Spread out in a 200-mile long chain parallel to the mainland of Belize are the cayes, little islands that are, for the most visitors, the main stopping points in the country. Numbering in the scores, the cayes are the visible tips of a submarine geography of undulating ridges and trenches, plateaus, and coral reef. French Caye is located around 20 miles offshore, you can see the mountains of Honduras on clear days.
A view of the typical small cayes that dot the coastline.
Archaeologists have found evidence of Mayan fishing and hunting camps on the cayes. In colonial times, the islets were the lair of buccaneers who preyed on the galleons that carried the treasures of the new world to Spain. Protected by a maze of shallow passages from the heavy ships of the Spaniards, the buccaneers rested up on the cayes between depredations, divided their booty, and dried turtle meat for provisions.
The first Bonefish of this trip!
Most of the cayes are tucked behind the protection of the barrier reef, surrounded by waters multi-toned in blues and greens, the visible seabed speckled with coral and seaweed clusters
Jerry catches his very first Bonefish, after hitting author on head with rod, and cross casting over my line,
Bonefish are a highly sought after catch and release sport fish, also known as the "gray ghost". They are shy and present a challenge.
