MAGAZINE ARTICLES
MAGAZINE
ARTICLES
Articles:
Costa Rica Outdoors, vol. 7 no. 1, Jan-Feb 2002, pp14-16:
| The above text says:
"The southern Caribbean coast of Costa Rica's Limon province is one of
the nation's most beautiful regions, with magnificent beaches, lush jungles,
quiet rivers, marvelously friendly people - most of whom speak English - and
an abundance of tropical birds, monkeys and other wildlife. Until now, however, the only way you could fish the regions was from shore or by hunting around for one of the locals with a panga. Some of my first fishing trips upon moving to Costa Rica nearly 20 years ago - my budget being what it was in those days - were in this region, working the surf at the mouth of the Estrella River and camping overnight in my battered old Volkswagen van. I caught a bunch of jack crevalle from the beach, an occasional small snook, and surprised the heck out of myself one morning when I got a couple of jumps out of a tarpon just a few yards from shore. Still, back then you couldn't really consider the region a prime tarpon destination." |
All that may well change with the opening of Jim
Diberardinis’ new Manzanillo Tarpon Expeditions, which I visited in late
November with fishing buddy Doug Kralik.
It was a fast overnight trip, with just one day on the water,
and certainly not during the prime season. We found the jacks plentiful, and as
we ran south in the 26-foot panga could see an occasional tarpon rolling just
outside the mouth of the Sixaola River, which forms the boundary between Costa
Rica and Panama.
Krulik and DiBerardinis managed to jump a couple of tarpon on
flyrods, while I tried to get a photo or two. That’s about par for me, and the
locals swear they often have more than 20 a day in the air and have boated
several estimated at 130 pounds and a goliath that would have gone 180 pounds.
DiBerardinis, a fly fishing fanatic retired from Montana
State University, has been scoping out the possibilities of a sport fishing
operation on the southern Caribbean coast of Costa Rica for the past several
years. He now divides his time between Montana and Costa Rica, where he will be
fishing Manzanillo with clients during peak tarpon season from January to [May]
15 and [during September and October].
He and his wife Ann live in a unique home sculptured into a
massive reef and tucked into a dense tropical jungle just south of the tiny
seaside town of Gandoca in the Manzanillo-Gandoca National Wildlife Refuge,
accessible only by wading or fording a shallow river.
Ann is the director of the Talamanca Dolphin Foundation, and
spends much of her time on the water doing research. She has even named many of
the resident aquatic mammals, and arranges dolphin and nature tours, scuba
diving, snorkeling and other activities.
Dominos are a regional pastime among the predominantly black
population of the Caribbean. We were there during a biannual tournament. Dozens
of Panamanians came in by boat for the animated all-night tourney, punctuated by
groans from the losers and victory cries from the winners, breaking only for the
immense feast of native dishes that had been brewing in the kitchen throughout
the day.
Most everyone here speaks English, albeit with a Calypso
accent, and it’s hard to bear the
hospitality.
Plenty of bars and eateries offer great nightlife and food, particularly fresh
fish, shrimp and lobster. Manzanillo Tarpon Expedition fishermen stay at the
elegant Hotel La Suerre, with air-conditioning, a pool and a patio restaurant.
Anglers Fish two or three plus a guide to the 26- to
30-foot outboard skiffs. DiBerardinis recommends a stiff conventional or
spinning outfit spooled with at least 200 yards of 20-foot line, and an 11-, 12-
or 13-weight fly rod with 250-350 yards of backing. Jim ties flies for the area
and provides the appropriate shock tippets.
Culturally, Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast is markedly different from the rest of
the country. Handicrafts abound and dominoes area regional pastime of the
predominantly English-speaking black population.
He can provide tackle if you don’t bring your own. Rate for fishing is 350
per day, including guide, boat, food and lodging.
Public and private shuttle bus service is available for the
four-hour drive from the capital city of San Jose, or you can arrange a van a
driver or rent a car.
You will likely need at least one hotel night in San Jose,
which of coarse can be arranged through Costa Rica Outdoors Travel
Service.
You can also make fishing and San Jose Hotel reservations
through Costa Rica Outdoors.
DiBerardinis’ email is manzanillojim@cs.com, or you can
e-mail Costa Rica Outdoors at jruhlow@racsa.cp.cr or you can call our
Costa Rica office toll-free from the united states and Canada at (1-800)
308-3394.