Blog - Three Amigos Flyfishing

FISHING REPORT for March 2011

Bill L. party.

S. Belize. approx. 40 Permit a day were seen by each boat. We primarily fished out of the flats boats in S. Belize for the Permit, where there aren't as many wadable flats. Everybody got shots each day...on the 3rd day Bill caught an 18 pounder! That was caught right out of Tobacco Caye.

We then sailed to Turneffe Atoll, primarily for Bones. In Turneffe we mostly waded for Bones and permit on the flats. The Bones were a little picky but the clients were all reporting seeing between 500 and 1000 per day. Everyone caught bone fish with numbers up to 6 in one day and also had shots at permit.

Harry W. party.

Started off fishing the dock at the Radisson in Belize City. The Tarpon weren't rolling like the night before and only had 4 hook ups. The Snook were incredible. 10-25lbers seen off the dock under the lights. Several of the crew managed to pull a couple in for dinner. Then to ST. Georges caye. All saw and caught several Bonefish, definitely not the numbers like Turneffe, but several small schools of larger fish. Permit were seen by all and each had legitamate shots. We then move to Robisson Pt. for shots on Permit and with 2 boats going to explore the Manatee river/lagoon system. In the morning, clients fishing for Permit saw several with no takes. Upriver, everyone pulled in Snook with some up to 18lb! A couple Tarpon were jumped upriver also. We then headed for Tobacco Caye and got hit by a northern that forced us back up to the protection of Belize City point and the rivers.

No fishing on Friday, as we moved back up north. The guys went back up the rivers for Saturday with Steve and Gary coming in with the 2 biggest Snook. Many Jacks were caught in the rivers. For the last day, we went to St. Georges with nice weather and everyone got back into the Bonefish, still only catching up to 5 a day. Once again everyone saw Permit. This group was easy to talk into heading back to the dock for the last night of fishing. Allan got a nice Tarpon to the leader and had many hits. Also the Snook were on the bite! Harry borrowed his sons 10wt and had a nice Snook, finaly take him under the dock and turning the rod from a 4pc to a 6pc!

PAUL FRANKLIN TRIP REPORT

The following week we received the much awaited visit of our dear friend Paul Franklin and party. Paul co-hosted one of the most enthusiastic group of anglers our mother ship has ever catered too. The guests unrelenting pursuit of giant Tarpon, lead to 5 hour plus fights with fish exceeding 200 pounds. Two 150-170 pound giants were landed, but the 200 pounders fought until they wore out the shock tippet or it was too dark to see.

The rains in August and September have been the worst we have had in years, nevertheless, our guests were "all about the fishing" and nothing would stop them. Johnny D. landed himself a Permit, and Greg H. was our star with a trip Grand Slam (first Permit ever) and the most species caught in one trip. Bill took the most Bonefish, and landed the biggest Tarpon (and had the most creative sun burn). Johnny Jr. and Patrick D. both took the Most "Spirited" (vodka) Award for the trip, and still managed to haul in big Barracudas and Cobia (a first on-board The Host).

The grand finale was to be had at the Radisson Ft. George, in Belize City, on the last night of our trip. Three Amigos Host and Guide Greg Baldwin, organized a "as many as you can catch" baby Tarpon tournament. Double digit scores all around, drinks delivered on the dock for customer comfort, and high scores in fish-acrobatics, were all present until the wee hours of morning. Though the fun had to end by daybreak, the fun memories have stayed with us to date.

We at Three Amigos, will strive to make each trip the experience of a lifetime, and hope to have you back soon, for yet another fun packed adventure.

JULY TRIP REPORT

Recurent customer and faithful friend Bill Williams, joined Three Amigos's founding partners Nicholas Dorion and Jean-Louis Trombetta for a weeks adventure in Belize. First time onboard The Host, Andy Perry and Harvey Baxter conformed the rest of the fishing team that set out on this trip.

Less than half an hour after arriving on board our mother ship M/V The Host, our guests were in the fishing boats heading out with their guides to make their first casts at the migratory giant Tarpon. Winds had been 10-15 knots all week long but the weather report forcast 20 knot gusts and much rain for the following days. A veritable challenge to any seasoned angler!

First we visited the turquoise flats around Hicks Key. Chop and poor water visibility made sighting the tarpon a serious challenge, but with the trained eyes of our experienced guides, we managed to take a few shots at some very agresive 100 + pounders. In both cases a Tequila Sunrise caught their eye, followed by a vicious attack and a violent acrobatics that lead to some pretty severe rod damage. As weather conditions made the flats impossible to fish, the chanels on Long Key sheltered us from the wind and presented us with rolling tarpon. The chanels produced several spectacular takes by monster sized Tarpon, but only Mr Baxter claimed and landed a 70 pounder.

