PALOMETA CLUB ASCENSION BAY, MEXICO
DESTINATION BROCHURE ALL CONTENTS © TAILWATERS FLY FISHING 2015
[ PALOMETA CLUB ]
CONTENTS 4 6 22 28 32 34
DESTINATION DESCRIPTION
THE FISHING
ACCOMMODATIONS
TRAVEL & ITINERARY
WHEN TO GO
RATES
OUR TRAVEL SERVICES ARE FREE OF CHARGE! You the client don’t pay a penny for our travel services! Our destination recommendations, organization, and pre-trip planning services are completely free of charge – and oftentimes less expensive than booking direct with a lodge or outfitter. We can assist with every question, concern, or special request related to your adventure at zero cost!
BOOKING INFORMATION TRAVEL DEPARTMENT
2416 MCKINNEY AVE
DAVID@TAILWATERSFLYFISHING.COM
DALLAS, TX. 75201
WWW.TAILWATERSFLYFISHING.COM
(888) 824-5420
PALOMETA CLUB QUICK HITS +
LOCATION & TRAVEL
YUCATAN PENINSULA – MEXICO The Palometa Club is located in Punta Allen, Mexico, on the northern shores of Ascension Bay. Guests fly commercially to Cancun (CUN) and are escorted by ground and water transport approximately three hours to the lodge. +
TYPE OF FISHING & SPECIES
One of a kind 2-guide per boat program provides a 1 on 1 guide : angler ratio. Ascension Bay is arguably the world’s most consistent and reliable permit fishery, and Palometa Club guests have landed over 1000 permit in its short history. The bay and surrounding backcountry also offer year-round opportunity for bonefish, snook, tarpon, jack crevalle, barracuda, several species of reef fish and sharks. +
SEASONALITY & WHEN TO GO
Palometa Club is open November – mid June. Closed during July-late October. Fishing considered good whenever lodge is open, however there are idiosyncrasies to each month to consider. +
IS THE PALOMETA CLUB RIGHT FOR YOU?
Palometa Club is ideal for folks like enjoy the laid back and familial “mom and pop” atmosphere, and are serious about their fishing. If you are interested in targeting permit, there is no better fishery or guide team out there. If you are hoping for a grand slam kind of experience, Ascension Bay offers the best odds for all species including snook. Accommodations are not the Ritz, but are new, fresh, clean, and very well maintained – and the cuisine is absolutely over the top. Non-anglers are welcome guests, however there are not a ton of organized non-angling activities in the sleepy village of Punta Allen. +
COST & EXPENSES
7 Night / 6 Days Fishing based on shared room / boat is $3650. Shorter packages available. Additional expenses include airfare to Cancun and recommended tip of $350/week. (See Rates for Details)
THE
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DESTINATION
ARGENTINACLUB PALOMETA DOVES - ASCENSION UNLIMITED BAY, - NORTHWESTERN MEXICO ARGENTINA
Punta Allen, Mexico is located approximately three hours drive south of the international airport in Cancun. It is a quiet lobster fishing village south of the “Mayan Riviera” on a narrow peninsula at the northeastern point of the world famous Ascension Bay. The pavement ends in Tulum, and with it so does the hustle, crowds, and resort development in the hotel zone. This is the authentic, ecologically rich Yucatan Peninsula with dense tropical jungle and 1.3 million acres of the Sian Kaan Biosphere Reserve, a World Heritage Site, and genuine old Mayan Mexico. It is a safe little corner of the Yucatan that is remote enough to remain pristine, but easily reachable in a half day with direct flights to Cancun from many U.S. portals including Dallas, Houston and Miami. Palometa Club is one of the newest of the lodges located on Ascension Bay. In almost no time it has also quickly become one of the most respected. It is tailor made for anglers in search of a specialized fishing trip targeting the most elusive and glorified of all saltwater species – the permit. Of course they don’t neglect the other species of Ascension Bay that make the fishery so diverse; however as the name implies, Palometa (Mexican colloquial word for Permit) Club, has built a program that caters to dedicated permit enthusiasts. It is an American owned and operated establishment and the definition of a “mom and pop” operation with tremendous hospitality, comfortable accommodations, and a crew of revved up guides chomping at the bit to go chase the mighty palometa.
