Fly Fishing Guanaja
Guanaja is one of the Bay Islands of Honduras and hosts some of the best diving, snorkeling, and fishing in the world. About 15,000 people live on and around an island 7 by 12 miles long. Although Guanaja is rich in resources that could elevate their lives to a basic standard of living, it is an island struggling to survive. There is little opportunity for people to work. Despite difficult living situations, Guanaja is a safe place to visit be ...
Guanaja is one of the Bay Islands of Honduras and hosts some of the best diving, snorkeling, and fishing in the world. About 15,000 people live on and around an island 7 by 12 miles long. Although Guanaja is rich in resources that could elevate their lives to a basic standard of living, it is an island struggling to survive. There is little opportunity for people to work. Despite difficult living situations, Guanaja is a safe place to visit because of the caliber of people that exist there. They welcome foreigners as they represent hope for a better future.
Fly Fish Guanaja is a company that offers all inclusive fly-fishing trips on some of the most pristine and untouched flats in the Caribbean, focusing on bone-fish, tarpon, and permit. Fly Fish Guanaja is a catch and release operation that takes nothing from the resource. They buy fish from local sustenance fisherman to supply the lodge with gourmet food. The lodge is a private cay just off the coast of a Guanaja. Fly Fish Guanaja provides 10 high paying jobs that end up providing for over a 100 people on the island.
Pronunciation – gwa-na’-‘ha
Location – about 18 miles east of Roatan and 30 miles north of the mainland of Honduras (16° 24′ 0′′ N, 85° 54′ 0′′ W)
Size – about 3×11 miles
Population – about 10,000 total of which the majority lives on Bonacca
Climate – Year-round temperatures hover around 80 with the rainy season starting in October and usually lasting until December or January
Where to find the locals – 3 villages called Bonacca, Mangrove Bight, and Savannah Bight
Vegetation – A little of everything – Lush, mountainous, rugged, and more dry – Pine Trees!
Highest Peak – one peak rises to almost 1,400 feet
Activities – diving (45 dive sites of Guanaja), snorkeling, deep sea and flats fishing, hiking, waterfall trekking, relaxing on any of the beautiful
The Lodge
Our lodge is a private key in the middle of Guanaja’s South Cays – the best flats in Honduras! We take 6-8 anglers per week. The lodge is beautiful with 4 bedrooms and 4 full bathrooms, with hot water. The interior is custom mahogany and the beds are new. The deck on the lodge is expansive, lined with hammocks, and over looks the flats full of bonefish and permit. You can literally cast from the deck to tailing fish, or heckle friends as they pursue fish throughout the flat. We have shaded hammock spots around the island where you can chill out during a slack tide, waiting for tails to show up. We also have a white sand beach on our key that feeds into a bonefish hole. With a group of 6 or 8, you have the key to yourselves.
The guest house is loaded with comfortable rooms, a large kitchen, nice bathrooms, giant deck, and a private beach. This small Cay is a vacation home turned into a lodge, so it is beyond comfortable and the location is unbeatable by any Caribbean fishing lodge.
What We Catch
Permit
Guanaja is one of the few permit fisheries in the world. We see on average 10-50 permit a day and get several shots. Our permit range from juveniles to full blown giants over 30 pounds. We find permit tailing on the flats all over the South Keys (our lodge is one of these keys), and also fish them in river mouths and deeper water. We use 10 weight fly rods for permit.
Tarpon and Snook
We catch baby tarpon and snook where the rivers meet the flats. Our baby tarpon range from 5-40 pounds and we sight-cast to them on the moving tide. We also have big resident tarpon reaching over 100 pounds. We often get into large schools of snook and land over 20 in a session. We use 8-10 weight rods for the baby tarpon and 12 weights for the giants.
Trigger Fish
Every flat has a couple of trigger fish all the time in Guanaja. The trigger-fish get up to 25 pounds and are a blast to catch on a fly. They are generally more forgiving than permit and put up a wild fight.
Baracuda
Guanaja is surrounded by barracuda ranging from 1-40 pounds. We fish barracuda on slack tides or when they are molesting our bonefish. We enjoy watching them explode on flies and also use conventional tackle when necessary.
Jacks
There are several different kinds of jacks around Guanaja. We see big schools moving fast and furious and cast flies to the boiling water. Check out this Amber Jack we caught last year!
Equipment Offered
We have a fleet of 7-12 weight rods and offer their use at no extra cost. Our fly tying table will beat any lodge in the Caribbean. Fly Fish Guanaja is run by experienced fly-fishing guides and we put a premium on our flies and fly-tying. Our table over-looks the flats and we tie flies while watching the fish they are intended for. Some clients enjoy learning to tie, while others simply enjoy the benefit of custom flies for a unique place.
