Tarpon Caye Lodge 2011 Pre-Trip Planning Information

CATCHING THE ELUSIVE PERMIT By Charlie Leslie Tarpon Caye Lodge owner, Charlie Leslie has been guiding permit fishermen on the ocean flats off Placencia for over 30 years. We think both beginner and expert alike will benefit from this sage advice, straight from the Master himself! »Preparing for your Permit Fishing Adventure at Tarpon Caye Lodge: The Permit is one of the most difficult fish to catch on a fly. Fishing in Southern Belize where the flats are shallow; tides should be taken into consideration. During the months of November through February its best you fish around the new and full moon; for that is when you get the spring tides, and also that’s the highest tides you will get in these months, due to regular cold fronts passing through that normally keeps our tides below average. March through October, the first and the last quarter moons are best, for you can fish two tides in a day. We do have tarpon, bonefish and other species to fill your day between tides. »Preparing yourself for your fishing trip: First of all, your casting should be above average. Make sure you do some practicing prior to your fishing trip, for your presentation and accuracy for most important for a hook up, and please do remember: wind is a big factor in this area; so you need to also practice some casting in the wind. Selecting a rod, if you have not already have; a 9 or 10 wt rod will do. If you prefer a fast tip rod, you can underline your rod in normal wind. But, I personally prefer a medium action rod for a softer presentation under all conditions. Here is some known fly pattern: Best tied on # 4 and # 6 hooks. - Merkins - Rag head - Mantis Shrimp

- Magoo Special - Etc… Colors: - Tan - Brown - Half & Half - With Chartreuse thread - With Mini dumbbell eyes or Metal Bead chain eyes »Techniques: Here are some techniques we have developed over the years, presenting the fly to tailing fish as softly as you can, is very important. Especially if you are fishing to a school for they are spookier than the singles and doubles. Tailing permits on the flats are feeding permit. In order to stand a chance of getting a hook up, you must present the fly on his dinner plate, and don’t be in a hurry to strip it back in unless you made a bad cast. A permit will circle its dinner plate to see what comes on it when he is digging. If your fly is on the plate at that time that’s when you make a one or two inch strips. If the fish goes down over your fly, make a short set with your line. DO NOT raise the rod, for you may not feel the take. Your may feel a light tapping on your line if so, set right away; for the tapping your feel is the permit crushing your fly and if he does not like the taste, he exhales the fly in a heartbeat. »After the hook up: When the hook up comes, raise the rod as high as possible and keep the line clear of your rod butt and other obstructions. The bigger fish may stay and try to take your fly off on the bottom, for he thinks it’s a crab nipping their lips. But, when he finds out differently, he takes off like a bat out of hell. Keep your hands off the reel when the fish is running; for one touch of the reel could snap your leader. After all this is done, wait for further instructions from your guide; for that will come depends on the situation you are in at that time. Our guides are very knowledgeable of the sport, so he will be giving you a lot more information and instructions and will be talking your through this journey. BONEFISH Bonefish in the Caribbean range from 1-14 pounds, the average size being 2-5 pounds. Smaller fish are generally found in schools; larger fish often travel alone or in pairs. Bone fishermen are wise to use heavy tippets and small crab patterns, in case a permit is spotted. Or when fishing out of a boat, keep a second rod, leader, and fly which is ready to cast should a permit appear. TARPON, BARRACUDA, SHARKS, SNAPPERS, JACKS, ETC ... These species are often encountered on the flats while you're stalking bonefish, permit, or tarpon, or in channels or deeper edges of flats. Having a rod rigged and ready to cast will greatly increase your chances of 2 hooking these fish. Many streamers, divers and poppers will take all of these species.

Tarpon Caye Lodge Gear Check List We are aware of the difficulty clients have when travelling with lots of luggage, therefore we have taken that into consideration and created a gear checklist that will give you every piece of gear you will need and eliminate all of the unnecessary clunk that you simply won’t need. Tarpon: - 12 wt rod with intermediate sink WF fly line with extra spool WF full floating - Permit: 10 wt rod with WF full floating line - Bonefish: 8 wt rod with WF floating line Tarpon leader material: - 20 - 40 - 50 or 60 pound test disappearing pink flora Bonefish and permit leader material: - 8 - 12 - 16 pound test taper leader or spools of the same sizes to make leaders, disappearing pink if possible Tarpon flies/lures: - Gummy minnow with silver side and gray back 1-0 hook preferably - Clouser minnow chartreuse and white 1-0 hook preferably Permit flies: - Merkins: brown, tan, tan and brown, olive green - Sexy Sixties - Mantis shrimp - Beaur Flies - Rag Head - Or any other that you might like - All should be tied on # 4 hooks with minnie dumbbell eyes or hallow bead chain eyes with weed guard Bonefish flies: - Crazy Charlie: gold, pink, white, chartreuse and crystal flash - Clouser: chartreuse and white, full chartreuse and full white, all with hallow bead chain eyes and tied on # 6 hooks. Trolling equipment: - Ugly stick: 7 ft stand up rod for little big game with 4-0 10 reel with 30 lb test line Bait Casting (snook fishing): - Ugly stick: 7 ft medium to fast casting rod with reel equivalent to 3500 Shimano Reel, with 17 lb test line.

