Tailwaters Travel Brochure | Sight Cast - Los Roques

SIGHT CAST LOS ROQUES, VENEZUELA

DESTINATION BROCHURE ALL CONTENTS © TAILWATERS FLY FISHING 2014-2015

[ SIGHT CAST OUTFITTERS ]

CONTENTS 4 8 20 24 26 30

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

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(888) 824-5420

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LOCATION & TRAVEL

The Los Roques archipelago is located approximately eighty miles north of the Venezuelan mainland in the southern Caribbean Sea. Anglers travel to Caracas International Airport (CCS) from several USA portals such as Houston, Dallas, Miami, Atlanta, Newark, and more. After an overnight on the mainland, guests then fly on board a local commercial flight approximately 45 minutes to Gran Roque Island and immediately start first fishing day (See SAMPLE ITINERARY for more details). +

TYPE OF FISHING & SPECIES

Los Roques is considered one of the most consistent and spectacular bonefish fisheries on the planet. Los Roques has been made famous by their skinny water turtlegrass pancake flats targeting tailing and Bahamian sized bonefish in the 4-6 pound range. Los Roques is a wade fisherman’s dream come true – both on the pancakes as well as the beaches and traditional sandy flats that are around nearly every turn. While this is a bonefish trip first, legitimate opportunities for permit are a frequent occurrence, and the tarpon fishing can be extremely reliable as well. Other gamefish such as barracuda, yellowtail, jack crevalle, sharks and parrotfish are also very much a part of a typical week in Los Roques. +

SEASONALITY & WHEN TO GO

Los Roques is truly a year round fishery. Unlike many Caribbean or Atlantic destinations to the north, Los Roques enjoys a very consistent equatorial climate with little seasonality and excellent fishing twelve months a year. January – September offers the best months for wade fishing, while the larger tides in the fall months spice up things on the flats with more shots at permit and tarpon. +

IS SIGHT CAST OUTFITTERS RIGHT FOR YOU?

If you are interested in wade fishing for large bonefish, you needn’t look any further than Los Roques in this hemisphere. If you are the type of angler than enjoys diversity in species, Los Roques will work for you as well. It is the perfect destination for folks interested in a low-key holiday on a sleepy Caribbean paradise. Posada Acuarela is a lovely European style hotel that accommodates low maintenance and active non-anglers or spouses. You should NOT be intimidated by the politics associated with Venezuela – as Los Roques is 100% totally safe for American tourists. +

COST & EXPENSES

7 Night / 6 Day Fishing Package (based on shared room/guide) is $4250 per person. Additional expenses include but are not limited to airfare to Caracas (CCS), alcoholic beverages, gratuities, National Park entry fees, and guided non-angling activities. (See RATES for more detail).

PHOTOGRAPHY CREDIT:

MATT JONES, DAVID LEAKE, SIGHT CAST

THE

DESTINATION

Sight Cast and their Posada Acuarela are located on the small island of Gran Roque - the center of the Parque Nacional Archipeligo de Los Roques. Created in 1972, the Venezuelan government recognized the beauty and value of this wonderful chain of islands, and has set up extremely stringent environmental laws governing the National Park. Los Roques is a series of 40-50 major islands located approximately 80 miles north of the Venezuelan mainland. If you count all the small islets and coral outcroppings in the area, there are over 300 islands in the chain.

Gran Roque is a wonderful and romantic little island approximately four miles long and no more than a mile wide. The island is dominated by large rocky bluffs that add a seldom seen mountainous element to a sleepy Caribbean paradise. The town of Gran Roque is also surprisingly vibrant with numerous lively restaurants and bars that are extremely clean and well run. It is a European holiday hot-spot and the sandy streets of Gran Roque are very active with the Caracan aristocracy and vacationing Europeans. The beaches of Gran Roque rival Bahamian beaches in beauty with powdery white sand and crystal blue water. Unlike many world-class

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flats fishing destinations, Gran Roque provides a low-key and charming setting with just the right amount of town and nightlife to keep visitors entertained when not on the flats.

