Contact Us or host Aaron Adams for more information on any openings at the Blue Bonefish Lodge and/or upcoming availability.
Location & Destination Overview
The Blue Bonefish Lodge is a flats fly fishing paradise located on the tropical island of Ambergris Caye. Ambergris is the largest island in the Central American country of Belize, and San Pedro town is the most inhabited part of the island with a small bustling airport and easy travel options. English is the most common language, but Ambergris will have a local creole dialect and some Spanish included in the language transfer.
Outside of town, the pavement ends and the stress seems to disappear. The lodge is located near the end of the road, and is a quiet place with beautiful reef and bay views. This isolation from town allows for some DIY fishing opportunities near the Blue Bonefish property. Amazing scuba diving, snorkeling, and reef fishing also dominate the areas many activities. We have offered and brought our clients an amazing opportunity with the Blue Bonefish package. Not only is this rate extremely affordable and competitive as anything available in the saltwater game, but we have found a very special place with some great ownership, guides, and a host that want to make your experience unforgettable.
The Lodge
The Blue Bonefish lodge is located 4.1 miles south of the San Pedro airport. San Pedro is a very affluent area, and will have most anything you need or want when you arrive. It has become a fun and growing tourist destination in of itself. Calm blue water, nice people, fun nightlife, and good fishing catapulted Ambergris onto the map many years ago. It has still remained quiet on the north and south ends of the island for now though. The lodge is a family run operation hosted by Chris Leeman. Chris and his family have many years of experience in the fly fishing industry, and they understand what it takes to make your destination fly fishing adventure a success. The lodge’s remote yet accessible location outside of town offer both tranquility and comfort to the angler and non fishing partner both. The Blue Bonefish lodge also offers a full service fly shop just a little closer towards town. If you forget anything, break something, or just want to check out a cool little shop, then the Blue Bonefish is your place.
The Fishing
The Fishing at Blue Bonefish and its surrounding areas are considered by salt water enthusiasts to be one of the best spots in the world for your chances of landing the “grand slam”. The big three known as bonefish, tarpon, and permit are the main attraction here. Other fish of the flats exist such as snook , barracuda, and jacks, which are fine fights on a fly rod and nothing to complain about. But bonefish, permit, and tarpon are what most people target in numbers around Ambergris.
Bonefish are abundant in this tropical paradise. You will have your chance to wade and cast for tailing fish in skinny water on hard bottomed flats, or you may instead be searching for schools in deeper water zones where following a feeding stingray. Whatever your preference, the bone fishing can be downright ridiculous at times here.
There are also resident tarpon in the area which inhabit the flats, channels, and overgrown red mangrove roots for cover and food. This offers year round opportunities for the slam, and is a special element when you need that last species of the day to complete your goal. Larger migratory tarpon enter the area usually by June and can offer serious challenges to the angler. Its not uncommon for 100 pound poons to be seen and landed during these seasonal habits of the silver king.
Then of course, there are the permit of the flats. These are the holy grail for many here fishing in Belize. Chasing these difficult fish have driven many man and lady to the breaking point, but on the other hand have led to some serious experiences of a lifetime. This area of Belize is considered some of the best permit fishing in the world. Spawning times occur in March, but the fishing can be productive year round in and around the surrounding areas of San Pedro. Weather depending, most of the best permit flats are on the leeward or west side of the island, and are reached by a short boat ride. Many of these small cayes will furnish some of the finest flats in the area for this extremely finicky fish on the fly. Permit don’t come easy, but the Blue Bonefish has a true permit master that lives near the lodge for many winter months and assists where he can. The Johnson family have been an important role to the success of Blue Bonefish. Check out James Johnson’s great article here on Belize permit fishing. His help with the operations is of great value.
http://toflyfish.com/fly-fishing-for-permit-in-belize/
Outside of the town, the road turns to dirt and keeps the local hustle and bustle away from the lodge location. This small bit of separation from crowds leads to another special element of this fishery and the lodge itself. DIY fishing locations are numerous within walking and golf cart distance of the lodge for bonefish, small tarpon, and even the possible permit if wade-fishing and/or paddle-boarding is your thing. But don’t forget, your luck and timing must be right as well!
