TURNEFFE ATOLL FLY FISHING, BELIZE
November 3 to 10, 2012
The Pursuit of a Flats Grand Slam
A "Catch and Release only" fishing tour.
Note: Specific fishing information and photos provided by Turneffe Flats Lodge
Special Fly Fishing Tour with accomplished Fly Fisherman Tom Gilmore and NJ Audubon's Patrick Scheuer
Please note: A valid Passport is required for this tour.
GENERAL INFORMATION:
Belize is home to three of the four coral atolls in the Western Hemisphere, with Turneffe being the largest and most biologically diverse. Turneffe Atoll is located approximately 30 miles from Belize City. Turneffe Flats is ideally located to enjoy all of Turneffe’s 250 square miles of expansive flats, and has long been recognized as one of Belize’s premier saltwater fly fishing destinations. The coral reef is a stone's throw away and a large bonefish flat is right outside the front door. The ability to sight-fish for BONEFISH, PERMIT and TARPON on any given day makes Turneffe one of the few places where a Flats Grand Slam is always a possibility.
This special tour also provides you with the unique opportunity to fly fish alongside accomplished fly fisherman and author Tom Gilmore. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn from someone who has fly fished around the world for over four decades, and recorded the details of landing over 11,000 game fish with only a fly rod. Whether a beginning angler or advanced fly fisherman, who could resist learning a few tips from an expert? And what better place to enjoy the sport than at Turneffe?
Bonefishing
Bonefish have been a primary target of Turneffe Flats' anglers for more than 20 years. While wading the expansive flats on the seaward side of Turneffe, you will regularly see large schools of bonefish providing an unequaled opportunity for new saltwater anglers to learn the basics of the sport. There is also plenty of challenging fishing for those who enjoy stalking larger fish (some in excess of 10 pounds) in skinny water. Picturesque ocean flats offer a chance to pursue smaller schools. This requires casting accuracy and provides added challenges for the seasoned saltwater angler.
Permit Fishing
Turneffe Flats is one of a select group of saltwater destinations where you can regularly experience the excitement of flats fishing for tailing permit throughout the year. Most permit are found a singles or in small groups on the flats and bars throughout the Turneffe Atoll, although you may frequently see larger schools of permit tailing in shallow water. Most permit fishing is done from a poled skiff. In 2007, Fly Fishing in Saltwater magazine named Turneffe Atoll as one of the 10 best permit destinations in the world.
Tarpon Fishing
Tarpon are perhaps the ultimate challenge of saltwater fly-fishing. Although tarpon are migratory, some tarpon are around throughout the year. Tarpon inhabit the creeks, channels and lagoons of the atoll. Most tarpon are in the 70-90 pound range, but some 150-200 pound monsters are seen each year.
ACTIVITY LEVEL:
 |
Easy |
PACE, WEATHER, AND TRAVEL CONDITIONS:
This is a wonderfully relaxing trip to the Central American country of Belize. Turneffe Flats is located on the northeastern side of Turneffe Atoll, on a private white sand beach, with a wadeable bonefish flat right outside your door. Accommodations are beautifully appointed cabanas, each overlooking the beach. They are air-conditioned, and enjoy a panoramic view of the coral reef. The Lodge is the center of activity, with meals served family style. Menu is a tasty combination of Belize and international dishes, with fresh seafood, local produce and home baked pastries standard fare. Entrees vary among seafood, chicken, pork and beef. The bar is located adjacent to the diing room, with plenty of open space to gather after a day of fishing adventures.
Pace will be as relaxed or active as you wish. Fishing days are generally 8 hours, and begin after breakfast, ending around 5pm.
Temperatures range from 75 to 95 degrees, with the average of 84F. Water temperatures average 79 to 80F degrees, and there is an almost constant southerly trade wind.
While you are welcome, and encouraged, to bring our own equipment, fishing equipment and flies are also available for rent. The Lodge also has a well stocked store.
Catch and Release: With rare exception, all fish at Turneffe Flats are released.
DATES: Saturday November 3, 2012 (meet at Turneffe Flats) to Saturday, November 10, 2012 (flights home anytime)
PRICE: Cost for this tour is $4,850.00 per person, based on double occupancy; single supplement $500.00. A deposit of $500.00 will hold your place until August 15, 2012 when full payment becomes due. Early "fish" discount of $100 if deposit and registration received by April 30, 2012.
PRICE INCLUDES:
Seven (7) nights lodging in cabanas at Turneffe Flats (including hotel tax); round trip transfer from Belize City International Airport by boat to the lodge; three meals daily including evening hors'd'oeuvres; six (6) days of fishing in 16 foot skiffs with 2 fisherman and 1 guide in each skiff.
PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE: Round trip airfare from USA to Belize City; fishing license ($25US); alcoholic beverages; items of a personal nature; gratuities.
SEND DEPOSITS & OTHER PAYMENTS TO:
NJ Audubon Eco-Travel
9 Hardscrabble Rd
tel. 908-204-8998 x10
Or, by e-mail to travel@njaudubon.org
Please make checks payable to the New Jersey Audubon Society.
TOUR LEADERS
Tom Gilmore: Tom has served as President & CEO of New Jersey Audubon Society for more than 28 years. In that time, he has led the conservation community through numerous extraordinary environmental achievements. Tom recently became a trustee of The Nature Conservancy in New Jersey. He was named The Star Ledger's "Winner of the Year" in 2005 for his work in support of the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act, and in 2009 was recognized by New Jersey Monthly magazine as one of the "101 Most Influential People in New Jersey." Besides his enjoyment of birds, Tom is also a noted fly fisherman and author. His latest book, Fly Fisher's Guide to the Big Apple, draws on his 40 years of fly fishing experience in the tri-state region "from the well-known rivers to the out-of-the-way babbling streams that only the locals know about." His previous books on fly fishing include False Albacore (2002) and Tuna onthe Fly (2006). Tom has hosted trips to Belize, Kenya, Costa Rica and the Galapagos Islands.
Patrick Scheuer: Patrick is 
currently the Teacher-Naturalist at Lorrimer Sanctuary in Franklin Lakes, NJ. Growing up in the shadow of the famous Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in Pennsylvania, his interest in birding and natural history began at an early age. After completing school Patrick worked as a naturalist and guide for several years in the Pocono Mountains before coming to New Jersey Audubon Society. In addition to birding, Patrick's interests include fishing, which has always been an integral part of his life; so much so that he cannot remember his first fishing trip! In 2005, Patrick started the Children's Fishing Summer Camp at NJ Audubon's Lorrimer Sanctuary. Thru this successful program, Patrick has introduced hundreds of young anglers to the joys of this sport. Recently, Patrick's fishing efforts have focused on the more uncommon and challenging species. Patrick resides in Franklin Lakes, NJ with his wife and two children.