Blue Horizon Lodge @ The Fly Shop®

B l u e H o r i z o n L o d g e i n southern Belize is a spot custom-tailored for the serious flats fishermen. The location is perfect, the fish are plentiful, and this remote part of Central America is, arguably, the most prolific permit fishing grounds in the world.

• January 01, 2005 - August 21, 2005: 116 anglers landed 138 permit on the fly

• January 01, 2003 - December 01, 2003: 71 anglers landed 123 permit on the fly

• January 01, 2002 - 15 October, 2002: 84 anglers landed 164 permit on the fly

"Blue Horizon Lodge" is a serious fly fisherman’s camp dedicated to the elusive hunt of permit; arguably the most difficult fish in the world to catch with a fly.

Thank you very much for your inquiry regarding the exciting permit fishing operation, Blue Horizon Lodge, in Southern Belize. This saltwater fly fishing camp is custom-tailored for the serious flats fishermen and, more specifically, hardcore permit fisherman. The location is perfect, the fish are plentiful, and this remote part of Central America is, arguably, the most prolific permit fishing grounds in the world.

November of 1996 was our first trip to Blue Horizon Lodge. And although much has changed with the lodge in the way of amenities, lodging, and general infrastructure upgrades, one thing has never changed-the fishing. Blue Horizon Lodge represents the best opportunity in the world to catch a permit on the fly.

Location, location, location - that's the first key to Blue Horizon Lodge's success as a permit fishing destination. Facing East into the prevailing breeze, Blue Hori

zon Lodge is located on Northeast Cay, a small 6-acre private island - one of many in the Pelican Range. There are hundreds of wadable flats, some big, some small, all surrounded by deep-water troughs and channels. This is a naturally perfect habitat, nature-designed to flood the flats with fresh fish on every changing tide. It would take nearly a lifetime to fish all the flats in this region, and the lodge is right in the middle. There are tailing permit less than two minutes by boat from the dock! Wade down the beach a few hundred yards on a flooding tide, and you'll probably get a shot at a permit. It's not by chance that BHL is located where it is. Lincoln Westby picked the location for its instant access to the best permit flats in Central America. In comparison, the fishing lodges on the mainland of Belize around Placentia have no less than a one hour boat ride across open water, and in most cases this ride is typically two hours, just to get to some decent water.

There are no typical days at BHL because the fishing schedule does not center around convenient times to wake-up. Anglers are roused out of bed at 6:00 a.m. or earlier, if tides warrant. After a quick and satisfying breakfast with a few cups of coffee, they board one of the lodge boats for a day of skinny water permit hunting. In most cases, lunches are taken 'on the fly' to maximize time on the water. However, if it is an especially early morning wake-up - 5:00 a.m. or earlier-anglers may return to the lodge mid-day for lunch and a siesta, then return to the flats until sunset. Normally, anglers return to the lodge each evening by 5:30-6:00 p.m. At Blue Horizon Lodge the daily fishing schedule is determined by the tides, and anglers should be prepared to fish non-traditional hours, taking advantage of favorable conditions. These guides are NOT clock watchers... They know where to be and at what time during a given tide cycle, which is critical to locating feeding permit. Will Bauer, who has fished these waters countless times, said that when the weather cooperates, 15 or more shots per angler, per day are the norm. It's not uncommon to see as many as 50 permit in one day, or more. Now that's permit fishing!

The typical routine has anglers poled across hard bottomed flats, covering the maximum amount of water in a thorough and efficient manner. Most flats average in depth between 12" and 36". Once a fish is spotted, anglers slip out of the boat and wade within casting distance of the fish. The majority of the permit spotted will be on the front side of flats adjacent to deep water, a permit's natural escape route. Fish tend to hang in between lapping waves as they wash up on the flat, happily wallowing and rooting for crabs and other natural crustaceans. These permit will vary in size, from giants weighing close to 40 pounds down to 12 and 15 pounds. Because of the flats' proximity to deep channels, a constant supply of new and lightly impacted fish hit the flats each tide change--key to an angler's success. Light, favorable breezes of 10 to 15 knots are the norm in Southern Belize and make permit much more approachable when stalking on foot.

