Playa Blanca and Casa Planca 2014 Trip Recap

Diane with a nice bonefish

Each winter I take a break from fly fishing here in NM to escape to a warmer climate.  The last few years I’ve been hosting a winter trip down to Playa Blanca and Casa Blanca in the Yucatan.  I Just returned a few days ago from another great trip.  The trip featured a lot of wonderful fishing memories.  Fun, camaraderie and laughter shared by all.   

At Playa Blanca we were blessed by a week of supreme weather.  Lots of sunshine and gentle breezes offered ideal permit conditions.  During the Playa week the 8 anglers combined for 7 permit landed, several agonizing lost permit, and many follows.  Of course I had my share of blunders but managed to land a permit and break one off.  Two guests landed the super slam with a permit, tarpon, snook and bonefish.  There were 2 grand slams landed during the week including mine.  Some anglers primarily focused on tarpon and snook.  They were nicely rewarded with some big jumps.  At the end of the Playa week we said good bye to old friends and newly made friends.  3 of us moved up to Casa and welcomed new friends. 

Will with a very nice snook

The Casa week started off with some overnight and early morning rain.  No worries though; one of the many great things about Casa and Playa is the ability to have backup fishing options if the weather isn’t ideal.  Just duck into one of the back or side lagoons to focus on bonefish, tarpon or snook.  The first part of the Casa week brought lots of bonefish action.  The best bonefish action I’ve experienced.  There were times of bonefish after bonefish.   Literally take the fly out of one bonefish while preparing to cast to another one.  Many bones in the 3-4 pound range with a few 5-6 pounders.  The bonefish at Casa and Playa are definitely growing each year.  3 permit broke off during the week despite spotty permit action.  We cracked the code on the Casa pier.  3 of us each landed a tarpon on consecutive evenings at the pier.   It no doubt resembled a 3 ring circus without a plan.   The plan was cast to tarpon.  We never had a plan for landing them but we do now.   Audrey celebrated her 85^th birthday at Casa Blanca in grand style.  On her birthday she landed several nice bonefish including a 5+ pounder.  Afterwards the lodge threw her a birthday part with cake and balloons.  

I recognize that Squimp

Both Casa Blanca and Playa Blanca deliver on service with an eye for big things and small details.  All of the lodge staff, kitchen crew and guides are very friendly and helpful.  Each morning started off with fresh brewed coffee delivered to the rooms as the wake up call.  The breakfast table featured mouthwatering fresh fruit papaya, mango, pineapple and cantaloupe.  A wide range of cook to order breakfasts include Huevos Rancheros to Migas to French Toast.   Dinners featured flavorful Yucatan style dishes often featuring fresh fish.  Their palm leave and mangrove smoked chicken is tops!  When I am asked if I prefer one lodge over the other, I can’t say.  They are sister lodges and are both great, that’s why I decided a week at each.  A person has the option of Casa or Playa.  Or go all in for both weeks.  2015 dates will be announced soon.  In the meantime if you have any questions or are interested in join this grand fly fishing adventure please contact me.