Since arriving in Guanaja we heard legends of the Faraway Keys
Bonefish schools of 1000, eating bare hooks, averaging 6 pounds
Tales of permit that would break the world record if caught on a fly
These rumors led us to voyage beyond the horizon
We discovered . . . the rumors are true
Bonefish schools of 1000, eating bare hooks, averaging 6 pounds
Tales of permit that would break the world record if caught on a fly
These rumors led us to voyage beyond the horizon
We discovered . . . the rumors are true
IT'S A UNIQUE TIME IN FLY-FISHING HISTORY TO STILL EXPLORE . . .
Fly Fish Guanaja developed a remote basecamp on a small Caribbean island 160 miles east of Guanaja.
Guanaja locals have worked these islands for generations in lobster, shrimp, and snapper boats.
We are the first fly-fishers and tourists to inhabit these islands.
Although the area has been a resource for fisherman, bonefish and permit have been left alone,
to grow and multiply in ways that takes seeing to believing.
The Faraway Cayes are inhabited with several giant schools of bonefish, down to big singles that are much larger on average than typical Central American bonefish with some pushing double digits.
The permit fishery is world class.
Many shots a day are expected with several landed in a week.
The average permit are over 15 pounds, and some reach over 50
Guanaja locals have worked these islands for generations in lobster, shrimp, and snapper boats.
We are the first fly-fishers and tourists to inhabit these islands.
Although the area has been a resource for fisherman, bonefish and permit have been left alone,
to grow and multiply in ways that takes seeing to believing.
The Faraway Cayes are inhabited with several giant schools of bonefish, down to big singles that are much larger on average than typical Central American bonefish with some pushing double digits.
The permit fishery is world class.
Many shots a day are expected with several landed in a week.
The average permit are over 15 pounds, and some reach over 50
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Previously we accessed this fishery via helicopter, flying 160 miles over open ocean.
We have replaced the helicopter with a direct flight from Roatan to Puerto Lempira in a twin engine flight chartered privately for our groups. From there a short taxi ride with your Faraway Cayes host to where our Captains Derik, Jimmy, or Royce will have their twin engine diesel speed boat designed for passengers and sport fishing awaiting to shuttle you on a 45 mile run north to the Faraway Cayes.
Our new route reflects an evolved experience with added safety and reliability and we couldn’t more excited.
We have replaced the helicopter with a direct flight from Roatan to Puerto Lempira in a twin engine flight chartered privately for our groups. From there a short taxi ride with your Faraway Cayes host to where our Captains Derik, Jimmy, or Royce will have their twin engine diesel speed boat designed for passengers and sport fishing awaiting to shuttle you on a 45 mile run north to the Faraway Cayes.
Our new route reflects an evolved experience with added safety and reliability and we couldn’t more excited.
Itinerary
Friday
Arrive in Roatan
Shuttle from Roatan Airport to Accommodation
Saturday
6am: Shuttle to Airport
1 hour flight to Puerto Lempira
Shuttle to Fly Fish Guanaja private charter boats 2 hour boat ride to Faraway Cayes / Lunch on Boat Arrive at Faraway Cayes around noon
Sunday / Monday / Tuesday / Wednesday / Thursday / Friday
6 Days Fully Guided Fly Fishing
Saturday
6am: 2 hour boat ride to shuttle / Breakfast on Boat Shuttle to Airport
1 hour flight to Roatan
11am: Back at Roatan Airport
WE HAVE 3 FLY FISHING FLATS PANGAS MADE IN GUANAJA TO FISH THE SEVERAL ISLANDS AND FLATS AROUND BASECAMP. WE USE A 45 FOOT SNAPPER BOAT TO DRAG OUR PANGAS TO FURTHER AWAY CAYES AND FISH NEW FLATS ALMOST EVERYDAY.
Faraway Keys Package
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DEEPER DETAILS
The Fishing |
The Faraway Cayes are part of a massive reef system stretching for hundreds of miles offshore of Honduras (and eventually into Nicaraguan waters). It is not continuous, but cut through with channels, and with blue water separating sections of reef. The depth is variable, with deeper flats comprising the majority of the terrain, but with plenty of cayes, sandbars, turtle grass flats, and other shallow structure on the back side of the solid coral. The shallow water is clustered in select areas along the reef, often separated by long distances in between.
