Featured Belize Fishing Guides, cont.

Dermin Shivers

Dermin has the fortune (although he sometimes might feel it to be the mis-fortune) to be born as the son of Pearl Cabral -- and hence the nephew of Egbert, Wyatt, Julian, Daniel and Breeze Cabral.  So he was going to learn to fish whether he liked it or not.

Fortunately, he liked it - and turned out to be quite good at it, too.

Then Uncle Julian took him under his wing, and Dermin took to guiding like, well, like -- a fish to water. 

Dermin also liked to hang around with his grandfather, George Cabral, who Dermin credits for his knowledge of the weather, the tides and most of the marine life that he recognizes and will gladly tell you about.

Like Uncle Julian, Dermin is a purist, and wholeheartedly believes in the wisdom of catch and release, and using artificials rather than live or cut bait , when a "man's not fishing for food for his table!"

Like his Uncle Daniel, Dermin is determined that his clients will catch fish, if there's any to be caught that day.  (On a recent Grand Slam day, Dermin fished his client north near Southwater Caye, out at the reef near Ranguana Caye, and down south in the Sapodillas - now THAT's determination!)

Dermin is especially skilled at fishing the backwaters of the Placencia Lagoon - another pool of knowledge he attributes to his grandfather George, and his own curiosity about a body of water that many local guides ignore. 

As for Dermin's clients, here's a recent comment from Jamal Mahdavian:

I have fished the waters around Placencia for over 5 years and things had become routine.  Quite good, but routine.  This past December I had a pleasant surprise.  I was paired with a young man who I am sure will be one of the areas most sought after quides.  His uncles are among the high-end guides in the area.

Reportedly 22 years old, Dermin looks a bit more like a high school freshman.  My doubts were quickly dismissed when the day began.  We fished waters I hadn't seen before and when the weather turned sour he found a back bay out of the blow that yielded 6 tarpon in less than half an hour.  These weren't juveniles... they were anchovies!  The largest 10 pounds and the smallest about the size of a Largemouth Bass on steroids.  It was not a Kodak moment but in that weather he found fish on day most people would hard be pressed to stay vertical on the water.

Dermin's skills out on the flats were equally impressive.  We saw dozens of permit and the largest bones I've ever seen in Belize.  Armed with a spare rod, Dermin caught a 6+ pound bone while I played with the school.

His approach to the sport is fresh.  No fixed ideas, willing to experiment, lots of fun.  I have fished with at least 6 of the more senior guides in Placencia.  Their skills and experience are undeniable and for the hard core angler, perhaps preferable.  As for myself Dermin is top 5... anywhere.  He and his uncles are as important to a trip as rods, reel, and cigars.       JAMAL