yucatan GRAND SLAM LODGE [Yucatan Peninsula - Mexico] This high-end fishing lodge – the nicest and most modern in the Ascension Bay area – is situated on a beautiful beach on the outskirts of the small fishing village of Punta Allen. Perfect for hard-core anglers, non-angling family members, and everyone in between, Grand Slam is the full-service, amenity-packed base of operations that – until recently – this area has been missing. We’ve worked with Grand Slam since they first opened their doors, and can tell you from personal experience that this is one of the top fishing operations in all of Mexico. This is a testament to their experienced, veteran guide staff from Punta Allen as well as the lodge’s owners, who are committed to operating the finest fishing operation in the Yucatan. And because of years of effective regulations and enforcement, Ascension Bay is one of the few places in the world that can back up the claim that fishing is actually getting better every year! This is the perfect destination for first-time saltwater anglers as well as more advanced anglers looking for a great variety of species and fishing scenarios. While staying at the lodge, you will start each morning by walking out your front door, stepping directly into your fishing boat, and heading out for a day of world-class fishing in either the Boca Paila Lagoons or Ascension Bay. We rate this destination very high on our list for non-anglers traveling with anglers. The rooms are spacious, and each has a huge private bathroom, A/C, waterfall-style shower, a deck overlooking the water, and spacious sitting areas. One of the nicest things about Grand Slam is that you can arrive and depart on any day of the week, and trips of any length can be arranged. 7 night / 6 fishing day packages $2,977.00 - $3,397.00 per person, depending on season. yucatan The Yucatan Peninsula and the waters of Ascension Bay, Espiritu Santa, Chetumal, Campeche and Holbox offer the saltwater fly fisherman one of the most diverse selections of game fish found anywhere in the world. While this is a part of the Caribbean that is best known for permit, bonefish and tarpon, dozens of other species are available for the adventurous angler. Jacks, barracuda, sharks, amberjack, snook, snapper, grouper, and other flats and reef species all offer outstanding action on a fly or light tackle set-up every month of the year. The vast estuaries and flats systems found throughout the Yucatan provide the infrastructure for the region’s pristine and highly productive fishery. When conditions are right, an angler can cast to bonefish, tarpon, snook, permit, and more species all in a single day of fishing. This kind of angling opportunity can only be found in a few locations throughout the world. Many of the flats in the Yucatan – especially in the Ascension Bay area and further south – are hard-bottomed and ideal for wading, and the crystal-clear waters offer anglers a great opportunity to wade and sight fish for cruising and tailing bonefish and permit. If you are specifically targeting permit or tarpon, you will oftentimes be fishing in waters too deep for wading, or over soft bottoms that are difficult to wade. Much of the fishing in these areas is therefore done from the boat. As an overall fishing destination, we love the Yucatan for a variety of reasons. First off, it is almost always easy and quick to travel to the peninsula, with direct flights to Cancun offered from most major U.S. cities. These flights are almost always very reasonable cost-wise, keeping overall the travel and transfer costs low. The second thing that we love about the Yucatan is the low cost of the lodge and fishing packages. Compared to other top Caribbean fishing destinations, the Yucatan is far-and-away the best value in the entire world of saltwater flats fishing. And finally, this is the perfect destination for first-time flats anglers and intermediate anglers looking to improve their saltwater game. With a healthy diversity of species and all types of different fishing scenarios, the Yucatan fisheries truly offer something for everyone. yucatan 14 • phone: 406-585-8667 • toll free: 888-777-5060 email: info@yellowdogflyfishing.com • website: www.yellowdogflyfishing.com • 15