Bait casting for permit and bonefish: - Ugly stick: 7 ft fast tip flex with ultra light reel, 8 lb and 12 lb test line, extra spool. Trolling Lures: - assorted 4 inch to 5 inch Rapalla, Yozuri, Bombers all Divers Casting Lures: - Assorted 3 inch to 4 inch Rapalla, Yozuri, Mirror Lures slow sink, Buck tail Jig, Sassy shad, Zara Spook Permit and Bonefish: - Assorted colors; wiggle jig on # 2 hooks Other Items: - Hard steel leader - Braided flex steel leader - All 70 to 90 lb test - Barrel swivel 70 to 90 lb test - 1-0, 2-0 and 3-0 single hook TAKE CARE Note: Wipe sun creams off hands before handling rods, tippets and flies. Creams act as lubricants and cause slippage, and impart scents to flies that deter strikes. Rinse rods and reels in fresh water after each use. Salt water is very corrosive. Use reels made for salt water when possible. Rinse your rods and reels in fresh water daily after fishing. Trip Planning Local Transfers Arrangements Tarpon Caye Lodge can assist in arranging your domestic Maya Air or Tropic Air fights between Belize International Airport and Placencia. Please plan to arrive in Belize City before 1:30 pm so you can transfer through to the lodge without overnights in Belize City or Placencia. We suggest booking a 12:00 noon or later international departure on your return. Upon confirmation of your reservation, please inform Tarpon Caye Lodge’s Office of your international carrier’s arrival and departure time to/from Belize City. If you chose to have us assist you with local flight bookings, we will then reserve seats and notify you of your local airline name (either Maya Island or Tropic Air), flight number and departure time. The cost of the flights is $180 round trip (subject to change) and is payable at check-in with cash, traveller’s check or credit card. For more updated flight schedule you can visit airline’s website: www.mayaairways.com or www.tropicair.com. To enter the country of Belize, US citizens are required to have a valid passport that does not expire within 90 days of arrival and a return airline ticket. US citizens are allowed to stay for 30 consecutive days. Please note that there is a US$0.75 per person Arrival Environmental tax and a US $39.25 per person Belize Airport Departure tax payable at your airline counter (these prices are subject to change, visit Belize Tourist Board site to get updates http://www.travelbelize.org/plan-your-visit/getting-to-here/visitor-fees.html)

Guests fly to Belize International Airport, proceed through Immigrations, collect their bags and continue through Customs. The Customs line to the far right has a green sign that states “No Goods to Declare.” You will want to go through this line. Once you clear Belizean customs you will be greeted by Marjorie Perez of Margie’s Travel Services. Marjorie is Tarpon Caye Lodge airport representative and will escort you to your Tropic Air or Maya Air flight. Marjorie’s phone number is 011-501-225-2016, to dial locally in Belize dial 011-501-225-2016 or you can email her directly at margetravl@btl.net. If you miss your connection, you will automatically be placed on the next available flight. If your International flight has been very delayed and you are not scheduled to arrive until after 5:00pm, please call Tarpon Caye Lodge’s Placencia office at (Internationally 011-501-523-3323) or 011-501-610-1733, and they will assist with rescheduling your flight. Currency: The Belizean currency is the Belize dollar. It is commonly exchanged at the lodge using the rate of BZ$2.00 equals US $1.00 for cash and travellers checks, we accept Visa, Master Card and American Express. You do not need to convert currencies upon arrival. Everyone accepts USD and will give you BZ$ for your change. Liquor: Your Package includes a limited amount of local rum and beer liquor (does not include imported spirits). We recommend buying your imported spirit supplies at the Duty Free Store in your country. Catch and Release: Permit, Bonefish and Tarpon are always released. Snapper, Barracuda, Grouper etc are kept for the table. EQUIPMENT & CLOTHING CHECKLIST Temperatures during the season range from 75-95 degrees. The sun is hot and you need to protect yourself from sunburn. We suggest you bring lightweight long-sleeve shirts and long pants. Check out Angler’s Habitat (208) 454-8188 or visit them online at http://www.anglershabitat-amazon.com, to get your fishing gear. Below is a checklist of some other necessary and/or useful items. _ Light weight long pants _ Sweatshirt or sweater _ Light weight long sleeved shirts _ Shorts _ Wading booties or sneakers and socks elasticized at calf _ Short-sleeve shirts _ Second pair rubber-soled shoes _ Underwear, socks _ Wide brimmed hat (like upper/downer) _ Bathing suits _ Rain jacket and pants for rain showers and boat _ Good quality Polaroid Spray doubles as wind breaker sunglasses with straps. We prefer amber lens and wraparound style

MISCELLANEOUS _ Sun Creams: #15 to # 30 SPF waterproof sunscreens. _ Insect Repellent: Spray for mosquitoes, sand fleas. _ Zip-Loc Bags: Large and small to keep items dry. Fill one with paper napkins to clean glasses etc. _ Toiletry Kit: For cosmetics, medication (such as Transderm II or Bonnemine for seasickness). _ Camera Gear: Waterproof bag, film, polarizing filter, lens tissue, cleaner, flash, extra camera batteries and accessory batteries.