Despite an unstable political environment in the capital of Caracas, your entire Venezuelan vacation is far from any less desirable parts of the country. From the moment you exit the baggage claim you are in the safe hands of our drivers, in a four star hotel, or relaxing on the island. The out islands of Los Roques are light years away from the hustle on the mainland and could not be a more tranquil and safe tropical angling destination.

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THE

FISHING

Several visits over the last decade have secured Los

modern 28’ center console pangas equipped with

Roques in our minds as one of the most consistent,

75-100 HP 4-stroke Yamaha outboards. Sight Cast’s

user-friendly and rewarding bonefish destinations

super pangas are the perfect boat for making the

on the planet. Bonefish should be considered the

rougher deep water crossings between islands as

target species; however depending on the condi-

well as accessing skinny water flats.

tions anglers may have several shots at permit and tarpon as well as huge barracudas, jacks, parrotfish

PANCAKE FLATS

and other reef dwelling species. The diversity of

What originally made Los Roques famous was nu-

the flats environment in Los Roques is like nothing

merous fishing areas that are dominated by a series

we’ve ever experienced before or since in the Ca-

of pancake flats (70-100 feet wide) reminiscent of

ribbean.

Christmas Island. All the pancakes are super shallow mini-atolls that pop up in, and are surrounded

Sight Cast maintains a full-time staff of seven guide

by the refuge of deep cooler water. Some of the

teams (1 guide and 1 captain per boat) that operate

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ARGENTINA SIGHT CAST DOVES OUTFITTERS UNLIMITED - LOS -ROQUES, NORTHWESTERN VENEZUELA ARGENTINA

pancake flats are the size of a small parking lot,

onto the next one. No need for dropping anchor or

while others are several football fields in length. All

backtracking to the boat.

are covered in coral grass and are typically fished with as little as 6-12 inches of water – and some-

TRADITIONAL FLATS

times even shallower.

Los Roques has hundreds of your traditional, white sandy flats with easy wading. Some of these flats

If you are into stealthy presentations to tailing fish,

are flanked by mangroves with slow moving bones

you have arrived in bonefishing heaven. The skinny

hugging the edges. Others are more open flats that

water on the pancakes dictate a little more tech-

just scream perfect bonefish habitat and seem to

nical approach, with longer leaders and light entry

go on for miles. These traditional flats are fished

flies. Most bones encountered on the pancakes are

with your standard bonefish patterns and typically

seen tailing in huge schools – often with hundreds

offer great opportunities for small groups and larg-

of fish. Most fish on the pancakes are in the 3-6

er singles. If you are the type of angler that enjoys

pound range, and trophies in the double digits are

long solitary wades and a less regimented boat –

not uncommon. Having a guide and a boat driver

flat – boat - flat program as executed on the pan-

allows for really maximizing your time covering the

cakes, you will love this style of fishing.

pancakes. Although anglers don’t usually get out of the boat unless you spot fish immediately, the

BEACH FISHING

boat can drop off two angler and a guide, fish the

So much of the Los Roques fishery revolves around

flat, and the quickly retrieve anglers before moving

the presence of HUGE schools of baitfish. Sardines,

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SIGHT CAST OUTFITTERS - LOS ROQUES, VENEZUELA

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anchovies and above all else, trillions upon trillions

are provided with a guide and a boat driver. The

of small glass minnows envelope many of the calm

boat captain unloads anglers and the guide on

bays and beaches in the archipelago. From pelicans

the upwind side of the flat, and slowly follows the

and frigates dive bombing, to horse-eyed jacks

group with the boat close at hand. Fishing time is

herding, to schools of bonefish and tarpon corral-

maximized by not having to backtrack to the boat

ling, you will see every kind of critter feeding on the

over unproductive water. Tidal fluctuations are not

minnows and other baitfish. Always look hard under

very significant (less than a foot), however do play

a pelican after he feeds as you will often see greedy

a role in deciding where and when to fish. Some

bonefish scurrying for the leftovers!

