Travel Belize with Paula Shearer

Host: Paula Shearer

Paula Shearer is an experienced fly angler and guide. She started fly fishing at a young age and by her late teens she was hooked on fishing the east slopes of the Rocky Mountains. It was from that point where her true passion for the sport took over. Since then, she has spent most of her days on the banks of the east slope rivers of the Rocky Mountains. She enjoys sharing her love for fly fishing by mentoring and teaching those who are new to the sport. Paula is a long-time member of the Fly Fusion family having appeared frequently in the magazine and as a host of the Fly Fusion Series, which airs on Wild TV and the World Fishing Network. Paula is a Fly Fishers International Certified Casting Instructor and a sought-after ambassador for some of the world’s leading fly-fishing brands.

Destination: Turneffe Flats, Belize

For more than three decades, Turneffe Flats has been known as one of the world’s premier flats fishing destinations combining a remarkable fishery with excellent English-speaking guides, top-notch equipment, superior accommodations and service. The ability to sight-fish for BONEFISH, PERMIT and TARPON on any given day makes Turneffe one of the few places where a Grand Slam is always a possibility. Turneffe Atoll is the largest of only four coral atolls in the Western Hemisphere, and is best known for its variety of saltwater fishing. Turneffe Flats is located on a remote, picturesque point featuring a white sand beach and coconut palms. An expansive bonefish flat is right outside your door and a vibrant coral reef is only a stone’s throw away.

Flats Fishing Experience

Bonefish have been a primary target of Turneffe Flats’ anglers for more than 30 years.  While wading the expansive flats on the seaward side of Turneffe, you will regularly see large schools of bonefish providing an unequaled opportunity for new saltwater anglers to learn the basics of the sport. There are also plenty of challenging opportunities for those who enjoy stalking larger fish (some in excess of 10 pounds) in skinny water. Our oceanside flats are among the most picturesque flats anywhere.

Permit are the prime objective of many anglers at Turneffe Atoll. With Turneffe Flats leading the way, Belize has gained a reputation as the permit capital of the world. Many guests have celebrated their first-ever permit with us and return year after year to take advantage of Turneffe’s exceptional permit fishery. Most permit are found as singles or in small groups on the flats and bars throughout the atoll, although we also frequently see larger schools of permit tailing in shallow water. Most of our permit fishing is done from poled skiffs but there is also excellent wade fishing for permit on our oceanside flats.

Tarpon are perhaps the ultimate saltwater fly fishing challenge.  Although there are always some resident tarpon to be found, our migratory tarpon season extends from May to October.  Tarpon inhabit the creeks, channels and lagoons of the atoll and most tarpon jumped are 60-90 pounds, with some fish in the 100-150 pound range and occasional monsters approaching 200 pounds.

Dates

October 7th – 14th, 2023

Price

$4,590 + tax

Price per person based on double occupancy

Inclusions

Seven nights / six days fishing with Paula Shearer and friends in the permit capital of the world. Enjoy world-class accommodations and a menu featuring Belizean and American dishes, with fresh seafood, local produce, and home-baked pastries. Awaken each morning to fresh coffee or tea served on your private verandah. Three delicious meals are part of the package, along with a well-stocked bar.

Supporting Information

Fishing Overview

Atoll Adventure Overview

Fishing Info & Recommendations

Pre-Trip Info