Our Boats
We have four fishing boats made custom for Guanaja. They are a flats boat/ponga mix that allows us to comfortably navigate around Guanaja while still being able to draft in under a foot of water.
Saltwater Flies
We have a custom fly tying table set up in the main lodge, you can actually see fish in the flats you are tying flies for. Although we tie locally, it is best to show up with some flies, we recommend at least 30 flies per person.
Weed Guards are Crucial on Most Flies
Many flies come without weed guards and we can install them at the lodge no problem.
Other Activities on the Island
Scuba
Guanaja hosts some of the best diving in the Caribbean. The reefs are untouched and dives range in variety between caves, shipwrecks, and more. Guanaja shares the same Barrier Reef as Roatan and Belize, the 2nd largest reef in the world. Fly Fish Guanaja works with G&G’s Clearwater Paradise for diving in Guanaja and affordable packages are custom made.
Snorkeling
Even if you don’t dive, we recommend at least snorkeling. Snorkeling in Guanaja is safe and breath-taking, you can swim along vibrant coral reef with an array of fish for miles. We have extra snorkel gear at the lodge, but it’s a good idea to bring at least a mask custom fit for you.
Sea-Kayaking
Sea kayaking is a great way to see the wild island of Guanaja and we can acquire kayaks upon request for a minimal fee. We also troll along the reef in kayaks for snapper, jacks, and barracuda.
Hiking
Guanaja is a volcanic island covered in jungle and offers spectacular hikes around the island. Our favorite hike follows a fresh water stream up through the jungle to waterfalls and divine swimming holes. Guanaja is full of tropical birds and we see them everywhere.
Relaxing
Our lodge is lined with hammocks and we’ve even built a shaded shelter with hammocks in front of our favorite bonefish flat. Rarely will you find a place easier to relax than Guanaja. Between moving tides we chill out in paradise. Although our cell phone rings down there, hopefully yours won’t.
Culture: Most of Guanaja’s population lives on a separate cay called Bonnacca. Coined “the Venice of Honduras”, Bonacca is thriving with nearly 10,000 people and creates an unforgettable, intriguing, and safe cultural experience.
Included in Price
6 days fully guided fishing (two anglers per boat)
Lodging on private key in the middle of the flats
All meals, drinks, and alcohol
Use of rods, reels, and fly-tying table
Guanaja is one of the Bay Islands of Honduras and hosts some of the best diving, snorkeling, and fishing in the world. About 15,000 people live on and around an island 7 by 12 miles long. Although Guanaja is rich in resources that could elevate their lives to a basic standard of living, it is an island struggling to survive. There is little opportunity for people to work. Despite difficult living situations, Guanaja is a safe place to visit because of the caliber of people that exist there. They welcome foreigners as they represent hope for a better future.
Fly Fish Guanaja is a company that offers all inclusive fly-fishing trips on some of the most pristine and untouched flats in the Caribbean, focusing on bone-fish, tarpon, and permit. Fly Fish Guanaja is a catch and release operation that takes nothing from the resource. They buy fish from local sustenance fisherman to supply the lodge with gourmet food. The lodge is a private cay just off the coast of a Guanaja. Fly Fish Guanaja provides 10 high paying jobs that end up providing for over a 100 people on the island.
Pronunciation – gwa-na’-‘ha
Location – about 18 miles east of Roatan and 30 miles north of the mainland of Honduras (16° 24′ 0′′ N, 85° 54′ 0′′ W)
Size – about 3×11 miles
Population – about 10,000 total of which the majority lives on Bonacca
Climate – Year-round temperatures hover around 80 with the rainy season starting in October and usually lasting until December or January
Where to find the locals – 3 villages called Bonacca, Mangrove Bight, and Savannah Bight
Vegetation – A little of everything – Lush, mountainous, rugged, and more dry – Pine Trees!
Highest Peak – one peak rises to almost 1,400 feet
Activities – diving (45 dive sites of Guanaja), snorkeling, deep sea and flats fishing, hiking, waterfall trekking, relaxing on any of the beautiful
The Lodge
Our lodge is a private key in the middle of Guanaja’s South Cays – the best flats in Honduras! We take 6-8 anglers per week. The lodge is beautiful with 4 bedrooms and 4 full bathrooms, with hot water. The interior is custom mahogany and the beds are new. The deck on the lodge is expansive, lined with hammocks, and over looks the flats full of bonefish and permit. You can literally cast from the deck to tailing fish, or heckle friends as they pursue fish throughout the flat. We have shaded hammock spots around the island where you can chill out during a slack tide, waiting for tails to show up. We also have a white sand beach on our key that feeds into a bonefish hole. With a group of 6 or 8, you have the key to yourselves.
