The Flats of Belize
Bonefish, permit, and tarpon off the Belize coast!

Vic Barothy put Belize on the fishing map in the early 1960’s.

This guy was already notorious for his houseboat bonefishing trips in Isles of the Pines, Cuba, which then held every world record bonefish. When Fidel took power on New Year’s Day of 1959, Vic and his wife, Betty (a former silent movie star), loaded two cruisers with whatever valuable possessions they could get on board. Late that night, each took a helm and the two of them sailed for what was then British Honduras, towing all their skiffs and and a group of loyal Cuban guides.

Barothy was no dummy about fishing. His father had owned one of the most famous hunting and fishing lodges on the Pere Marquette and he had grown up in the business. One of his best friends was a guy named Joe Brooks, who used his connections and influence at Field & Stream to put Vic’s three new lodges and houseboats in the angling public’s eye.

Barothy designed his Turneffe Island Lodge, and Belize River Lodge to resemble his family’s Michigan operations, and hired Mennonites to handle the construction in an era and region where electricity was uncommon.

Belize is a democratic, pro-American country with English as its official language. It’s native people are happy, productive and enjoy one of the highest rates of literacy of the Americas. With daily, direct flights from Houston, Dallas and Miami, Belize is easy to get to and safe. Anglers can count on getting more bang for their buck in Belize, where the variety of flats species and quality of outfitters to choose from is second to none.

In recent years, increasing numbers of saltwater anglers have focused on permit and Belize is one of a only a few saltwater destinations where anglers routinely experience the excitement of flats wade fishing for tailing permit and have a reasonable opportunity to catch one.

The Turneffe archipelago has miles of shallow, hard-bottmoed flats that are ideal for wading and are often covered with large singles and schools of tailing bonefish.

Permit and bonefishing in the Turneffe atoll is consistent throughout the year. Though most widely renowned for bonefish and permit, the coast of Belize has some terrific tarpon fishing, particularly in the spring, when aggressive, naive fish that have never seen a lure pour out of the blue onto the shallow off-shore flats. These migratory tarpon average about 40 pounds, with a few larger fish.

Both lodges in the Turneffes offer similar packages and both to fly rodders and divers. Accommodations and food at each are excellent. Both employ well-seasoned English-speaking guides and use modern Super Skiffs. The two lodges coordinate their daily destinations and work together harmoniously to insure a wonderful fishing holiday for everyone in the Turneffes. Non-fishing, single occupancy, combination, and SCUBA packages rates are available.

	El Pescador El Pescador continues to grow its reputation as a top echelon fly fishing lodge, and the owners bend over backwards to assure both anglers and non-anglers alike have a wonderful time. > read more

	Blue Horizon Miles off the coast of southern Belize, far from other anglers, and a rifle shot from the most prolific permit fishery on Earth. The rustic lodge is nestled in a picture-perfect maze of nearly 700 square miles of shallow marl flats adjacent to blue water. > read more

	Belize River Lodge Guests choose between a daily angling menu of jungle rivers, creeks and lagoons for tarpon or snook. Or head off to explore the bay or coastline for snook, bonefish, or permit. > read more

	Turneffe Flats This terrific lodge is ideally located to access all of Turneffe's 250-square miles of expansive flats and remarkably rich marine habitat. > read more

	Turneffe Island After 40 years Turneffe Island Lodge remains a favorite for world-class fly fishing, diving and snorkeling. > read more