Day 1 - Belize River Lodge

After a great evening around the dinner table here at Belize River Lodge with chat about how good the fishing has been it was concerning to hear heavy rains pounding our cabin a 3 AM this morning. I’ve picked up a nickname over the years, “Monsoon Currier” and let’s just say it’s not a good nickname. Perfect weather and fishing conditions have been known to disintegrate fast when I arrive. Luckily, the heavy rains didn’t last but we still awoke to a cool cloudy day.

A day at Belize River Lodge starts with a big breakfast at 7. Then you head out fishing. Today was Day 1 and although I still know a few of the guides from years back, we had one I didn’t know, Jose. Jose knew my history here and we hit it off quick by talking about Raul, a top guide from here and mutual friend that passed away of a heart attack last spring at only 40. Raul is sadly missed. Then Jose and I went over a game plan, checked over the rigs and we were off to the mouth of the Belize River where there were some rolling tarpon.

I handed Granny my Ross RX 12-weight with a SA Tarpon Taper WF12I and a black fly tied up by my friend Milkfish. Granny is an incredible caster but doesn’t have the good fortune of chucking the 12 often. Jose and I did a little ducking as she warmed up. I grabbed my other 12 and a 400 grain sinking Tropic Express and cast from the middle of our panga.

About an hour later we reeled the big sticks in. Although we saw a few tarpon roll they wouldn’t cooperate. Granny caught a leather jack, a new species for her, similar looking to the queenfish you often catch in the Pacific but that was all.

Our light conditions for spotting fish remained poor so Jose suggested heading out to the ocean to pound big flies into the mangroves for snook. You don’t need to see a snook to catch him, and even so, snook appear very black in the water and even in poor sight fishing conditions you can see them. The move was a great call and during the rest of the morning Granny and I each landed a respectable snook.

We spent the afternoon struggling to see anything with more thick clouds. Our only hope was tailing fish and we found a few bonefish. However, they were in such skinny water we couldn’t get close enough for a decent cast. Accidentally we managed two because we got the wind behind us and launched a couple ridiculously lucky long casts.

It was a great Day 1. We had success in tough conditions and Jose is a great guide. Who knows what the weather will bring but judging by the changes in wind direction from north to south today, things should improve.

Jeff Currier Global Fly Fishing

Back to Belize

It’s been way too long since my last trip to Belize. I’d have to dig back through old journals but I’m guessing it’s been like eight years. I make it sound like I’ve been to Belize often – that’s because I have. Between 1989 and 1993 I went nine times.

No I wasn’t rich or a trust fund kid. I mortgaged my life to go on that first trip in 1989. Afterwards it took me about five years to pay it off. But despite being in debt I had to go back. That’s when I got into hosting trips.


I had plenty of trout fishing clients from working out of the fly shop in Jackson, Wyoming. Every guide trip I did, every casting lesson I gave and every customer I chatted with in the shop heard about Belize. By the end of each summer I had at least 20 folks to take to Belize with me that winter. Take groups to lodges in Belize and that equates to free trips!

I rotated my clients in and out of two excellent lodges, Belize River Lodge and Turneffe Flats Lodge. Both lodges are still tops today and each has the same owners and even some of the same guides I wore out when I was a young maniac. Life was good. I was in my early 20’s and managed a way to fish the flats of Belize with regularity. But just when Belize was most perfect I got curious. Curious about other saltwater fly fishing destinations. Curious about other trout destinations. Then curious about every fish on the planet that would take a fly. Then despite my love for Belize it went on the back burner for more than 20 years while I set out to see and fish the world.

I have no regrets. The last 20 years have been incredible. But I must admit, no matter where I found myself, not a day went by where I didn’t think about Belize. Belize is where my love for new species and foreign adventures began. That’s why it was time to return and I’m excited to say that for the next seven days Granny and I will be fishing the flats here.

