Overview
Ever wanted to experience what it might be like to live on your own private island amid a Caribbean fly fishing paradise? Even for just a week? Heck, even for just a few days? Well, it's doable, and it's not as prohibitive as you might think. Long Caye Outpost, situated in the outer cays off the coast of Belize, might be the perfect paradise retreat, where guests can enjoy all of the comforts of home, as well as top-notch hospitality and guided flats fishing in some of the most productive bonefish, permit and tarpon waters in the world. And they'll experience, quite literally, an island all to themselves.
Operated by the same family that owns Belize River Lodge, the Long Caye Outpost is ideal as an adventurous "add-on" to a stay on the river, but it really shines as its own destination. Long Caye boasts unmatched flats fishing from a remote, island paradise tough find anywhere else in the Caribbean. Guests will enjoy traditional Belizean meals, a bar stocked to order (or they can bring their own booze), daily maid service and views of the ocean right off the deck of the outpost. And "outpost" is underselling it — it's a full-fledged deserted island cottage with room for six anglers who might like the chance to fish on their own schedule and maybe go feral for days on end.
The Fishing
Long Caye Outpost puts guests right in the middle of some of the best fly fishing for bonefish, tarpon and permit in Belize. Situated north of the Turneffe Atol and south of Ambergris Cay, the outpost is within easy reach of Belize's outer cays and it's plentiful inside flats. Not only will anglers be able to name their target species each day, they'll be able to see a remote and stunning part of Belize that other lodges and outfitters can only offer with long boat runs and short fishing days.
Bonefish and permit cruise the grass flats right in front the outpost, and daisy chains of giant tarpon are a favorite of sight-casters who push across the white sand flats just south of the outpost. And guests at the outpost can be on these flats in minutes — any competing fishing pressure comes from far flung outfitters that have to arrive late and leave early. If you're a guest at the outpost, you set the schedule. Fish until dark if you choose. Be up with the sun, or sleep in. It's your call, with the fishing literally at your fingertips.
Accomodations
LODGING: Visitors to Long Caye Outpost will experience a whole house that's essentially theirs for the length of their stay. With room for six anglers, the cottage features three bedrooms, including an upstairs turret room with 360-degree views, a shared bath along with a living and dining area and a beautiful ocean-front deck shaded by palms and kissed by the cooling sea breeze of the Caribbean. When the cool breeze goes flat, flip on the central A/C. The kitchen area, where meals are prepared by staff, is in a separate outbuilding, and guides and the groundskeeper have their own housing, too. Every morning, guests can pour a fresh cup of coffee and walk out to the deck, or wander the beach on freshly raked sand. It really is a little slice of paradise.
FOOD/DRINK: Each day starts with a full breakfast featuring eggs, breakfast meats, pancakes and fresh fruits, as well as juice and coffee. Lunch is thoughtfully packed — usually a sandwich, chips and fresh fruit, along with a cold Belikin beer to help it all go down. Appetizers come out shortly after you return from fishing, and dinner is usually a traditional Belizean meal featuring poultry, rice and beans and, often, fresh fish caught right out the front door. It's served on your schedule. Evening cocktails on the deck are tough to beat.
CONNECTIVITY: While it is remote, some American cell providers can pick up a fairly reliable signal on the deck, should guests want to check in back home.
Sample Itinerary
Once you clear customs and get your bags, a lodge staffer will meet you at the airport and transfer you to Belize River Lodge — a very short drive and a quick boat ride. From there, you'll board a larger panga (unless you're combining your trip with a stay at the lodge) and take a 45-minute ride to Long Caye Outpost. You'll arrive in time for appetizers and a cocktail or two before dinner is served. Enjoy it in the dining room or step outside and eat on the deck — unlike other destinations, you're on your own schedule.
You'll want an early start on your first day, and your guide is eager to show you around Long Caye and the surrounding flats. Right behind the island is a tarpon hot spot, and the big fish tend to roll and frolic in the morning sun. You take your spot on the bow of the panga and soak in the solitude that comes with fishing from Long Caye Outpost. Breakfast? Later. It's still early. Fishing first.
And then that first 40-pound fish rolls off to your left, and your guide is quick to instruct. "He's moving toward us," he says. "Cast in front of him." What happens next? It's anybody's guess, but if you're going to boat a feisty flats tarpon, you better have nerves of steel. The silver king is a wily fish, and this may be the best flats destination in the country to chase them.
By Day 2, you've got the "fish-eye" in focus, and you've seen your share of tarpon, and caught a few, too. That doesn't mean your knees don't wobble when the first really big fish of the trip shows up. Do people really catch 70-pound tarpon on the fly? At Long Caye Outpost they do.
Belize is famous for its grass-flats bones, and your guide at the outpost knows exactly where to find them. You'll slide among hidden mangrove cays and over skinny flats, all the while dialing in your fish-eye. And you'll see them. Lots of them. Out here, on the remote flats, bigger bones between 5 and 8 pounds cruise in small schools — these are the fish you're after. And, with a solid cast and the all-important strip-set, these are the fish you'll catch.
There are permit here, too. Big ones. The outpost guides are well-versed in all the flats fish, and easily the greatest challenge for any fly fisher is the permit. In more open water near the outpost, schools of a half-a-dozen more more, with some weighing well over 30 or 40 pounds, cruise in search of crabs and shrimp. When you see permit, you can't help but notice the excitement in your guide's voice.
"There they are!" he half yells and half whispers. "Cast! Nine o'clock! Sixty feet!" Have you got that cast in you?
Maybe you got your permit. Or maybe your permit got you — it goes both ways, you know. But over the course of three days on the flats, you're noticing that the traditional game fish aren't the only fish in the sea. Each day, you've seen big barracudas harassing the bonefish you're after, or 30-pound jacks lurking among the flats' chokepoints in hopes of snaring an opportunistic meal. Today, these are the fish you're after. And your guide, when you tell him what you want to do, is all smiles. Don't forget your 'cuda rod and double check your backing knot. It's going to be rodeo, outpost style.
Included
- Guided fly fishing Daily guided fishing on the outer flats, based at Long Caye Outpost
- Lodging Comfortable and air-conditioned lodging at Long Caye Outpost, a remote Caribbean cottage.
- Meals All meals are included and prepared on-site by an attentive kitchen and wait staff
- Beverages Non-alcoholic beverages included. Beer can be provided at an additional charge. Guests are encouraged to purchase liquor at the duty-free store at the airport prior to claiming luggage
- Ground transportation Complimentary airport shuttle and boat transportation to Long Caye Outpost
- Fishing licenses All fishing licenses are included with your package.
Getting There
This is much easier than you might think. Several international airlines offer daily service to Belize's international airport located in Ladyville, a bedroom community of Belize City. The airport is quick five-minute drive and an even quicker boat ride to Belize River Lodge, where guests will then board a panga and take a 45-minute ride to Long Caye Outpost. Flights in and out of Belize are generally very reasonable, and there are options from a number of U.S. hubs that can match any schedule.
