From Ireland

We heard from Barry & Cathy. Their group is with Andrew Ryan and his guides and are trout fishing for a few days. We'll have more next week but we can say that everyone loves the new Sage X, the new fast rod just released-- fast but not so stiff, a joy to cast is the report we're getting

 

Tournament Helps Punta Allen Kids

Many of you have traveled to Isla Hotbox and/or Campeche and Grand Slam Lodges in the Yucatan with us. In this short video clip you'll see some familiar faces, but more important is the reason for the tournament - to help the children and the school at Punta Allen. The smiling faces on the kids say it all. Our congratulations to the sponsors, the winners, the guides, and most of all the kids in Punta Allen!

Today I wanted to re-post a blog that Sage published a few weeks ago.  It's a great story that Barry wrote & we hope you'll take a few minutes to read it.  Click here to go to the Sage Blog.  Enjoy!

Holbox Recap

There is a small, quiet, laid back village called Holbox located on an island "around the bend" from Cancun that we have fallen in love with. On the island is a small fishing lodge on the beach whose manager, Luciano, spoils his guests with expresso delivered to your door in the morning as a wake up call, fresh ceviche and cold beer on the veranda in the afternoon, and wonderful stories about the island and the people.

The fishing is all about tarpon, big and little. The babies are perfect 8 & 9-weight sport, but just because they're babies, it doesn't mean that they're easy. These fish see   a lot of flies so anglers change patterns often and extend their leaders hoping for an edge. The acrobatics begin as soon as one is hooked, for these "babies" love to jump and run line. Heck, it's so much fun that we've got anglers who only chase baby tarpon.

On the other hand, when the weather permits and the seas are calm, the guides can get out for big tarpon. Now the 12-weight rods and sinking lines come off the rack. Small tarpon flies are replaced with 4/0 and 6/0 black snakes and tarpon toads. Adrenaline ratchets up and you can feel the excitement as the pangas race through the liquid glass sea in the first light of day. Soon the guides are searching the horizon in search of rolling fish and once spotted, they rush to position the boat. We usually get one shot as the fish pass by and then it's leap frogging with other boats to get into position again, praying that the fish will stay up and we'll get another shot. It's an adrenalin rush, no doubt about it, but the real rush kicks in when a big fish is hooked. There's absolutely nothing like it. Ask Harry. He's in the photo with his 50th birthday tarpon.

Sound like fun? Well, we'll be going back to Isla Holbox next summer. Keep us in mind. You'll be glad you did. Contact us for dates and to get on our trip list.

 

 

 

 

Our good friend and guide in Holbox, Mexico, Alejandro Vega Cruz, or more affectionately known by everyone as Sandflea is currently undergoing major heart surgery at the Cleveland Clinic. He needs our help. Sandflea has had a bad heart from birth and therefore can not get health insurance. His friends have a Go Fund Me Site and Facebook page which we will link below. Many of you know Sandflea from our trips to Holbox. If anyone can make a donation, he and his family will really appreciate your generosity. Thanks from us too.

https://www.facebook.com/SaveSandflea?fref=ts

http://www.gofundme.com/u3epb6x

 

 

2 Rooms Open in Holbox, Mexico

We only have two rooms left at Isla Holbox, Mexico. Enjoy early morning boat rides for baby tarpon and snook, and big migratory tarpon if wind permits. Fish until early afternoon and then chill out on the breezy verandah, enjoy the beach, take a siesta, swim with the whale sharks, or just relax in the shade. We've got a great schedule, it's a fun island with lots to do, and the perfect get-away for non fishing partners. Get the details and come along with us. Easy in/out. July 6-13. Click here for more information

Over Lining Rods

 

There is a lot of talk these days about whether or not to over line your fly rod. Field & Stream's Fly Talk this month features an article by Kirk Deeter with interesting comments. We often over line our fast Sage rods in windy situations when using big, heavy flies, and particularly with lines like the RIO Outbound Short, but I can't ever remember over lining lighter trout rods. Seems like Everything in moderation is the general consensus. It's an interesting read. Enjoy.

As you all know, we love Mexico. For 2015, we have two departures with 3 lodges. Our first trip is April 6-13 which includes 2 days of fishing for baby tarpon from Campeche followed by 4 days of bone/permit/baby tarpon fishing in Ascension Bay from Grand Slam Lodge. A super combination starting in the very pretty colonial town of Campeche and finishing at the new popular Grand Slam Lodge. 8 nights/6 days fishing, one transfer day. $4650 per person, dbl. occup/shared boat. Read More.

  

Our second departure is to one of our favorites, Holbox Island, for big and baby tarpon - and you know how much we love this destination. We've been talking about it for years: The fishing program, baby tarpon 10-50 pounds, big tarpon if you choose, lovely beach front accommodations, the village, walks into town to dine each night, sundowners and incredible sunsets and sunrises. In addition to the baby tarpon, you might find snook, cobia & jacks and other species. Holbox is also the best buy in the business for non-angling guests ($100 a day), and we couldn't find a more gracious, fun manager and host than Luciano Govi. 7 night/6 days. $3,300 range, dbl. occur/shared boat. Read More.

 

 

 

Thinking about baby tarpon, snook, jacks, maybe big tarpon? Holbox has it all, with an interesting fishing program to match. Start at sun up each day and fish until mid-afternoon. Come back to the lodge, relax, rest, enjoy hors d'oeuvres, and walk into town for dinner.

 

We get the best part of the fishing day before it gets too breezy or hot. Fish lagoons, rivers, creeks and maybe go out for big tarpon if you want - and if weather permits. It's a great place and a great agenda. 7 nights/6 days. $3,295 dbl. occup/shared guide. Easy in/out. Check out the details and come with us!  

