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Machaca Hill Lodge
Trip Summary:
Because the southern part of Belize has little tourism and is visited by few anglers, not many people are aware of the area’s phenomenal fishing. Still relatively undiscovered, the waters of Punta Gorda boast more permit and more BIG permit than just about any place we have ever seen. Machaca Hill Lodge specializes in permit fishing, with occassional shots for tarpon, snook, bonefish, barracuda, jacks, and snapper.
Fishing & General
Information:
LENGTH OF STAY
Standard package is a seven night / six fishing day package (Saturday to Saturday) although packages of any length can be arranged.
THE FISHING
It should be understood that the fishing in Punta Gorda is focused almost completely on permit, meaning that as a stand-alone trip, this trip may not be for everyone. For many saltwater anglers, catching a permit on a fly is truly the "Holy Grail" of fly fishing. In a single day of fishing the permit flats (when the conditions are right,) it is not unusual to see hundreds of permit! With that many fish around, the number of shots is maximized and the chance to hook and land a permit on the fly greatly increases.
There are hundreds of prime permit flats in the area, many less than twenty minutes from town. 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-plus 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.
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BOATS AND EQUIPMENT
OFFERED
Guides fish from 23 foot Mexican super-pangas. All boats have polling platforms.
Accommodations:
THE LODGING
Complimenting the spacious main lodge are 12 beautifully built and tastefully decorated cabanas. Each cabana features air conditioning, one or two large beds, a private bathroom, and a large deck built out over the jungle. Southern Belize’s gateway into the jungle; an idyllic hideaway for discerning anglers seeking a pristine retreat. The serene rainforest canopy lodge, bordered by the Rio Grande, is surrounded by twelve spacious cabanas. Each cabana is luxuriously appointed and features air conditioning, two queen beds, a private bathroom and large screened veranda. Machaca Hill also provides gourmet dining, a bar, spa pool, mountain bikes, hiking trails, kayaks and canoes.
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
FISHERMEN'S PACKAGE: All accommodations, meals, guided fishing package: The number of nights lodging and days fishing specified in your package, all marine reserve entry fees, transfers from/to Punta Gorda Airstrip, breakfast, picnic lunch, high tea, pre dinner hors-de-oeuvres, dinner, laundry services, use of all on-site amenities, sales taxes.
NON-ANGLING PACKAGE: The number of nights specified in your package, all meals, high tea, pre dinner hors d'oeuvres, all beverages (alcoholic or non-alcoholic, with the exception of premium brand beverages), full day guided activities (hiking, boating, marine reserve, Mayan Ruins, caving, birding, etc), one spa treatment per package, park and entrance fees, laundry services, use of all on-site amenities, sales tax.
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
International flight to Belize City, round trip air transfers between Belize City and Punta Gorda, gratuities for guides, items purchased at gift shop or tackle shop, alcoholic beverages (except non-anglers – included in all-inclusive package).
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.
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED
A valid passport is required for all visitors to Belize and must be valid for at least six (6) months beyond the duration of your stay. Citizens of the U.S., the British Commonwealth, Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica, and the European Community are NOT required to have Visas.
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 property offers a host of on-site activities such as biking, canoeing, bird watching, kayaking, tours of the commercial Heliconia and Ginger flower gardens, and hikes along nature trails. Off-property activities include snorkeling on the outer islands, manatee watching, jungle 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. will be required to pay a $10 US per day usage fee. The great news is that 60% of that 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. The $10 US fee is charged per boat, per day. (For example, the total charge for two anglers fishing for six days with the same guide would be $60 US.) Guests who book a seven night / six day fishing package to El Pescador Punta Gorda in 2005 will be billed for this additional fee.
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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, uthor of "PERMIT ON A FLY" and "FLY FISHING FOR PERMIT"
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