flats are great at low tide of course, but numerous flats and beaches yield excellent fishing at a high

The most surprising element to the Los Roques

tide - thus allowing for quality fishing throughout all

Bonefish habitat are the sloping white sand beach

hours of the day.

flats which are home to some of the largest and cooperative fish in the fishery. Anglers approach these

OTHER SPECIES

beach flats with baitfish patterns (gummy minnows

As mentioned, tarpon and permit are often seen

& clousers) and entice extremely aggressive bones

in the area, but should be considered a bonus. Al-

while casting from the beach. This is an unconven-

though most tarpon specific destinations are much

tional and unique experience that usually yields

more predictable in terms of when the fish show up,

average sized fish in the 4-7 pound range, with sev-

the general rule of thumb with the tarpon is if there

eral double-digit fish seen daily. No kidding! In our

is bait around so are the tarpon. The summer mi-

experience there are a few 10-12-pound monsters

gration plays no real role in the presence of fish at

that are not afraid to eat a fly - not to mention thinly

Los Roques, and 20-80 pound tarpon are seen fre-

clad Italian tourists doing a little sun worshipping.

quently throughout the year around Gran Roque.

The beaches offer high success rates for anglers of

Tarpon seem to come and go with the presence

all skill levels – as well as a welcome venue when

of baitfish (glass minnows and sardines). There

fishing conditions are less than ideal. You don’t

appears to be no rhyme or reason to the appear-

need to present the fly super accurately and the

ance of bait - you may hit it right and you may not.

bonefish are usually very aggressive when feeding

Jacks are seen frequently, and enormous barracu-

on bait.

das are always around. We strongly advise rigging a 10 weight for these speedsters. You may even try

WADING FRIENDLY & TWO GUIDES PER BOAT

your hand at some of the massive (yet tricky) bump

Fishing for all species excluding tarpon and some

nosed parrotfish seen tailing along in shallow tidal

permit fishing is done wading the grassy and san-

pools!

dy flats of Los Roques. Most of the flats have very little coral (the beaches are an exception), howev-

Until recently, Los Roques was not really considered

er enormous amounts of conch shells are present

a certifiable permit fishery. Although we still don’t

in some areas, so quality flats fishing footwear is a

brand it as a permit exclusive destination, more

must. Perhaps the coolest part of fishing with Sight

and more permit are getting tagged each season.

Cast is the guide system in place. Every two anglers

We have personally landed permit over twenty-five

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ARGENTINA SIGHT CAST DOVES OUTFITTERS UNLIMITED - LOS -ROQUES, NORTHWESTERN VENEZUELA ARGENTINA

pounds, and when you hit a week just right you will have shots at happy, tailing permit nearly every day.

Despite its proximity to the equator the average temperatures are quite comfortable, wind is usually not a common problem, and the fish definitely seem less sophisticated than their brethren to the north. Casts are usually on the short side of the spectrum and the average bonefish is huge. For these reasons we think that Los Roques offers the beginner with a wonderful environment to learn, and the experienced flats angler with a trip that will blow you away.

THE GUMMY MINNOW Baitfish are a huge part of the Los Roques fishing program – and anglers are foolish not to come prepared with at least a dozen gummy minnows for a week of fishing! Yes, it is a $6 fly and it looks like a “lure”, but they are an absolute must in every Los Roques fly box. Bonefish prefer the size #6 gummy in pearl or brown.

Tarpon in the areas around the main island of Gran Roque also buffet feed on the gummies… and we have a “Big Game Gummy” tied on a stout 2/0 hook designed for chasing the silver king. Don’t leave home without your gummies! Trust me, if you don’t come prepared with the gummies you will be arm wrestling and playing drinking games for the last one laying around the lodge.