We arrived at Belize River Lodge this afternoon and united with our long time friends and owners Mike Heusner and Marguerite Miles. These folks took mighty good care of me back in the day. I’ll never forget the day we met. Marguerite fed me a Belikin beer and told my how the inner lodge worked. Then Mike talked to me about the fishing. Mike didn’t mention the word fly. When he was done I dropped the fly fishing thing on him and he shook his head in doubt. The next morning my boat was loaded with spin rods and trolling gear. Despite his plea (he was only trying to guarantee me fish) I had the non fly gear removed and went for it with my guide Roy.

During that first visit I didn’t exactly tear up the fish but I stuck with the fly and managed to catch some. “Some” included a handful of bonefish and baby tarpon, a 75lb tarpon and a heap of other cool fish species from barracudas to an eight foot bull shark (I didn’t exactly land him). It turned out Mike appreciated my efforts and we became great friends. And the guides liked the fly rod also. It was different and fun, not to mention perhaps more effective when done right.  I came back at least once a year for the next four.

That’s the short story and all I can say is that it’s good to be back in Belize. Tomorrow is our first fishing day of seven and you can expect reports and photos from all. As always, they may not post in a timely manner as internet and available time isn’t always guaranteed on these trips however the posts will come. Stay tuned!

Jeff Currier Global Fly Fishing

Works Done - Let's go Fishing In Belize

Today is the end of the longest period of no fishing for me since last February.  My wild run on various waters the last two months put me way behind in my work from art, organizing my winter schedule and updating my PowerPoint's for winter shows.  I buckled down however and have my “work” life back on track.  Of note, I completed two paintings for longtime customer Dan Beistel. The paintings included a black bass and this American shad, one of the biggest shad I’ve ever seen.

The other factor that kept me off the water was that I’m headed for Belize tomorrow to see my longtime friends of Belize River Lodge.  Packing for the flats always entails a bunch of preparation from rigging up tropical fly lines and tying Biminis for tarpon leaders to organizing flies for numerous different species.  I even had to tie up some Crazy Charlie’s and I’m not much of a tier.  You can go to almost any fly shop and find bonefish flies but on average they are too heavy for Belize.  Belize is true skinny water bonefishing.  So, long story short I dug out my vice and between Granny and me we tied up some very nice mono eyed Belize bonefish flies.

Our first fishing day is Wednesday and from there I’ll do my best to report.  I’m sure I’ll have internet issues and fall behind but as always, the day by day accounts will post in order when possible.  Should be excellent!

Jeff Currier Global Fly Fishing

Currier Fish Art for Christmas

The snow is here which means a little less fishing and a lot more painting.  If you need any “Currier” art for Christmas now is the time.

I have excellent stock of my famous coffee mugs including many new species such as Yellowstone Cutthroat, golden trout, steelhead, pike, sockeye salmon and more.

Let me customize a Cliff Fly Box with any fish your family angler or friend would like.

Order up a painting of the big fish of 2012. 

Most exciting of all, long time friend Harvey Cohen, is thriving with the Fly Fishing Show Room where you can get any of my fish on over 25 different products.  Especially hot right now are Christmas ornaments, beer steins, frosted mugs, cuttingboards, trivets, mouse pads and the list goes on.  Order anything online at Harvey’s site!

Flyfishingshowroom.com

Happy fishing!

Jeff Currier Global Fly Fishing

Grass Carp Code - Cracked Forever!

If there’s any fish I’ve gone from being humbled by beyond belief to learning how to catch them with regularity it’s been the grass carp (white Amur).  The first time I ever saw one of these sleek vegetarians was right here in Arizona.  They were cruising the urban lakes but I couldn’t catch them.  I tried everything and after days I finally lucked into a monster nearly 20lbs.  The grassies challenged my fly fishing skills so much that when I held that first one it was a similar experience to when I landed my first permit.

