I have been hearing about the place for years. After a full season of Alaska guiding, Stacy and I met up in Cancun to get some tropical sun on our pale skins and get our feet and our lines wet pursuing some different fish. To put it mildly, we had a great experience. We started with three days of fishing for baby tarpon north of Cancun. It was a great way to get broken in before heading to the big show at Casa Blanca Lodge.
Casa Blanca is reached via a 50-minute flight by small plane, heading south from Cancun. The flight follows the coastline beyond all the hotels and beach resorts. You will pass Tulum and then Punta Allen before Ascension Bay unfolds below and you feel your mind struggling to grasp all the fishing opportunities in view.
Imagine a private tropical island in the Caribbean protected by the worlds second largest barrier reef and adjacent to miles upon miles of shallow flats surrounded by mangroves. Bonefish? Everywhere. Tarpon? Here and there. Permit? Probably your best place to fish them on the fly. Add in snook, various jacks, snappers, sharks and barracuda to round out the experience. You will likely see a number of sea turtles along with osprey, pelicans, frigate birds, flamingos and maybe a saltwater crocodile. You should also visit the island's Mayan ruins where you can lay your back upon the sacrificial stone if you dare.
In short, the accommodations and food are great, the staff is fun, the boats are excellent and the guides experienced, knowledgeable and incredible at spotting fish, as well as English speaking. The location is perfect. What could be better than a private island with quick and unlimited access to the flats of Ascension Bay? Well, maybe telling fish stories out on the pier after dark while savoring a cold drink and possibly puffing on a cigar. You will likely see the glowing eyes and outlines of Tarpon, Permit, Barracuda, Jacks and other various fish as they cruise in and out of the shadows and occasionally eat someone's fly.
If you are interested in a visit, please let me know. I am now booking trips to the lodge as well as planning to host group trips for anglers looking for adventure while Alaska is chilling.
Contact me if you are interested in a hosted trip.