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THE

ACCOMMODATIONS

Anglers with Sight Cast stay at the beautiful Posada Acuarela, a twelve-bedroom owner operated lodge facility that is by far the nicest accommodations on Gran Roque. This charming posada is a one-minute walk from the beach and all the local restaurants and bars. It has a full time manager in place for fishing guests as well as a full staff of waiters, maids and other help to make your stay comfortable.

The lodge has twelve double occupancy bedrooms with en suite bathroom. Each room has individually controlled air conditioning, a ceiling fan, solar powered hot water, and a private safe to store valuables. The building is a hybrid of Mediterranean and Caribbean architecture, and has a very fresh, open vibe with lots of common areas and privacy.

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ARGENTINA SIGHT CAST DOVES OUTFITTERS UNLIMITED - LOS -ROQUES, NORTHWESTERN VENEZUELA ARGENTINA

The food is great, simply prepared, and emphasizes fresh seafood, pasta, fruits, and local foods, however, for variety beef and chicken are also served. Local lobster is featured when in season (November - April). The food is fantastic, the service is great and the accommodations are comfortable and conveniently located to the fishing grounds. By island standards, they are the best available - even better than the privately held villas owned by wealthy Venezuelans. Considering its locality and the fine services that the staff delivers, most guests - including couples - are quite satisfied.

POSADA ACUARELA CAPACITY 12 Shared Occupancy Rooms (Normally 14 Anglers Max)

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TRAVEL & ITINERARY Traveling to Los Roques is simple and not intimidating! Far too many folks have anxieties about visiting Venezuela because of former President Chavez’s blow hard anti-American comments on CNN. The average Venezuelan shares a similar distaste for their government and are very hospitable hosts. Furthermore, anglers spend almost zero time in public areas when en route Los Roques – perhaps one of the safest little communities you could ever visit.

Anglers reach Venezuela via a non-stop itinerary through many U.S. cities including Miami, Newark, Atlanta, Washington, Houston, and most European portals. The flight from Miami to Caracas is approximately three hours. On occasion, American Airlines services direct flights from Dallas / Ft. Worth (DFW) certain days of the week/month.

OVERNIGHT ON THE MAINLAND When you deplane in Caracas International, you are met and transferred approximately ten minutes to the brand new Marriott or Eurobuilding Express Hotels next to the airport. Most people don’t realize that the Caracas Airport is actually not in the city, but rather a solid 45-minute drive from town in the coastal town of Macuto Vargas. Guests of Sight Cast stay in the nearby four-star Marriott or Eurobuilding Express Hotel the night preceding fishing days, and fly out early the next morning to Gran Roque.

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ARGENTINA SIGHT CAST DOVES OUTFITTERS UNLIMITED - LOS -ROQUES, NORTHWESTERN VENEZUELA ARGENTINA

Inversely, guests are returned to the mainland at

village. Anglers usually return to the lodge around

the conclusion of the last day of fishing and again

4:00PM. This allows plenty of time to take a shower,

spend the night on the mainland. This allows trav-

cruise through town, or take a hike up to the light-

elers to get an early start for home as most interna-

house. Dinner is served around 7:30 - 8:00PM and

tional departures are early the following morning.

guests may feel free to take a stroll to the local pub for a nightcap with the locals and tourists.

SAMPLE ITINERARY

At the conclusion of the last full day of fishing, guests depart the island via a late afternoon com-

DAY 1 Travel to Caracas, Venezuela. Upon arrival in Caracas you will meet a representative from Sight Cast outside the customs exit holding a sing with your party’s name on it. Guests then drive approximately ten minutes from the airport to the Marriott or Eurobuilding Express Hotel. Macuto is a coastal town forty-five miles north of downtown Caracas. Anglers spend the first night in Venezuela at the hotel.

mercial flight back to the mainland, where you are met and escorted back to the Marriott or Eurobuilding Express Hotel for an additional overnight stay.

DEPARTURE DAY Guests are once again met by our ground representative and escorted to the airport and through the check-in procedures for the flight home. Flights returning to the States usually depart as early as 6:00AM – 11:00AM the following morning, making

DAY 2-?