After a full day on the flats hunting those sickle-tailed ghosts (10+ hours on some days), some cold Belikin beers and zesty Belizean hors d'oeuvres are welcome. Tasty and filling dinners will include lobster salad, fresh conch dishes, and the traditional Belizean Sunday supper of black beans, rice, chicken and fried plantains, pork chops, homemade breads, and desserts. All in all, there is plenty of good simple Belizean food. After dinner, it won't be long before you're thinking about hitting the sack, as 5:30 a.m. (or earlier) comes mighty early.

Other Species and Lodging: Blue Horizon Lodge has earned a reputation of being a serious permit fishing operation. The lodge does not offer a lot of variety as far as other fish species, although if you and your guide look hard enough you will find some bonefish and tarpon to mix things up. Some of the tarpon can be found on the flats, however, the majority of them will be found in deep channels and cuts in the reef. Some of these deep-water tarpon have gone well over 100 pounds. BHL is not the kind of operation you want to bring a non-fisher to unless they can entertain themselves. Accommodations are Spartan, and the sand fleas, when there's no wind, can be brutal. The bungalows are comfortable, clean and feature two beds with all the linens supplied and each has built-in bathrooms with hot and cold water. Each day, your room is cleaned, new towels provided, and your bed made. Purified drinking water is provided. Lincoln and his crew will bend over backward to make you happy. Improvements on the infrastructure of the operation are always being made. One thing is for sure; the positives of Blue Horizon Lodge well outweigh the negatives. And, if you really want to catch a permit on the fly, THIS IS THE PLACE!

That's it in a nutshell for Blue Horizon Lodge. We can't think of a finer locale to catch permit, on a fly. If you can enjoy yourself with rustic accommodations and a no-frills approach to your fishing holiday, you'll have a great trip.

There is no set fishing schedule at Blue Horizon Lodge. Fishing days at Blue Horizon Lodge are tailored to you, taking into account daily tide movements, while factoring in wind and current weather conditions. Depending upon the tides, anglers are roused out of bed each morning between 5:00 - 7:00 a.m. grab a cup of coffee and board one of the lodge boats for a day of skinny water fishing. Breakfast is taken on the boat on these early morning departures. In most cases, lunches are taken on the fly, to maximize time on the water. If you desire, you can return to the lodge for lunch and an afternoon siesta, and go out again in the afternoon. Anglers return to the lodge each evening by 5:30-6:00 p.m.

Breakfast: Wake up to the smell of coffee. Fresh fruit, cereal and milk are on the table. Enjoy some huevos rancheros or traditional ham and eggs.

Lunch: Lunch can be packed for your day on the water and includes plenty of cool drinks of your choice. Or, you may want to return to the lodge. It's up to you.

Cocktails/Hors d'oeuvres: After a long day on the water, enjoy some of the kitchen’s famous hors d'oeuvres with a refreshing tropical cocktail, or cold beer - you earned it.

Dinner: Dinner is served family style in the dining room. Save plenty of room for dessert.

Tides at Blue Horizon Lodge are important as in any flats fishing destination. The guides know where and at what time to be during any given tide cycle, critical to locating feeding permit. At Blue Horizon Lodge, fishing days are scheduled around the tide cycles instead of traditional fishing hours (8 am to 5 pm). This means that you may be up at five in the morning in order to be in the right place at the right time. Each night, Lincoln will explain the tides and your next day's fishing options, letting you decide whether you want to take advantage of an early morning wake up. In a small lodge like Blue Horizon, you get the maximum personal attention and a fishing program custom-tailored to your wants and needs.
Lately, a lot has been made of the different moon phases and tidal cycles, and how they affect flats fishing. There are dozens of theories floating around. Which one is best? Who knows…perhaps a combination of them all?
We have caught permit every month of the year, under every conceivable tide cycle and slight variance in conditions. Add wind strength and direction, air and water temperature, atmospheric pressures and so on, and it can get confusing. Certainly some months offer more predictable weather then others, but throw in the last couple of years of El Nino, and now La Nina, and even these theories can go to in the toilet.
It is best to go with your 'gut feeling', looking closely at all the historic information available, factoring in moon phases and tide cycles, then pick a date that best fits your schedule. We have all the tide charts and moon phases, and will certainly do our best to help you make the right decisions.

