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    Patrick Pendergast - Director of Travel Department
    If there were a qualifications list for the job as director of The Fly Shop Travel Department, the resume for that position would read like Pat Pendergast’s biography. He came to The Fly Shop a little more than a dozen years ago in 1996. He first met Mike Michalak, the owner of The Fly Shop, while guiding in Alaska, in 1986.
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    Shane came on with The Fly Shop® in 1997. When a position opened in the Outfitters part of the business, Shane stepped in and spent about 5 years managing our local Guide Service and Private Ranches. He's worked in just about every facet of The Fly Shop®.
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    Shane Kohlbeck

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Turneffe Flats Lodge, Belize

On the seaward side of the largest and most biologically diverse atoll in the Caribbean Sea is built one of the most beautiful and complete lodges in Central America; Turneffe Flats Lodge.

For over 20 years it has evolved from a few "rough" structures on the beach to a world class dive, eco-tour and fishing operation. Singles, double occupancy, family and groups have very comfortable lodging available to them. Anglers and non-anglers alike will enjoy their stay at Turneffe Flats.

On Google Earth, go to coordinates: 17.25.31.40 N and 87.48.37.35 W to get an excellent picture of where you will be spending a week of fishing, diving or exploring the atoll. Or combine all activities.

Turneffe Atoll is about 30 miles off the coast of

Belize. Even the boat ride in their 48' dive boat from the mainland to the lodge is exciting as it finds its way through the Meso American Reef (the second longest barrier reef in the world), around and between several cayes and through mangrove channels so narrow you could reach out and touch the trees if you wanted. You might sight dolphins, manatees and several different bird species on the way. It is certainly a world away from the mainland, you just left behind a few minutes ago. The whole crossing takes about 90 minutes. Sit back, enjoy the sights and prepare for the relaxed atmosphere of Turneffe Flats Lodge.

Reservations & Rates


Reservations at Turneffe Flats Lodge can include so many different possibilities that it is hard to list them all.

Package Cost:
The cost of the 7 night/6 day Turneffe Flats Lodge package is $3970.75 per person (double occupancy - Dec 22, 2012 – May 25, 2013)

•  Additional options in regards to length of stay and occupancy are available.

Inclusions:
Your angling package at Turneffe Flats Lodge includes saturday airport pickup and transfer by boat to the lodge (flight arrival no later than 3:30PM); all lodging at Turneffe Flats, but not in Belize City if necessary; three meals daily, including evening hors d'oeuvres.

Non-Inclusions:
Not included in your Turneffe Flats Lodge package are Belize departure Tax of $37 USD;

Staff and guide gratuities; 10% government tax; your transportation between your home and Belize City; liquor; equipment rental (fishing or diving); an additional transfer fee may be required if arrival/departure other than on regularly scheduled days (typically Saturday and Wednesday).

Travel Insurance:
The Fly Shop® is not in the insurance business, but we offer the Great Outdoors Travel Insurance Plan by Travel Guard coverage as a service with a desire to see your best interests protected. It is impossible to know when an unfortunate situation (loss of luggage, fly rods, illness in the family, or an accident) may occur. However, such things can and do happen, and this insurance can provide a means of recourse against non-refundable financial losses.  Great Outdoors Travel Insurance Plan by Travel Guard

Seasons at Turneffe Flats Lodge


Bonefish: Bonefish are present in equal numbers throughout the year - there is no clearly preferable time for bonefishing.

Permit: Permit are also present throughout the year, although permit fishing tends to be more predictable when the prevailing winds are most consistent - generally in the winter, spring and summer.

Tarpon: Tarpon fishing is quite seasonal since they're migratory. Our tarpon numbers begin to increase in April and May and drop off in September or October. Peak tarpon months are June, July, and August, and some resident tarpon are around throughout the year.

Grand Slam: June, July and August are our best overall fishing months primarily because there are good numbers of all three species available. Summer temperatures are in the low-to mid-90s and a steady trade wind generally makes the weather very comfortable. Our centrally air-conditioned rooms make for comfortable sleeping throughout the summer.


Other Fishing: Another favorite sport fish, the snook, can be found in the small mangrove creeks around the atoll. Add one of these to your grand slam and make it a "Super Slam."

Barracuda: Barracuda are an underrated sport fish present in large numbers throughout the year. Reef species including snapper, grouper and jacks are also abundant year-round.

Weather: Temperatures throughout the year range from 75-95 degrees (average 84). Water temperatures average 79-80 degrees in the winter and 83 degrees in the summer. A comfortable southeasterly trade wind blows throughout most of the year, and tends to pick up in March and April. June is called the "rainy season" in Belize but this relates primarily to the mainland rainforest and has little effect on the offshore atolls. Fall weather is generally wonderful with pleasant temperatures and mild winds; however, the weather can occasionally be dominated by "northers'" or cold fronts.

Getting To Turneffe Flats Lodge


Travel to Turneffe Flats is really very easy from just about anywhere in the US with direct flight to Belize City, Belize.

Do not forget your passport. A valid passport is required to enter Belize. We recommend that you carry a change of clothing and your necessary personal items such as medications in your carry-on bag. Although we have not had a substantial problem with lost luggage, this can help prevent some major headaches. Keep the bottom portion of your Immigration Form, which you will fill out on your arriving flight. It will be used when you depart Belize.