The following morning, guests are returned to the

for an early afternoon arrival back in the U.S.A.

domestic auxiliary terminal at the airport bright and early by our driver service and checked in for an early morning, 45 minute commercial flight to Gran Roque. Anglers are greeted by the guides and staff at the “airport” and escorted on a five-minute walk to Posada Acuarela. After a brief breakfast, anglers start their first full day fishing as soon as you have your gear organized.

FISHING DAYS On the following days of fishing breakfast is usually served around 6:00-6:30AM and anglers are on the flats by 7:30 - 8:00AM. After a brief open water crossing, anglers find themselves in a perfect labyrinth of small islands, white sanded beaches, mangrove lined lagoons, and pancake flats - perfect bonefish habitat. Lunch is made to order, and taken in the shade on a small island or in a quaint fishing

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WHEN TO GO Although Los Roques is located close to the equator, the average temperature is surprisingly cool relative to other Caribbean fisheries. Average temperatures are usually are between 65 - 80 degrees during the months of December through April (dry-season) and between 70-95 degrees during the months of May - October (rainy-season). Moderate trade winds keep things cool and anglers always comment how comfortable the environment truly is.

winds during the so-called rainy season. However, note that the area is marked by consistent water shortages and excessive rains almost never occur.

Los Roques is blessed in that its unique location in the Southern Caribbean has spared the little archipelago of major hurricanes and tropical storms for many years.

SPRING & SUMMER The best times of the year to wade fish Los Roques

Rain is seldom a problem and almost never shuts down a fishing day. The summer months are marked

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by occasional cloudbursts and moderately heavier

is the months of January - mid September. The fishing is wonderful throughout the spring and the ma-

ARGENTINA SIGHT CAST DOVES OUTFITTERS UNLIMITED - LOS -ROQUES, NORTHWESTERN VENEZUELA ARGENTINA

jority of American anglers visit during this time, only

restaurants and bars. During the peak summer

because the summer fishing opportunities are al-

months, you will always encounter a few Europeans

ways overlooked. February, March, and April are by

in town and the beach is usually inhabited with a

far the most popular with Venezuelan weekenders

little action as well. Guests who enjoy a peaceful

and Europeans as well. One of our favorite times

romantic, sleepy, Caribbean island will fall in love

to visit Islas de Los Roques is during the summer

with Gran Roque even if they are not fishing. It is

months. The wind has usually laid down, there are

an awesome location for low-maintenance non-an-

fewer gringo anglers on the island (thus less fish-

gling companions who are happy with gorgeous

ing pressure) and the fish seem to be a little less

beaches and a charming tropical atmosphere.

spooky.

FALL & WINTER Los Roques experiences higher tidal fluctuations during the fall and winter months, making it a little more difficult to wade fish for bones during October and November. However, the fish are of course still there, and anglers who don’t mind fishing a little more often out of the boat can have excellent success. The autumn months are also the best periods for chasing permit and tarpon as well. There are also far fewer anglers around this time of year.

NON-ANGLING ACTIVITIES Activities at Los Roques that can be arranged beyond fishing include snorkeling, SCUBA diving, swimming, beach combing, birding, wind-surfing, kite boarding, stand-up paddle boarding, catamaran day cruises, or simply relaxing in a remote peaceful setting with a book on the beach. Sight Cast can also provide boat transfers, packed lunches, umbrellas, and coolers of drinks for excursions to more remote nearby islands.

