For more than three decades, Captain Dean, a native of Belize, has fished the inshore cayes, mangroves and reefs from Ambergris Caye to Turneffe Island down through Placencia.  Captain Dean spent fourteen years at Manatee Lodge at Gales Point honing his skills, then moved on to Belize River Lodge for three years.   From there, Captain Dean was recruited to run the Meca – the mothership operation that led him to the Rising Tide.  He will serve as your Captain and head guide aboard the Rising Tide.  With unmatched patience, Captain Dean will assist the beginning angler with instruction and use his uncanny ability to position your skiff for the highest percentage shot available.  And for you old pros, he’ll tirelessly put you on fish after fish as you chase your Grand Slam.		Noel shares the same passion for fishing as Captain Dean.  Known affectionately by many as “Bones,” he practically lives on the water.  (We’re not sure if his nickname is because he puts anglers on so many bonefish, or because Captain Dean thinks he should “put some meat on his bones”.)  Noel even fishes on his days off from guiding on the Rising Tide – I guess there’s just not enough time to eat.  Noel started guiding professionally ten years ago at Blue Horizon Lodge South on Northeast Caye, 18 miles south of Dangriga.  He continued honing his skills at Turneffe Island Lodge, broadening his knowledge base and expanding his personal fishing range along much of Belize’s coastline.  In 2005, Noel was recruited to join Captain Dean and the Meca operation, and is now an integral part of the Rising Tide.  Noel will serve as 1st Mate and the second professional guide on your mothership trip of a lifetime.		Velda is the resident Cook and Attendant for the Rising Tide.  Velda comes to us with a wealth of local knowledge, specifically for supplying the Rising Tide with the freshest meats, vegetables and fruits for our adventures.  She is committed to ensuring meals will be one of the highlights of your stay with us.  Breakfast can consist of a variety of Velda’s special omelets, flour tortillas and meats and always include fresh juices and a taste of Belize’s popular fruits – pineapples, cantaloupe, watermelon and papaya.  For lunch, one may enjoy shrimp salad, the home-made local favorite salbuche (turkey, chicken, cheese and/or vegetable in a homemade tortilla), and more of Belize’s popular fruits.  Our impressive dinner menu includes fresh snook, cobia or lobster cooked Velda-style, vegetables grown at local farms, and homemade dessert – key lime pie, lemon pie, or banana flan.  And, if you prefer, we can cater a menu to your special dietary needs.  In addition, Velda will make sure you have all the comforts of home (or even better than home), ensuring the cleanliness of all private living spaces and the Rising Tide as a whole.  Feel free to email through the “Contact” tab on the homepage should you be interested in viewing a full weekly menu or discussing any special dietary needs.