Fly Fish Utila

Trip Overview
Fly Fish Utila offers anglers a week-long fishing fly fishing experience for permit, bonefish, tarpon, and more on the smallest of the Bay Islands located north of Honduras' mainland. A short charter flight or ferry ride from Roatan, Utila is a beautiful tropical island notable for its white sand beaches, crystal clear waters, and a laid-back and inviting local atmosphere. The island is surrounded by the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, offering anglers opportunities to pole and wade for tailing fish over turtle grass and sand flats, in addition to nearby creeks and lagoons that hold juvenile tarpon and snook. Guests at Fly Fish Utila stay in a private 5-bedroom house as a jumpoff point for each day's fishing, located only seconds from the town's restaurants and waterfront bars.

Lodging Details
Guests traveling to Fly Fish Utila spend their week at a spacious, private five bedroom home located on the Utila harbor, featuring a wraparound deck and a private dock where anglers are picked up each morning. The home has air-conditioning, Wi-Fi, a large kitchen, and a porch overlooking the water. All five bedrooms feature either a king or queen-sized bed and feature a sea view. The home is located in a prime area, only minutes from some of the best restaurants and bars on Utila.

Food and Beverages
Breakfast and lunch are included in the package and are generally served on the boat, with anglers departing the lodge at approximately 6:30AM. These meals consist of a blend of traditional American and Caribbean cuisine alongside a stocked cooler with soft drinks and water. After the fishing day, anglers return to the lodge to relax before heading out to one of the numerous restaurants or waterfront bars located nearby. Options include a local steak house, traditional Central American and Carribean cuisine, Italian, and standard American favorites. The lodge's host can make reservations on behalf of the guests. Guests should note, if there are any specific spirits they require while on Utila, they are encouraged to bring it with them.

Typical Length of Stay
A standard package is seven (7) nights / six (6) fishing days (Saturday to Saturday). 

Non-Angling Activities and Options
While primarily geared toward committed anglers, there are several non-angling options for guests. The Bay Islands have long been a major destination for diving and snorkeling due to its proximity to the Mesoamerican Reef. Depending on the time of year, guests can also snorkel or scuba dive with migrating whale sharks. Aside from excellent diving opportunities, guests can enjoy nearby private beaches, kayak, hike, or rent a stand-up paddleboard. Finally, there are numerous beachside bars and restaurants a short walk from Fly Fish Utila's guest house.

Internet / Communications
Wi-Fi is offered at the guest house and cell phone service is generally reliable from most American providers. 

How To Get There
You will need to schedule your domestic flight from the U.S. to Roatan (RTB), then we will schedule your puddle jumper or ferry leg to Utila and notify you of the cost. Charter flights to Utila are usually around $500 for the plane which carries up to four passengers. Costs are split among the passengers. Ferry tickets are about $35 each way, and the ferry is an air conditioned modern vessel. Most of the domestic flights arrive too late Saturday afternoon to catch the ferry, but it is an option for the return trip. 

Arrival and Departure Details / Times
Weeklong trips begin and end on Saturdays. Most domestic flights land in Roatan between noon and 2pm, before a 15 minute charter flight to Utilia. Guests could arrive a day early, spend the night on Roatan, and take the ferry over on Saturday if ferry is preferred over a charter flight. Payment will be made to either the charter company or at the ferry office on the day of travel by cash only. Please be prepared with unmarked and unworn U.S. bills or Honduran Lempira. Departing flights from Roatan, should be booked after 12pm. Please call Yellow Dog to discuss flight itineraries.

Documents Required
A valid passport is required for all visitors to Honduras and must be valid for at least six (6) months beyond the duration of your stay. Citizens of the U.S., the British Commonwealth, and Canada are NOT required to have Visas.

Travel Arrangements
Yellow Dog provides airline reservations ad ticketing assistance through etcTravel Group, and a full-service airline logistics agent that can help with booking airline tickets, hotels, rental cars, and more. You can click here to request a quote or contact Yellow Dog for more information at 406-585-8667. etcTravel Group offers dedicated support services for all Yellow Dog clients. Service fees may apply when booking or researching tickets, and etcTravel will discuss this with you prior to sending quotes. 

Travel Tools
- Travel Insurance
- Moon Phases
- Airline Ticketing
- Rent This Rod
- Global Rescue Membership

General Information
Permit are the primary draw for many anglers, with numerous flats only a short ride from the Fly Fish Utila's guest house. Permit in the area average on the larger size, ranging from 8 to 20+ pounds found in singles, doubles, and small schools. Many of these fish have very limited exposure to fly fishermen, and given the size and low pressure of Utila, guests of Fly Fish Utila are generally the only anglers fishing for them on the entire island! Bonefish on the island are abundant, with fish averaging anywhere from 2 to 4 pounds with fish upwards of 8 pounds possible. In addition to permit and bonefish, there are coves on Utila well-known for attracting large numbers of triggerfish. 

The area's shallow flats are similar to those surrounding the more popular and pressured areas of Southern Belize, featuring a combination of turtle grass and white sand. Anglers should expect to fish both from the boat and on foot, typically in search of tailing fish. Additional opportunities for jacks, snapper, barracuda are possible, as well as trips to troll the surrounding bluewater fishery. 

