Ghosts of the Flats!
Bonefish School
School #1
December 3 – 7, 2022
4 nights, 3 days
Arrive: December 3, 2022
Depart: December 7, 2022
Price:
$1,995 Double Occupancy
$2,395 Single Occupancy
School #2
January 28 – February 1, 2023
4 nights, 3 days
Arrive: January 28, 2023
Depart: February 1, 2023
Price:
$1,995 Double Occupancy
$2,395 Single Occupancy
Accommodations
From spacious family resort condos to magnificent beachfront walkouts, you’ll find the very best of Belize at Hol Chan Reef Resorts and Villas.
You’ll find hospitality from their team! They take pride in caring for guests and ensuring that their vacation is stress free, so all you have to do is have fun, fish, and relax! From their onsite concierge and tour team to small conveniences like housekeeping and transportation arrangements, they take care of you, the warm and friendly Belizean way.
Reel Belize accommodates our guests and their fly fishing adventures on the salt water flats in the single or double occupancy at Hol Chan Reef Resorts and Villas.
Food and Drink
Before departure each day you’ll choose a breakfast entrée from the Nest Grill. Lunch will be packed and ready for you on the water. At dinner, our chefs, Delcia and Norma will be in daily to cook and serve Belizean style dinners. Rum and beer are provided. If you prefer wine or hard alcohol, we can make arrangements for any requested items you’d like to purchase.
Travel
Fly into Belize City and take a short 16 minute flight to San Pedro. We’ll pick you up at the airport and take care of everything from there. Flights are offered by Tropic Air and Maya Island Air between Belize City and San Pedro.
Travel in Belize
The Belize Tourism Board (BTB) has shared new entry requirements (see video) that outlines the steps to be taken by visitors when traveling to Belize. On the February 15, 2022, the Belize Travel Health Insurance came into effect as a part of the mandatory requirements for entry to Belize. The insurance can be secured online at www.belizetravelinsurance.com for only $18USD providing 21 days of coverage. Visitors are encouraged to purchase the insurance prior to travel to ensure a quick entry process upon arrival in Belize.
The entry requirements video provides a brief overview of the health and safety measures visitors need to know before travel including immigration information, Covid-19 testing requirements and the insurance.
For more information about Belize’s entry requirements and health and safety travel information, kindly visit their website at www.travelbelize.org/health-safety/.
Tourism Gold Standard
The government has worked hard to ensure both the locals safety as well as the safety of those visiting. For the latest updates click here. The Belize Tourism Board created “Tourism Gold Standard” Recognition program to ensure Tour Operators, hotels, and restaurants did everything possible to prevent the spread of Covid-19. These safety protocols are focused on enhanced tour operator sanitation practices, social interactions, workplace policies and standard operating procedures, while ensuring minimal impact on the guest experience. The program introduces enhanced health and safety standards by adapting new behaviors to ensure both travelers and employees are confident in the cleanliness and safety of tour experiences. Tourism Gold Standard Tour Operators are those that:
- Have a “Gold Standard Program Manager” who implements protocols and ensures compliance.
- Implement Monitoring & Reporting – to conduct non-invasive temperature checks and utilize the Ministry of Health App.
- Ensure Social Distancing protocols for workers and visitors.
- Implement enhanced cleaning and sanitation procedures such as increased disinfection of common areas, face masks, and personal protective equipment (PPE) for employees, visitors, and guests.
- Have a response plan should there be any suspected cases.
- Ensure clear and consistent communication with employees and guests.
- Have sanitation stations.
- Have digital technologies for transactions and online bookings.
- Implement a training plan for employees to ensure preparedness to manage new protocols.
Reel Women Fly Fishing Adventures operates through the Reel Belize tour operator license and you’ll find Reel Belize listed on the Gold Standard sites. Reel Belize hotel partners like, Pelican Reef Villas, have also achieved the Gold Standard status. We’ve got you covered with the safest travel options out there!
Prior to arrival, tourists must book a stay at a Gold Standard Hotel. A list of Gold Standard Entitles can be found here and is being updated daily.
Click here for latest updated Protocols for Traveling to Belize. Frequently Asked Questions.
