Belize Trip and “Back to Reality”
- This topic has 14 replies, 11 voices, and was last updated May 16, 2008 at 1:07 pm by
.
-
Posts
-
I just got back from Belize after a week of fishing. This was probably one of the best trips I have ever had. The fishing was good and the group of fishers were great (including my wife who went Barracuda fishing, ha). However, what really really really made this trip special was the fact that I got to test out my photography skills in full force. For everyone reading this post, including new and old members, I want to thank everyone on this board for helping me fall in love with photography. This site is much more than a fishing and one thing that stood out from the moment I first joined was the great photography people post of their trips and your willingness to help answer questions. Thanks especially to Zach for inspiring me to learn photography and thanks to Richard Bernabe for teaching me how to use my SLR. I have spent countless (seriously) hours at night reading about photography and practicing my shots as much if not more than my casting. I took over 3,000 pictures on this trip and had a BLAST editing the shots at night at the bar while talking to anglers about their stories of the day. I debated whether to post these shots in the general vs photography section but I feel it is best to post here since this is where we all go see trip reports and get inspired. Keep posting your pictures; for me it is one of the things about this site that separates it from others.
My intention with this post is to show how damn fun taking pictures can be once you have a bit of the SLR game figured out. I have SO MUCH more to learn! You “professionals” on the board do some great work.
Dock-side shots. For me, these kind of pictures are very memorable and something most people fail to capture on their trips. This is where you launch and return each day and where all the stories are shared.
My wife awaiting the morning dive boat with my boat bag awaiting a day of fishing
The ocean is amazing. In the past I wouldn’t have dreamed of getting shots like these. By paying the price of learning about aperture and lighting, I was able for the first time to purposely compose my shots and man did it pay off.
I got some fun shots of the islanders and activities of daily living. I found that by taking shots of things other than fishing, I was able to better capture the memories. Hey, we aren’t always fishing.
This dog was simply amazing. He was hunting bonefish and crabs on the flats. He would seriously walk on water all across the flats at low tide and scavenge for food. I am glad I was able to get these shots because nobody would believe such a story.
Cameron has turned me on to pictures of eating and food. Each night we would clean up after fishing and sit down for dinner at the lodge and tell stories. Maybe a little nap at the pool first. In the morning we drank coffee and tied flies.
And of course, there was some fishing!!! Bonefish and Permit but no tarpon (although some good takes). I had a BLAST firing up my SLR when I wasn’t fishing. I took a ton of pictures and captured shots that were artsy-fartsy but after all was said and done, these are memorable pictures.
This is my favorite picture of the trip. For me it was just as special as catching a big fish because I actually “tried” to get this shot and knew what I wanted.
Others
Now I’m back to reality and work was a bit rough today. However, we always have the memories!
P.S. Brett, the 10wt Helios is a fantastic rod!
Thanks again to Zach and all of you on this site for sharing your pictures and inspiring me to take pictures. I have so much to learn, but man is it worth it.
Looks like a great trip. My second look through your shots – the third one hit me. Great perspective. Long walk down a pier lonely for boats. Love it.
A
A few people have PM’d me asking some additional information.
I stayed at El Pescador Lodge in Ambergris Caye http://www.elpescador.com/. This was one of the nicest fishing lodges I have been to, period. They know their stuff and the accommodations are excellent, food is good, and there are always lots of fishers staying there. They set up the guides for you each day and they are all natives who have grown up fishing the area. All people in Belize speak English and they accept American dollars.
Belize City is on the mainland, but the fishing is out on the islands to the east so you have to catch a hopper plain (or take a boat) but it is very easy to do. There are basically two “main” areas to fish in Belize, in north is Ambergris Caye and in the south is Turneffe flats/Atoll. Of course this is a gross simplification but pretty accurate for the basics. Here’s the low-down: Ambergris is a bit cheaper overall but the boat rides are about an hour each way to get to the fishing. Turneffe is a bit more expensive because it is located near more reef/diving and they have more “resorts” with beaches, and, the fishing is only minutes from the dock. Both are excellent locations but have different experiences to offer. Getting to the islands/flats/atolls is very easy. Target species are endless but typically include the holy triad of bonefish/permit/tarpon. Cuda fishing is good and there are always Jacks (big, hard fighting jacks).
Here is a good map on the fishing sites
Awesome shots Neal. I really like the dockside shot of the water cistern.
Just a nit pick: Some of the shots showing the horizon could use some straightening. Made me a little seasick. 🙂
Thanks for the posting the trip info. I like to store that stuff away for future use!
Truly nice shots Neal! Some looked like they could be postcards or shots in the Orvis catalogue. What camera body and lens were you using for most of those?
Thanks, Dusty. My camera is very basic, Nikkon D50. My lense is the expensive part of the setup: 18-200 VR lense.
Rich and Richard, thanks for the advice on tilted horizons. I had never thought about this before, yep it does kind of make you sea sick. Appreciate the comments. SO MUCH to learn.
I would have sworn that was the pier at Victoria House on Ambergris Caye. Looks just like it.
I assume you fished with a guide? I fished with Roberto Bradley when I was down there and had a blast every single day.
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.