 

Cancellation at Isla Holbox for June. We unexpectantly have a couple rooms available at Holbox, Mexico, due to a family illness. This is a great fishing trip, baby tarpon, snook, jacks, cobia, and lots more. It's a fun trip too, easy schedule, lots of fishing, lots of fun. Easy in/out. Check it out and come along!

 

 

 

 

Once again, Tibor brings home the Gold.  We're proud to be associated with such a great company.    Tibor Reels Hold 808 IGFA Certified World Records-  Click here to read more

 

Here's a list of our Upcoming Hosted Trips

June 21-28 — Holbox, Mexico (tarpon, snook, etc.)
July 24-Aug. 3 — Kenektok River, Alaska (trout, salmon)
Aug. 16-30 — Bighorn River, Montana (trout)
Sept. 10-21 — Tsimane, Bolivia (dorado)
Oct. 11-20 — Pyrenees, Spain (trout)
Nov. 30-Dec. 7 — Tres Valles, Argentina (trout)
Jan. 8-18 — Coyhaique Lodge, Chile (trout)
Feb. 2-17 — South Island, New Zealand (trout)
Apr. 30- Mar. 9 — Tres Valles, Argentina (trout)
Mar. 7-21 — San Martin area, Argentina (trout)
May — Saltwater, Mexico, TBA
June — Isla Holbox, Mexico, TBA
July 23-Aug.16 — East Africa Safari

Call us or check our web site for more information.

We've got a busy year ahead of us. Here is our schedule of Hosted Trips for 2012:

• Jan 15-21 -- Delphi Club, Abaco Bahamas (bonefish)


• Feb 1-18 -- South Island, New Zealand (trout)


• Mar 18-Apr.1 -- Patagonia, Argentina (trout)


• May 19-26 -- Belize River Lodge, Belize (tarpon, etc.)


• June 3-10 -- Boca Paila, Mexico (tarpon, bones, permit)


• June 10-17 -- Isla Holbox, Mexico (tarpon)


• June 23-30 -- Ponoi River, Russia (Atlantic Salmon)


• July 14-21 -- Kulik Lodge, Alaska (trout/salmon)


• Aug 18-25 & 25-Sept. 1 -- Bighorn River, MT (trout)


• Sept. 12-20 & 16-24 -- Tsimane Lodge, Bolivia (dorado)


• Oct. 27-Nov. 3 -- Agua Boa, Brazil (peacock bass)


• Nov. 26-Dec. 3 -- Tres Valles, Argentina (trout)

Detailed information and prices are available on our web site for most of these trips. If you're interested in a destination that is not yet posted, please contact us. We hope to see you in 2012.

As I write this we are in Cancun waiting to fly home. We've just spent a week at Isla Holbox, Mexico, for tarpon of all sizes. Isla Holbox is a lovely island, great lodge, great fishing. One of the most appealing aspects of Holbox is the fishing for baby tarpon (ranging from about 7 to 30 pounds) in the lagoons and rivers the crisscross the island. And during the migratory tarpon season there are big tarpon on the flats outside the island.

We use Sage Xi3 rods, 9 weights for the baby tarpon and 12 weights for the big tarpon. Any good size tarpon from about 15 pounds up is going to put up an impressive fight, and will jump with all his might again and again. It's explosive, fast moving action and you have to be ready to let him run while still keeping tension, get the line off the deck and out through the guides without any snafus. Having good gloves, stripping fingers, and/or tape will save your hands from line cuts. The line comes off the deck with such speed and friction that it's impossible to hang onto it without some protection on your fingers. And, if there is any sand on the line it will cut your hands as well.

We would sit at breakfast sharing stripping fingers and tape. Most of us prefer the stripping fingers as the tape sometimes loosens and it often starts to lift and then you've got an edge that the line can hang up on. When I do use tape, I find the best is the tape used in equine barns to wrap the hoofs of show horses. It comes in about 5" rolls and often costs less than $5 a roll. I cut it into about inch-wide strips and wrap my fingers. The tape is sticky and holds pretty well, but the stripping fingers are still best. My favorite gloves are Dr. Shade gloves with Polyurethane palms. The PU on the palms helps me get a better grip on the rod with wet hands and it wears better than nylon palms. They also help when working with fish. I find these gloves combined with stripping fingers are the ideal solution.

I use gloves and stripping fingers (finger guards) for peacock bass and chum salmon as well. When I'm wading and fishing for bonefish I use them because of the sand and shell grit that comes up with the line when the fish runs. The gloves also offer protection from sunburn. I get my stripping fingers from Sea Level Fly fishing, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

When that fish takes off, you want to be ready to get things under control immediately. You can't do that if the line is burning cuts into your hands. Protect them from line cuts and you'll enjoy your fishing even more.

 

Come along for a fun week. Holbox Island Fly Fishing Lodge is a spacious, modern, comfortable lodge on the water. Boats leave from the beach in front. Walk into town for dinner each night at Italian, Mexican, Argentine restaurants.  June 5-12, 2011.  Timed for the migratory tarpon but lots of baby tarpon too. Lots of fun fishing and relaxation. Check out details on our web site under Hosted Trips. Hope you can join us.

http://www.facebook.com/BeckPhotographyJust wanted to let everyone know that we posted a few photos from Isla Holbox, Mexico. We're having a beautiful week of weather. The big tarpon are being shy, but we're having fun with the baby tarpon. Maybe tomorrow will be our day with the big boys!