What is Provided:

FISHING PACKAGE RATES INCLUDE:
Respective number of nights accommodation in selected suite
Respective number of full-day fly fishing with a professional guide
All meals, afternoon snacks, and beverages including local spirits and beer
Round-trip land transfers from Punta Gorda Airstrip to the lodge
Complimentary use of our gym and self-guided activities: kayaks, mountain bikes, and hiking trails
Complimentary laundry service
Taxes and service charge

FISHING PACKAGE RATES EXCLUDE:
Round-trip flights from Belize International or Belize Municipal to Punta Gorda (The staff at Copal Tree is happy to help you arrange these flights).
Guided tours and activities
Spa treatments
Gift shop purchases
Fishing guide gratuities
Rental fishing equipment, flies, and terminal tackle

Gear Recommendations:

RODS: Fly rods in the 6- to 8-wt range are the ideal size for Belize bonefish. The lighter rods (6, 7) are great when there is little or no wind, and an 8-wt rod has more than enough muscle to deliver the fly. In addition, the 8-wt rod can double as a back-up rod for permit and light tarpon fishing. Many anglers prefer to have a larger rod, 9-10 wt, rigged up for permit. A 10-12 wt rod is perfect for Central American tarpon fishing.

REELS: Reels should be anodized, corrosion-resistant saltwater models that will hold a full fly line plus approximately 200 yards of 30 lb backing. Reels equipped with smooth, high- quality drags are essential to prevent break-offs from the blistering runs of hooked fish.

LINES: A weight-forward, saltwater floating line is ideal for most of the sight fishing you will encounter. There are times when an intermediate clear-sinking or sink-tip line is the answer for tarpon and snook fishing. Anglers should also bring along some sort of line cleaner for the lines, since saltwater has a way of making lines sticky after a few days' use.

What to Bring:

PACKING LIST:
Belize is a tropical country where the average temperature is 84 F. Dress is informal at the jungle lodge, so bring light, comfortable clothing. You may wish to consider packing the following:
Lightweight rain gear for tropical showers
Light jacket or sweater for cool mornings/evenings
'Light quick-dry shirts, shorts, and pants for protection
from the sun or mosquitoes
'Polarized sunglasses for spotting fish (amber, copper, or green mirror work best on the flats)
Wide-brimmed hat for protection from the sun
Personal medications
Small, waterproof bag for carrying extra gear
Camera, batteries, plenty of memory/film, and lens cleaner
Sunscreen, lip balm, and moisturizers (SPF 30+)
Insect repellent (we recommend OFF brand spray with the orange cap)
Hand towel/rag for fishing use
Wading shoes or boots for stalking flats fish, if desired
Fisherman's pliers, clipper, and line cleaner
Optional: Binoculars and snorkeling gear

Additional Activities:

We invite our guests to explore Copal Tree Lodge and the surrounding nature reserve through our onsite offerings. We offer many different tours and activities that both anglers and non-anglers will enjoy.

Season:

There are no bad times of the year to fish in Southern Belize, but there are periods and seasons when the fishing will be predictably more productive. The most productive fishing is during the new or full moon period each month, from March through November. March, April, May, and June are the most popular months for anglers to pilgrimage to Punta Gorda.

Summer and fall often produce the best catch rates of the season. Permit like consistent weather patterns, and July through October the weather is consistent. PLEASE NOTE: Hurricane season is June through September. If you are considering joining us during those months, we HIGHLY suggest you purchase travel insurance.

The most challenging times of the year are during the winter months, December to February. During the winter months, the likelihood of having weather effected fishing is highest. There is a silver lining during these months, if you get good, consistent weather, you can nearly guarantee great fishing.

Species:

PERMIT:
Known as the "Holy Grail" of fly fishing, permit are, by far, the most difficult, picky and frustrating fish you'll encounter on the flats. They have superb eyesight and a well-developed sense of smell. Due to body shape, permit seem to be much more comfortable in deeper water. Although it is fairly common to see a permit with its tail and dorsal fin sticking out of the water, it usually won't remain that way for long. Permit seem to suddenly appear on a flat for a brief feeding spree and then fade back into the safety of the deeper water. They're constantly on the move.

