It's been 48 hours since we stepped off the Voyager of the Seas and as I sit in my cold, dog fart-permeated office, I can't get the flats of Cozumel and Roatan off my mind.

The elder Rathbun's 60th birthday celebratory cruise is over and it's time to focus our day dreams on the next trip.  We're taking a glass half full approach.  While steelhead are in the rearview, basin lakes are producing, and the Big D King of all Salmon Fly hatches is around the corner.  The 5 wt will be the stick of choice moving forward.

In the meantime, we have fond memories of a what could have been a suicide-inducing trip.  We spent a boatbound week apologizing to the service staff for the behavior demonstrated by many of the 3,500 of our not-so-closest American friends.  But, we did have a few hours of port time, and capitalized in ways only the afflicted can.

Cozumel guide Victor - supplied us with a fast boat, great human GPS to navigate mangrove lagoons, and an icebox full of Pringles and Modelo.

Rathbun Senior getting spooled by his first boner on a wiggle stick.

Don't always assume that the guide knows his way around a digital camera. 

Flats fishing isn't unlike the Army.  Rule number one - always protect your feet.

While throwing the new Monic Tropical Clear, we picked up a few bones, but the Cuda were all over our flies.  Without steel leaders, we were shitouttaluck.

Bass fishing for bones and tarpon under the structure of Roatan paradise.

Mainland Yucatan - Mr. and Mrs. Ratbone absorbing the Mayan history at Uxmal.

Ever wonder about the average demographic of a cruise ship passenger?  As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words.

Until next time...