I became more patient and observant over the years.  I started to catch grass carp more often.  I learned that green or lime hoppers worked better than grass-looking fly concoctions.  I discovered that landing my fly a few inches in front of them when they were tilted slightly upwards was best even though sometimes it spooked them.  It became evident that making my fly hit hard was better then a gentle presentation.  And the tricky part, when a grass carp eats he often nibbles the fly before putting the hook in his funny shaped mouth.  I learned to watch carefully before striking. 

These days I’ve mastered the technique to catch grass carp on the fly and today I landed twelve.  Most were quality fish ranging up to 8lbs, however one was larger.  Steve, Cinda and I were walking the canal where Steve and I landed a dozen grassies on Friday.  The day was similar.  It was hot and there were numerous grassies up to about 25” doing their gentle rises to moss drifting slowly downstream.  I was fishing my olive grand hopper and catching a few.  I was enjoying myself but I must admit, landing fish and releasing them from the canal is not only difficult but dangerous because you need to wade down these precarious steps.  You don’t want to fall in here.  To avoid doing this over and over I found myself becoming choosy about which grass carp I cast too.  If they weren’t 25” I didn’t cast at them.

I walked a little ways and found several small grassies feeding.  They were suspended about three inches below the surface.  They weren’t worth casting too but below them was a ghostly figure.  The shape was almost too deep to make out in the dark somewhat muddy water.  But eventually I could see clearly.  It was a giant grass carp hiding below his body guards. 

I watched the larger fish closely hoping he would rise.  He wouldn't.  I made a cast and one of the body guards ate my fly.  With the utmost in patience, rather than set the hook I let him chew on it.  Luckily he spit it and went back to eating moss.  I made several more casts and avoided setting on yet another.  All the time the now clearly monster grass carp coasted in the current.

You don’t see fish like this often.  I don’t just mean this big grass carp, but abnormally large fish of any species.  I observed for a few minutes.  I enjoyed the moment – he was absolutely awesome.  That’s when I noticed he got in feeding position.  He elevated up with the smaller grassies, tilted and gazed ahead for a chunk of drifting moss.  I wasted no time.  In one false cast I landed my fly four inches upstream of his nose.  My heart dropped as he slowly rose then leisurely opened his mouth.  Then like a slow shutting garage door, he closed his mouth.  It’s easy to screw up setting on a grass carp but when that door closed I hit him hard.  The beast was on!

Grass carp generally fight strong, however the ones of this canal don’t get too rowdy.  Not this big boy however.  The second my hook penetrated his rubbery lip the bizarre looking silvery fish went ballistic.  He made a short deep run up the canal.  Although short it was furious.  Then the headshakes began.  I could just picture him underwater shaking side to side.  When that didn’t free him he made his next run.  This time it was a long run straight downstream.

May I remind you I fish carp with a Ross RX 5-weight and 3X tippet.  This was neither a 5-weight fish nor a 3X fish.  My original assessment before I hooked him put this grassie at about 36” and perhaps 15lbs, but now that he was pulling me around I could tell from his strength he was bigger.   At this point he continued to fight me down deep so I couldn’t get a good look.

Ten minutes into the battle I reached for my phone.  I couldn’t see Steve or Cinda so as my mighty grassie steadied down deep I rang Steve, “Dude I have a monster and I need help”. 

Another 5 minutes went by then Steve showed up with a net.  I started laughing.  It would be a chore to put a 10lb trout in this net.  Steve suggested when we see the fish I stuff his head in there and grab the tail.  I’ve not had a lot of success with this method.

About when my arms were starting to shake, the hefty grass carp came to the surface.  He was tired.  With a huge net we could have scooped him up.  But this is the canal.  Little grass carp are hard to land in the canal; this was going to test my skill, courage and sanity to the max.  I eased my way down the dry steps, and then got thigh deep on a submerged step.  One slip and it wouldn’t be pretty but I was getting this old carp. 

