Flies

So there are 100’s of websites, magazine articles, blogs, IG Reels, etc that will enthusiastically extol expertise for must-have fly patterns for Northern Belize. And one can certainly get into heady arguments over “pattern” Vs “presentation.”  We’ll leave our bonefish and permit pattern recommendations at this: Think perhaps not so much “bonefish fly” Vs “permit fly” but a pattern suitable for shallow water/stealthy presentation and another pattern suitable for deeper water/getting down to the fish. There’s a big difference presenting a fly to a fish in a foot of water Vs 3’ to 4’ of water. Matching the color of the bottom is a solid choice… Throw in a little bit of something to catch the fish's attention (bit of flash, some rubber leg action) but arguably nothing too garish… Though sometimes garish works. 

For tarpon flies, the resident fish around the camp are juveniles, in the 10-40lb range. Keep this in mind hook-size (say size 2 to 2/0.)  All the usual suspects can be effective:  baitfish-y patterns, EP minnow, cockroach, tarpon bunny… Unlike the fish on some of the more pressured flats to our southwest, many of the tarpon in the nooks and crannies around the camp have never seen a fly before. Makes you almost feel guilty when they enthusiastically crush it. Almost.

Certainly show us what you brought and we’re happy to chime in… “No, that won’t work… no… nope… good grief no, none of this is any good here.”