Elton Garbutt — Belize Saltwater Fly Fishing
Fly Fishing Guide — Belize
About
Elton Garbutt is a Belizean fly fishing guide whose family has fished the waters of the Turneffe Atoll and the Belize barrier reef for four generations. Growing up on the coast near Belize City, Elton learned to pole a skiff and read the flats from his grandfather, a commercial fisherman who transitioned into guiding as the sport fishing industry developed in Belize during the 1990s. Elton took up the guiding torch at age nineteen and has now logged fifteen years of professional service on some of the most productive saltwater flats in the Western Caribbean.
Elton's primary fishing grounds encompass the Turneffe Atoll, Lighthouse Reef, and the extensive mangrove-lined flats inside the barrier reef. His knowledge of the tidal flows, seasonal fish movements, and micro-habitats within these diverse ecosystems allows him to consistently find bonefish, permit, tarpon, and snook for his clients, often on flats that other guides overlook. He is particularly adept at targeting permit on the deeper sand-and-coral flats of the atoll's windward side, where these notoriously difficult fish feed on crabs and shrimp in water barely deep enough to cover their dorsal fins.
Elton builds many of his own crab and shrimp fly patterns, drawing on his intimate knowledge of the actual prey species found on the flats he fishes. His warm personality and genuine enthusiasm for sharing the beauty of Belize's marine environment make every trip feel like a fishing adventure with a knowledgeable friend rather than a commercial guiding transaction.
Specialties
Permit on the flyBonefish flatsTarpon in the channelsTurneffe Atoll specialistSnook in the mangrovesCustom crab fly patternsGrand slam pursuit
5.0/5 on Google(30 reviews)
What Anglers Say
“Charlie is the damn man. Humble and a great guy—not just a skilled guide and navigator, but the type of man a father prays to raise. He expanded my love from trout and smallmouth fly fishing to saltwater. I could not have had a more stoked time hunting those bones and poons with Chuck and Marlon.”
Nate p.
“Charlie Leslie III is an outstanding guide and a blast to spend the day with! He created a fun, relaxed atmosphere while putting us on incredible fish. Thanks to him, I landed my first Permit on the fly — a dream come true! I highly recommend him if you’re looking for a top-tier fly fishing experience in Belize.”
Samuel p.
“This is the dream of what every fly fisherman wants in a guide. If you’re just getting into it or you’ve been fishing all your life, as I have. These are the type of people you want in your life, educated and on it. They make it fun, and put you on fish. Finished off my trip with a 30+ pound tarpon and big smile on my face. This family knows more about fly fishing in this region of the world, (Charles Sr. brought flyfishing to Placencia), then most fly fishermen think they do, but do it with a relaxed Carib attitude and the feel of fishing with friends. I Wish I had a few more days to fish with them. Will absolutely be back and have been telling everyone I know headed that way, if they want to fish, this is what you’re looking for. Loved Belize, but a big part of why I will go back is to fish with them. If you’re on the fence, go. Will make a memory worth more then any guide cost. 10 out of 10. Will be back. Also looking forward to you rolling out to fish for big cutthroats when you come out to the states Charlie.”
Reed p.
Quick Facts
- Location
- Belize
- Experience
- 15+ years
- Daily Rate
- $550/day (1-2 anglers)
- Specialties
- Permit on the fly, Bonefish flats, Tarpon in the channels, Turneffe Atoll specialist, Snook in the mangroves, Custom crab fly patterns, Grand slam pursuit
Book a Trip
Contact Elton Garbutt — Belize Saltwater Fly Fishing directly to book your guided trip.