Legendary Fly Fishing Guides
Blue Horizon Guides
A good Saltwater Fly Fishing Guide is the key to a successful and enjoyable day of fishing. A good fishing guide should not be graded only on the number fish their guests catch, but on their professionalism, on their ability to make you a better angler, on their value of safety and fun. Overall, at Blue Horizon, our team of fly fishing guides strives to make your time with Blue Horizon to feel like a once-in-a-lifetime experience, that you want to return year after year to relive.
All of our guides are native to Belize and have grown up on the ocean. They have decades of experience and knowledge, and will leave you impressed by what they know. Communication is the key to a successful day of fly fishing, and all of our guides speak English. The legacy of the British colony, gives Belizean guides a communication advantage over other part of the Caribbean, where the language barrier can add unnecessary challenges to the success of the fishing day. You won’t find that with Blue Horizon’s guides.
Each guide is licensed with the Belize Tourism Board Tour Guides, has First Aid certification, and carries the required Belize Port Authority Boat Master’s license. Each boat is equipped with PFD’s, first aid kit, fire extinguisher, and a cell phone for emergencies.
Meet the GUIDES:
LINCOLN WESTBY
Lincoln Westby began his guiding career in 1971, and at 79 years old today, he’s still our head guide and on the water as often as he can be. Few other guides have been able to retain his passion for fishing for as long as he has. You won’t hear him complaining about anything… cause he plain loves being on the water and helping guests catch permit. With over 2000 permit to hand, Lincoln is considered the “permit master” and has gained legendary status in the world of fly fishing. He has lead seminars and lectures about fishing for permit and conserving their habitat in Belize. He has trained dozens of the tops guides in Belize, and is eager to share his knowledge with anyone who is interested in learning more about permit.
DANIEL CASTENELLOS
Daniel grew up in Monkey River Town just south of the tip of Placencia. He grew up in a familyof four generations of commercial Belizean fishermen. A family born on the water. After pursuing a career in marine science and tourism he found himself guiding fly fishing in the early 2000’s at El Pescador Lodge (Now Copal Tree) in Punta Gorda. From there he moved back to Monkey River with his family where he has been guiding the flats outside of Placencia for the past decade.
IVAN LESLIE
If you ask the other guides in the region who they have the most respect for, Mr. Ivan Leslie is a common response. With over 30 years of experience as a sport fishing guide, it is easy to understand why he carries so much respect. Ivan’s ability to read his clients and quickly assess what will create a memorable fishing experience is truly his gift… that and his consistent ability to put guests on fish doesn’t hurt. A day on the water with Ivan is a day to enjoy.
BLAKE LESLIE
Blake is the son of the famous Placencia fly fishing guide Bruce Leslie. He is a younger guide based on the tip of the Placencia Peninsula. Trained by his veteran father, Blake has a deep passion for chasing permit along the flats of Belize. He is a young energetic guide always ready to have a good time with his clients.
IAN CUEVAS
Ian is from Monkey River Town, just south of the village of Placencia. He’s been a fishing guide for nearly 20 years now. He is the nephew of the famous guide Eloy Cuevas, one of the first fly fishing guides in southern Belize. Ian spent his youth in Eloy’s boat learning the region and how to catch the infamous permit. Ian is an angler’s guide. He has a sixth sense of where the permit want to be and when they will be there. When you step into Ian’s boat, you can expect to have a bunch of laughs while being focused on your target.
STEVE CABRAL
The Cabral family has a deep tradition in the sport fishing community in Belize. Steve’s roots as a commercial angler gives an unique perspective on where to find bonefish, permit, tarpon, and anything else that swims. He is at home on the flats and knows the region like the back of his hand. His work ethic is unmatched and his well manner disposition makes him the perfect guide. Nearly 20 years ago, Lincoln Westby recognized Steve’s talents and trained him to be a guide for Blue Horizon Fly Fishing.
JASON WESTBY
Jason is a veteran guide, based out of Placencia village. He began his career as the boat tender for Charlie Leslie, over 15 years ago. The strong foundation he learned from Charlie, has been the building block that he has grown from. His personable and welcoming nature make a day in the boat with Jason very relaxing. His skill to educate makes him a good choice for anglers new to the sport or those willing to learn. His unique eye and strategy often leads him down different paths that other guides, creating a productive fishing day, without seeing many other anglers.
MARLON LESLIE
Marlon’s enthusiasm is evident from the moment you meet him. Marlon has been guiding anglers of all levels of experience through the flats of central Belize from a young age. The son of the legendary fly fishing guide Charlie Leslie, Sr. Marlon literally grew up in the business and always delivers an exciting day on the flats.
MARTON VALENTINE
Marton is a Hopkins Village native, who has been lucky enough to be the deck hand to Lincoln Westby for the past 6 years. Having grown up on the water, he has been raised to be a flats fishing guide. With Lincoln’s help he lives, breathes, and guides for permit. Marton is a skilled angler and very hardworking guide. Marton can mostly be found on Lincoln’s boat, as he helps Lincoln while being exposed to Lincoln’s knowledge of the fishery and professionalism as a guide.
KEVON CABRAL
Kevon is the son of senior guide Steve Cabral. He is a determined younger guide that was born and raised in Hopkins. His personality will be felt throughout your trip as he is not only a passionate angler but one of the most cheerful guides you can spend a day on the boat with. You will recognize Kevon when you stay at Blue Horizon Lodge. He is our guest services coordinator at the lodge… and don’t be shy, he loves to talk fishing!
LLOYD & ROBBIE NUNEZ
Lloyd and Robbie Nunez are Hopkins Village natives and have been in on and around the water their entire lives. Lloyd was trained under Lincoln Westby as his on-the-water talents shined through to Lincoln. Lloyd has trained his son Robbie who is now in his twenties. Whether it is poling pangas searching for permit or wading long shallow flats for bonefish, the Nunez’s have some of the best eyes in the game.