Another ten minutes went by.  My 5-weight was bent to the brink of explosion.  My long leader hummed like a guitar string.  At least 20 times I got that fish within inches of my reach but he surged.  I couldn’t believe nothing broke or that my barbless hopper didn’t pull out.  By now we had and audience and I had to succeed.  Finally, like the famous huchen I caught years ago, I got an opportunity to put my whole arm around his middle, hug him against me and topple with him to the cement.  It worked.  The giant grass carp was landed.  And after a few photos I released him back to his beautiful, dirty and perhaps polluted canal.  Awesome!

It’s back to Idaho in the morning.  I’d like to join the boys and head trout fishing but I’m way behind in my work.  I have art projects and its time to update my PowerPoint's and prepare for a grueling show season.  The good news however, in two weeks Granny and I head for Belize to visit some old friends of Belize River Lodge!

Jeff Currier Global Fly Fishing

Fly Fishing for Koi and Crazy Other Carps

With the seminar behind it’s all about fishing my last two days here in Arizona.  Today Steve Berry had a motorcycle race so it was Cinda Howard and I on the urban assault of the Phoenix area.  Our destination was one we’ve been fishing together for almost ten years.  I’m honestly not sure the name of the place but it’s near where the Arizona Cardinals stadium is.  There are 21 small manmade lakes surrounded by homes and sidewalks that are chock full of a variety of warmwater species.  Although we could catch about anything, our main target was koi.

The weather this week has been hotter than normal for November.  Sure, Phoenix is always a hotspot but this week temperatures have been in the low 90°s every day.  The heat certainly hasn’t hurt the fishing however and today was no exception.  On the first lake we fished Cinda and I landed over a dozen colorful koi.  

My choice of rod for koi is a 5-weight.  That’s about par for the course for me and carp.  I’d like to find a koi big enough to beat me up on the 5 but most of the koi we catch are about 20”.  On occasion we get a honker that tops the 5lb mark but these fish are not only rare, but smart as heck.  The best flies for koi are bright colored nymphs or sunken imitations of berries of the local overhanging trees.

The koi fishing was so easy that it was almost boring.  It was as if these fish haven’t been fished too before.  To spice things up Cinda started specifically targeting only the pretty looking koi and common carp.  I took off my nymph and replaced it with my olive hopper and searched out the grass carp (white Amur).  There was less around than I remembered at this place but after a couple opportunities I landed a small one.  Meanwhile Cinda caught this glowing koi-common-carp combo.

We’ve caught all kinds of strange fish in these lakes over the years.  One in particular are giant guppy-like-goldfish looking things.  They’re hard to fool into eating a fly but fight like dish rags once you do hook one.  That’s probably because they have more dangling fins to drag around than an angel fish.  Today Cinda caught one of the weirdest of all.  I caught a small one of these here years ago and never came up with what it was.  It’s got the scales and face of a common carp, the dorsal of a sailfish and the tail of a guppy.  It’s probably a hybrid of some sort.

After giving a 110% through 90° heat for almost ten hours, Cinda and I called it a day at around 5:30.  I believe I have my fill of koi that will last me a few months at least.  The day was fun, relaxing and entertaining to say the least.  Tomorrow it’s back to the challenging grass carp.

Jeff Currier Global Fly Fishing

Fly Fishing Seminars and Common Carp

I put on a full day fly fishing seminar for Desert Fly Casters down here in Arizona today. The group I taught consisted of all levels of fly fishers. I started with a basic fly casting demonstration and ended the day with the double haul. Not all casters believe the double haul is necessary but after showing off with some long 100 foot plus bombs with my Ross RX 5-weight rigged with my Scientific Anglers Mastery Series Expert Distance fly line, students that were on the fence were ready to learn.

The seminar went well and we ended just shy of 4. I must admit this was intentional because as expected, Steve, Cinda and I were headed for the canal where Steve and I spanked the grass carp yesterday. But our plan was rerouted. One of the students and longtime Desert Fly Caster member John Mayer suggested we go check on some of the carp around his golf course in East Mesa. Being you’re not allowed to fish on most golf courses, how could we refuse such and offer?