The guest house is loaded with comfortable rooms, a large kitchen, nice bathrooms, giant deck, and a private beach. This small Cay is a vacation home turned into a lodge, so it is beyond comfortable and the location is unbeatable by any Caribbean fishing lodge.
What We Catch
Permit
Guanaja is one of the few permit fisheries in the world. We see on average 10-50 permit a day and get several shots. Our permit range from juveniles to full blown giants over 30 pounds. We find permit tailing on the flats all over the South Keys (our lodge is one of these keys), and also fish them in river mouths and deeper water. We use 10 weight fly rods for permit.
Tarpon and Snook
We catch baby tarpon and snook where the rivers meet the flats. Our baby tarpon range from 5-40 pounds and we sight-cast to them on the moving tide. We also have big resident tarpon reaching over 100 pounds. We often get into large schools of snook and land over 20 in a session. We use 8-10 weight rods for the baby tarpon and 12 weights for the giants.
Trigger Fish
Every flat has a couple of trigger fish all the time in Guanaja. The trigger-fish get up to 25 pounds and are a blast to catch on a fly. They are generally more forgiving than permit and put up a wild fight.
Baracuda
Guanaja is surrounded by barracuda ranging from 1-40 pounds. We fish barracuda on slack tides or when they are molesting our bonefish. We enjoy watching them explode on flies and also use conventional tackle when necessary.
Jacks
There are several different kinds of jacks around Guanaja. We see big schools moving fast and furious and cast flies to the boiling water. Check out this Amber Jack we caught last year!
Equipment Offered
We have a fleet of 7-12 weight rods and offer their use at no extra cost. Our fly tying table will beat any lodge in the Caribbean. Fly Fish Guanaja is run by experienced fly-fishing guides and we put a premium on our flies and fly-tying. Our table over-looks the flats and we tie flies while watching the fish they are intended for. Some clients enjoy learning to tie, while others simply enjoy the benefit of custom flies for a unique place.
Our Boats
We have four fishing boats made custom for Guanaja. They are a flats boat/ponga mix that allows us to comfortably navigate around Guanaja while still being able to draft in under a foot of water.
Saltwater Flies
We have a custom fly tying table set up in the main lodge, you can actually see fish in the flats you are tying flies for. Although we tie locally, it is best to show up with some flies, we recommend at least 30 flies per person.
Weed Guards are Crucial on Most Flies
Many flies come without weed guards and we can install them at the lodge no problem.
Other Activities on the Island
Scuba
Guanaja hosts some of the best diving in the Caribbean. The reefs are untouched and dives range in variety between caves, shipwrecks, and more. Guanaja shares the same Barrier Reef as Roatan and Belize, the 2nd largest reef in the world. Fly Fish Guanaja works with G&G’s Clearwater Paradise for diving in Guanaja and affordable packages are custom made.
Snorkeling
Even if you don’t dive, we recommend at least snorkeling. Snorkeling in Guanaja is safe and breath-taking, you can swim along vibrant coral reef with an array of fish for miles. We have extra snorkel gear at the lodge, but it’s a good idea to bring at least a mask custom fit for you.
Sea-Kayaking
Sea kayaking is a great way to see the wild island of Guanaja and we can acquire kayaks upon request for a minimal fee. We also troll along the reef in kayaks for snapper, jacks, and barracuda.
Hiking
Guanaja is a volcanic island covered in jungle and offers spectacular hikes around the island. Our favorite hike follows a fresh water stream up through the jungle to waterfalls and divine swimming holes. Guanaja is full of tropical birds and we see them everywhere.
Relaxing
Our lodge is lined with hammocks and we’ve even built a shaded shelter with hammocks in front of our favorite bonefish flat. Rarely will you find a place easier to relax than Guanaja. Between moving tides we chill out in paradise. Although our cell phone rings down there, hopefully yours won’t.
Culture: Most of Guanaja’s population lives on a separate cay called Bonnacca. Coined “the Venice of Honduras”, Bonacca is thriving with nearly 10,000 people and creates an unforgettable, intriguing, and safe cultural experience.
Included in Price
6 days fully guided fishing (two anglers per boat)
Lodging on private key in the middle of the flats
All meals, drinks, and alcohol
Use of rods, reels, and fly-tying table