Finally, there are several lagoons where juvenile tarpon are abundant and very willing to take a fly. These fish are targeted by a combination of sight fishing and blind casting along the mangroves, in addition to searching for rolling fish along the mouths of numerous creeks and canals. These areas offer an excellent "Plan B" should weather not allow for permit fishing, or for anglers hoping to wrap up a Grand Slam.

Boats and Equipment 
The lodge operates three traditional pangas that are perfect for navigating both shallow flats and rough seas. The lodge does provide anglers with loaner rods, flies, and terminal tackle, but anglers are encouraged to bring their own gear. 

Package Rates
Remember that Yellow Dog’s services are completely free! When you book a trip with Yellow Dog, you never pay more than when you book directly with the lodge or outfitter. All prices listed below are per person, based on double occupancy, and quoted in US dollars. Trips of any length of stay can be arranged, so please call Yellow Dog for details and custom package pricing.

7 Nights / 6 Fishing Days Fishing Package:

• Single Angler / Private Room - $6,000 
• Double Occupancy Rate - $4,500 (per person)

What's Included:

• Daily Guided Fishing & Accommodations
• Breakfast and Lunch each day
• Transfer to and from the Utila airport
• Non-alcoholic beverages
• All taxes & GSTs
• Rods, reels, flies, and terminal tackle (if needed)

What's Not Included:

• International flight to Roatan
• Gratuities for guides and staff
• Dinners and alcohol
• Round-trip transfer from Roatan International Airport (RTB) to Utila via charter flight or ferry
• Optional dive trips

TERMS AND CONDITIONS – CANCELLATIONS
A non-refundable deposit of 50% per person is due at the time of booking for all Fly Fish Utila packages, and final payment if due 90 days prior to arrival. For cancellations, all deposits and payments are non-refundable. Because of the lodge’s no refund and no credit policy, we highly recommend the purchase of trip cancellation insurance. In no event will Fly Fish Utila or the operators be responsible for any cancellation of services or operations due to inclement weather, any event of force majeure, airline delays, or any other reason beyond the control of the lodge. Yellow Dog strongly recommends that anglers and guests purchase travel insurance for your trip. Fly Fish Utila will not refund payments in the event of a hurricane or poor weather. If your flights are late and connections are missed, Fly Fish Utila is not responsible for alternative travel arrangements including flights, hotels, meals and any other expenses incurred. Receipt of deposit and/or final payment is acknowledgment that registrant has read and accepts the deposit, cancellation, refund and responsibility clauses for these packages.

Payment Terms for All Yellow Dog Trip Bookings  
Unless otherwise noted on your invoice, for all trips less than 90 days out, full payment is required after receipt of the confirmation email to secure guides and reservations. For trips outside of 90 days, a 50% deposit is required upon receipt of confirmation email to confirm your reservations.   

Yellow Dog accepts on-line payments via a secure payment portal – a quick and easy way to complete your trip reservation. Please reach out to accounting@yellowdogflyfishing.com to gain access. 

Yellow Dog Flyfishing Standard Forms of Payment 

• Debit card (fee-free) and credit card (3% convenience fee) - to pay via card please utilize the customer payment portal. If you need assistance, reach out to 406-585-8667 ext. #3 
• Wires - please include name and/or invoice number for reference on your wire. Please reach out to accounting@yellowdogflyfishing.com for wiring instructions. (client is responsible for wiring fees) 
• Physical check - please include your invoice number in the memo. Mail checks to 213 S. Willson Ave. Bozeman, MT, 59715

If you have any questions about alternate payment methods, please contact Yellow Dog at (406) 585-8667 ext. #3. We are available Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM MT. 

• U.S. passports must be valid for at least 6 months from the departure date.
• Exchange Rate: 1 USD = 24.5 Honduran Lempiras.
• There is an ATM on the island and it is a great way to get Lempiras at the going exchange rate. Remember to notify your bank and credit card companies that you will be traveling to Honduras on the specified dates.
• Although a few places take cards, it’s not common so please bring cash. We recommend bringing enough U.S. currency with you to cover most of the trip expenses, and you can supplement this with lempiras from the ATM. Remember that U.S. currency must be in PERFECT condition, the slightest tear will make it unusable. This goes for your tip money as well. A torn bill will not be accepted by the bank or any businesses on the island and is essentially worthless. Cash envelopes from your bank are a great way to protect bills while traveling and also in your pocket – it’s a good idea to grab a few extra envelopes to bring with you.
• We strongly encourage guests to purchase trip insurance to cover unforeseen circumstances.
• Suggested gratuity for the fishing guides is $60-$100/day.
• Suggested gratuity for cooks and cleaning staff is $50-$75/week.
• No fishing license is required, but we ask that each angler makes a $10 donation to BICA, the Bay Islands Conservation Association. There is an office on Utila that guests can visit or we will be happy to drop your donation off for you.
• Most of the employees at the airport, ferry, grocery store, etc. all speak English.