TARPON:
Tarpon are the largest, strongest and most acrobatic of the grand slam species found in Belize. Even juvenile fish will put angling skills to the test and strain tackle beyond belief. Resident tarpon are typically small- to mid-sized specimens (20-60 pounds), and the large migratory fish can range from 100-150+ pounds. A large majority of these fish remain in Belize throughout the year. Migratory fish begin to show up around mid April and they will remain in Belizean waters into August or September.

BONEFISH:
One third of a Grand Slam, bonefish are the most notarized sport fish on the flats. Since the earliest days of sport fishing in Belize, bonefish have been the most abundant flats fish to target. While northern Belize is know for more bonefish, the bonefish in the South Water Caye marine reserve tend to be bigger. Our fishery is not as well know for bonefishing, but it no less productive. Large schools of bonefish can be found on a consistent basis on numerous caye (islands) throughout our fishery. Since bonefish are the most abundant fish, they tend to be the most willing to eat a fly. Bonefish provide great sport for all anglers, and provide hours of fruitful challenge to beginner and intermediate fly anglers.

Region/Terrain:

Each morning, you will be transferred from the lodge to the marina after enjoying a hearty breakfast. The drive time is approximately 15-20 minutes. Your guide will be ready and waiting for your arrival, once at the marina you'll jump in the boat and head out fishing.

Boat rides range from 10-45 minutes (1.5 hours if you are going to the reef to target bonefish) to where you'll be fishing pancake flats and mangrove island flats. You will also have the opportunity to fish the Payne's Creek lagoon to the north. This unique lagoon is mostly soft mud bottom. The advantage of fishing in the lagoon is being able to lead the fish long distances, reducing your risk of spooking the schools and small groups of permit that you will encounter in the lagoon.

We also fish the rivers and creeks in the area. There are over 5 productive rivers, that are home of resident tarpon and snook.

Typical Weather:

When permit fishing, the goal is to have consistent weather. Warm/hot sunny days are best (permit want to be able to see shadows. They feel more comfortable in the shallow water on sunny days). Here is a snap shot of what to expect for weather throughout the year. PLEASE NOTE: these are general estimations of the weather, adverse weather is possible at anytime of the year.

December-February: These are the most likely months for a cold front to effect the productivity of the fishing. When the weather is calm and sunny, the fishing is great during this time season.

March-May: These are great months and very popular with many of our return anglers. Historically, March is one the most productive months for fishing at Copal Tree Lodge. May is consistently one of the least windy months of the year.

June-August: June starts the "Rainy Season", however it is most common for the rain to fall during the evening and early morning hours. It doesn't often impact the fishing during the day. This time frame is the favorite of the guides and is known by serious permit anglers was the best time to come fishing.

September-November: The fall tides are the biggest tides of the year. Big tides, mean rushing water and permit food adrift. Fall is another favorite time to be fishing with Copal Tree and many of dedicated permit junkies will frequent our lodge each fall.

Belize International Airport is a small airport that provides excellent signage to help travellers get through customs and transfer to your in-country flight to Punta Gorda. At the point of entry, a passport and proof of return or onward ticket are required. There is a $40 USD departure tax that must be paid at the airport prior to leaving the country, however please check with your airline as this may be included in your international ticket. Tropic Air flights do not include the taxes and these will need to be paid on departure. When booking your international flight, please be aware of your landing time. For commuter flights, we recommend arriving to Belize City no later than 3:45 P.M., as the last flight to Punta Gorda departs at 4:25 pm. Book your commuter flight here!

TRANSFERRING TO THE PUNTA GORDA AIRSTRIP, YOUR FINAL DESTINATION You will take a breathtaking one-hour flight down the coast of Belize with a couple of short stops along the way. Punta Gorda is the last stop in southern Belize and getting here is part of the adventure!

Reservations, Deposits & Payments

The deposit is 50% of the trip price unless stated differently in the trip proposal and materials (trip planner and confirmation email). In some cases, deposits are non-refundable, this depends on the destination and will be clearly noted in the trip proposal and materials as well. Deposits may be made by check or credit card: Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover Card. The balance of the trip cost is due 90 days before departure, except where specified differently on individual itineraries. The balance will be charged automatically to the credit card used for the deposit, unless otherwise specified. Any changes made to the method of payment after the final balance has been collected are subject to processing fees.

