July 31st - August 7th 2010 Fishing Report

WHAT GUESTS WERE CATCHING:

BONES: The bonefish are in big schools, and we are seeing fish in the 4-6 lb class more frequently! Guests fishing both fly and spin have all caught bonefish this week. When Cale was going for his "slam" with Sinoe, his bonefish was caught with the motor still running! Evan has been on vacation from his life as an ER Doc and father of 3.....he caught his first bonefish on fly and had several shots at permit. Not bad Evan! We expect to see the kids down here soon fishing from the dock. A special treat when landing here at El Pescador, you are greeted with Mr. Bonefish. Somehow, they know everyone leaves from the dock, and they are safe there! The race still goes on with the guides for the most bonefish tagged this year. Our goal is to tag 2000 fish by the end of 2010. We are about half way there!
PERMIT: Possessed. That is one way to describe the feeling about permit here at the lodge this week. Actually, we argue about what fish is more addicting, the permit or the tarpon. If you landed your first permit, like Pierre this week, you would say a permit. If you are Ian, co-owner of Yellow Dog, you say, tarpon. That's my observation anyway. And then looking into Dave's eyes last night at the bar as he was telling me about wading out at Ali's Bonefish Island. He hooked two permit, and landed number 3! First permit experience, not bad! And I have to brag about my fishing buddy, Wil. Wil landed a 30lb permit wading up to his neck, stripping with the rod and reel underwater! The fish didn't move at first, and then he saw his 150 yd marked backing fly out through the guides! Yep.
TARPON: Thank goodness for digital cameras. Even if you don't land the fish, you can return to the lodge at the end of the day, and look over all the pictures. And even if you didn't get the fish to the boat, you can look with giant satisfaction at an image that happened not too long ago. And there is NOTHING like a tarpon jumping from the end of your rod. I guess you can tell I'm biased, but the connection with a creature that is more than 50 million years old on the end of your line is exhilarating. Jim from Yellow Dog jumped an 80 pounder this week, and Cale started his birthday landing his tarpon which later led to his grand slam. Tarpon landed on both fly and spin. Most of the fish hooked and caught this week were down by Long Cay - were the migratory tarpon are hanging out.
JACKS: Schools of jacks on the flats up to 20 lbs. They just don't get the glory, but reports of jacks landed on fly and spin this week
SNOOK: Eric, who owns The Sunrise Fly Shop in downtown Melrose, landed a nice snook out on Ali's bonefish island! He said Mr. Snook was hanging out under the mangroves. A cast and a couple of strips and the fish was on!

FLIES THAT WORKED

FOR BONES: Christmas Island Specials size 8 and 6. Charlies and Gotchas. Tan, gold, sexy patterns. Sexy patterns are flies that move so great in the water you just to have it!
FOR TARPON: Green Toads dominated this week. Grizzly Cockroach as well. 3/0.
FOR PERMIT: Orange and pink Christmas Island Specials size 4 stripped fast. Also, some gray crabs, size 4 - it's all about the materials. Also, we strip a lot of flies for permit. It is the way the San Pedro guides do it, and it works. Shrimp patters, size 4.

REPORT SUMMARY:

How does it happen? Cale, who is Mr. Wonderful and a class act as a trout guide in Montana, shows up to get married this week. He is marrying Michele, who is beautiful and a ton of fun. Actually, they decided to get married here at El Pescador their last trip here. Cale hooked the tarpon, and Michele landed it. At that point she looked up to Cale and said, "OK, let's get married!" And that is the story. But it goes on. Cale and Michele are getting married today. Cale also had his 32nd birthday this week and caught his second GRAND SLAM with Sinoe. Isn't that incredible? The entire wedding party has been fishing, diving, snorkeling, shopping and hanging out in the pools, having a blast. There is no doubt there will be a sea of love welcoming their marriage.

If you have any questions or would like more information, please email us at fish@ElPescador.com. Happy fishing!