Customs and Air Travel
Click here to visit the Belize Tourism Covid-19 Resources website to learn more. Belize Easy as 1-2-3 updated August, 2021.
For more information: Belize Tourism Board.
Species
Permit
Many anglers have landed their first Permit from Belize waters. And once the angler discovers the diverse Permit fishery that Ambergris Caye offers – they can’t wait to come back. Permit from 5 – 30 lbs are seen all year. The fish often travel in schools – where a solid sixty foot cast from the bow of a flats boat is generally needed to get your fly to the fish. Then, stripped fast and still breathing, wait for the yank and run of your lifetime. Permit fishing is exciting but it’s also one that can wreak havoc on one’s nerves. Fair warning.
Tarpon
Most fly anglers that pursue big game fish will agree – there is no better fish to fight on light tackle than a fish that is over a hundred million years old – Tarpon. Averaging 20-60 lbs, this magnificent fish can be found in shallow water from 3-6 feet or up against the mangroves playing with the tide chasing sardines. White, green and Black Death toads all work well. Let that dancing rabbit entice the bucket mouth explosion bite. Generally we use 30-60 lb bite tippet, class tippet 20 – 30 lbs depending on personal preference. Most shots are 50 ft. A good solid accurate cast where the leader and fly turn over for the fish to see – expect it to happen.
Bonefish
All year long, these fish are plentiful and fun on our flats. Over the last 10 years Belize has implemented catch and release programs which have really helped our fish population grow and thrive. We now have very large bonefish residents -up to 10 pounds- that will take you for the ride of your life! But the “rice and beans” of Bonefishing – is all about testing your skill in several types of situations. Both beginners and expert fly anglers cannot deny the pure fun of watching a great cast meet the “Ghost of the Flats!”
You can also find shots at Snook, Barracuda, Jacks, Ladyfish, Snapper, Cobia and Triggerfish. Watching a Barracuda get aggressive and slam your fly on the salt flats is an adrenaline rush you won’t forget!
Guides
We have a great group of over 20 experienced guides who we choose from to work with our guests. We will provide a guide that will listen to your goals for the day and work with you. Some guides are better teachers, some are better at just saying “put it at 11:00 at 50 feet.” We do our best to match the right guide with your prefered style. Trained by Lori-Ann Murphy in her casting styles and fly fishing experience for guests, Reel Belize wants to not only meet but exceed your fly fishing experience out on the flats.
Casting Clinics and Instruction with Lori-Ann Murphy
Lori-Ann is one of the great leaders in fly-fishing. Her pioneering life as the first woman to become an Orvis Endorsed Guide took her to San Pedro, Belize in 2009. She values sharing her fly-fishing life with the San Pedro Guide community.
She brought the first FFI instructor to San Pedro to bring a sense of continuity in teaching casting. Now she is crafting custom fly-fishing trips as a Belize Tour Operator under her own company, Reel Belize. Belizeans are warm hearted, fun spirited people. If you want to have a good time fly fishing the flats, Reel Belize guides will make it happen.
Lori-Ann Murphy also offers casting clinics and instruction through Reel Belize. From the basics to double hauling, Lori-Ann has won many casting competitions and been teaching for years. She has studied with many of the fly-fishing greats and enjoys passing it along. If you’d like to fine tune your casting upon arrival or work on new levels and casting options, time can be scheduled with Lori-Ann and her team to help you meet your goals.
Reel Belize Guide Service Prices:
• Full Day Guided Trip
$595 US
We pick you up at your dock at 7 am and return at 3 pm.
We provide lunch, drinks and use of any needed fly-fishing
equipment. 8 Hours dock to dock.
• Half Day Guided Trip
$450 US
We pick you up at your dock. Lunch and use of any needed
fly-fishing equipment. 4 Hours dock to dock.
• Fly Casting Lesson
$95 US per hour. 1 or 2 anglers.
• Visit Reel Belize Fly Shop!
Under Angler’s Restaurant downtown on Back St.
The vision of Ocean Academy is to create an environment where students are welcome to come and learn, regardless of their previous academic achievement or socioeconomic status.