http://www.crocodilebay.com

http://www.infobonaire.com

http://www.piscatur.com

http://www.sportinglifetravel.com

Angling Publications - Index

Angling Publications - Magazine - Index

CRISPIN BATTLES PHOTO GROSSENBACHERPHOTO.COM CHERYL BATTLES PHOTO
COSTA RICA
Located on the southern Pacific coast of Costa
Rica, near the tip of the Osa Peninsula, lies one of the best fishing lodges
in Central America—Crocodile Bay Lodge.
The Osa remains the county’s wildest and most spectacular region, and
one of the most biologically diverse areas on earth. At the heart of the Osa
Peninsula is Corcovado National Park, the crown jewel of Costa Rica’s
national park system. It encompasses more than 100,000 acres, including
vast mangrove swamps, primary rainforest, and inter-tidal lagoons.
There’s only one town of any size on the Osa, and that’s Puerto Jimenez.
You’ll arrive here by small-engine plane from San Jose, and be whisked away
for the short drive to Crocodile Bay Lodge. The lodge is an Orvis-endorsed
paradise, offering luxurious accommodations, fine dining, and great facilities
such as a pool, spa, and conference center. If you’re travelling with a
non-angler, the lodge offers many other activities such as eco-tours into the
rainforest, sea kayaking in Golfo Dulce, and horseback riding on the beach.
Their fleet of over 30 boats can take you deep into the mangroves,
along the rugged Pacific coastline, or offshore. The diversity of gamefish
here is quite amazing, and includes sailfish, marlin, tuna, snook, dorado,
wahoo, jacks, and their claim to fame, the mighty roosterfish. Could
this be the best fishery on earth? Go see for yourself, and log on to
www.crocodilebay.com by Crispin Battles
DUTCH ANTILLES
Tucked away in the southern Caribbean is a
small island of the Dutch Antilles that most fly anglers have never heard
about—Bonaire. Better known for its great diving and snorkeling, this
island has some of the most pristine coral reefs in the world. The local
government has been at the forefront of marine conservation over the past
few decades, and these tropical waters really show that. The fishing and
diving has never been better.
The reefs here are less than 15 minutes from the island, and provide even
better fishing than diving. Fly anglers will have a shot at all the regular reef
species, including some monster jacks, and world-class barracuda. Offshore
fishing is quite close, offering tuna, wahoo, sailfish, marlin and dorado.
The best kept secret here, however, is the flats fishing in Lac Bay. Located
on the southeast tip of the island, this shallow, protected bay offers almost
perfect fishing conditions every day of the year! Here you can wade the flats
for bonefish and permit, with little wind or waves to contend with.
For more details on this fishing paradise, visit www.infobonaire.com.
To book a guide for Lac Bay, or any of the offshore fare, surf on over to
www.piscatur.com and check out Piscatur Fishing Charters. Captain Chris
Morkos is a native Bonairean, and has been fishing these pristine waters
for over 33 years. He and his crew can design the perfect trip for you—
from the flats to the reefs. by Crispin Battles
GUATEMALA
If you want to catch lots of Pacific sailfish on the
fly, the place to do it is Guatemala. The coastline and ecosystem support vast
quantities of bait year round, and warm eddies hold large pods of sailfish from
two to 60 miles offshore. Guatemala holds the world record for the greatest
number of sails landed on fly gear in one day—an almost unbelievable 57!
The Great Sailfishing Company, based in Puerto Iztapa, operates a fleet of
Bertram sport fishermen with full-time crews and experienced captains. They
offer a variety of all-inclusive accommodation packages, but our favorite for
groups of three to eight anglers is a private villa at the large and secure Villas
del Pacifico Resort. Each 3- or 4-bedroom villa offers a private or semi-private
pool, and is staffed with your own professional chef, maid and waitress. Your
private bar is re-stocked daily, and all food and liquor is included.
Villa packages run from $1,540 per person for 3-nights/2 fishing days,
to $3,950 per person for 7-nights/6 fishing days, based on a group of four
anglers. Rates for smaller and larger groups, as well as four, five and six night
packages, are also offered. All rates include pick-up at the Guatemala City
airport, private van transportation to and from Puerto Iztapa, and last-night
accommodations at the International Hotel in Guatemala City. For more
information or to book a trip, log on to www.sportinglifetravel.com, or
contact Sporting Life Travel at (763) 443-2126. by Bill Battles
• Osa Peninsula
• Crocodile Bay Lodge
• Bonaire
• Piscatur Fishing Charters
• Puerto Iztapa
• The Great Sailfishing Company
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