US currency is easily exchanged in Belize at a rate of $2 BLZ for $1 US, and you do not need to exchange money before leaving the U.S. Large US bills ($50's and $100's) are difficult to break, and we suggest that you bring smaller bills. Other currencies should be exchanged for Belizean dollars or US dollars prior to traveling to Belize. Turneffe Flats accepts MasterCard, VISA, and Discover as well as travelers checks or personal checks drawn on U.S. banks. Major Credit Cards are accepted in Belize City.

We ask that all flights arrive no later than 3:30 p.m. Upon arrival at Belize International Airport, you will pick up your luggage, clear Customs and exit the airport. In case you need assistance with your luggage (a very short distance), airport porters are available. As you exit Customs, a Turneffe Flats representative will meet you and transport you to the Princess International Hotel Marina. At the Marina, you will be notified of the boat's

scheduled departure time, which varies according to guest arrivals. There is a restaurant/bar at the Marina for lunch or a beverage while you wait to leave for Turneffe Flats. If for some reason you cannot find a representative of Turneffe Flats at the airport, please take a taxi to the Princess International Hotel Marina.

If your flight is delayed and you miss our transfer boat, you will need to stay in Belize City on Saturday night and catch our guide boat from the Princess International Hotel Marina at 7:30 a.m. Sunday. If the guide boat is full, you will need to hire a charter to take you across. This will be at your own expense and Turneffe Flats can arrange this for you.

If you need help with Saturday night arrangements, please contact the island (220-4046) or the reservation office (888-512-8812, option 1). Plan to be at the Princess Marina with your luggage by 7:15 a.m. Sunday. We will contact you Saturday night to discuss the next day's arrangements. The cost of meals and lodging, and/or the charter in Belize City is not covered in your Turneffe Flats package.

The trip to Turneffe Flats takes approximately 90 minutes. You will travel through several off-shore cayes, the Barrier Reef, across open ocean, and then through the Turneffe Islands to Turneffe Flats.

Lodging at Turneffe Flats Lodge


Located right on the beach with drop-dead-gorgeous views of the reef are 4 duplex cabanas with two spacious rooms in each one.

They are air conditioned, have a queen sized bed and an extra-long single bed, lots of closet space, sitting area and a chest of drawers. Each room has a private bath with hot and cold water.

There is the Reef Villa with three bedrooms and a common room. It has a beach front setting and a great view. It contains bedrooms #9, 10 and 11. #9 has one queen-sized bed; bedroom #10 has two single beds and #11 has two queen beds. All have private bathrooms. The common room has a couch and sitting area with satellite TV as well as a small kitchenette (but no cooking facilities).

The newest addition to the lodge is the Garden Villa. This deluxe accommodation has three bedrooms with private bathrooms and a common room. The common room is great for family or group gatherings. It contains a satellite TV and a small kitchen (without cooking facilities). Its lower level has a meeting room and an exorcise room.

The two villas are perfect for families, a group of friends or business partners. Call about availability for the villas.

The main lodge has the bar, dining room, and a small fly shop. The outside deck at the beachfront offers a great place to sip a cool drink, take in the breathtaking views and visit with other guests.

Following hors d'oeuvres and refreshments, dinner is the big meal of the day comprised of soup or salad, entree and homemade dessert. Entrees vary among seafood, chicken, pork and beef. Meals are a tasty combination of Belizean and International dishes served family-style. Fresh seafood, local produce and home-baked pastries are standard fare. Depending upon your plans and your preference, you will have the option to take a packed lunch or return to the lodge for lunch. If you have special dietary needs, we will do our best to accommodate them.

The Fishing at Turneffe Flats Lodge


Your fishing at Turneffe Flats is with one of the most experienced group of guides anywhere. They understand flyfishing, know the flats and are eager to put anglers in front of bones, permit and tarpon. They are English speaking (Belize is an English speaking country) and experienced boatmen.

Start the morning off with coffee followed by a deliciously prepared breakfast (or something light like fresh fruit and toast and/or cereal. Then, at about 8:00 AM meet with your guide discuss what kind of fishing is available. Bonefish and permit are around just about every day and tarpon are in the area during the late spring and early fall, so you may want to chase permit first thing, then go for tarpon, stop for lunch and go out for bones in the afternoon for a possible flats grand slam. Talk over with your guide when the tides are favorable for the type of fishing you wish to do. He will do everything possible to make it happen.

Their fishing schedule is as flexible as possible. A standard day's fishing is about 8 hours. Generally the fishing day begins after breakfast and ends around 5 p.m. although it

is adjusted depending on the tides and other factors.

Each day you will have the option to take a delicious packed lunch or return to the lodge for the noon meal. Our Managers will coordinate your fishing each evening for the following day. Early morning fishing, particularly for tarpon, can be exceptional, and arrangements to go tarpon fishing before breakfast are easily made. Talk it over with your guide to see if this is something you might want to do.

The boats are custom-built 16' Dolphon Superskiffs. They are all equipped with VHF radios and safety gear. For the comfort of the anglers, the boats have large casting decks at the bow and provide a smooth ride in choppy waters.

Making Reservations to Turneffe Flats Lodge

To make a reservation, please give us a call at 800-669-3474 during business hours any day of the week. We can give you the answers you need, detailed explanations to questions you might have, or check on availability and confirm your reservation in minutes.

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Signature Destinations
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