The fish were not cooperating, and by midweek we moved to Turneffe for a bit of Permit and Bonefish action. Winds had died down a bit and the Bones were plentifull. Two Permit were caught, and a very large Mutton Snapper was bagged by Mr Baxter.

We set out ahead of foul weather to spend the last two days looking for the Tarpon migration, but wind and rain kept us from covering much ground.

MARCH TRIP REPORT

One of the first groups Frontiers sent Three Amigos were here this month. Skills ranged from beginner to intermediate. The first two days we spent a morning or an afternoon wading with them, working on casting and fish spotting skills. After two days the two most experienced anglers told us at dinner that they had seen more Permit in the past two days than in their 20 years of fishing for these elusive fish. The group Leader, Barry from New York came back to the boat one day and shook my hand and simply said..." i just had the greatest fight of my life!" Berry was referring to a Jack in the 15 lb range (photos in the gallery). Bob from New York had never been in the flats at all and landed over 10 Bonefish on his first trip. Last but by no means last, Keith from NY who had been in the flats 2 times prior to this trip managed to land his very first Bonefish, his very first Tarpon and his very first Permit all on one trip, he still cannot wipe the smile off of his face. Some of the guests this trip started fishing as early as 4 a.m. then came back for breakfast, fished til lunch, then went back out until dark. Anyone who fishes with Three Amigos can fish as long as there is light enough to see. We have the best guides in the area and the guides stay on the boat all week. So you can basically fish til you drop. We also provide one on one personal instruction for anyone who wants help. Come on down the fish are here,the waters clear.

FEBRUARY TRIP REPORT

This February we hosted 7 anglers from Sweden and Norway for a week of fishing. All 7 are well travelled flats anglers and first rate casters and their results reflected this fact. Weather was very fine, great visibility and miles of flats to wade and pole. The largest Permit of the week was a solid 15 or 16 pounds. As several guest commented..."we've never seen so many big tailing Permit in our lives.." In addition to the many Permit landed there were also some nice medium size Tarpon (40-50 lbs) Bonefish and some of the meanest Jacks that were anywhere from 10 to 20 lbs. All of this occurred on the flats. Each day the guest returned to The Host for a nice air conditioned lunch and then fished til dark. Lars and Sven managed to fish a minimum of 10 or 11 hours every day. As we say at Three Amigos....'it's all about the fishing' so come on down...the weathers fine , this fish are here and you should be too.

BOB CLOUSER TRIP

Bob Clouser…industry giant, innovator and one of the best guys you’ll ever meet, recently hosted a group of 8 guests including Rick Pope, CEO of Temple Fork Outfitters. They brought down the brand new Bob Clouser ‘Signature Series” TFO fly rods for Three Amigos. We offer them as demos for use by all of our guests, and if you haven’t had the chance to try one yet….treat yourself. These rods are among the most accurate and responsive rods in the world. This writer used one of the new Clouser TFO 7 wts for 10 straight days in Belize and let’s just say that no one uses a rod for 10 days in a row if they do not enjoy it.

Bob also brought a very generous amount of flytying vices and tools from Andy Renzetti, another one of our partners along with many trying materials. Bob held several tying workshops during the week and several of our guests and guides were up way past midnight learning from one of the true masters. And the next day they landed fish on creations that Bob just thought up at the table.

Oh yeah…did we tell you that a lot of fish were landed too? We had weather as close to perfect as any angler could ask for, one day Bob and his son Bobby Jr saw in excess of 100 permit, plus quite a few big Bones which they managed to land…no surprise there…we’re talking about Bob Clouser. For more info go to Bob Clouser’s Facebook Page where he put together a 4 and a half minute video of his week with us. Contact Bob Stevenson to arrange your own week of fishing on your private, world class Motherboat and having the time of your life.

DESCHUTES ANGLER TRIP

This past week Three Amigos hosted the owners of Deschutes Angler, Amy and John Hazel, and six of their customers and friends on what can best be described as the "Full Monty." The most frequent comment by guests as they board The Host, our amazing motherboat, is "wow, what a great boat." Many fish were caught by this group during the day, and they enjoyed parties each evening. The jury is still out as to whether the fishing or the parties were more fun -have a look at the photos to see what you think.

In addition to fishing, several of the guests spent time snorkeling the beautiful coral-rich waters. It was a week of absolutely perfect weather and bonefish, permit and tarpon all came to the boat. One evening the guests surprised me with the great piñata event. Since the group was all from Portland they chose an Oregon duck as the piñata and miraculously no one was injured, except the duck of course. After their week in the exceptional Caribbean weather, several members visited the mile-high village of Antigua, Guatemala, to take in the sights, great shopping and cultural opportunities. Contact Bob Stevenson at www.threeamigosflyfishing.com to arrange a week of fishing on your own private, exclusive motherboat, The Host. Enjoy fine food, great accommodations and prepare to have a weeklong private party. One warning: bring your own piñata!