TAILWATERS TRAVEL IS THE U.S. SALES & MARKETING OFFICE FOR THE PALOMETA CLUB. We are very extremely proud to enjoy this exclusive relationship and offer perhaps the greatest permit fishing opportunity and all around flats fishing experience available to Caribbean bound anglers these days.
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THE
FISHING
ASCENSION BAY The lower Yucatan is known for offering one of the
Depending on the conditions and what species
most species diverse saltwater fishing experiences
you are targeting, it may be possible to get out
available in the Caribbean. From shallow sandy
wade skinny, hard, sandy flats for bones, pole and
flats to backcountry lagoons, it is a fishery that of-
wade in a little deeper water for permit, or lurk
fers different styles of fishing for numerous species
the lagoons and backcountry mangroves for tar-
including bonefish, permit, tarpon, snook, barra-
pon and snook.
cuda, jack crevalle and more. Palometa Club runs
are going to run across a hungry cuda, a school of
traditional Mexican Panga boats with comfortable
hard pulling jacks, or any myriad of other species
seating, poling platforms, customized rod stor-
such as tripletail, grouper, snapper – or even co-
age, and a nice casting deck. Unlike smaller flats
bia. Ascension Bay has it all.
skiffs, pangas make the run on choppy days across the bay manageable and still access the skinniest of flats.
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ARGENTINACLUB PALOMETA DOVES - ASCENSION UNLIMITED BAY, - NORTHWESTERN MEXICO ARGENTINA
You also never know when you
OWNERS AND THE GUIDES
prentice guide” that serves as a boat driver. Each
Experienced saltwater anglers know the differ-
angler gets their own experienced guide dedicat-
ence between a great trip and a total disaster can
ed to ensuring no fishing time or opportunities are
often hinge on what type of experience and op-
wasted and all anglers are guaranteed one on one
portunity your guide can provide. Enter Kaye and
instruction.
Dick Cameron, the owner/operators of Palometa Club, and the former operations managers at the
PERMIT
Ascension Bay Bonefish Club up the beach. They
Palometa Club runs a program designed to target
have taken several years of experience on the bay,
all of the different flats species available on Ascen-
as well as a wonderful standing within the Punta
sion Bay, but with a particular emphasis on target-
Allen community to attract and employ an incred-
ing permit. Ascension Bay is known as perhaps
ible guide staff. Palometa Club hangs their hat
the world’s greatest permit fishery in the world,
on not having a weak link on the guide staff – and
with 90+ square miles of sandy flats and isolated
anglers typically rotate throughout the roster of
islands protected by a barrier reef along the east-
guides throughout the week.
ern edge of the bay. It is a shallow and seemingly endless fishery that is chalk full of perfect permit
1:1 GUIDE ANGLER RATIO
habitat. Encounters with huge schools of teenag-
The Club uses one guide for each angler (2 an-
er, 5-12 pound permit are pretty much an every-
glers and 2 guides per boat). This is not to be
day occurrence, and you will get your shots at the
confused with one proper guide and one “ap-
smarter and more solitary beasts up to twenty or
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PALOMETA CLUB - ASCENSION BAY, MEXICO
WWW.TAILWATERSFLYFISHING.COM
thirty pounds. Dick Cameron landed a fish esti-
lation of bonefish makes this a great destination to
mated at over 50 pounds in 2010! (That is an un-
consider for beginner flats anglers looking for some
official world record by the way).
easier reward. Ascension Bay has extensive, hard sandy flats that are great for wade fishing as well
Their scientific approach to the permit fishing
as deeper flats better fished from the boat – which
techniques, tackle, and areas fished is very evi-
also allows for possible encounters with permit or
dent in the guides’ infectious enthusiasm and ob-
tarpon as well.
vious desire to get the most out of every second
Although there are definitely a lot of small “schoo-
in the fishing day. The guide staff is constant-
lie” bonefish that are easy to catch, there are also
ly comparing notes, tweaking fly patterns, and
frequent encounters with larger bonefish in the 4-8
exploring new areas to find fish.
Dick Camer-
pound range at times. Ever since the commercial
on has succeeded in creating a culture of revved
netting ban was put into place 17 years ago, we
up guides with a smile on their face and genuine
are beginning to see a larger age class of bonefish
love of chasing permit – all of which translates to
in the Bay again.
more opportunity to close the deal and get one in the boat!
