Time to Head Home but First-One Last Cast

Everything was packed for our 11am flight back to Belize City then on to Toronto and a bit later, Calgary! Doug kept one rod rigged up hopping for an hour or two of casting off of the dock. As I was taking some shots with my camera, Doug hooked up and it was a decent bonefish! It was a perfect way to end our trip!

 

Last Fly Fishing Day in San Pedro

Two years ago, I sat on the bow of Hilian's panga and contemplated what was coming. It was just the start of the pandemic and the entire world was a big mess!

Today, Karen and I were looking forward to an enjoyable last day on the water with our friends. We just wanted to take it all in. We had a marvelous last two weeks and we were ready to head back home. We enjoyed our days on the water. The weather was not cooperative at times but that is just the way it goes! We had some amazing days where we caught 70 plus fish and one day where we landed just one bonefish!

Today Karen and I had shots at tarpon, permit and bonefish! Twice I hooked up in a pod of permit, both times, ...it was a bonefish! Sigh! Karen accidentially broke a rod on a larger bonefish that dove under the boat just as we were trying to net it. No matter, we carry a spare so all was just fine. Rod warranties are well worth having.

We learned a lot on the this trip. Every trip is a learning experience. That makes us always look forward to the next time.

Hilian took the long cut back to the condo. He know we love looking at the colorful waterfront! 

Lots of hugs at the dock. We were sad to say goodbye to Axel and Hilian although we did have have everyone over to the condo for supper! We celebrated our last two weeks!

Tomorrow we are going snorkelling with West Coast Tours. That was an amazing day.

Happy Easter everyone!

 

Mentoring New Guides

Axel Gonzalez is going to be an outstanding guide. My buddy Hilian was mentoring Axel during our trip to Belize. Axel has all the tools to be a great guide. The most important skills are "people skills." Dealing with all sorts of fly fishers is a tough job. From newbies to seasoned pros, you have to be able to read your guests and give them the best day possible on the water!

Having Axel on the boat each day was great. To watch both guides work together was quite impressive. Having excellent communication skills is also so important. Clear concise instructions, not over reacting, showing guests what to do and having a pleasing manner in the boat are so important.

Axel can see fish and his quiet manner lowers the stress when the big moment comes. Hilian is a seasoned pro. He knows how important it is to give his guests the best day possible on the water. He is passing on his personal experiences to Axel on the water. 

Training other guides is important for so many reason. Axel is not Hilian's rival once he gets his own boat on the flats. He will be another passionate guide. Most guides in the San Pedro area know each other. Most respect giving their fellow guides space (not all do). My buddy Hilian has always done this even if other guides do not! Respect is important out on the water!

I have been a guide for many years. It does not take long for either Karen or I to see if a guide has the people skills and the technical skills to be good at what they do. Axel has all of these qualities. I hope the next time we get to Belize next year, he will be part of the guiding team taking our gang out on the water!