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Jerry's Fishing Report

January 26th

by Jerry Ruhlow

The annual Harry Gray Fly Fishing tournament in Qupos got underway Monday with 16 boats and 31 anglers participating, and they should do well.  One of the ladies pre-fishing the classic got a marlin on a fly late last weekend. 

The tourney is named for the late Harry Gray, a legendary fly fisherman who helped put Costa Rica fly fishing for  billfish on the map.  All proceeds are donated to San Jose´s Children’s Hospital.

Marlin fishing all along the west coast has been exceptional in recent days, with the hotspot on the central coastal area, off Cabo Blanco.  Founder and chairman of the event is Marcia Bennett, who owns and operates the Gran Escape Restaurant and Bar in Quepos, tournament headquarters and a favorite hangout for anglers in that area.

A major tournament was also held out of Los Suenos Marina, and assume they did very well but was unable to get a report from there.

My son Rick reported on his cell phone about noon on Monday that he had already released two marlin and hooked and missed a third aboard his boat the Kingfisher, then broke off the call when they hooked another marlin.

 On Sunday he said they saw seven sails and seven marlin, catching and releasing two of the marlin. Rick was fishing about 13 miles southwest of his home base at Play Carrillo, and water conditions were perfect. They were also getting an occasional dorado and wahoo

At Carrillo, Rob Gordon reports one two three shots on blue and black marlin  a day on his boat the Kitty Cat, fishing 10 to  12 miles from home base, with a few sails and dorado as well. One of the marlin ran about 400 pounds.

Water was reportedly rough further north, in the Tamarindo and Flamingo area, and we got no reports from that region. 

At Quepos, Jeanette Perez reports from two to five sails a day, per boat, and says her company J.P. Sportfishing – a pioneer in that area – is up for sale including boats, permits, office and all.   For information, call Jeanette at 777 1613.  If calling from the U.S., first dial 011-506.

Managed to get hold of Roy Ventura, who pioneered sport fishing in Golfito but has recently sold his Zancudo Lodge.  He reports good fishing in the region, but apparently not as hot as it is further north.  Roy is a pioneer in Costa Rica sportfishing, and plans to do some consulting for others here. 

On the Caribbean coast, Pam Evans who we mentioned here last week,  extended her fishing trip at Rio Colorado Lodge and boated still another tarpon, this one running an estimated 120 pounds.

Lodge owner Dan Wise reports that Oscar Obando.  of Cartago and Lloyd Aberg from Santa Ana came flew in on a one day trip with Raul Romero and Robert Chiciello, both from Florida, and the four of them jumped three tarpon and got them all to the boat for release, running an estimated 70, 90 and 150 pounds, along with some jack Crevalle in just three hours of afternoon fishing.  They tried for snook in the morning but due to a late start got snookered, Dan said.

Good weather has been holding, and the tarpon action is at the river mouth and just inside the breaker line.

Received an email from Nick Fortney, who reports he started a Fishing business last year and operate a 26-foot center console out of Dominical and has operated a fishing lodge in Alaska for the past 15 years. He fishes Alaska from May 1 thru Sept 15 and Costa Rica Nov 1 through April 15.

“Lately the sailfish action has been slow on the Banks 30 miles out. There was good fishing for sails four days ago inside 15 miles, and we raised five and brought two  to the boat, but the banks should heat up anytime, he said.

“Dorado fishing has been pretty fair if you can find some current lines or birds.. His Alaska website is  www.alaskahooksetters.com, down here were are www.costaricahooksetters.com. Email is hook@alaska.net

Skippers, lodge operators and anglers are invited to contact Jerry personally at his office in Santa Ana with fishing reports by noon Monday of each week on email at jruhlow@racsa.co.cr  or call 282-6743.

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