21 junio, 2010

Sportfishing in Arenal Lake

Sportfishing in Arenal Lake

There are two primary sport fish in our lake. The Guapote (Chichlasoma Dovii of the cichclidae family) or more commonly "Rainbow Bass" because of its iridescent colors and the Machaca (Brycon Guatemalensis).
Rainbow BassMachaca
The Rainbow Bass, which ranges in size up to 16 pounds, is a member of the ciclidae family which includes Peacock bass and Oscars. It will spawn all year round and is Central America's largest ciclidae. It can be found in fresh waters in Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Honduras. The same tackle used to catch large mouth bass will be sufficient here. Surface plugs, spinner baits, rattle traps, Rapalas, and occasionally deep jigging will produce big fish. Monofilament of 12-20 lb. is recommended with a "shock tippet" of 25-40 lb. Fly fishermen are advised to use rods 8-10 wt. with 9-ft leaders and large poppers, medium sized streamers in bright or lighter colors.


Machaca are flashy acrobatic fish which can reach nine lb. in our lake and 15 lb. in northern and coastal rivers. Related to the American Shad which frequents both U.S. coasts, Machaca are more prone to strike smaller and faster moving lures than guapote. Ultra light spinning gear spooled with 4-8 lb. monofilament is the rule, but remember to use a short shock tippet for these toothy fish.
Fly fishermen should be using 8 to 10 wt. and 9-foot leaders and smaller (size 4-8) poppers and streamer.

Catch and Release
Catch and release fishing is encouraged at Arenal. The live release of all larger male Rainbow Bass (4-10 lb.) and all female fish will aid in establishing a strong genetic base which will provide an outstanding fishery for our next generations of fish and fishermen alike.

Boats & Tackle
16-foot Mirrowcraft deep V boats with 30 hp Mariner motors and electric trolling motors. Each boat is configured with a large forward casting area and seating for 2 anglers plus the guide. Casting and spinning rods with necessary lures are provided in the cost of the package.

Non-Fishing Guides
Feel free to ask your guide to demonstrate lure animation, speed of retrieval, etc. but don't ask him to fish with you. His job is to control the boat, help you with lure selection, and to aid in any way to insure a quality fishing experience. Remember to tip your guide in relation to his performance, service and helpfulness.

Fishing Season
As a general statement, low water levels are best for Rainbow Bass Fishing while rising and high waters levels mark an increase in Machaca activity and fishing quality. The fishing cycle is as follows:
Month
Rainbow Bass
Machaca
Jan - Feb
Good
Excellent
Mar - Jul
Excellent
Good
Aug - Dec
Fair
Excellent

General Fishing Tips
Both Machaca and Rainbow Bass are structure oriented to standing timber and fallen trees, to sand and grass points projecting into the main body of the lake, and to rivers and river channels which feed into the lake. These are sophisticated, wary fish, so all noises and vibrations in the boat should be kept to a minimum. At Lake Arenal we regard 1-3 lb. fish to be average, 4-5 lb. good fish, 6-12 lb. EL GRANDE!

Climate
Lake Arenal is located in a tropical zone on the Atlantic slope at 400 meters above sea level; the lodge is at 700 meters. Nights are cool (60 F) and days are warm (80-85 F) but temperatures are seldom oppressive. The rainy season runs from mid April through December but wet weather can also occur at any time during the dry months.


Tirsio Hidalgo, Pescador deportivo y guía Máster de la zona de La Fortuna, Costa Rica.

Contacto:

Teléfonos: 506-837-36-107
506-246-91-705

E-mail:

alex_jeico@hotmail.com
alex_jeico@yahoo.com
evegitana1982@gmail.com

La Fortuna, San Carlos, Costa Rica.

Refugio de Vida Silvestre Caño Negro

Es un conjunto de tierras bajas, de inundación estacional, formadas por algunas lagunas, pantanos y yolillales que brindan refugio a una fauna diversa, especialmente aves. La vida gira en torno a la laguna Caño Negro, alimentada por el río Frío. Con la llegada de la estación seca, a principios de febrero y hasta abril, queda reducida a lagunetas, caños, surcos y playuelas.















Este refugio ha ganado popularidad entre los turistas más orientados hacia la naturaleza y el eco-turismo. La razón es que el lago se llena al principio de la temporada lluviosa, juntándose con el río Frío, este fenómeno provee un hábitat ideal para la procreación de las aves, convirtiéndose este en un paraíso para los amantes de las mismas.












La variedad de aves es exorbitante, en este parque se pueden encontrar garzillas bueyeras, jabiru (en peligro de extinción), espátulas rosadas, ibis blancos, patos aguja, piches y cormoranes neotropicales. El lugar es particularmente importante porque aquí anida la colonia más grande de cormoranes neotropicales del país, y también por ser la única región con poblaciones permanentes del clarinero nicaragüense, un ave endémica de la cuenca del lago de Nicaragua.















En esta zona también existen animales en peligro que gozan de la protección de la reserva tales como jaguares, pumas, dantas, el manigordo, así como otras especies más comunes como lo son monos congo, carablanca y colorado; tolomucos, perezosos de dos dedos, nutrias, zorrillos y venados. En los ríos son abundantes las tortugas terrestres, los caimanes y unas 30 especies de peces de agua dulce, incluido el gaspar, considerado un fósil viviente.















El refugio queda cerca del campamento Maleku, descendientes directos de los antiguos nativos Guatusos, localizado a 165 kilómetros norte de San José, al sur-este de la cuidad de los Chiles, en la frontera con Nicaragua.














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