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Garbutts Fishing Lodge
Trip Summary:
For over fifteen years, the Garbutt Brothers – Scully, Oliver and Eworth – have been guiding the waters from Punta Gorda, east to the Sapodilla Cayes, and north to Placencia. Now, after working for several lodges through the region, they have a fishing lodge of their own – a new, fishing-focused operation with the best location in all of Southern Belize. Located in Punta Gorda, Belize (Southern Belize), Garbutts Fishing Lodge offers year round fishing for permit, with some tarpon, snook, bonefish, jacks, cuda and more. Maximum capacity of six anglers ensures an intimate fishing experience.
Fishing & General
Information:
LENGTH OF STAY
Since there are daily flights to and from Belize City to Punta, packages of any length can be arranged. Please contact Yellow Dog for details.
THE FISHING
One of the neatest things about this operation is that it is a “family” run program in every sense of the word. The three brothers – Scully, Oliver and Eworth – are the guides. An older brother – Dennis – serves as lodge manager, and a sister and the mom do much of the cooking! When you fishing out of the Garbutt’s Lodge, you are not just another guest. Rather, you become a part of the family for the time that you spend in Punta Gorda.
For those seeking permit on the fly, then the waters of Southern Belize are arguably the finest in the entire world of saltwater fishing. While other species are found throughout the area, it should be understood that the fishing in Punta Gorda is focused almost completely on permit. This mean that as a stand-alone trip, this trip may not be for everyone – unless of course, you’re someone who really wants to focus on catching permit on a fly! There are hundreds of prime permit flats in the area, many less than twenty minutes from the lodge. Aside from being a fantastic permit fishery, Punta Gorda offers a number of other opportunities for those seeking diversity. The outer reef islands (the Sapodilla Cayes) offer opportunities for bonefish and can be well worth the hour-long run from the lodge. Relatively untouched and numerous, the bonefish on the outer Cayes average two to three pounds, with six to eight pound fish occasionally found. The rivers of the Punta Gorda region offer seasonal fishing for snook, large jacks, and tarpon that can run anywhere from 10 to over 50 pounds. Over the years, the Garbutt brothers have also located numerous flats where tarpon can be found throughout the year.
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BOATS AND EQUIPMENT
OFFERED
The Garbutt brothers all fish from 23 foot super-pangas, boats that are ideal for both polling the flats and running over open water. All of their boats have polling platforms and are designed for fly fishing, with spacious casting decks and clean interiors. While loaner rods are available if necessary, it is advised that anglers bring their own tackle and equipment.
Accommodations:
THE LODGING
The location of Garbutt Brothers Lodge is fantastic. Located on a small point of land on Joe Taylor Creek, the lodge is in the town of Punta Gorda. You can walk or ride a bike to several bars or restaurants, or you can wander the small fishing village, meeting locals, seeing the sights and taking in the culture of Southern Belize.
The main lodge building overlooks Joe Taylor Creek on the back-side, and the Caribbean Sea to the front. Upstairs in the main lodge building is the Garbutt’s “Grand Slam Bar” – a new eating and drinking establishment with great character, décor, and photos from the brothers’ years of guiding. Meals – home-cooked food prepared by the Garbutt family – are served in the dining area or on the expansive upper deck. The menu is a combination of fresh seafood dishes and traditional Creole cuisine that includes stewed chicken, pork, rice and beans, and fresh vegetables.
Guests will stay in one of two separate and private cabanas – each newly constructed and each built on stilts overlooking the creek and the open ocean. The location is ideal, as air-conditioning and the steady ocean breezes keep the rooms cool and the sleeping arrangements comfortable. Being brand new, the accommodations are clean and fresh. Each cabin features air-conditioning, two beds, a private bath, hot showers, and plenty of space for your gear and equipment. Each morning and evening, guests will load and unload the boats on the deck of the lodge – a walk of only a few feet to the nearest cabin. Every aspect and amenity of the new lodge – from the location to the dock area to the rooms and the bar – are a testament to the fact that this operation was built BY anglers FOR anglers. Wireless internet is available simply by walking across the street to a quaint bar and restaurant.
