Tres Pescados Winner at the World Championships

Press Release – Tres Pescados – July 19th, 2010 – When you’re fly fishing here in Belize and the wind is driving your fly the wrong direction and you wish you had more to show for a full day on the water than just 6 or 8 bonefish take a minute and think about what just happened at the 2010 IGFA Inshore World Championships event this past week.

On Tuesday, July 13th in Islamorada, Florida at the World Wide Sportsman marina all of the 23 competing anglers were charged up for the start of the 2010 IGFA Inshore World Championships and ready to hit the water in search of the 5 species needed to complete a grand slam and hopefully take home the World Grand Championship title. While waiting for the start, anglers looked out past the docks at the hot and calm weather. Not necessarily a good thing. Nice to cast in but not nice for catching.

As the first day of the Worlds wore on the 10 anglers in the Fly Division found the calm weather tough to get fish. The fish knew anglers were coming before they got with in range. Yet the anglers still managed to score with 7 of the 10 making it on the board and some with multiple species. Our angler that won the 2009 Tres Pescados Slam here in Belize, Thomas Reckling, scored 250 points giving him 4th place at the end of the first day.
With one of his “BELIZE” labeled El Pescador fishing shirts on he managed to get a few photos sent back of him with one of his 125 point redfish. I don’t think the guide had any problem remembering what tournament Thomas won.
The second day of the tournament brought a complete 180 degree turn around of weather. The sky was filled with big black clouds as the anglers headed out. In short order lightning soon was flashing as many of the anglers made their way north into the Everglade National Park looking for snook and redfish. Many of the 13 anglers in the Light Tackle Division had 4 of the 5 species and were looking to close out the slam with a redfish or a snook. Due to the weather most boats pulled in to get off the water as the storm flashed and clapped with Thomas and his guide, Eric Herstedt, taking several timeouts in a marina and even in someone’s garage. One final foray back on the water and Thomas hooks a tarpon but he breaks off before he can be counted.
The last day of the tournament showed an improvement in the weather but the fish had other ideas. The 10 anglers in the Fly Division had high hopes of closing out the slam but it was not be. Thomas Reckling hooked a tarpon but broke it off and other than that the day brought in no-releases from the 10 fly anglers this last day. The Light Tackle Division however, closed out the slam for 4 of the anglers. Just goes to show what a bit of bait will do.
Thomas Reckling ended up in 5th place out of the 10 Fly Division anglers and only 1 fish from taking the 2nd place trophy. The winner, Robert Collins, is a past 3 time winner of the World Championships and now a 4 time winner with 575 points.
So if you think saltwater fly fishing in Belize is any less world class than the rest of the world just remember the 2010 World Championships where one day was a no fish for 10 of the world’s top anglers and guides.
This year’s IGFA Inshore World Championships saw three new countries join the ranks: Belize, Sweden, and Trinidad/Tobago joined the ranks with Australia as the only countries outside the USA to receive an angler invitation.
Thomas Reckling is returning to defend his title at the 2nd annual Tres Pescados Slam Tournament this August 12th through 14th in San Pedro. The tournament will host 2 divisions of fly anglers, a Pro Division (requires a BTB licensed guide) and an Amateur Division (open to everyone and no guide is required). The payout for the Pro Division is $7,000 and the Amateur Division payout is $3,000 The payouts are divided among the top 3 winners in each division. From 3-6 PM daily in Central Park the tournament will host mini-rod casting for the kids with prizes; Casting Competition for men, women, and youth with a chance to win a custom Belize built fly rod; raffles; music; food; drinks and more.
Come out enjoy the fun in Central Park and enter the Pro or Amateur Division – you can’t win if don’t enter.
For more information on the 2nd annual Tres Pescados Slam Tournament please go to www.tres-pescado-tournament.org.

San Pedro Fire Department Places 2nd in National Fire Service Olympiad!

This year's 16th annual Fire Olympiad hosted by the Belize National Fire Service Olympiad was held over the weekend at the People's Stadium in Orange Walk Town. Six proud volunteers of the San Pedro Fire Service travelled north to showcase their abilities in performing the various drills to prove themselves as some of the country's finest firemen.
Miguel Medina lead his team of five volunteers: Claudio Tzul, Lester Diaz, Miguel Ancona, Alex Manzanero and Andy Albeño to a very sucessful performance in this year's tournament. Competitors were required to compete in ten different fire drills in which San Pedro's team managed to acquire 13 trophies for placing first and second in the various drills. Competitors were judged by the time it took them to complete each drill successfully, with the competitor completing the drill within the shortest amount of time being the winner. The overall time each team took to complete all ten drills was tabulated and the team with the shortest time won. This year, San Ignacio Fire Station took first place and San Pedro brought home the trophy for second place. Congratulations to our San Pedro Fire Department!! Awesome Job!!!