A reservation form and release are required prior to departure.

All prices must be paid in U.S. dollars. Deposits are not transferable from one trip to another.

Prices quoted are based on foreign exchange values and tariffs currently in effect and prices are subject to change. Orvis Adventures reserves the right to adjust prices accordingly until the time of departure.

Planning information

When your reservation is confirmed, you will receive planning information to guide you through trip preparations. Details about arrival and departure, clothing and equipment, trip cancellation insurance, pre- and post- trip extensions, visas and documents and activities are included in the planning information.

Cancellation and Refund Policy

Although cancellation fees may be higher for some trips (stated in the trip proposal and materials), the following minimum cancellation fees will apply:

For trips that include an Orvis gift card or Orvis merchandise, the retail value of the gift card or merchandise is non-refundable upon delivery. Cancellation fees cannot be waived for any reason, including health, business or personal emergencies, or weather.

We strongly urge you to purchase trip cancellation insurance.

No refunds will be made for unused portions of a trip, including late arrival or early departure. Guide fees and hotel costs are not refundable if unused as outlined in the itinerary. Orvis reserves the right to modify an itinerary due to circumstances beyond our control. In the unlikely event that Orvis must cancel a tour, all payments received to date will be refunded, which constitutes a full settlement.

Orvis is not responsible for expenses incurred in preparation of any canceled trip, including airline tickets and visas fees.

Cancellation Insurance

Your planning information includes information for travel insurance covering cancel for any reason, cancellation for medical reasons, trip delay, medical expenses, lost baggage and medical evacuation. We urge you to obtain this coverage.

Share policies

Trip prices are based on double occupancy. Single rooms & cabins are limited. If you request a single room, a single supplement will apply as noted in the itinerary. We will confirm the single room as early as possible, but in some cases it may not be earlier than 30 days prior to the trip. If you request a roommate, we can usually pair you with another guest of the same gender, and no single supplement will apply. If you request a roommate, and one is not available, we will only charge you the single supplement if required by the lodge or facility used in the trip.

Children under 18 must share a room with a parent or other family member. In some cases this may be waived.

Passports and documents

International trips require a passport. Check your passport early and make sure it has six months validity at the time of travel. A visa is needed in some countries and we will send you complete details and instructions.

Arrival and Departure

Group transfers from a central location such as an airport are described in the itinerary, and are included in the land cost.. Transfers are not included in the land cost if you arrive early or leave after the scheduled departure day.

Equipment & Clothing

You will receive a detailed list of appropriate gear with your trip planning information.

Airline reservations

The land cost of your trip does not include airfare.

Limitation of liability

This section defines Orvis Travel’s responsibility with regard to all travel arrangements made by Orvis Travel, including individual travel and pre- and post- trip extensions. Please read it carefully.

Upon sending your deposit to Orvis Travel, you acknowledge that you have read and understand all the terms and conditions outlined here, and agree to be bound by them.

All trips that involve outdoor sporting activities such as shooting or fishing, or travel through remote places by vehicle, boat, small plane or on foot, put you at risk for accidents and serious injuries in the normal course of the activity. That is the nature of travel to such destinations and you acknowledge that you accept these hazards as a condition of participation.

Orvis Travel, its Owners, Employees, Associates and Agents give notice that they act only as the agent for the owners, contractors and suppliers providing means of transportation and/or other services and assume no responsibility howsoever caused for injury, loss or damage to person or property in connection with any service resulting directly from: acts of God, detention, annoyance, delays, expenses arising from quarantine, strikes, thefts, pilferage, force majeure, failure of any means of conveyance to arrive or depart as scheduled, civil disturbances, terrorism, government restrictions or regulations, and discrepancies or changes in transit or hotel services over which it has no control. Reasonable changes in the itinerary may be made where deemed advisable for the comfort and well-being of the passengers.

Baggage and personal effects, including items purchased, guns, fishing equipment or sporting goods are the sole responsibility of the owners at all times and no employee/agent of Orvis Travel, its subsidiaries, affiliated or associated companies is authorized to accept these for storage, safekeeping, or transportation.