Flats Fishing: Punta Gorda, Belize
Punta Gorda is one of those places where everything seems to be as it should. Life moves at just the right pace. No one is in a hurry.
An Ideal Location
Garbutts Fishing Lodge is situated just outside of Punta Gorda, overlooking the sea to the east and Joe Taylor Creek to the west. It is an ideal location to operate a Permit focused lodge, with arguably some of the best Permit flats right out the front door. If Permit fishing is what you seek, Garbutts has it in spades. To read more about Permit fishing check this out.
As if the view from the bow of a Panga isn’t satisfying enough, the tapestry of aquatic green and blue flats is electrified by the Belize sun. This all unfolds while the Tropic Air makes its final approach into PG.
There is no shuttle or taxi waiting for you upon arrival to PG. Instead, the airport attendant asks where you’re headed. A few minutes later, Dennis Garbutt, eldest of the Garbutt siblings and manager of the Lodge, arrives in his pickup marked with BTT stickers.
Arriving at the Lodge is a wonderful feeling, knowing you have nothing but a week of Permit fishing ahead of you. The best way to describe the feeling of being at Garbutts, and the one they encourage, is when you’re here, you’re home...
Characteristics of Permit
The characteristics of Permit are unlike any other fish. The speed at which they can travel will blow you away. Extremely wary when on the flats, Permit usually don’t stick around long. With the ability to disappear as fast as they emerge, Permit can leave you questioning your eyes, wondering if it really was a fish you saw for a fraction of a second, or if trials of the day have played a trick on you in the most malicious form possible.
Any destination fishing trip is a dice roll in itself. If you would like to read more about destination fly fishing, check out the current issue of North 40 Fly Shop eMAG. Not only is the ego of the Permit forever at angler’s disadvantage, many other uncontrollable factors will come into play during a day on the flats. Variables are always present, and can sometimes leave the deck stacked against you. This is the reality of flats fishing.
However, sooner or later, something has to give. And when that something does give, your day gets really, really fun, in a hurry.
Something Went Terribly Wrong
When telling someone you have just returned from a destination fishing trip- and did not catch a fish, it isn’t unfair for that person to question your sanity. If it isn’t the first time you’ve done it, then it’s fair for them to assume you are the worst fisherman on the planet, or something went terribly wrong. That is, for someone who hasn’t heard of, or someone who doesn’t understand, fly fishing for Permit.
Thank you to everyone at Garbutts Fishing Lodge for an incredible week. If you have ever considered a trip dedicated to fishing Permit, Garbutts Fishing Lodge should be a serious consideration. For more information, visit www.yellowdogflyfishing.com.