BABY TARPON & SNOOK: Although you should not consider Ascension Bay
BONEFISH
as a dedicated tarpon destination, there are plen-
Even though permit are the high profile species,
ty of juvenile “baby” tarpon in the vast backcoun-
it is impossible to ignore the great bonefishing on
try lagoons in the area.
Ascension Bay. Yucatan bones are typically smaller
are residents which remain in the area throughout
in nature than bones in the Bahamas or other At-
the year, providing anglers with consistent oppor-
lantic / Caribbean fisheries, however are found in
tunities for completing the fabled Grand Slam.
huge numbers year round. The tremendous popu-
Adult migratory fish often busting the 80-100
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ARGENTINACLUB PALOMETA DOVES - ASCENSION UNLIMITED BAY, - NORTHWESTERN MEXICO ARGENTINA
A majority of these fish
pound mark also begin to show up in the begin-
ever some offshore opportunities with the right con-
ning of May and numbers will increase significantly
ditions.
through the summer months. Snook are also definitely worth the effort of poling around the mangroves, with multiple 20+ pound trophies landed each season.
OTHER SPECIES: There is a wide variety of underrated, under-fished species in Ascension Bay that will match the skill of the most sophisticated anglers. The fishing for jack crevalle is certainly not to be overlooked, and barracuda are also at the top of the list of alternative species. This wonderfully fast species can be caught on the fly or with conventional spinning gear. Don’t forget about snapper, grouper, cobia, tripletail, and
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THE
GUIDES
THE
ACCOMMODATIONS
The Club property is located on the active beach right in the heart of the lobster fishing village of Punta Allen.
It is a brand new two story structure built in 2005 and constructed of Mexican brick and mortar
with indigenous hardwoods and tiles in the local tradition. Owners, Dick and Kaye Cameron, had their hands dirty throughout the design and construction of the lodge – and have designed the tailor made floor plan for fishing lodge guests. Each room has two double beds with comfortable pillows and linens, individual air-con control, a ceiling fan, and operable window, and large spaces and storage for clothing and gear. Unlike many simpler accommodations in the region, the lodge is equipped with 24 hour electric power, wireless high speed internet, super cool air conditioning, and effective mosquito control. There are six bedrooms (3 upstairs and 3 downstairs), a fly tying study, library/living room, and a large dining room adjacent to the open kitchen. There are several outdoor patios and a beautiful outdoor bar. The style and culture at the lodge is very refined and professional, but also VERY laid back and charming.
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ARGENTINACLUB PALOMETA DOVES - ASCENSION UNLIMITED BAY, - NORTHWESTERN MEXICO ARGENTINA
“Kaye’s Bar” stocks complimentary margaritas, cold beer, and local rum drinks during happy hour.
The day begins at sunrise with mugs of
rich Mexican coffee followed by a traditional hot breakfast of cereal, eggs, bacon, ham, juices, toast and pastries. Hardy box lunches are prepared for the fishing boats and typically include sandwiches, fruits, desserts, ice water and other beverages of your choice. After the day’s fishing it’s cocktail time at the outdoor beach lounge where icy margaritas and sweet pina coladas help punctuate the recounting of the day’s adventure. Dinner is served family style featuring delicious local Caribbean and Mexican dishes like moja de ajo, pollo con mole, and chili rellenos, followed by scrumptious locally inspired desserts. Purified water is used for drinking and ice.
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TRAVEL & ITINERARY Guests first start the adventure by traveling to Cancun, Mexico. Cancun is serviced by almost every major airline carrier, and is a direct flight from Dallas / Ft. Worth, Houston, Miami, and numerous other portals.
Guests making their own flight reservations must plan to arrive in Cancun on Friday no later than 2:00 P.M. and schedule their return flight the following Friday no earlier than 1:00PM in order to make
Once in Cancun, guests are met by lodge representatives and transferred approximately three hours south to Punta Allen in a comfortable, air-conditioned van. The main highway from Cancun International Airport leads south at 100km/hour through the mega-resorts of Playa del Carmen en route to the ancient Mayan turned touristy town of Tulum. From Tulum, travellers enter the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve and are off through the peaceful jungle to the docile and romantic fishing village of
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Punta Allen.
comfortable connections to the lodge. NOTE ABOUT “THE ROAD” The last 40+ kilometers of the road from Tulum to Punta Allen is often in some state of disrepair depending on recent weather patterns and the frequency of maintenance. If the road is in poor shape, the Club will offer a water based transfer from the top of the Boca Paila lagoon down to the lodge. This is a huge time saver and a comfortable, smooth alternative to the bumpy road.
