HISTORY
A WORD FROM CHARLIE LESLIE
Founder
"Fishing is for people who understand that life as well as angling comes with very few guarantees. All said and weather permitting, It's better to fish today, than to worry about a tomorrow that may arrive with seas too choppy to cast."
THE FATHER OF FLY FISHING IN BELIZE
Before Belize became a fly-fishing paradise, there was Charlie Leslie.
Long before anglers sought Grand Slams in Placencia’s pristine flats, Charlie was mastering the tides, understanding fish behavior, and paving the way for an entire industry.
His journey began as one of the first and finest guides at Belize River Lodge, the country’s first fishing lodge.
Pioneering Belize’s Sportfishing Industry
Charlie’s fly-fishing legacy started at Belize River Lodge (then Barothy’s Lodge), where he apprenticed under the legendary Vic Barothy.
There, he honed his skills as a guide for international anglers, becoming known for his ability to lead them to the most challenging species: tarpon, snook, bonefish, and permit.
His return to Southern Belize in the 1970s marked the start of his groundbreaking exploration of untouched waters, charting feeding grounds and refining techniques that would make him a legend.
MASTER OF THE FLATS
Charlie Leslie isn’t just a fisherman—he’s a tactician.
He spent years studying the tides, moon phases, and feeding patterns of Belize’s elusive species, gaining unparalleled insight:
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Permit: Charlie unlocked the secrets of their feeding habits long before others could.
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Tarpon: He could predict their movements with uncanny accuracy.
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Snook: In the 1970s, he set an unbroken record by landing 200 snook in six days during a tournament.
In the world of fly-fishing, permit are known as the “Holy Grail” due to their difficulty to catch.
For Charlie, catching permit became less about luck and more about science.
BUILDING A LEGACY
Charlie’s influence extends far beyond his personal achievements. He has played a pivotal role in shaping Belize’s sportfishing industry:
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Early Guide: One of the first Belizean guides at Belize River Lodge.
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Lodge Founder: Established Tarpon Caye Lodge, elevating Southern Belize as a world-class fly-fishing destination.
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Mentor: Trained a new generation of guides, including his sons Charlie III and Marlon, to continue his legacy.
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Respected Globally: Guided legends such as Mel Krieger, Lefty Kreh, Chico Fernandez, and Fraser Heston.
Fraser Heston (son of legendary actor, Charlton Heston)
Louis Swift, a very close friend of Charlie Leslie
HUMBLE BEGINNINGS
Born in November 1949 to Doris and Liston Leslie in Placencia, Charlie grew up surrounded by the beauty of Southern Belize.
His professional career began in 1964 when he traveled to Belize City to work as an apprentice guide for Fred Keller at Keller’s Caribbean Sport Ltd., the successor to Barothy’s Lodge.
Fred quickly recognized Charlie’s talent, and over seven years, Charlie earned his place as one of the most respected guides in the country.
RETURNING TO PLACENCIA
In the 1980s, Charlie started his own business, working directly with anglers he had guided earlier in his career.
Through these relationships, he began building a loyal clientele. It was during this time that he met Mel Krieger, one of the most influential fly-fishing instructors of the time.
Mel taught Charlie the finer points of fly-fishing and introduced him to new techniques that would shape his guiding style.
ENCOUNTERS WITH GREATNESS
Throughout his career, Charlie worked with some of the biggest names in fly fishing:
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Mel Krieger: Called Charlie “the best permit guide I ever met” in his book The Essence of Fly Fishing.
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Lefty Kreh: Introduced Charlie to the fly rod, foreseeing his future success in the sport.
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Chico Fernandez and Brian O’Keefe: Promoted fly fishing alongside Charlie at industry events.
GLOBAL RECOGNITION
In the 1990s, Charlie represented Belize on the global stage, attending events like the Houston Show.
He worked alongside fly-fishing greats such as Steve Rajeff, who invited him to participate in casting demonstrations.
These opportunities solidified Charlie’s reputation as an ambassador for Belizean fly fishing.
THE FATHER OF BELIZE FLY FISHING
Charlie Leslie’s contributions to fly fishing in Belize cannot be overstated.
Every guide who poles a skiff through Belize’s flats, every angler who lands their first Grand Slam, and every visitor who experiences the thrill of fly fishing in Belize owes a debt to Charlie’s legacy.
When you fish in Belize, you don’t just cast a line—you cast into a legacy built by a lifetime of passion, expertise, and innovation.