The small village of approximately one thousand inhabitants is tons of fun to explore, people watch, and do a little shopping. Guests can hike up to the top of the small mountains on Gran Roque for a little exercise, or hang out at one of the islands quaint

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SIGHT CAST OUTFITTERS - LOS ROQUES, VENEZUELA

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RATES TWO ANGLERS PER BOAT / ROOM

»» »» »» »»

4 nights / 3 days fishing…………………………..$2,895 5 nights / 4 days fishing…………………………..$3,290 6 nights / 5 days fishing…………………………..$3,790 7 nights / 6 days fishing…………………………..$4,250

ONE ANGLER PER BOAT / ROOM

»» »» »» »»

4 nights / 3 days fishing…………………………..$4,080 5 nights / 4 days fishing…………………………..$4,520 6 nights / 5 days fishing…………………………..$4,985 7 nights / 6 days fishing…………………………..$5,355

SINGLE FISHING / SHARED ROOM ***Usually shared room with non-anglers

»» »» »» »»

4 nights / 3 days fishing…………………………..$3,845 5 nights / 4 days fishing…………………………..$4,235 6 nights / 5 days fishing…………………………..$4,745 7 nights / 6 days fishing…………………………..$5,150

SHARED ROOM / PRIVATE BOAT

»» »» »» »»

4 nights / 3 days fishing…………………………..$3,595 5 nights / 4 days fishing…………………………..$3,995 6 nights / 5 days fishing…………………………..$4,525 7 nights / 6 days fishing…………………………..$4,945

NON-FISHING (SHARED ROOM W/ ANGLER)

»» »» »» »»

4 nights / 3 days………………………………….......$1,720 5 nights / 4 days………………………………….......$1,995 6 nights / 5 days………………………………….......$2,430 7 nights / 6 days………………………………….......$2,745

WHAT’S INCLUDED All accommodations as outlined; Guided fishing as outlined; All meals at Posada Acuarela; Beers in boat coolers; Round-trip ground transfers from hotels and airport; Hotel accommodations at the Marriott Hotel or Eurobuilding Express on the mainland for first and last nights of trip; Round-trip commercial airfare to/from Caracas and Gran Roques; Fishing licenses and permits; soft drinks.

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ARGENTINA SIGHT CAST DOVES OUTFITTERS UNLIMITED - LOS -ROQUES, NORTHWESTERN VENEZUELA ARGENTINA

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED Airfare to Caracas, Venezuela from the USA; Meals and other expenses on the mainland; Los Roques National Park entry fees and Airport Departure Taxes; Overweight baggage expenses; Beer, Wine, Liquor; Items of personal nature such as telephone calls; Laundry services; Gratuities for Guides and Lodge Staff.

TERMS & CONDITIONS Tailwaters Travel must adhere to the cancellation policies of the guides, outfitters and lodges which it represents. Sight Cast’s policy follows: A fully refundable 50% deposit is required to secure all reservations.

Final balance is due 60 days prior to departure. If a reservation is cancelled 120 days prior to departure, deposit will be refunded minus a $100 per person handling fee; if cancelled between 119 and 60 days prior, deposit will be forfeited; if cancelled with sixty days all payments are fully non-refundable. Refunds of deposits/ payments made on credit cards will be charged a 3.5% service charge to fully compensate Tailwaters Travel for all bank charges incurred. Receipt of deposit and/or final payment is acknowledgment that registrant has read and accepts the cancellation, refund and responsibility clauses.

TRAVEL INSURANCE! Given the inherent strict refund policies associated

We will provide you with more detailed information

with nearly all fishing packages, we cannot stress the

about travel insurance from our sponsored provider,

importance of obtaining travel insurance to protect

Travel Guard, when you book a trip with Tailwaters

your investment.

Travel.

We can conveniently process a very comprehensive

Travellers can obtain coverage for pre-existing health

insurance policy for you in-house after asking a few

problems (related to yourself, your family, business

simple questions.

partners, or your travelling partners), emergency evacuation, lost baggage, delay, life insurance

CALL TODAY TO PROTECT YOUR INVESTMENT:

packages; even “no questions asked” or “for work

(214) 219-2500 OR (888) 824-5420

reasons” coverage.

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TRAVEL DEPARTMENT

2416 MCKINNEY AVE

DAVID@TAILWATERSFLYFISHING.COM

DALLAS, TX. 75201

WWW.TAILWATERSFLYFISHING.COM

(888) 824-5420

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