Playa Blanca Fly Fishing Lodge Trip Report

Playa Blanca Fly Fishing Lodge Trip Report – Brian Johnson:

“Leaving Jackson Hole the day after Thanksgiving with a fresh blanket of snow, we headed to Mexico—a tactical, tropical strike. Playa Blanca Fly Fishing Lodge is a special place, located on Punta Pujaros in the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve. It is a flats fly fishing holy ground. The lodge has become so popular that it is tough to find open spots and I was lucky enough to be the host for the week.

A great group assembled in Cancun and flew to the island. It is a unique feeling to be able to ditch your wallet and shoes for a week. As we entered the lodge, the margaritas entered our hands and I knew that time had come to settle in to a slower pace existence.

The week included a great group of anglers, with good times enjoyed by all. Unfortunately, my fishing partner, and great friend from Denver, had to leave after the first day of fishing due to a family emergency. I’m happy to report all is well now. It was his first time fly fishing in saltwater. As a testament to the Espiritu Santo Bay fishery and guide’s ability, my friend was able to catch his first bonefish within twenty minutes and numerous others followed. All the anglers enjoyed successful days, the most impressive of which was one angler landing seven permit in a day—congratulations Alex!

Playa Blanca Fly Fishing Lodge Trip Report - Brian Johnson

One of seven permit caught this day by Alex Maher.

Espiritu Santo is a prolific bonefishery.

Playa Blanca is a perfect fishing lodge, perched on a picturesque beach above the aquamarine waters of the Caribbean. A new palapa provides the ideal setting to enjoy a beverage and share stories from the day. In addition to the unbeatable location, the food is top notch. Incredible seafood was prepared by great chefs every night, another amazing perk of this lodge.

Surf and Turf night!

Liane Forrester with an impressive Snook.

The guides at Playa Blanca are second to none. I was steadily reminded of this as I was able to fish with three different guides over the course of the week. All were prodigious, unique and masters of their craft. Espiritu Santo Bay is an incredible and exclusive fishery and these guides know it better than anyone. I enjoyed a diverse week of fishing and was able to make the most of a rainy day with the lodge host/manger, friend and WorldCast Anglers guide George Woodward. Even in pouring rain, we got into fish all day catching multiple tarpon, bonefish, and a handful of other species.

Proving fish can be caught while it rains in the flats.

Guide Andres and George Woodward were able to keep this tarpon away from an aggressive pelican.

Overall it was a great week and that was solidified as it usually is by great people—both the lodge staff and anglers who joined me. The silver lining to coming home is the excitement that builds for next years’ trip.”