We had exactly an hour to fish before dark. John Mayor walked us out to a first lake and although we were on the hunt for grass carp all we saw were a few commons. I adjusted my set up and put a Red Copper John below my dry fly. Seconds after I rigged I spotted a group of small commons cruising my way. On my first attempt I hooked up and landed a small common carp.

We could have caught a few more small commons here but John took us to another lake where a rumor exists about a carp so big it scares golfers. It was near dark when we arrived and all we could see were a few moving blades of grass along the bank. I spooked the first two fish I cast at but then caught this handsome common carp on a rubber leg hares ear nymph. Not exactly big enough to scare you but a good looking carp nonetheless.

Tomorrow its search for koi.

Jeff Currier Global Fly Fishing

Urban Arizona Asualt of Grass Carp

Not much time to load a blog tonight as it’s late and I am giving a full day seminar for Desert Fly Casters first thing in the morning. The fast and short is that I’m settled in with my friends Steve Berry and Cinda Howard down here in Mesa, Arizona (See Not all Carp are Created Equal 2010 and Harder than Steelhead 2011). I came a day early to fly fish for grass carp (White Amur), common carp, koi and largemouth bass and I’ll be staying a couple days after my seminar for more.

Today Steve and I explored a few urban lakes around Phoenix that brought me back in time. They were those deals where you wondered how far from the No Trespassing signs you had to be to declare innocence. Luckily we didn’t find much more than a homeless colony so we snuck out of the illegal area as fast as we snuck in.

After a little more fishless adventure we ended up on water we knew from last year. It’s a canal near Steve’s house. This canal isn’t one of the most beautiful places in the world to fly fish; however its one of the most interesting. The water body is straight as an arrow and there’s a trail on both sides that you can expect to dodge a bike on your back cast at any time. It’s fascinating to me that we were fishing some manmade cement river in 90° heat with traffic blaring from all directions in a city. Despite the nutty place we were sight fishing olive hoppers to nice size grass carp immediately upon arrival.

The end result after fishing this canal for about four hours was a top grass carp day. Steve and I will never know why but the normally stubborn fish that often leave you begging for cocktail hour were flat out suicidal for our flies. Almost every good cast we made to a hovering grass carp led to an eat. Seriously, I’ll bet we had 20 grassies sip our flies today and landed more than a dozen.

I’ll be teaching most of tomorrow but should rap it up in late afternoon. After Cinda hears how good today was its likely we’ll end up back at the canal for sunset. Fine with me as fly fishing for grass carp is something we don’t have near Victor, Idaho and these oddball fish are one of my true favorite fish to fly fish for.

Last but not least.  We ended the day eating at my good friend Eddie Matneys Eddies House in Scottsdale.  I'll tell you the food here is incredible!  That's why over the years I've been fortunate to meet some well know people that eat here thanks to Eddie.  You know by now I'm a serious Cub fan.  A few years ago I hung with Ryne Sanberg and tonight I talked fishing for a few minutes with former Cubs television announcer and Diamond Backs coach Bob Brenly.

Jeff Currier Global Fly Fishing

Currier Fish Art Coffee Mugs are Back!

A year ago my popular coffee mugs were close to extinction.  Now, thanks to my friend Harvey Cohen of the Fly Fishing Show Room, they’re all back.  Even bigger news, now they’re available with any fish you want.  Anything!

In a matter of a few days we’ve added the Apache trout of Arizona, a steelhead and a Northern Pike.  There will be many more to come.  Contact Me if you need any fish coffee mugs or visit Harvey’s Fly Fishing Show Room to see beer steins, frosted glasses, mouse pads and etc!

Christmas is around the corner. . .

Jeff Currier Global Fly Fishing