_ Waterproof Gear Bag: Small pack, belt attached bag, or mesh vest for carrying tackle/camera while wading. _ Travel Documents: Passport, birth certificate or voter's registration card. _ Other: Travelers checks, alarm clock, flashlight, Kleenex, Band-Aids, tape. _ Carry On Bag: To carry basic fishing gear, change of clothing and necessities aboard the airplane. ACCESSORIES _ Clippers with sharp point to clear eye of fly _ Hook Sharpener _ Fishermen's pliers, needle nose _ Armor All or Fly Line Dressing nose pliers, forceps _ Chatillion scales _ Reel oil, Silicone Cloth, WD-40 to apply to reels after washing _ Small piece of paraffin wax; apply to fly rod ferrules to prevent slippage _ Wrap-around lead or #2 fuse wire to weight flies. _ Pair of rubber jar openers (helpful to disjoint stuck rod ferrules) _ Shooting Basket, optional but helpful when wading. SNORKLERS _ Mask, snorkel, fins (Tarpon Caye has snorkel gear complimentary for guests) _ We also have complimentary kayaks for you to use. SUGGESTED REFERENCE BOOKS: “Fly Fishing in Salt Water” – Kreh h ・ “Fly Fishing for Bonefish” ・・Brown

“Fishing the Flats” ・・Sosin and Kreh h ・ “Fly Fishing for Permit” ・・Samson

CONDITIONING If you are not used to casting 10-12 weight rod, we suggest you begin a conditioning program two months before your trip. The best conditioning is practice. Use the rod, reel, line and flies (cut the hook off at the bend) you’ll be casting on your trip, be that a 7/8 weight bonefish outfit, a 9-10 permit outfit, or a 10-12 weight tarpon outfit, and practice the following: 1. Accuracy. Place objects at distances 30-feet and beyond, strip the majority of your fly line off the reel and practice quick deliveries to objects with a minimum of false casts. 2. Distance. Start at a comfortable range and gradually add distance. Distance is not as important as accuracy, but it will enable you to reach more fish. For casting distances 30-60 feet and longer, it is most efficient to double-haul. If necessary, seek out the help of an instructor. 3. Wind. It is rare to fish in salt water and not encounter windy conditions. The only way to prepare for the frustrations for casting into the wind is to practice under those conditions. If you are not able to practice outside, or to strengthen wrists and arms in combination with casting, we recommend an exercise program. The following exercises are designed to build endurance. Keep the weight levels light (5-10 pounds) so that you can increase the number of repetitions; from 25 in the beginning to 50 or more as you progress.

Do regular curls. Hands at side, elbows locked, palms facing legs, raise legs, raise arms laterally to 90 degrees, i.e., parallel with floor. Hands at side, elbows locked, palms facing behind you, raise arms in front of you to 90 degrees. Lay on your back on floor, arms stretched to either side, cocked at elbows in L-shape. Grab weights with palms facing up. Keep shoulders and elbows fixed to floor, with forearms lift weights to a 90 degree position overhead. From a standing position, put arms behind your head, keeping forearm parallel to ground. Lift weights to 90 degree position over head. Using a 2-foot stick, or a rod butt section, tie a 1-2 pound weight to the end, reach back over head (as in #5) and move forearm through 45 degree motion, using thumb for leverage. Squeeze a tennis ball or rubber grips. INCLUDED IN BELIZE FISHING VACATION PACKAGE: Ground transfers from Placencia airstrip to transport boat and return Boat transfer to Tarpon Caye from Placencia and return Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner (all boats take out a packed lunch when going out to

fish - upon request) Beverages (sodas, bottled drinking water) Alcoholic beverages: all local rum and beer Accommodations: private cabin (2 max per cabin) Daily Housekeeping Guided Fishing: guide, boat, fuel Guided Cockscomb Jungle Tour (valid for Other Packages that clearly states this) Complimentary use of snorkel gear and kayaks Taxes - 12.5% General Sales Tax and 10% Hotel Tax

NOTE: Our Fishing Day starts at: 5:00 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 6 p.m. Guests will have access/use of our on-island telephone to call family/friends back home;

we have pre-paid cards for sale on the island. If you would like to leave an emergency number for family or friends to contact, please

give them this number (011-501)-610-1733 or (011-501)-671-0286. Our mainland office number is (011-501)-523-3323.

Our Prices remain the same if you book directly or via an agent.

GRATUITIES: While gratuities are at the discretion of the customer, we are often asked to suggest a guideline. Guide: $50US per day for entire boat Boat Tender: $15US per day for entire boat Head Cook: $15US per day Kitchen Help/Housekeeper/Other Staff: $10US per day NOTE: Gratuities should be given directly to each staff member. If you wish to make

gratuities to clients via our credit card POS, we will charge a 10% processing fee. PAYMENT METHODS: United States Currency Wire Transfer Credit Cards