As part of their Permit Tagging Program, Bonefish and Tarpon Trust are hosting several fishing trips during 2012 to some of the top permit destinations on the planet where scientists will interact with anglers to tag and release as many permit as possible. A portion of the proceeds from the trips will go towards the Costa Project Permit Tagging Program.
A complete list of the upcoming trips are listed below, so if you’re looking to break up your winter by traveling to a tropical fishing paradise to chase permit, please think about attending one of these trips and supporting permit research. With sand between your toes and the warm sun on your back, the excellent permit fishing at these lodges are sure to cure the winter doldrums.
Pesca Maya Lodge Permit Tagging– March 31 – April 7
Bonefish & Tarpon Trust and Yellow Dog Fly Fishing Adventures are partnering for a unique traveling angler program trip to Pesca Maya lodge in Punta Allen, Mexico for a week of permit fishing and tagging. Trip dates are March 31-April 7 2012, participating anglers will be fishing for permit with the goal of tagging as many as possible in ongoing efforts to gain a better understanding of rates of growth and movement patterns. In addition to great fishing, the travel angler program provides a great educational opportunity to work with a scientist and gain better insight into understanding fish behavior and their environment. Plus, funds will be raised for BTT’s mission.
BTT scientist Aaron Adams is scheduled to be in attendance and will teach tagging and fish handling techniques and answer questions about BTT’s research and conservation efforts. Adams is the Director of Bonefish & Tarpon Trust and a Senior Scientist at Mote Marine Laboratory. He received a bachelor’s degree from St. Mary’s College in Maryland, a Master’s from the College of William and Mary, and a Ph.D. from the University of Massachusetts Boston. He has lived, worked, and fished on both coasts of the US, as well as throughout the Caribbean, where he has been conducting fish research for more than 25 years. In addition to his research publications, he spends considerable effort translating science into fishermen’s terms, and has authored two books, many magazine articles, and has been part of TV shows applying fish science to recreational fishing and fish conservation.
To find out more information or to sign up please contact Brita Shaw at Yellow Dog Fly Fishing Adventures, (1-888-777-5060), brita@yellowdogflyfishing.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Cost for the 7 night, 6 day trip is $3,575 and is based on double occupancy and a shared boat.
Frontiers/Belize River Lodge Bonefish and Permit Tagging Challenge– May 12-18
BTT, Belize River Lodge and Frontiers Travel are pleased to announce the inaugural Belize River Lodge Bonefish and Permit Tagging Challenge to be held May 12-18, 2012. Anglers participating in this special research event will spend plenty of quality time fishing and will be rewarded with great memories and the knowledge that they have made a difference in conservation – all while staying at one of the Caribbean’s best fishing lodges. There will also be a number of chances to win new gear donated by top manufacturers.
During this trip (which is exclusively offered by Frontiers), we plan to tag as many bonefish and permit as possible with “spaghetti tags” allowing us to follow their growth and migrations. The information collected is critical in the effort to help conserve and enhance this amazing fishery. In addition, we will place at least one satellite on a big tarpon.
BTT scientists will be on hand to discuss and teach tagging and fish handling techniques and to answer questions about BTT’s research and conservation efforts. A presentation of recent scientific findings about our target species will be presented one evening. This will be a great opportunity to swap stories and have a chance for a one-on-one talk with a BTT scientist to really get into the “why” and “how” of bonefish, tarpon and permit biology – and angling. Prizes will be awarded on the final evening to those who tagged the biggest bonefish, biggest permit, most bonefish and most permit.
Fishing opportunities at Belize River Lodge are second-to-none. The lodge was one of the hosts for the BTT television show “Buccaneers and Bones” and is one of the top locations in the world for catching IGFA registered inshore Grand Slams and Super Slams.
To sign up for this fantastic adventure contact Denise Schreiber at Frontiers Travel (1-800-245-1950; dschreiber@frontierstravel.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ). The cost of the 6-night/5-day fishing package is $3,199 per person based on double occupancy and a shared guide. Please note that Frontiers and Belize River Lodge will be making a donation on behalf of each trip participant to BTT. We hope that you will join us for an exciting week of fishing and tagging to benefit Bonefish & Tarpon Trust.
Permit Research Week at the Palometa Club–May 18-25
The Palometa Club has teamed with the BTT in conducting their new permit research on the Yucatan. Join David Leake from Tailwaters Travel and Bonefish & Tarpon Trust board member, John Ain, for an enlightening week of fishing and science on Ascension Bay. Anglers will participate in the tagging and data collection of permit and witness Dr. Ain provide guide staff training in tagging and tag recovery. Guests will also enjoy evening seminars educating us all on the facts and myths of permit, bonefish and tarpon throughout the Caribbean – as well as learn about the fascinating research being done by BTT to protect these marvelous species. Guests will also receive a FREE $100 membership to BTT.
About Jon Ain:
Jon grew up in the Northeast and attended Cornell University where he obtained a BS in Zoology. His Honors advisor was Dr. Perry Gilbert, the famous shark researcher, who went on to become the longtime head of Mote Marine Labs. Jon then attended Harvard Medical School and after a couple of years as a GP on the Navajo Reservation in Arizona/ New Mexico moved to Colorado where he did a residency in Diagnostic Radiology and practiced in a large group setting for many years.
In addition to BTT Board membership, Jon runs the March Merkin Invitational Permit tournament in Key West each year which has raised over 70,000 dollars for charities over its brief existence. Jon is the non-guide member of the board of Lower Keys Guides Association and serves on the Scientific Advisory Board of Psilos Funds, a group of venture capital funds.