Beyond Belief in Belize: The Wild True Tale of a Bucket-list Tropical Adventure

Calling All Snook

Later that afternoon, Pedro somehow spied half a dozen snook, far back amongst unusually tall mangrove roots. Long and slim, with a striking black stripe, snook are pugnacious fighters. Snook fishing is hand-to-hand jungle combat, as you frantically try to drag the fish into the open, before it hopelessly tangles you in the mangroves. These were the first ones we’d encountered (and the first I’d ever seen), so Phil and Pedro were keen to try for them.

But the snook were too far back to be tempted by even the most tantalizing fly. So Pedro called them out. He repeatedly splashed the tip of his push pole, mimicking a school of feeding baitfish. And, bless their hungry little hearts, the snook emerged for a looksee. Proving that even a master caster can sometimes blow it, Phil sailed his fly into the shrubbery—three or four times—and the snook returned to their cover. So Pedro called them out again. Twice, fish feinted at Phil’s black-and-red Peanut Butter fly, but turned away. Pedro called them out yet again, and after a short, chaotic tussle, Phil landed a sparkling 18-incher (above left). Then I got on the casting deck, Pedro commenced splashing, and I landed my first ever snook (above, right). It was just that kind of trip, in that kind of place. And I can’t wait to go back.

In his travels, associate editor Scott Gardner has now caught 45 species of saltwater fish.

The Belize River Lodge

Boasting historic mahogany buildings in a lush jungle setting, BRL is the first fishing lodge built in Belize, and has been operating continuously since 1961. Along with world-class fishing, packages include food and lodging, and the hospitality is exceptional, as is the Belizean-Creole food. The lodge also offers customized eco-tours for those wanting to see more of Belize. And getting there is easy, with WestJet offering direct flights to Belize City from several Canadian cities.

Visit www.belizeriverlodge.com to learn more about Belize River Lodge and the outstanding fishing.