These are not the endless ankle-deep flats of the Bahamas. But that topography presents a tradeoff most fly fishermen will take. Vast flats can mean hours and miles of poling or wading without any action. More circumscribed flats often concentrate the fish; this is true at the Faraway Cayes. The shallow turtle grass is full of permit, and lots of triggerfish. The sandy patches hold huge schools of bonefish
Permit
The Faraway Cayes are home to permit of all sizes, all the way up to jumbo. Even though they have experienced no fishing pressure, they are not dumb or easy to catch. They are permit; smart, selective, and tough to fool, anywhere they live. Wild creatures in any pristine environment are attuned to anything new or different. The Faraway Cayes are quiet and empty. The permit there are not used to the sounds of outboard motors, the crunch of a push pole or footsteps on the flats, a fly slapping the water — so they notice these things. But if it were easy, permit would not be so rewarding or surrounded by such mystique.
While Faraway Cayes cannot deliver dumb fish, it does offer lots of opportunity. During the right tidal periods, permit tail all over the skinny turtle grass flats. On tides not conducive to tailing, they hunt by hiding underneath eagle rays as the rays cruise around slightly deeper flats. The fish hiding under rays will follow and eat flies aggressively. It is a wild and unique sight to suddenly see a permit materialize where there was only a ray, chasing down a rapidly stripped shrimp fly.
Under normal conditions, anglers will have encounters with dozens of fish tailing and cruising the skinny flats for part of the day, and plenty of additional opportunities at fish in other scenarios (with rays, for example) the remainder of the day.
While Faraway Cayes cannot deliver dumb fish, it does offer lots of opportunity. During the right tidal periods, permit tail all over the skinny turtle grass flats. On tides not conducive to tailing, they hunt by hiding underneath eagle rays as the rays cruise around slightly deeper flats. The fish hiding under rays will follow and eat flies aggressively. It is a wild and unique sight to suddenly see a permit materialize where there was only a ray, chasing down a rapidly stripped shrimp fly.
Under normal conditions, anglers will have encounters with dozens of fish tailing and cruising the skinny flats for part of the day, and plenty of additional opportunities at fish in other scenarios (with rays, for example) the remainder of the day.
The Faraway Cayes are home to permit of all sizes, all the way up to jumbo. Even though they have experienced no fishing pressure, they are not dumb or easy to catch.
Bonefish
The Faraway Cayes also boast large schools of bonefish of all sizes, with fish of similar size tending to school together. They are usually easy to locate, since the ultra-shallow water is limited, and they are not selective.
Some of the bonefish are trophy sized — much larger than elsewhere in Central America. With coral fringing most of the flats, landing the big ones is another matter. Sometimes the biggest fish are solitary, but often they are with schools, so part of the challenge is getting the grandaddy to eat when he is surrounded by hundreds of other fish. All this is to say that anglers targeting bones will have a heyday in the Faraway Cayes.
Some of the bonefish are trophy sized — much larger than elsewhere in Central America. With coral fringing most of the flats, landing the big ones is another matter. Sometimes the biggest fish are solitary, but often they are with schools, so part of the challenge is getting the grandaddy to eat when he is surrounded by hundreds of other fish. All this is to say that anglers targeting bones will have a heyday in the Faraway Cayes.
Other Species
The Faraway Cayes boast lots of big triggerfish. Unlike in many locations, these triggers will actively chase and eat flies. They are not pushovers, and it takes a well presented fly to avoid spooking them. It can also be difficult to achieve a solid hook set, since triggers have teeth and hard mouths. However, they are a good-sized fish that tails on the flats, provides a challenge, and will expose your backing in seconds when hooked — what more could you ask for?
Triggers frequent the same water as permit and will eat the same flies, and thus require no time out from permit fishing. They are great targets of opportunity and we consider the fishing for triggers a huge bonus.
Tarpon, snook, huge barracuda, jacks, snapper, sharks, and other reef and blue water species are present. These species each have their unique qualities and provide variety for anglers who like to mix it up.
Triggers frequent the same water as permit and will eat the same flies, and thus require no time out from permit fishing. They are great targets of opportunity and we consider the fishing for triggers a huge bonus.
Tarpon, snook, huge barracuda, jacks, snapper, sharks, and other reef and blue water species are present. These species each have their unique qualities and provide variety for anglers who like to mix it up.
Wading vs poling
Typically, the fishing is split about half and half between wading and poling the skiff. Anglers chase tailing permit, bonefish, and triggerfish while wading, and fish from the boat for permit under rays and when the tide has the permit cruising the slightly deeper flats.