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Rates & Details:
RATES
| Please call for current pricing |
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| Travel arrangements and lodge bookings are handled through our travel partner, Yellow Dog FlyFishing Adventures, LLC (YDFA). We work together to combine all of the best that a Full Service Fly Shop and a Specialty Fly Fishing Travel Booking Company can provide. YDFA terms and conditions apply. Click here to learn more about YDFA terms, deposit/payment information and cancellation/refund policies. |
WHAT'S INCLUDED
The number of nights lodging and days fishing specified in your package, 9% hotel tax, sales tax where applicable, three meals per day, transfers from Punta Gorda Airstrip to and from lodge, marine park entry fees, and local Belizean beverages (beer, alcohol, and soda).
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
International flight to Belize City, round trip air transfers between Belize City and Punta Gorda, imported alcohol, gratuities for guides and staff and non-fishing tours and adventure packages.
DEPOSIT INFORMATION
A 50% deposit (per angler) of the total package cost for each trip is due to Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures (YDFA) within 10 days of booking to secure the reservation. Guides and dates cannot be held or reserved without a deposit. YDFA reserves the right to charge a handling fee of $100 per person for date changes after the initial reservation has been made. Full payment is due 90 days prior to departure.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Click here to view Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures terms and conditions.
Travel Specifics:
HOW TO GET THERE
International flights to Belize go through Miami, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta and Charlotte. The major airlines that service Belize are American, Delta, Continental, US Air, and Taca. It is best to arrive into the Belize City International Airport (Phillip Goldson International) before 2:30 PM in order to make your necessary in-country connections and allow ample in-country travel time to Punta Gorda. Yellow Dog will handle all of your in-country Belizean flights and transfers.
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED
As of 2006, all U.S. citizens are required to have a valid passport that does not expire within 6 months of trip dates. Please be sure that your passport has at least two blank, unstamped pages remaining in back, and that it is not torn, delaminated, or damaged in any way.
TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS
Yellow Dog can assist with the travel arrangements for all destinations that we offer! Contact Us for details on airfare, itineraries, and details.
ESSENTIAL GEAR
Belize fly fishing gear should include 9' Fly Rods in both 8, 9 and 10 weight depending on
conditions. For calm, delicate presentations to Bonefish, a 7 weight Fly Rod can be used. Saltwater conditions
and hard running Bonefish, Permit and Tarpon demand the best of your equipement. Quality anodized reels with smooth drag
systems, larger arbors, and capacity for at least 150 yards of 20 pound test backing. Floating
Saltwater Fly line with fluorocarbon leaders ranging from 9' to 12' in 10, 12, 15 and 20 lb. test.
You should also have tippet ranging from 8 lb. to 15 lb. test. Smaller shrimp patterns in tan and pink are Belize Bonefish favorites. Crab patters are very effective for Belize Permit. Typical Tarpon patterns are also a staple for Belize Tarpon. Clousers and snook patterns are also effective in the rivers, creeks and mangrove lagoons. This is a remote tropical destination with limited/no opportunity to purchase gear so you need to come prepared
to make the most out of your fishing trip.
Click here for the customized list of everything you need for the trip.
Call or e-mail us and we'll be happy to assist you!
Non-Angling Activities:
For non-anglers visiting the lodge, the Punta Gorda area and this region of Southern Belize does offer a host of non-angling activities such as biking, canoeing, bird watching, kayaking, jungle tours, snorkeling on the outer islands, manatee watching, river trips on the Rio Grande and Moho Rivers, visits to local Indian villages, and tours of the Nim Li Punit and Lubaantun Mayan ruins. Cave tubing in the area is also an option, as Tiger and Hokeb Ha Caves offer trips through huge caverns.
Other Information / Testimonials:
November 1, 2004 was the starting date of new Marine Park regulations in Belize. Visitors who utilize the Port Honduras Marine Park for fishing, snorkeling, sight seeing, etc. are required to pay a $10 US per day usage fee. (This fee is INCLUDED in your Garbutt Brothers Lodge package). The great news is that 60% of this fee goes directly to park management and park ranger budgets. The remaining 40% goes to the Belizean Department of Fisheries. Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures and the lodges that we work with in Belize support this effort to fund protection and enforcement in the marine preserves, and applaud the Belizean government for taking a stand on important fisheries resources.
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"Punta Gorda, in southern Belize, has emerged as the premier permit location in Central America. Long considered a sleepy fishing village, Punta Gorda, with its myriad of offshore cays - each with its own permit flat - is now regarded as the place to go for permit fly fishermen."
- Jack Samson, Author of "PERMIT ON A FLY" and "FLY FISHING FOR PERMIT"
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