ARGENTINACLUB PALOMETA DOVES - ASCENSION UNLIMITED BAY, - NORTHWESTERN MEXICO ARGENTINA
SAMPLE ITINERARY Palometa Club operates on weekly itineraries that begin and end on a Friday. It is possible to reach the lodge in the same day as departure as well as reaching your home city within the same day the following Friday. Shorter week itineraries are possible under some circumstances depending upon the lodge’s schedule. Please inquire for details regarding short week itineraries. FRIDAY: Depart home city for Cancun, Mexico arriving no later than 2:00PM. Guests are then transferred to the lodge in comfortable air conditioned vans. There is no guided fishing on the arrival day. SATURDAY - THURSDAY: Fishing Days! FRIDAY: After breakfast, guests are transferred back to the airport in Cancun and to the international terminal for the flight to the U.S. Guests should not schedule return flights from Cancun to depart before 1:00PM. HELICOPTER TRANSFER OPTIONS For those of you who want to travel in real style, we have sourced a very reliable helicopter transfer option from Cancun straight to the soccer field next to the Club. Flight time is about one hour in a new Bell Jet Ranger chopper that will accommodate four passengers. Rates are approximately $5600 one-way unless we can coordinate outgoing guests to split the cost and avoid a “deadhead” flight back to Cancun. Inquire for Details if Interested.
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WHEN TO GO The Palometa Club is currently open from approximately the first week in January through the middle of June. THE LODGE IS CLOSED JULY – OCTOBER. YUCATAN WEATHER & CONDITIONS For the most part, guests should expect good fishing weather anytime lodges are open and operating, with all standard species available and plentiful year round. The southern Yucatan enjoys warm and humid temperatures and comfortable fishing conditions; however there are certainly idiosyncrasies to consider with each of the seasons when planning your trip. WINTER (DECEMBER, JANUARY, FEBRUARY) 90% of the time the weather on the winter weather on the Yucatan is very favorable for fishing. However, on occasion a powerful cold front can push its way into Central America and mess things up a bit on the flats. Although the air rarely gets cool, northern winds and storms can pop up this time of year. When this
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ARGENTINACLUB PALOMETA DOVES - ASCENSION UNLIMITED BAY, - NORTHWESTERN MEXICO ARGENTINA
does happen, it does not usually last long as the
fishing for baby tarpon and snook can be dyna-
southeasterly trade winds typically kick right back
mite as well.
in. Gambling with lousy fishing conditions is part of all flats fishing trips no matter when you decide
FALL (SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER, NOVEMBER)
to plan your trip – so do not be discouraged from
For the most part, the Fall months enjoy very
venturing south this time of year. The flats are gener-
Spring-like conditions. You have to keep your eye
ally well rested with fewer anglers around and some
on the weather channel for any hurricanes bounc-
of the biggest permit are on the flats with the cooler
ing your way, but when the weather is good the
water. Not to mention that warm tropical paradise is
fishing can be very consistent for all species. This
always a welcome alternative to winter up north.
is also a quiet month in terms of fishing pressure. It is hard to hit it completely wrong in the Fall as
SPRING (MARCH, APRIL, MAY)
the vast majority of the time fishing conditions are
By early Spring, the southeasterly trade winds
great. If the weather is good – so is the fishing.
