A last minute Mexico trip: Eric Gunter chases Permit, Tarpon, Bonefish and Snook at Beh Kay Lodge

Eric Gunter - Rainland Fly Casters Club Member

I had a last minute opportunity to fish in Mexico in April, and I jumped right on it. Thanks to a call in late March from my friend Josh, a guide in the Willamette Valley who organizes such trips, I learned about the possibility of an opening on an April trip to chase permit, tarpon, bonefish and snook. Once it was confirmed that there was an opening, I quickly booked my flight to Cancun.

Arriving in Cancun on April 8, we were driven to our hotel for the night. I met the other seven

anglers I would be spending the week with and enjoyed a wonderful dinner. Early the next morning, we were driven back to the airport and boarded two small planes and flew south for an hour and a half over Ascension Bay to an airstrip that is controlled by the military and carved out in the jungle. We were met by our host and climbed into two trucks and driven an hour to the lodge.

Beh Kay Lodge is located on the Caribbean side of Bahía del Espíritu Santo. It has five geodesic domes that can accommodate ten individuals and a main lodge for dining and beverages. It opened in February 2026. We were only the sixth group through. That afternoon we met two of our four guides who assisted us with our gear and fly selections. Our plan for the week was discussed. We would fish with each of the guides throughout the week and change

partners each day.

Our first day on the water was greeted with ideal conditions. We motored about 15 minutes,

settled into a cove, and were immediately confronted with tailing permit. My partner was first on the bow. Our guide poled us into position and Frank was on his first permit of the trip. After

photos and high fives all around, it was my turn. The fish were still on the prowl, and I was

rewarded with my first permit. All this happened before 9 am! We moved to different locations

finding more permit with Frank landing a second permit. We moved onto a bonefish flat and

caught a couple small fish. At the end of the day, we were heading in and spotted tarpon rolling.

Both Frank and I landed one each. Once back at the lodge enjoying cocktails and appetizers,

we found out everyone had some success. Each of the next five days provided numerous opportunities for permit. I was fortunate to land a second permit and tarpon during the week. All told, our group landed12 permit and lost several others. Tarpon and bonefish kept everyone excited. One of our anglers had shots at a snook but didn’t connect.

While the weather in Astoria was mild this winter, the 80 plus degree temperatures and warm

water were welcomed. Every day except for our first was met with constant wind all day. My

casting left something to be desired. Our guides were great at calling out “50 feet at 11 o’clock”

followed immediately by “30 feet at 8 o’clock” before my first cast landed. Once I began seeing

the fish, things went better. Spotting fish in 3 feet of water would seem to be relatively easy. Add wind chop, and things get a bit more difficult. Our guide would ask, “Do you see the push?” The wind chop consistently moves in the same direction. A school of fish creates a slight disturbance when they’re moving in a different direction. Spotting that difference is challenging. Once I did, it was too late.

I’m fortunate to have had this opportunity to fish in such a picturesque area, stay at a secluded

lodge, and eat amazing food. Yes. I want more! - Eric Gunter, Rainland Fly Caster Club Member