There is no doubt that no one in the world has been uneffected by Covid 19 pandemic, but few have been as hard hit as the professional fishing guides on Belize. Belize closed the doors on international tourism on March 23, 2020, during the traditional peak of the most popular time for fishing in the country. While other locals around the Caribbean have either remained open or have reopened, Belize’s government prioritized the health and safety of its citizens over the shuttered tourism economy. And now the people, who rely on tourism to put food on the table, are feeling the deep pinch of no income.

It should be noted that just under half of the GDP of Belize comes from tourism.

The prime minister announced a (third) reopening date of October 1st, and we are excited to well a few ambitious anglers back to Blue Horizon. But we know it will take months, maybe even a full year, before the tourism industry fully recovers.

To assist the licensed, full-time guides of Belize, the American Fly Fishing Trade Association (AFFTA) and the Yellow Dog Community and Conservation Foundation (YDCCF) have initiated a relief campaign to provide anglers, industry businesses, and those who feel a strong connection to Belize a way to lend a hand to our Belizean fly fishing guides.

Please give the YDCCF site a visit and make a donation for your chance to help the guides of Belize.