurant and bar, 3 swimming pools, massage services, exercise room, complimentary kayaks, complimentary bicycles, fishing instructor / guides, SCUBA diving instructor, WI-FI, tour office, gift and sundry shop, the only Scientific Angler Mastery Series Fly Shop in Belize. Ambergris Caye offers divers an un-belize-able adventure exploring virgin reefs and cayes. When diving along the main barrier reef at Ambergris Caye, you will experience the vast canyons formed by large, living corals rising from a sandy bottom. These canyons are found just outside the reef at depths of feet. The reef is usually found quite close to the Caye, no more than three quarters of a mile. The canyons are filled with caves and tunnels. Schools of snappers, grouper and nurse sharks are quite common. The occasional hammerhead or black tip shark gives divers a thrill. The abundance of other marine life along the barrier reef is remarkable. You may encounter a school of porpoises or amber jacks. Spotted eagle-rays are often seen in groups of three or four while the rare manta ray usually travels alone. Turtles are common and you may spot a lone barracuda swimming in the open waters away from the corals. In the underwater wonders of Belize lives the second largest living barrier reef in the world is host to a variety of species including sharks, rays, eels, groupers, parrot fish, trigger fish, sea horses, turtles, shrimp, sea fans, coral and others. Experienced Dive Master & Instructor: El Pescador s resident dive master and instructor, Alonzo Flota, will guide you through this fascinating underwater kingdom. As an accredited PADI instructor, Alonzo offers dive courses ranging from 1/2 day resort courses to 3-4 day full certification courses. With over 10 years of experience, Alonzo specializes in working with small groups of two to seven divers to provide our guests with the personal attention that ensures a safe and memorable dive. Accommodations and Meals: The restaurant specializes in fresh, local Caribbean cuisine with meals served on the outdoor deck or in the dining room. Guests dine together in the evening to encourage camaraderie and share the day s adventures. Each evening the menu features a choice of two entrees or a buffet at dinner. Hors d oeuvres are served in the bar beginning at 3:00 PM, which is the perfect place for sharing stories after a day s activities. The house specialty drink is tropical rum punch, and the bar also offers a full selection of top shelf liquors, wine and beer. Many international cigars are available in San Pedro and are sold upon request.

11 The Main Lodge: The mahogany colonial lodge is right on the beach, facing the sea, surrounded by fragrant tropical flowering plants and the whisper of shady palms. Not only will you find the serenity and relaxation you are looking for, you'll have the convenience of being within walking distance of San Pedro Town and its gift shops, restaurants, bars and night spots. Each of the thirteen guest rooms in the main lodge face the sea and are just steps away from the swimming pool adjacent to the beach. All have private baths, overhead fans and air-conditioning. Your hosts live on the premises to ensure warm, personal service around the clock. The Private Villas: The villas are two story, 3-bedroom, 3-bath homes, designed in a lock-off configuration, which enables you to rent a 1, 2 or 3 bedroom villa to perfectly match your individual needs, while ensuring your complete privacy. El Pescador Villas have exotic hardwood floors and are furnished with lovingly handcrafted furniture of tropical hardwoods, bamboo, or traditional wicker. Interior walls are graced with paintings, crafts and tapestries by local artists. An exotic array of tropical flowers and greenery are tucked here and there to welcome you to paradise. From the splash of sunshine yellow on the exteriors to the rich wood trim and coral stone floors, each villa exudes casual tropical elegance. Each two-story Villa features: Upstairs: Great room with dramatic cathedral ceilings of fine Belizean hardwoods. Large open style kitchen with handmade ceramic tile counters, mahogany cabinetry, and appliances including dishwasher, trash compactor, convection oven and coffee machine. Breakfast bar, spacious living and dining areas, floors of coral stone with agate and crystal inclusions, one bedroom is on this level, Full bath with exquisite ceramic tile and sink. Mahogany French doors open to wide covered veranda. Downstairs: Two full bedroom-bathroom suites. Each bedroom has private entrance from the beach, and opens to a covered stone patio facing the sea. And an outside shower. Click here to enter text.