The wading usually takes place on turtle grass flats or shallow reef. These areas have plenty of coral rubble, rocks, conch shells, etc. and thus require high quality wading boots to protect your feet. However, the bottom is hard and the flats are relatively small, so it is fairly easy and the wades are typically pretty short.
The wading usually takes place on turtle grass flats or shallow reef. These areas have plenty of coral rubble, rocks, conch shells, etc. and thus require high quality wading boots to protect your feet. However, the bottom is hard and the flats are relatively small, so it is fairly easy and the wades are typically pretty short.
BASECAMPHOME SWEET HOME.....YURT LIFE
Basecamp is comfortable and the most peaceful place on earth. 3 Mountain Shelter Yurts sit on decks in the middle of the island which give 360 views of live flats and a constant breeze. Spacious yurts with new beds and thoughtful interior surpass expectations. |
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Faraway Cayes Cuisine
We built a restaurant with a breeze and views of tailing fish
We built a restaurant with a breeze and views of tailing fish. The cuisine is enough reason to make the trip. The fish, lobster and shrimp practically jump out of the sea onto our plates, with a professional chef in between.
Endless fresh sea food from the Faraway Cayes creates an unforgettable dining experience, often catching your own fish trolling on the way to flats. Chefs from Fly Fish Guanaja transport to the Faraway Cayes along with fresh Honduran fruit, vegetables, deserts, and everything needed for a top shelf cuisine.
Breakfasts include eggs several ways, fry jacks, bacon, beans, fresh fruit, pancakes, toast, juice, and more. Boat lunches are typically wraps, empanadas, or sandwiches. Appetizers such as conch fritters are served at cocktail hour. Dinners are the main event, with entrees of lobster, fresh caught fish, shrimp, pork, and chicken.
Endless fresh sea food from the Faraway Cayes creates an unforgettable dining experience, often catching your own fish trolling on the way to flats. Chefs from Fly Fish Guanaja transport to the Faraway Cayes along with fresh Honduran fruit, vegetables, deserts, and everything needed for a top shelf cuisine.
Breakfasts include eggs several ways, fry jacks, bacon, beans, fresh fruit, pancakes, toast, juice, and more. Boat lunches are typically wraps, empanadas, or sandwiches. Appetizers such as conch fritters are served at cocktail hour. Dinners are the main event, with entrees of lobster, fresh caught fish, shrimp, pork, and chicken.
fresh. simple. delicious
DETAILED ITINERARY & TRANSPORTATION
Friday Arrival:
Arrive into Roatan, Honduras direct from Houston, Dallas, Atlanta, or Miami.
Taxi Ride From Roatan Airport to Clarion Suites at Pineapple Villas: 15 min
Taxi arranged and bags loaded by our Fly Fish Guanaja Representative Oliver
Dinner & breakfast the next morning are at your cost & choice
We recommend the Sports Bar & Restaurant on site
www.clarionroatan.com
Saturday Transfer from Roatan to Faraway Keys:
Your adventure to Faraway Cayes Begins!
6am: Shuttle to Airport - Arranged by Fly Fish Guanaja
7am: - 8am: 1 hour flight to Puerto Lempira - 19 seat twin engine private charter Flight
Faraway Cayes Host will meet you at the airport
8:30am - 9:30am: Shuttle to Fly Fish Guanaja private charter boats
9:30am - 11:30pm: 2 hour boat ride to Faraway Cayes / Lunch on Boat
Sunday / Monday / Tuesday / Wednesday / Thursday / Friday
6 Full days Guided Fly Fishing
Saturday Transfer from Faraway Cayes to Roatan:
6am: - 8am: Charter Boat to Puerto Lempira - breakfast on board
8am - 9am: Shuttle to Puerto Lempira Airport
9:30am - 10:30am: Private Charter Flight back to Roatan Airport
Arrive and Check in for your international flight home
Please make sure your international flight does not leave until after 1pm
Allowing for required 2 hour international check in
WHEN TO COME / LIMITED FISHING PROGRAM
MARCH – EARLY JUNE
The Faraway Cayes program is set up to keep the flats as wild and pristine as they were before the operation began. Capacity is six anglers per week. The season is only three months long. There is a break for one week each of those three months. This adds up to about 60 days per year total. The Faraway Cayes program operates from March through the first week in June, with one week off each month, for twelve weeks of fishing total. This period of the springtime is generally considered the best time to permit fish anywhere in Central America and the Caribbean, and this certainly holds true in Honduras. Each of these months is prime.
