Kiki Izquierdo at Anglers Inn International Lake El Salto

We’ve been fortunate to fish with many great fishing lodges, outfitters and guides across the country and across the globe. Sometimes, however, it’s hard to recognize just how good something is until you experience a less-stellar operation. Accordingly, it’s worth noting that we’ve also been to some average and even sub-par operations – and they’ve helped us to appreciate what our favorites do well.

Of course, only someone in the industry can fully appreciate greatness. That’s why we were thrilled when Gary Moeller of Ballard’s Black Island reported back to us about his experience at Anglers Inn Lake Picachos. His superlatives confirmed a lot of the positive impressions we’ve had over the years.

Below we list four favorite outfitters and one particular lesson that they offer. Please note that just because I list only one attribute for each doesn’t mean that they don’t achieve others as well. I’ve just highlighted one per outfit.

If you run a fishing dream fulfillment operation, or aspire to do so, ask yourself: Am I living up to these standards?

Anglers Inn International

Mexico and Brazil

SERVICE

Billy Chapman Jr., owner of Anglers Inn, has long used the motto of “Service is our focus.” Why? Well, he can’t control the fishing (which is usually excellent) but everything else is within his power. His staff work harder than expected to make sure you have the trip of a lifetime, whether it’s your first time at one of his properties or your twentieth. You’ll never touch a bag, your drink will never go empty, and your steak is always cooked exactly the way you want it. Morning coffee is delivered to your room (again, prepared the way you want) – in other words, your needs are anticipated, often before you even know about them.

We’ve become a little immune to it because we’ve been down there so many times, but each time a newcomer arrives we get to see it through their eyes. It’s a reminder that while we’re there to fish, it is also a vacation, and we’re all spending our hard-earned time and money to travel there. The constant hustle is a sign that it’s appreciated.

Captain Shane Jarvis filming a roosterfish at Isla Coiba

Sport Fish Panama Island Lodge

Panama

COMMUNICATIONS

Captain Shane Jarvis runs a lean operation in Panama, taking on much of the heavy lifting by himself, and it would be easy for certain things (like social media) to fall through the cracks – but nothing ever does. That starts when you book your trip and he sends detailed emails with all of the information you need to get there happily, affordably and in one piece. When you’re in Panama City, there’s a driver and a travel agent on call in case you run into issues. From the island, he does an exceptional job with social media, with all of the captains posting reels to social media every day, so you can gauge the catches as your trip approaches. Then, after you leave, you get a detailed thank you email which also includes a Dropbox link to all of those videos and pictures. It’s a constant reminder of your trip, and provides great advertising for the lodge when you put it on social media.

Bear Trail Lodge

Alaska

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Nanci Morris Lyon is a highly-acclaimed and accomplished angler, and everything about Bear Trail Lodge is first class, but one place where she shines exceptionally brightly is in community involvement. She was and is a driving force behind the Bristol Bay Guide Academy, which helps local indigenous youth to develop leadership schools and places them in outdoors jobs. She has also been a loud and effective voice against the Pebble Mine project – which might have decimated the world’s best sockeye runs – as well. There’s nothing wrong with a guide or outfitter who goes about his or her business, taking care of bookings and on-the-water details and then going home to family at night. They don’t even need to be from the fishery if everything else is in place. However, there’s something extra special about those who work to preserve and better the environments that provide their livelihood for future generations.

Casa Vieja Lodge

Guatemala

THE FLEET

Depending on your budget, the size of your group, your projected level of angling involvement, and your need for creature comforts, different boats might fit your needs in Guatemala. Captain David Salazar has built a fleet of nine boats at Casa Vieja, ranging from a 35’ Contender to a 44’ Kincheloe (as well as the famous boat known as The Hooker) that is the envy of his competition. How do I know? Because upon meeting one of those competitors I asked him about it and he confirmed that was one difference-maker. Salazar also has his own boat yard so that anything that needs to be fixed or restored can be done so promptly – that minimizes downtime. There are plenty of places where you can catch fish out of small or old or even decrepit boats, but when you’re looking at an operation, see how they invest in gear and take care of it – it’s likely a measure of how they run the entire business.