Belize International Film Festival comes to San Pedro

Dancers clad in white welcomed everyone into the theater

It was an all white affair, and held at the Reef Village Paradise Theater, the kickoff night for the three-day event in San Pedro started with a bang. Despite Antony Anderson having to cancel his appearance at the event, film-goers were still able to enjoy a fantastic night out. Darryl "Chill" Mitchell, a NAACP-award winner and actor was in the house. Chino and Michael Flores were also on hand as they promoted their film "Do It".

Chino and Michael Flores

Miguel and Chino

The ever effusive and hilarious Lauren was the Mistress of Ceremonies for the evening

The film shown on the first night was "SKIN". Based on a true story about a white Aafrikaner family who were unaware of the Black ancestry, and the struggles they have with their daughter Sandra Laing when she is born with dark skin. Sandra is driven out of white society, and the film follows her 30-year journey from rejection to acceptance, betrayal to reconciliation and her fight to find a place for herself in the ever changing world.

After the movie, some of the audience were interviewed to give their review of what they had seen.

Immediately after the film, it was time to head to the White Party at the Reef Village Bar. People converged at the bar to enjoy bocas from The Palm Restaurant and drinks from Traveller's Liquors. People got the opportunity to mingle and catch up with friends.

Allan, Clive and Norma

Darryl "Chill" Mitchell and the lovely Tanya Samoila

A smiling Kim Vasquez of the Institute of Creative Arts mingles with attendees

The remaining two days of the festival showed screenings of films such as Derrick Baños: Belizean Talent; 22 Years From Home; The Roe Effect; Personal Belongings; Lie; 7 Adventures of Sinbad; Fallen Gods; Chino's Story; Who Killed the White Llama and Calypso at Dirty Jims.

The Belize International Film Festival 2010 runs from July 16 through July 24th, when an awards ceremony and Tribute to Haiti will be held at the Bliss Center. Movies will be shown at the Bliss for dates listed above.

Below is a short raw-style docu-film of the behind the scenes production on opening day. Many thanks to Daniel Velasquez for this short.

"Dollar Drive" a huge success

Saturday’s “Dollar Drive” fundraiser for the newly formed San Pedro Cancer Society was a huge success. Members of the group, along with volunteers donated chickens, rice and beans, salad, coleslaw and even cupcakes and other pastries for sale. During the sale, a Dollar Drive was held, with drivers donating amounts from $1 and up to the very worthy cause.

Drivers stopped and gave generously...thank you to all who stopped for a moment to give...

Even hardworking delivery men took a moment to donate what they could

For $1, one could also place their palm print on a banner

Food was on sale for the busy lunch hour

Smiles of success - Miguel, Monica and Juvinie take a break from the long day

Jorge and Alexis collect donations from drivers passing through

Miguel and Zoby

After a long hot day of hard work, the Board of Directors have confirmed that enough money was raised that the original goal was met, plus, more. With the extra funds, the organization can pay the legal fees to register the organization plus will have leftover to start a savings account. That account will hopefully continue to grow so that many people can be helped.
Members are still welcomed, and everyone is thanked for their HUGE support to this very worthy cause.

Dollar Drive Fundraiser for San Pedro Cancer Society

The newly formed San Pedro Cancer Society is calling on the community to give a helping hand in their first fundraiser on Saturday, July 17. This fledgling group is hoping to register as an NGO (Non Government Organization), and to do so, must raise some funds to pay for the process. To do so, they are holding a Dollar Drive at Mr. Omar Arceo's residence across from the Five-A-Side court. Starting at 11am, food will be on sale, as well as drinks. Those who come by are being asked to donate one (1) dollar ($1). If you wish to give more, it is gladly accepted. A gratuity pin will be given to donors as well.

The San Pedro Cancer Society was established to create a network of help for those who are affected and dealing with Cancer. The group works on a volunteer basis, and aims to provide educational information on cancer, along with support, both moral and financial, to those who are living with the dreaded "C", and require treatment. Monies will also be used to support the invaluable Belize Cancer Center in Dangriga.

The board of directors include: President - Monica Prevett; Vice President - Jorge Aldana; Secretary - Rene Guzman; Treasurer - Miguel Perez.

Fundraising events will be held at least every other month, and a grand yearly gala is in the works as the main fundraising event of the year for the group. To join the society, or to find out more about how to help in the fundraising efforts, contact Monica at 631-6567 or Miguel at 610-1293.