[?] Updates As They Happen! Subscribe thru any of these Feeds
Grand Slam Fly Fishing Lodge | Interview with Alejandro Perez
by Mr BFSH
(Kamloops, BC)
I had a chance to interview Alejandro Perez, Niche Project Manager for Karisma Hotels and Resorts regarding the new Grand Slam Fly Fishing Lodge in Ascension Bay, Mexico. Alejandro talks about the unique location, fabulous beachfront accommodations, bountiful amenities and of course, luxury fly fishing.
Like Ice Fishing?... Rent A Cabin at Red Lake this winter and take advantage of one of the best ice fishing lakes in the Kamloops area. Brook trout to 5lbs, Rainbow to 8lbs.
Fly Fishing the GRAND SLAM FLY FISHING LODGE---MEXICO
by Wayne Murphy
(Penticton, B.C.)
Wayne Flogging for Snook
Relaxing After a Tough Day
Lobster Legs Dave Has A Wind Knot
Our Host - Alejandro Perez
Have you ever wanted to fly fish "the flats" for tarpon / bonefish / snook and permit? I've been dreaming about it for years.
Well my fishing buddy Dave Ouellette (Kamloops) and I made it down to the Grand Slam Fly Fishing Lodge in Punta Allen, Mexico on the Caribbean. We fished Nov 27th / 28th & 29th. Even though we both have many years of fly fishing trout in B.C. this type of fishing was new to us.
The lodge itself was great--located on a sandy beach with lots of palm trees. The whole staff were very friendly and accommodating. Needless to say the head chef Juan prepared some awesome food especially at dinner time.
Now for the fishing.
Day one saw a morning where the ocean was calm and inviting.The lodge utilizes the local fishermen with their 23 ft. open boat with 45 and 50 HP Yamaha motors. At 8:00am two boats with guides arrived at the dock to pick us up. Dave and I split up. I went with the lodge manager Alex south approx. 1-1/2 hrs by boat to the guides special spot for bonefish. Dave went with Karisma Hotels representative,Alejandro and their guide on their quest for the big one. Within minutes we were on to them. What a blast. Even though they were not huge they sure fought like they were. We were using a #7/8 rod with a shrimp pattern fly.
After we had our fill of this the guide took us snook fishing along the mangroves. Snook fishing by the mangroves is a "sight" game. Traditionally you don't cast until you see the fish. They lurk in the shadows under the overhanging branches. Once they are spotted you flog hard to a spot just in front of the fish. Then you strip in quickly 6" strips at a time.
The lodge mgr. Alex nailed one and all hell broke loose. This is a very strong fish with lots of smarts as his first instinct is to muscle his way back into the mangroves. But finally we had him to the boat. What a nice looking fish with a ton of spunk.
Then it was my turn as we rounded a corner in the lagoon we were in. The guide Jose said it was a good spot for the famous tarpon. Jose (guide) at this time is on an elevated platform sighting the fish. He spots one. I flog (using a #12 rod)in the direction of the fish. He doesn't take. I cast again and start striping. He hits like a locomotive and the fight is on. After a few minutes he decides to jump. WOW-what a sight. After a few more minutes he rises again. This time he spits the hook but because I am a lucky Irishman as the tarpon twists the hook embeds itself in the back of its head and in a few minutes he was mine. After a few pictures it is released.
This whole area is located in a conservation area approx. 2,400square miles in area. This was worth my whole trip as I have always wanted to catch a tarpon.
During the next two days Dave and I caught a few more bonefish and were onto snook and tarpon but did not land any. I also caught barracuda and Spanish Mackerel. Our three days were definitely exciting and one hell of an adventure.
Bottom line is the Grand Slam Fly Fishing Lodge is a great experience and one I would recommend to all fishermen. I'll be back. Wayne Murphy-Penticton.
Internet Radio - Visit to GrandSlam Fly Fishing Lodge
by Mr BFSH
(Kamloops, BC)
Scooting Across a Lagoon
Mr BFSH ( Dave Ouellette) of Best-in-British-Columbia.com and long time fishing partner, Wayne Murphy talk about their recent visit to the Grand Slam Fly Fishing Lodge, on Ascension Bay near Punta Allen, Mexico.
The Grand Slam Fly Fishing Lodge, a subsidiary of Karisma Hotels , is a luxury fly fishing lodge located in the Sian Kaan Biosphere Conservation Area on the Caribbean coast of Mexico opened on November 15 and is offering grand opening package specials until December 31.
This was the first time that either Dave or Wayne had experienced fly fishing the saltwater flats for species like bonefish, tarpon, permit, snook and barracuda. Little did they know that the cast and retrieve habits used fishing trout for 30 years worked as an impediment as they had their chances for some nice fish. Engrained habits die hard.
The adventure started back in western Canada where the first winter storm was blowing in, creating havoc with roads and flights. In the end, all the travel arrangements worked out and we had 4 great nights at the resort and 3 days of guided fishing in one of the most interesting areas to fly fish in the world. The fish were there for the taking and we will tell you how we fared. As always, when traveling one is bound to run into some great people and characters and this trip didn't disappoint.
