Trip report- Xcalak Mexico
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Recently returned from a trip to the salt and thought a brief report and some pics would be in order. FYI- Before heading down I received a new ‘super color ir’ modified camera from Lifepixel so that explains why some colors are whacky, and some turned to B+W, I just haven’t dialed it in yet.
After picking up the rental van and grabbing some supplies we were on our way south. We awoke to a serious sunrise after spending the first night near Tulum and readied ourselves for the additional four + hrs drive to our destination. On the way stopping at the occasional roadside ruin and struck by the sheer wildness of the sites. Haunting stuff.
A few hundred more klicks and paradise found.
We met our guides the next day and spent the next five standing on the bow and searching. Casting. Missing. And searching some more. Victor, the head honcho, told us how it is and showed us the way. Bonefish and snook were landed. Smiles all around. Rods and bendo galor!
Notice the hat…
We get back to the hotel, even the dogs were giddy.
More searching and more casting. Blue and green tones. Cilantro. Cervesa. Tying flies. Choosing flies.
Perfect conditions came on the fourth day. Ten minute drive by panga. Five minutes of looking. Guide sees permit.
Dustin sees permit, Dustin cast to permit, Dustin catches permit. Fifty minute tug-o-war with…
… and Dustin will never be the same. Congrats buddy!
The release…
Another day of searching and casting…
…and back up the jungle tunnel we drove.
We’ll be back!
very nice report! I liked the pictures too. Did I see a new Hydros in that group of rods?
How did you like the new Orvis reel I saw in the under water shot?….
Thanks Keith!
Yes there was a 8 and a 10wt Helios plus a 7 and a 9wt Hydros. They all rocked. No complaints and these quickly became the preferred sticks. (That hefty permit was caught and landed with the Helios 8wt-BTW) The ten was so light that the Mirage V reel we brought for it was almost too heavy. Still cast a full line no problemo.
Doug,
Out of curiosity, what camera are you using for the underwater shots? Do you use an underwater housing, or a waterproof P&S? That permit release shot is awesome.
Tim
Cheers Tim!
All of the UW were taken with a Lumix LX3 in a ‘DiCAPac’ housing I found at Adorama. It’s good to a few meters so perfect for fishing but I still hold my breath when I plunge it into saltwater.
db
Thats a seriously nice report Doug! Looks like a very kickass time! 😎 I had wondered how well those DiCAPac bags worked with the LX3 .. Did you happen to try any 1/2 n 1/2 pics with it?
I had wondered how well those DiCAPac bags worked with the LX3 .. Did you happen to try any 1/2 n 1/2 pics with it?
Thanks Cor. I tried a few but we were either standing in ankle deep stagnant water, (wading), or floating on five feet (panga) of deep water so they weren’t all I had hoped. Much easier with trout in moving water.
db
Nice Permit!…..Killer TR Doug.
I really like the images from the new “IR” body. Looking forward to seeing more of these.
Thanks again guys!
Nice work, Doug. Makes me ready to head south. Who were you fishing with? Was this in Ascension Bay?
We fished with Victor Castro @ Osprey Tours, a top notch outfit, and fished on the outside of Chetemal Bay on the border with Belize. There’s a big outfit called “___ de Cocos” in the area which I have not heard one good thing about so avoid at all costs (the locals call it ‘___ de Locos‘).
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