“We’ve fished Belize many times before, but using the Rising Tide as our base was the most comfortable experience we’ve ever had in the tropics. The food was great, the accommodations spacious and comfortable, and the crew and guides outstanding. Even the permit cooperated.”

comments from Belize veteran Scooter Walters after his first trip on the Rising Tide.

Carrie and Kevin Scarpelli were on their first Belize trip aboard the Rising Tide. While Carrie relaxed and did some barracuda fishing, Kevin took his first two permit ever and hooked and lost, to a break off on a coral head, a very large fish that had taken over 300 yards of backing off.

“It was a marvelous experience to be aboard a boat and fish Belize. Captain Dean and Carol were great to be with……It is a good thing that I didn’t pay too much attention to your statistics about permit sighted, cast to, and rejected. I hooked 3 permit after making only 6 or 7 casts. Maybe it is best, while permit fishing, that one not know what he is doing and just listen to the guide!!!”

Bob Cazort and friends took the inaugural trip on the new 58’ Hatteras mothership, the Rising Tide. Bob is a seasoned veteran of the Belize mothership trip:

“I have taken 3 or 4 Belize mothership trips each year for many years and just spent my first week on the Rising Tide, the new mothership option in Belize. There was nothing new with the captain, cook and guide – they were the same crew I have enjoyed over the years. However, the new boat was fantastic – there is a great deal of space, even for a group of six. The new owners went overboard on this one…….everything was tip top. Could not have been nicer!”

Taylor Collins began saltwater fly fishing in 2008 when a friend invited him on a Belize mothership trip. He has progressed as a salt water fly caster over the last two years and now has taken four permit on the fly in Belize in addition to many other species including hooking up an 80+ pound tarpon on his last trip. Regarding Taylor’s experiences fishing Belize from a mothership, and more recently, theRising Tide, he comments:

“Fishing from the mothership in Belize has been crucial to me honing my fly fishing skills because of the extra time it allows one to be on the water and being able to migrate to areas holding different species. The Rising Tide has taken the wonderful benefits of fishing from a mothership base and provides a four star experience, both on the water and on the boat. It’s also nice to know that the owners of the boat have been long term customers of the Belize trip and understand what the client expects and needs."

Shawn Wendell took his first permit ever and followed that up with his second on the last day. Shawn, on his first Belize mothership adventure, stated:

"The accommodations aboard the Rising Tide were spectacular……The guides were fantastic…….Dean gave me a personal fly casting tune up with out which I would not have been able to catch the two permit that I did. The friendly and personable demeanor of the whole crew put this trip over the top."

Mike Copithorne, at right with permit, doesn’t let the “small things” get in the way – that permit was part of a Grand Slam day for Mike with a tarpon and bonefish to complete it. Adam Barker, with Mike’s group on the Rising Tide mothership took his first permit.

Some comments from the group regarding the overall experience of using the Rising Tide as their base of operations to pursue the shallow water species of Belize.

.Mike: “We did have a great trip…..Everything looks good for June of 2011 for us to return.”

Adam: “The trip was fantastic. Great people, beautiful surroundings and awesome fishing to boot.”

Mikey Wier, a successful fly fishing video expert, also was on board capturing events on video. Mikey’s comments: “The trip was awesome. I think everyone had a great time and definitely exceeded most expectations…….All and all, I think it was a very productive trip.”