http://www.yellowdogflyfishing.com

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Angling Publications - Index

Angling Publications - Magazine - Index

DUSANSMETANA.COM PHOTO DENVERBRYAN.COM PHOTO
ARTHUR JONES PHOTO
Accommodations at Rancho Leonero
Resort are top-shelf as well. In addition to
its beautifully maintained grounds, spacious
guest rooms and sumptuous meals, Rancho
Leonero offers the most important of all
post-fishing amenities not found at most
tropical fishing lodges: a swimming pool!
Seven different fishing packages are offered,
from a 4 night/3 fishing day “Baja
by Beach” deal that targets roosterfish, jack
crevalle, ladyfish and pompano in the surf
($925 per person), to a 6 night/5 fishing
day “Baja Combo” that combines beach
fishing with offshore action for billfish,
tuna, dorado and bonito. All include airport
transfers, accommodations, meals, boats,
guides, licenses, equipment (if needed) and
flies. To book your trip to The Reel Baja, log
on to www.yellowdogflyfishing.com, or
contact Yellow Dog Fly Fishing Adventures
at (888) 777-5060. by Crispin Battles
Omar Oracca aboard his 24-foot Pathfinder.
Capt. Oracca—one of the pioneers of backcountry
fly fishing in Puerto Rico—is based
at the Cangrejos Yacht Club, five minutes
from downtown San Juan, and he guarantees
you’ll hook tarpon (his record is 47 tarpon
landed in a single day by two anglers).
Rates range from $325 for a half-day
tarpon trip for two anglers, to $900 for a fullday
combo—half-day backcountry tarpon
fishing, and a half-day offshore for sails and
other blue-water critters. Sage rods, Tibor
reels, and Rainey’s flies are provided, and all
tackle is I.G.F.A. rigged in case you connect
with a record fish. Capt. Oracca averages five
to 25 tarpon strikes a day, with the average
fish weighing 30 pounds, and many in the
60- to 120-pound range. Tarpon are available
year ‘round, but the best-big fish action happens
from October to May. by Bill Battles
vacation perfectly attuned to your family’s
interests. (The diving around St. John, by
the way, is the best you’ll find in the eastern
Caribbean). Captain Arthur Jones, a fifteen
year veteran VI guide, is Arawak’s fly-fishing
guy, and his specialty is bonefish on the fly
from his 18-foot Edgewater center console,
from sea kayaks, or by wading the flats.
Arawak Expeditions is a year-round
operation based at Cruz Bay, St. John,
a short ferry ride from the airport on
neighboring St. Thomas. Rates vary by
trip itinerary, season (summer is cheapest)
and accommodation choices. There
are more than a dozen inns and hotels to
choose from on St. John, and Arawak works
with all of them. Fore more information,
contact Arawak Expeditions at (800) 238-
8687; E-mail: info@arawakexp.com; Web:
www.arawakexp.com by Bill Battles
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