We got straight back to work as soon as we arrived in Belize. We seriously enjoy our jobs, running charters, and after 3 months in cold Cape Town, South Africa, we were more than ready to switch our jeans and hoodies for boardies and bikinis on a boat!

Our first charter was for one of the owners of the catamarans in the company fleet. Jon is a serious fly fisherman and the whole boat was kitted and geared specifically towards finding Permit. His friend, Peter Morse, joined him as well as Omar Arceo, a professional Belizean fishing guide with many years of experience in the local waters.

All three men, although extremely experienced and well known in their fields, were humble and down to earth. It took us a while to figure out (I eventually googled him, while the team was out scouting for Permit) that Peter is in fact an internationally renowned IFFF Master Casting Instructor. Omar, also known as "Doctor of the Flats", is an internationally sought after guide and enthusiasts fly halfway across the globe to fish with him in Belize. Jon is in the process of writing his second book on fly fishing and astounded us with the list of countries he has travelled to and fished in over the years.

The part of the charter I enjoyed most was dinner time, when all five of us shared great conversation on a diverse range of topics, made especially interesting because of the 4 different nationalities - USA, Australia, Belize and South Africa.

We learnt a lot about Belize, it's history and it's current political situation from Omar. He was the quiet one, out of the bunch, and didnt ever talk just for the sake of it, only when he felt he had something worthwhile to say. So when he complimented the dinner I prepared for them one night, which was my own take on a local Belizean dish with beans I was extremely humbled: "I've had a lot of beans and yours were very very good." For me, that is a big deal, coming from a local, with beans as one of their staple foods in practically every meal of the day!

Peter regaled us with tales from his life before fly fishing and his family in Australia. South Africans generally get on well with Australians, we share a similar sense of humour (and Rugby) and Peter was no exception. Jon managed to spark Rufus and my interest in fly fishing, through his pure passion and devotion to the sport. Rufus even got a few casting lessons from Peter and he apparently has a natural talent for it ;)

All three had a great sense of humour and their passion for the sport was infectious. Rufus and I started the charter knowing absolutely nothing about fishing in general but, after that week, we have a new appreciation and respect for the sport.

Thank you Jon, for trusting us with your boat and sharing your inspiring passion and dedication to fly fishing. Thank you Peter for generously sharing your time and expertise and, thank you Omar for sharing your knowledge about and love for Belize and its waters.