We stayed at El Pescador Lodge on Ambergris Caye, the largest island of Belize. The lodge specializes in catering to fishermen and is about two miles from San Pedro Town, a small town surrounded on two sides by water. It is easy to get around in town as it is only 6 blocks long and 4 blocks wide! The people in town were very friendly and helpful, despite a depressed economy.

The town has everything from a disco with neon lights to a cyber café where you can rent Internet time. Getting to town required either taking a water taxi from the lodge or walking on a well marked trail (well, running, as it was plagued with mosquitoes.

Most days started with the guides taking us out at 7:00 am. We fished until about 3:00 or 4:00 PM. Box lunches were eaten on the boat and consisted of a sandwich, fruit, and a cookie (two for me). The guides ranged in age from about 25 to over 60. They all spoke English although some were easier to understand than others. They were very knowledgeable and friendly. I don't think anyone had a bad experience with his or her guide. Our guide for four days had spent two years of evening classes studying the flora and fauna of Belize and recognized every bird, ray, and crab hole that we encountered. He was also a certified dive instructor and operated a golf cart rental business on the side.

The bones that we caught weighed from one to four pounds, which was about average. We saw a few larger ones but weren't able to get a fly to them. A two pound fish still took me into my backing using a six weight rod and an eight pound leader. The wind wasn't too bad for that time of year but was challenging at times (my partner did stick the guide and whack me in the head a couple of times; I of course was "more better—not!). Our casts were mostly from 20 to 50 feet, with a few errant casts that were shorter and longer! The weather was absolutely perfect—sun every day, temperatures in the 80s, and just enough breeze to keep cool.

One day was spent touring the Mayan ruins on the mainland. The boat ride up the river to the ruins was worth the trip alone. We saw too many wonderful birds to list, including a nesting pair of endangered Jabiru storks (five feet tall with a 8-10 foot wingspan). We also saw a crocodile, an iguana, and howler and spider monkeys. One monkey actually boarded our boat and received a back massage free of charge from me! I would have loved to have brought him home to my kids, but I don't think he would have liked our long winters.

We spent a couple of hours one afternoon snorkeling the reef. Scuba diving is the number one tourist attraction and we saw why. Big schools of permit and a few tarpon along with sharks, rays, an octopus, moray eels, yellow snapper, and much more. The coral was also outstanding and we learned that the reef is the largest living reef in the world. It is highly protected by the Belizeans and you can only dive with a guide.

Ray and Angie Schmidt of Schmidt Outfitters in Wellston put together this trip and did an outstanding job. Next year they will go for two weeks and will be accompanied by casting guru Bruce Richards. I am blocking out a week and saving my pennies for next year—this was easily the best fishing trip I've ever had and actually the best vacation as well.