Just back from my latest trip to one of my all time favourite destinations: Belize. I had the pleasure of spending a week with my son, Luke, on one of our regular ‘dads n’ lads’ trips away together, and as always we had an absolute blast.

Luke hooked up with his first fly caught bonefish.

This was Luke’s first trip to Belize and I wanted to show him as much of what this most beautiful and peaceful Central American country has to offer, as I possibly could. I had booked three days fishing with me great friend George Garbutt, one of the very best guides I have ever had the privilege of fishing with. Luke, now 28, caught his first bonefish fishing with me in the Turks and Caicos Islands when he was just 7 years old, casting jigs into vast schools of fish. The objective this trip was to catch a few on fly sight fishing over shallow water flats, and on our first day within minutes of starting to fish  George had him hooked up with a fast running fish, one of a bunch we caught that day.

Luke and George with a fly caught bonefish.

Throughout the rest of the three fishing days we had a great time chasing baby tarpon in various inland rivers and creeks, and Luke caught some great mutton snapper and barracuda on lures. Aside from fishing our days with George included plenty of swimming and snorkelling over coral reefs, jungle walks and a lot of simply enjoying being out on the water together watching dolphin, manatees and countless species of birds.

Luke holds one of several mutton snapper he caught, very tasty they were, too!

One of a bunch of bones I caught during the trip.

Luke holds a baby fly caught tarpon, always tremendous fun on light tackle.

Exploring the Belizean jungle with George.

On our last day we booked a trip to visit the Mayan ruins at Nom Li Punit Archaeological Reserve in the far south of the country, not far from the border with neighbouring Guatemala. This was a great opportunity for Luke to get a good look at the country as well as try some great Belizean street food, Taco Bell eat your heart out!

Taco Bell Belizean style; the best!

Entering the caves at Blue Creek

Think I’m getting too old for this adrenaline junkie tourism lark!

We also visited idyllic Blue Creek where we got to swim into a vast system of limestone caves, climbing several fast flowing waterfalls. That was physically demanding enough for a 57 year old dad but Luke relished the challenge, and given the chance he would have gone straight back in for another go! Each evening during the week I took Luke to my favourite waterside bars in Placencia, where over many chilled Belikin beers and generously poured local rum n’ cokes he got to experience the genuine Caribbean vibe. It was certainly a most memorable trip that was over all too soon, and we are already starting to plan our next trip together.

I’m thinking of moving to Belize, this is my dream house but it require a bit of work!