The Faraway Cayes program is set up to keep the flats as wild and pristine as they were before the operation began. Capacity is six anglers per week. The season is only three months long. There is a break for one week each of those three months. This adds up to about 60 days per year total. The Faraway Cayes program operates from March through the first week in June, with one week off each month, for twelve weeks of fishing total. This period of the springtime is generally considered the best time to permit fish anywhere in Central America and the Caribbean, and this certainly holds true in Honduras. Each of these months is prime.
The Honduran Government continues to graciously offer their assistance throughout our journey and during our stay at the Faraway Cayes ensuring a safe journey for all anglers.
General Considerations
Power & Communication: There is no service at the Faraway Cayes. We have emergency communications only. Some guests bring an inReach device to communicate with family North American power outlets.
Water: Water is a precious commodity at the Faraway Cayes and we are on limited water supply for showers. Bring a water bottle as we are a plastic free lodge. Purified water is available throughout the lodge.
Currency: The Honduran currency is in Lempira& US money is accepted everywhere. $20USD = 500lpms Please travel with small unripped bills Once out at the Faraway Cayes there is no option for a Ban k, ATM, use for a Credit Card or ability to break large bills.
Laundry: We can do laundry! Hand washed and breeze dried
Time Zone: Central Standard
Beverages: The lodge provides water & soft drinks. You will be given a pre order form for any additional alcohol you wish to purchase prior to your arrival. This will be waiting for your arrival at Faraway Cayes.
Water: Water is a precious commodity at the Faraway Cayes and we are on limited water supply for showers. Bring a water bottle as we are a plastic free lodge. Purified water is available throughout the lodge.
Currency: The Honduran currency is in Lempira& US money is accepted everywhere. $20USD = 500lpms Please travel with small unripped bills Once out at the Faraway Cayes there is no option for a Ban k, ATM, use for a Credit Card or ability to break large bills.
Laundry: We can do laundry! Hand washed and breeze dried
Time Zone: Central Standard
Beverages: The lodge provides water & soft drinks. You will be given a pre order form for any additional alcohol you wish to purchase prior to your arrival. This will be waiting for your arrival at Faraway Cayes.
Suggested Packing LIst:
- Soft sided luggage is suggested - 50 pounds max
- Sunscreen
- Updated Passport - This is very important as Honduras requires your passport to be good for 6 months from the date of arrival.
- Plane Ticket
- Cash
- Personal Toiletries
- Breathable pants and shirts and buff
- Head lamp or flashlight
- Polarized sunglasses
- Light Raincoat
- Flats fishing booties (neoprene/rubber boot that covers ankle)
- Wide-brimmed hat (or suitable hat to wear in the sun)
- Swimsuit Fishing Gear
- Hemostats
- Clippers
- Rods: 8 - 10 weight rods (9ft 8wt most practical all around rod)
- Reels: Any quality reel with a good drag system and at least 100 yards of 30lb backing
- Lines: Saltwater floating lines
- Leaders:
- Bonefish: 9ft / 8-12lb
- Permit: 9ft 8-12lb
- Tarpon: 60lb
- Cuda: 40lb wire •
- Snook: 20lb wire
- Tippet: 10lb,12lb,16lb, & 20lb
- Flies - custom saltwater Guanaja box from www.guideflies.com
SUSTAINABILITY
The goal of Fly Fish Guanaja is to preserve the fishery so that anglers may always experience what we did upon arrival. The fishery is a series of atolls that reaches on to Nicaragua, through Panama, and even down to Costa Rica. Not only will we continue to explore and increase the size of the fishery, we are limiting the number of anglers and pressure to a sustainable level. We are only fishing 12 weeks a year, with 2 weeks on and 1 week off. We also share our basecamp with Mar Alliance, a non-profit that researches wild fisheries to protect sharks and rays, which in turn helps protect our flats fishery.
The goal of Fly Fish Guanaja is to preserve the fishery so that anglers may always experience what we did upon arrival. The fishery is a series of atolls that reaches on to Nicaragua, through Panama, and even down to Costa Rica. Not only will we continue to explore and increase the size of the fishery, we are limiting the number of anglers and pressure to a sustainable level. We are only fishing 12 weeks a year, with 2 weeks on and 1 week off. We also share our basecamp with Mar Alliance, a non-profit that researches wild fisheries to protect sharks and rays, which in turn helps protect our flats fishery.
