Following on the heels of 2024 Belize Bluegrass and 2023 Baja Bluegrass, we’re pleased to announce the 2025 location and line-up for a one-of-a-kind “fishing/beach/live bluegrass” vacation and trip event!
This year – in November of 2025 – we’ll be headed back to beautiful Belize and the island of Ambergris Caye for a five-night, four-day all-inclusive package at El Pescador Lodge.
WHERE: El Pescador Lodge, Ambergris Caye, Belize
WHEN: November 4 - 9, 2025 (5 nights / 4 days)
WHO: An ideal couple’s trip, with space limited to a total of 60 people (30 couples). This bluegrass gathering will have exclusive use of the entire El Pescador property.
+ 2024 Belize Bluegrass Event Trip Recap and Guest Testimonials
Bluegrass Performances
THE MUSIC: For 2025, we’ve once again lined up six incredible musicians – bluegrass legends, Grammy winners, and industry icons – who will collectively headline the gathering. Each evening will feature an exclusive and intimate live musical offering and concert, and the private setting at El Pescador Lodge very much gives attendees the feeling of being “backstage” at a show.
Woody Platt is a Grammy Award-winning bluegrass singer, songwriter, guitarist, and a founding member of Steep Canyon Rangers.
Shannon Whitworth s a former member of The Biscuit Burners with three solo albums to her name.
Barry Bales is a Grammy winner best known as the long time bass player and harmony vocalist for Alison Krauss and Union Station.
Buddy Melton is an award-winning fiddle player and vocalist, and a founding member of Balsam Range.
Daren Shumaker is a next-level mandolin player who has played and worked with Chris Stapleton, Del McCoury, Sam Bush, and numerous others.
Bennett Sullivan iis an incredible banjo player who has played and toured with the likes of Balsam Range, Willie Nelson, and Steve Martin.
PLUS … additional guest musicians will be joining the line-up – More names T.B.A.!
About El Pescador Lodge in Belize
AMBERGRIS CAYE: Running parallel to the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, Ambergris Caye is the largest of the more than 200 islands that dot the coast of Belize and by far the most popular tourist destination in the country. Home to the funky, bustling beach town of San Pedro, Ambergris draws more tourists and visitors on a year-round basis than any other place in Belize. There is a ton to do on and around the island, and the town itself offers great restaurants, shopping, sightseeing, and the best nightlife in the country.
EL PESCADOR LODGE: In business for over 40 years, El Pescador is one of the best-run, most famous fishing lodges in all of Central America. Situated three miles north of San Pedro, the lodge location is far enough from town to offer privacy, but close enough to offer access to all sorts of activities. As a fishing destination, the lodge is famous for offering world-class sight fishing for the “Big Three” – tarpon, permit, and bonefish. It is also the ideal setting for non-anglers looking for a great beach vacation and access to all that Ambergris has to offer. This is a true all-inclusive resort that will be completely private and exclusive to our group for this September trip. Great service, great food, an open bar, and plenty to do!
THE FISHING: Belize offers some of the best shallow water flats fishing in the world. Anglers can fly and conventional fish for bones along the many tidal flats and mangroves that surround Ambergris, or for larger species along the Barrier Reef. Target large permit on deepwater flats, chase schools of smaller permit between the mangrove islands, or sight fish for tarpon that roam the area flats on a year-round basis. It is also possible to find other species, like snook, large jacks, snapper, and barracuda. While the tarpon and permit fishing in this part of Belize is almost always done from the boat, there are some places where an angler can wade hard-bottomed flats while stalking schools of bonefish. The guides at El Pescador fish two clients at a time utilizing 23-foot Mexican super pangas outfitted with large and spacious casting decks and poling platforms for the guides. The lodge offers top-of-the-line loaner gear and equipment included in the cost of the overall package, and there is a fully stocked fly shop at the lodge where you can purchase flies, leaders, tippet, and other items.
NON-ANGLING ACTIVITIES: For non-anglers or those looking to take a day off from fishing, there are countless non-angling activities and attractions available on San Pedro as well as on the Belizean mainland. In fact, this large number of non-angling activities available makes Belize the perfect destination for a couple’s trip or a vacation with a non-fishing significant other. Touring and exploring Mayan ruins on the mainland, bird watching, diving, snorkeling, exploring the town of San Pedro, a catamaran trip to nearby Caye Caulker, or exploring the area via SUP, bicycle or golf cart are just some of the activities available. And because Belize is so small and easily navigated, day trips and tours of all kinds are easy to arrange. With this special trip package, we have pre-arranged a number of daily activities that will be offered and included with the trip package.
FLYING TO BELIZE: Direct international flights to Belize are available through Charlotte, Miami, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, Denver, Chicago, Seattle, Minneapolis, Newark, New York, Baltimore, Los Angeles, Toronto and Calgary. Major airlines that service Belize include Alaska, American, United, Delta, Jet Blue, Air Canada, and Southwest. Plan on arriving in Belize City at any time as long as it is before 3:00 PM on September 17th. This will allow you to easily make the necessary in-country connection on Tropic Air for the 14-minute flight to Ambergris Caye.
Lodge Info
Option #1: Classic Lodge Room
Each of the fourteen main lodge guest rooms lookout to the sea and are just steps away from the lodge swimming pool, bar, and main beach. All rooms feature private bathrooms, overhead fans, two queen beds, and air conditioning.
Rate: $6,295 per couple
Option #2: Private Villa Room
These are ideal for three couples wanting to stay together in what is essentially a private house. Each two story, three-bedroom, three-bath villa overlooks the beach and features a full kitchen, common living room and social areas, air conditioning, and large outdoor decks. Again – villas are perfect for groups of three couples that are interested in being in the same complex.
Rates: $7,630 per couple (Best for groups or friends)
WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- In-country Tropic Air flights to Ambergris Caye
- Five Nights of Accommodations
- All Meals
- Open Bar
- Scheduled Non-angling Tours and Activities
- All Taxes
- Gift Bag
- Nightly Live Music!
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED:
- International flights to and from Belize City (airport code: BZE)
- Daily flats fishing (Add on available to all packages)
- Gratuities for fishing guides and lodge staff
- Imported alcoholic beverages and imported wines (can be purchased at bar and paid at end of the week
- Off-site and optional tours and mainland guided activities (can easily be arranged daily)
- Gratuities for fishing guides and lodge staff
- Imported alcoholic beverages and imported wines (can be purchased at bar and paid at end of the week)
- Off-site and optional tours and mainland guided activities (can easily be arranged daily)
- Flies and terminal tackle (available through Yellow Dog or on-site at El Pescador)
How to Reserve Your Spots
1. Contact matt@yellowdogflyfishing.com for details or to reserve your spots. As with 2024, this 2025 event will sell out quickly.
2. Include contact information to get things started:
- Full names (as they appear on passports)
- Physical mailing address
- Preferred email address to use for documents
- Contact phone number
- Specify Classic Lodge room or Villa Room
- Number of Desired Fishing Days & Number of Anglers (Private or Shared Boat)
3. Once we have this information, we’ll email you your pre-trip packet, event details, and a trip invoice for your 50% deposit.