have usually settled in, and very predictable weather conditions are common. It can still be a bit blustery in the Spring, but all species are around and happily settled into the routine and most days are sunny with the exception of the occasional afternoon thundershower. The Spring months are probably the most consistent, but also the most popular with North American anglers. Make sure to book your trip in advance during this time period! SUMMER (JUNE, JULY, AUGUST) Believe it or not, the summer is one of our favorite times in the Caribbean. Although it is a bit warmer, the summer months typically have far less wind! Best of all, everyone seems to be heading to the mountains and not to the tropics this time of year, so the flats are very well rested and fewer anglers are around. The summer is considered part of hurricane season, but rarely does the Yucatan start seeing significant tropical weather until late August – but rain showers are a more frequent occurrence starting midJune. Larger, larger migratory tarpon are coming through during the summer, and the backcountry
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RATES 2015 FALL SEASON: (October 30 – December 18, 2015)
PRIVATE ANGLER SUPPLEMENTS
»» 7 Nights / 6 Days Fishing (Friday - Friday) =
(Space Available Basis Only):
$3650 Per Person (Based on shared room /
Additional $100 per night for private room
boat)
Additional $200 per day for private boat (shared room)
SHORTER WEEK ITINERARIES
Example: 7 Nights / 6 Days (based on private room
(Space Available Basis Only)
and boat) = $5950
»» 6 Nights / 5 Days = $3250 per person »» 5 Nights / 4 Days = $2650 per person
NON ANGLING RATE:
»» 4 Nights / 3 Days = $2150 per person
$2000 per person / week (based on shared room)
PRIVATE ANGLER SUPPLEMENTS
NOTE ON SHORTER WEEK ITINERARIES:
(Space Available Basis Only):
Stays of less than a week or arrival/departure on
Additional $100 per night for private room
days other than Friday will incur an additional trans-
Additional $200 per day for private boat (shared
portation charge of $350 each way for vehicle. We
room)
encourage short week guests to arrive or depart on
Example: 7 Nights / 6 Days (based on private
Friday to minimize any additional transfer costs.
room and boat) = $5550 WHAT’S INCLUDED NON ANGLING RATE:
7 Nights accommodations; 6 Full days of guided
$2000 per person / week (based on shared room)
fishing; All Meals; Ground transportation to lodge; Happy hour beverages (Margaritas, Beer, Local
2016 SEASON:
Rum Drinks); Non-alcoholic beverages; Telephone
(January 1 – June 10, 2015)
Calls & WIFI; Mexican VAT tax
7 Nights / 6 Days Fishing (Friday - Friday)
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
$4050 Per Person (Based on shared room / boat)
Commercial air to Cancun, Mexico; Additional alcoholic beverages outside of Happy Hour (BYOB
SHORTER WEEK ITINERARIES (Space Available Basis Only) »» 6 Nights / 5 Days = $3600 per person
welcome); Guide and staff gratuities; Fishing Tackle & Flies; Organized eco-tours; Laundry Service; Depature Taxes.
»» 5 Nights / 4 Days = $3050 per person »» 4 Nights / 3 Days = $2500 per person
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ARGENTINACLUB PALOMETA DOVES - ASCENSION UNLIMITED BAY, - NORTHWESTERN MEXICO ARGENTINA
TERMS AND CONDITIONS: Tailwaters Travel must adhere to the cancellation policies of the guides, outfitters and lodges which it represents. THE PALOMETA CLUB’S POLICY FOLLOWS: A fifty percent deposit is required at the time of booking in order to confirm all reservations. Final balance is due sixty days from departure. All deposits and/or final payments are non-refundable. Refunds or credits cannot be issued for fishing time lost due to inclement weather. Receipt of deposit and/or final payment is acknowledgment that registrant has read and accepts the cancellation, refund and responsibility clauses. Travel insurance is highly recommended.
TRAVEL INSURANCE! Given the inherent strict refund policies associated
We will provide you with more detailed information about
with nearly all fishing packages, we cannot stress the
travel insurance from our sponsored provider, Travel
importance of obtaining travel insurance to protect your
Guard, when you book a trip with Tailwaters Travel.
investment.
We can conveniently process a very comprehensive insurance policy for you in-house after asking a few simple
Travellers can obtain coverage for pre-existing health
questions.
problems (related to yourself, your family, business partners, or your travelling partners), emergency
CALL TODAY TO PROTECT YOUR INVESTMENT:
evacuation, lost baggage, delay, life insurance packages;
(214) 219-2500 OR (888) 824-5420
even “no questions asked” or
“for work reasons”
coverage.
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TAILWATERS FLY FISHING CO.
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TRAVEL DEPARTMENT
2416 MCKINNEY AVE
DAVID@TAILWATERSFLYFISHING.COM
DALLAS, TX. 75201
WWW.TAILWATERSFLYFISHING.COM
(888) 824-5426
Palometa Club - Ascension Bay, Mexico ARGENTINA DOVES UNLIMITED - NORTHWESTERN ARGENTINA
ALL CONTENTS © TAILWATERS FLY FISHING 2015