Your hosts at Blue Horizon Lodge are Lincoln and Pearline Westby. The Westbys are wonderful people, warm and friendly natives of Belize that are willing to always go the extra mile to ensure your fishing holiday is everything you want it to be, and more. Lincoln has been guiding in Belize for over thirty years and grew up in and around the waters in which you will be fishing. You could say that it is his backyard. All of the buildings at Blue Horizon Lodge are built on wood pilings, approximately 6 feet off the ground, in order to take full advantage of the cool tropical breezes blowing from the east. The Lodge itself is a large, rectangular building which houses the kitchen, bar, and a small bathroom. Large windows with storm shutters are prevalent throughout. The Lodge, although simple, is neatly kept, and is the gathering place for meals, cocktails, and fishing stories. The deck in front of the lodge is a wonderful spot for enjoying your morning coffee before breakfast is served.

Anglers stay two to a bungalow. Each bungalow has a front deck where wading booties and rods may be left. Deck chairs are provided for relaxing and soaking up the rays. The bungalows feature two beds and a full bath with shower, sink, hot and cold running water, vanity and toilet. There are shelves and dressers to store gear and clothes. A table and two chairs provide plenty of room for fly tying and equipment. Two oscillating floor fans are in each room, with plenty of screened windows allowing the cool breezes to circulate.

Air travel to Belize City, Belize:
International flights to Belize are via Atlanta, Charlotte, Dallas, Houston, Miami or Los Angeles. The modern new airport is serviced by daily flights on American, Continental, Delta, US Airways, and TACA.

Arriving Belize City
Arrive in Belize City via your international carrier. The first order of business is to clear immigration; you will show the officer your valid passport. The whole process is simple and quick. After immigration you will claim your luggage; it is all hand-loaded onto the luggage carrousel and takes a while. Relax....you’re on Belize time. The Belize airport is a rather confusing place for the first time visitor, but be patient. Have your luggage claim checks ready. Answer the customs officer’s questions politely, and you’ll be on your way. After clearing customs, our representative will greet you. Please note that only arriving passengers and Customs Officers may enter the Customs area. Your Blue Horizon Lodge representative will be waiting right outside the door, though.

Marjorie Perez of Margie’s Travel Service, your Blue Horizon Lodge Representative, will have your Tropic Air Tickets waiting for you and assist you with getting on the next available flight to Dangriga. Plan on paying Marjorie for the round-trip tropic air tickets upon receipt. The cost is CASH USD $105.

Arriving Dangriga, transferring to the Lodge:
Upon arrival in Dangriga (Stann Creek) a Blue Horizon Lodge Representative will meet you and transfer you to the location of the lodge boat in Hopkins (an approximate 45 minutes drive), that is waiting to transport you to the Lodge. It is a 50 minute boat ride from there to the Caye. The ride can be a wet experience, depending on the seas and wind direction. You may want to have a light rain jacket handy to keep dry.

Upon arrival at the lodge, you will be shown to your accommodations for the duration of your stay and given a brief orientation of the facilities. Later, usually after dinner, Lincoln Westby will give a description of the fishing program and what to expect the next morning.

Departure from Blue Horizon Lodge:
Please reconfirm your flight departure times out of Dangriga and Belize International Airport with the Lodge for correct transfer arrangements. Blue Horizon Lodge can accommodate just about any international flight departing Belize City. However, we suggest that you NOT book any international flight departing before 10:00 a.m. Please have your return international flight reservations reconfirmed 72 hours before scheduled departure time. Leave plenty of time for check in at the International Airport.

Nights	Days	Double Occupancy	Single Occupancy
4	3	$1,250	$2,150
5	4	$1,550	$2,600
6	5	$1,850	$3,050
7	6	$2,150	$3,500
8	7	$2,430	$4,000

(longer stays are available, please inquire for rates)

Turn Around Days: There are no set arrival or departure days at Blue Horizon Lodge

Booking Your Trip: Reserving your spot at any of our wonderful locations is easily done. You can call us on our dime at: 800-669-3474 or by sending us an email at: info@flyfishingtravel.com.