Fly Fishing in Roatan, Honduras

Fly Fishing Vacation on an Exotic Island once inhabited by Pirates.

Fishing Guide Roatan HondurasRoatan is the largest of the Honduran Bay Islands in the Caribbean Sea at 60 km long and located just off of the North coast of mainland Honduras. It has a fascinating history having been occupied by British and Spanish invaders and Pirates. Yes Pirates! Just east of modern day Port Royal was the site of a significant Pirate settlement in the 1700’s. This is the current site of our Fly Fishing Lodge on Roatan.

An enormous sand flat protects Port Royal by restricting the access of ships from entering the harbour. This gave the Pirate community plenty of time to prepare for an invasion. That same flat can be teaming with tailing bonefish and sits right out front of our lodge. Schools of hundreds of bonefish will test your ability to stay calm and lay down that perfect cast. With many more flats surrounding the south and north sides of the island means that you can always find one that is sheltered from the wind.

The East End flats offer some of the best fishing in the Caribbean. Double digit Bonefish, abundant Permit and resident and migratory Tarpon make it an ideal destination for the fly fisherman.

Accomodations

Water House Roatan HondurasOur host lodge in Port Royal is an ECO friendly and completely off the grid lodge, powered by solar and wind!

  • 4  beautiful cabanas suspended above the water
  • 2 main lodge rooms
  • Full restaurant and bar
  • 3 meals/day included

The lodge offers all inclusive accommodation and fishing packages.  Daily fishing rates are available if staying somewhere else on the island. 

Daily Guided Fly Fishing

A Typical Day

Village of Roatan HondurasFishing days start early. Just after first light you will set out with your guide to the flats to stalk bonefish and permit. Fly-fishing is usually walk & wade of coral and turtle grass flats. We recommend that you bring flies with weed guards for the turtle grass.

Guanaja

The lodge also offers day and overnight fishing trips to Guanaja.  Guanaja, a small island 30 miles east of Roatan, is the home of exceptional saltwater flats and healthy fisheries. Guanaja was at one time home to two successful fly-fishing lodges. Unfortunately, both were lost in Hurricane Mitch in 1998. Since then, the plentiful flats surrounding this steep, mountainous island have been relatively untouched.

These trips can be arranged while at the lodge. Extra charges will apply.

All Inclusive Lodge Fishing Package: 7 Days & 6 Nights

Guide and Stephen Roatan HondurasWhat to Bring

  • Its always a good idea to bring light weight rain gear... just in case.
  • Good flats wading boots
  • Gravel guards for sand
  • Polarized sun glasses
  • Long sleeved UPF rated shirt
  • Quick dry fishing pants & shorts
  • Sun gloves
  • Sunscreen
  • Hats
  • Waterproof camera
  • Day bag

Equipment

Fly fishing supplies on Roatan are not available to purchase, so bring more than less.

See below for the right equipment for each species.

Tarpon

Average: 15-30lbs.

Rods:

10-12wt rods with floating Tarpon tapers,
Intermediate Tropical Sink Tip

Leader: 30lb leader with 80-100lbs bite tippets

Flies:

Black Death
Purple Death
Tarpon Toad
Cockroach
Red/White Tarpon Fly

Permit

Average: 8-12lbs. Rods: Bonefish - 8-9wt with tropical/bonefish floating line. Permit 10-11wt with tropical/permit floating line. Can also bring an intermediate sink tip to get the fly down faster. Leader: 10-12 foot 12-15lb tapered fluorocarbon leaders. Flies:

  • Merkin Crab (tan, olive, chartreuse) #4-6
  • Mother of Epoxy (white, pink, brown) #4-6
  • Mantis shrimp patterns (olive, tan) #4
  • Spawning Shrimp #4, Clouser Minnows (chartreuse and white) #2

Bonefish

Average: 1-3lbs. Rods: 8wt with bonefish taper floating lines. Leaders: 8-10 foot 10lb tapered fluorocarbon leaders. 10-12lb tippet. Flies:

  • Bonefish Bitters (orange/olive, amber, chartreuse) #6-10,
  • Puffs (pink, white, or tan) #4-8
  • Gotchas (gold & pearl)# 4-8
  • Crazy Charlies (tan, pink, white & brown) #8-10
  • Clouser Minnows (tan, olive) #4-8