Fly Fishing Honduras – Permit, Bonefish, Tarpon
Species: Bonefish, tarpon, permit, snook, barracuda
Season: January – October
Capacity: 8 anglers
Cost: $3650 per angler, double occupancy
Insurance: GLOBAL RESCUE
Luxurious and primitive, Fly Fish Guanaja offers the adventure of a lifetime. Guanaja is the best kept fly-fishing secret in the Caribbean. Located off the coast of Honduras, Guanaja is the least traveled island of all the Bay Islands of Honduras. Last season, we didn’t see another angler for two months. We did see schools and schools of bone-fish all over the place, along with shots at permit everyday, and landed tarpon of all sizes. The bone-fishing in Guanaja is outrageous, some days we hunt expansive schools of bonefish, while other days we stalk large singles, some pushing ten pounds. Everyone who has visited our lodge has landed bonefish, most landing several. Permit, ahhh, permit, the coveted jewel of fly-fishing, the ultimate challenge. We have lots of permit, some VERY big. We see permit every day, sometimes cruising right by the lodge. If you focus on permit, you get shots daily, sometimes several. If you focus on permit, you also risk forgetting about everything else in life and losing yourself in the joyous pursuit of fly-fishing’s holy grail. Be careful. We also fish river-mouths around Guanaja that hold tarpon, snook, jacks, barracuda, and more. We fish a school of tarpon ranging from 40-120 pounds, while other times we enjoy schools of baby tarpon, ranging from 5-25 pounds. Jumping a tarpon is a rare treat that most guests experience.
Expansive flats surround Fly Fish Guanaja with the lodge is located at the epicenter of the goodness. Our lodge consists of two small keys side by side, surrounded by the best flats in Honduras. From our deck you can cast to tailing bones and permit, or you can heckle your friends as they pursue fish throughout the flat. The accommodations are plush with comfortable rooms, beds, and bathrooms. Between the two keys we can host 8 anglers per week. We have four specially made flats boats suited for Guanaja. They draft in shallow water, and can handle waves as we navigate to various spots around the island. We eat fresh fish and free range chicken prepared by local chefs trained by culinary masters from the United States.
It was John Casey’s first day in Guanaja, on the flats by our lodge, when he faced the dilemma of casting either to a school of 100 bonefish, or a pair of large tailing permit, or the 50 pound tarpon sitting strangely in the middle of the flat. “Wow,” he said, “I’ve seen more fish today than I see in a week in the Bahamas.” “Shhh” I told him. In addition to sand flats, we have lots of turtle grass flats and some coral. Although any level of angler will enjoy Guanaja, experienced anglers find a delightful challenge in diverse terrain. Thirty pound permit will bring you to your knees after following a crab pattern to your feet. Large bonefish will smoke your line into the backing quicker than you can say “margarita,” then break you off on coral. Monster-sized tarpon will snap your fly rod in two. These are the joys of a saltwater angler.
Guanaja also hosts some of the best snorkeling and diving in the world. We can set up dives with a trusted local professional for $30 per dive. Everyone who dove claimed it be among their favorite diving experiences ever. The reef is alive and healthy with brilliant colored fish and coral. In addition to fishing and snorkeling, we enjoy hammock time, waiting in peace for the tide to change.
We created a mangrove restoration business to help restore the mangrove system that was affected by Hurricane Mitch in 1998. Hurricane Mitch stood over Guanaja for a couple of days and destroyed many houses, the few hotels that were in place, and part of the mangrove system. We’ve started a campaign that has already resulted in thousands and thousands of replanted mangroves. Fly fishing in Guanaja is a rare experience. It is simply the newest, coolest flats fishing in the Caribbean. We are immersed in island culture and are committed to building a sustainable business that benefits the locals and our clients. We look forward to seeing you down here.
We highly recommend an emergency evacuation membership for this trip. It costs well over $100,000 to be air lifted to a safe US hospital from many parts of the world. These services will not be covered by general travel insurance or medical insurance.