Accommodations & Meals
The blue bonefish lodge itself offers high level comforts such as a swimming pool, wifi access, cable television, and a large open dining area with french doors that open to a beautiful ocean side deck with seating area and BBQ. Here you can enjoy a morning cup of coffee or cool afternoon beverage while discussing the rewarding day of fishing the flats. The property starts with six tasteful private rooms enjoying 270* views of the ocean and the largest living barrier reef in the world. They include tile showers and floors, along with the added luxury of personal a/c, local mahogany furniture and decorations make a nice finishing touch. The sandy open beachfront is dotted with hammocks and chairs leading to a gorgeous palapa lined dock that encompass a balance of exciting talk with guides and relaxing moments with friends or family. All meals are included in the package from local ingredients and recipes to create a fine culinary experience.
Non fisherman traveling with or without a fishing companion can enjoy this area in its entirety as well. Scuba diving, snorkeling, kayaking, paddle-boarding, or just taking in the local culture to name a few are enjoyed by many. The use of golf carts for DIY fishing travel or trips into San Pedro are also included in the package.
Travel
Travel is an easy flight from the United States to Belize City (BZE). A valid passport is necessary for travel. Many connections are made via Los Angeles (LAX), Dallas Ft. Worth (DFW), Atlanta(ATL), or Miami (MIA) into Belize City (BZE). It is recommended to arrive in the morning or early afternoon into Belize city. It is then a scenic 20 minute flight on Tropic Air to San Pedro, Belize (SPR) from the mainland. Flights leaves to and from the island every twenty minutes daily. Booking this flight round trip 1 hour after your arrival into Belize city and 3 hours before your departure from Belize City back into the United States is recommended. visit Tropic Air
You will be picked up and dropped off at the San Pedro airport depending on your arrival/departure time. Gas powered 4 and 6 seat golf carts are the preferred method of transportation around the island. The lodge is 4.1 miles south of the airport and takes around thirty minutes between trips. The road turns to dirt outside of town and keeps it quiet on the south and north ends of Ambergris. Use of the golf carts is included in the package.
Equipment Needed
Make sure to bring plenty of sunscreen and sun protection to the flats. Hats, sunglasses and protective clothing are mandatory. Weather dependent, a light rain jacket and even a sweater are also nice to have on hand while traveling in the boat. Evenings can get a little chilly, so have something in case you are one to get cold easy. Headlamps are nice. As far as gear selection, an arsenal of 7-10 weight rods are nice to choose from. Floating line with a minimum of 200 yards of backing is necessary. Large arbor reels with a good sealed drag system are recommended. We are happy to talk to you about any gear selections or questions you may have.
Bonefish–7 or 8 weight rods will do just fine. Floating line in bonefish taper. 9 foot leaders ranging from 8-12lb. Tippet spools of fluorocarbon to match those leaders. No handling concerns
Permit–8-10 weight rods are a good selection. A 10 weight is necessary when windy conditions persist and its one shot to get the fly to the fish. Floating lines will do best in saltwater tapers, but a clear sink tip in windy deeper water conditions could be the ticket. 9 foot fluorocarbon leaders in ranges 12-15lb. Fluorocarbon tippet spools to match. No handling concerns, but permit do have crushers in the back of their mouth so beware.
Tarpon/Snook--10 weight rods will suffice. If fishing the tarpon migration in June, then an 11 weight may be nice to have. Floating line is most common, but a poly-leader or full sinking line for channels and deeper cuts aren’t a horrible thing to have on the boat when fishing tarpon. Shock tippet leaders need to be fished for these particular species. 25lb shock tippet for snook. And 40-80lb shock tippets for tarpon. Gill plates are extremely sharp on both, so be careful when handling.
Barracuda/Shark–8-10 weight rods can be used. Floating line is best. 9 foot toothy critter style or wire leaders are a must. Extremely sharp teeth, be careful when handling.
Wading boots and socks are a nice extra, but not a must. We recommend to have a selection of your own confidence flies depending on the quarry being pursued. Refer to your Pre-Trip Planner after booking for more detailed information. You may also contact the shop or host for any recommendations.
Rates
Double Occupancy
Single Occupancy
**March- May is peak season, rates are reduced during other timeframes. Please inquire.**
**Single Accommodations for 1 angler, own room, own guide/boat for the week.**
**Double Accommodation rate is per person, shared boat 2 anglers per guide, shared room for the week. (Price is per person listed above)**
** Other packages and activities available**
Booking INfo
Please fill out this form, call trip host Aaron Adams at 801-230-3194 or call the shop at 435-658-1166 to learn more or inquire about booking.