This summer we decided to forego the Yellowstone trip and head for something more tropical.  The two most important criteria (to me) were that there would have to be bonefish and great diving.  Deb required that there would have to be great diving and bonefish!

We flew out on September 22.  We stayed on Turneffe Island atoll, which is about 30 miles offshore, at the Blackbird Caye Resort.  Now this is what we wanted!   Our accomodations were in thatched-roof cabanas.  For more on the resort, click on its hyperlink.  We will definitely go back.

The Diving

We had high expectations for Belize and we weren't disappointed.  We could dive up to three times a day and usually did.  The reef along the atoll was pristine.  Numerous fish life, including green turtles, a couple of six foot long nurse sharks (Deb got over her fear and actually touched one!), huge schools of horse-eyed jacks, permit, tarpon, you name it, we probably saw it.  In addition, we dived the Blue Hole, but had to cut that a little short.  At that depth (130 feet), it becomes hard to breathe, and we surfaced after only a few stalactites.  Unfortunately, we did not see any of the "big puppies" that our dive master had talked about, which were bull sharks in the 12 foot range. 

The Fishing

I went to Belize in the pursuit of bonefish.  I did not know what to expect until I met the manager of one of the resorts in Belize City who assured me that I would definitely see them, but catching them would be another story since they were educated due to the fishing pressure.  My guide on the island was a twenty-three year old from Mexico named Raphael.  He had been brought in especially for me because there were no fly-fishing guides at the resort.  He knew where the fish were, and assured me we would see plenty, but would not guarantee we would catch any.  I'd heard that before.  Well, in the end I landed four bonefish, and broke off or lost three times that many.  They were definitely tough to catch.  They refused my fly again and again, even with casts right on their noses.  However, it was gratifying to know that I could catch them!

The Hurricane