FISHING REPORT
NOVEMBER 18, 2010
Category 1, Hurricane Richard in October came in just south of Belize City a day after guests had left right on schedule at the end of their fishing week. At the lodge a few big tree limbs were broken off by 75 mile winds; thankfully there was no other damage to our property.
In early November, three back to back cold fronts helped to steer Tropical Storm Tomas well away from us. “Climate is what you expect, weather is what you get” and during October and early November mostly beautiful weather is what we got, even in the height of hurricane season. The 2010 hurricane season is just about over, officially ending Nov 30. Fishing at Belize River Lodge during hurricane season has never been a problem for our guests, because we carefully monitor weather conditions and are located near the international airport. If a hurricane is predicted to fall on Belize and you have a trip booked, we call, and you reschedule for a future time when it is convenient to you, with no fees.
Some new and repeat guests enjoyed the fishing and our services here at BRL during October and the first half of November.
Many guests new to salt water caught their first Bonefish, first Snook, first Tarpon, first Ladyfish, first Jack and/or first Barracuda.
Bonefish were the most common and were caught with 1/16 oz modified wiggle jigs on 10 lb spinning and with an assortment of small bonefish flies on 7 and 8 wt.
Small tarpon on the flats and mangrove shallows were next up in productivity. A few days on the river also produced excellent action with small tarpon. Spin and fly anglers, new and experienced jumped a lot of small tarpon, landing about 25% of those jumped. The old trout set instincts of many fresh water fly anglers again proved hard to shake and accounted for many lost tarpon. Two tarpon in the 50-60 pound range were hooked, one was landed, the other one somehow engineered the opening of the split ring on the tail hook of a 5” lure. Flies that worked well on the small tarpon and snook included Black Death, Chartreuse Deceivers, Orange Grizzly, and red and white Clousers.
Snook were found in fairly good numbers ranging from 4 to 12 pounds and were caught along the mangrove cayes in clear water, in the Belize and Sibun Rivers. Successful lures for snook and small tarpon included MirrOlure surface poppers, Bomber top water and deep divers, YoZuri 5 ¼” floating.
Annie landed the only Grand Slam and Mike almost got his Grand Slam on the same day except for his bone that got away ten feet from the boat.
The weather looks good for early clearing of the Belize River which usually coincides with the arrival of the big migratory tarpon in our immediate area. December and January are also great snook fishing months at BRL. Will you be here to try your luck and test your fishing luck and skills? Belize is easy to get to with Continental, American, Delta and US Air. Belize River Lodge is only 10-15 minutes from the Belize international airport.
