Caribbean Clear; Carrillo to Host Tournament

HEAVY rainreported last weekat Barra Colorado,on the northernCaribbean coast,disappeared as fastit came up. Stillsome wet weatheroff Quepos,although JeanettePérez at J.P.Sportfishing on thecentral coast reported Monday that herboats are all going four to six sails a dayin the rain, with lots of tuna and inshoreaction on roosterfish.The best fishing on the Pacific hasbeen reported off Playa Carrillo, on thenorthern coast – fortunately enough, consideringan international tournament isscheduled there May 2-4.Some of the world’s most intrepidblue-water fishermen will be fishing thefirst leg of the annual, three-nationPresidential Challenge World BillfishChampionship, based this year atGuanamar Resort.NINE boats are scheduled for thecompetition, with all proceeds from theevent going toward billfish conservationin Central America. Other tournamentsbenefiting the conservation effort arescheduled in Venezuela, Oct. 7-9, andGuatemala, Nov. 19-21.With the waters off Playa Carrillothe current hotspot for sailfish and marlin,the outlook for the tournament is bright.The three tournaments in the series areapproved as qualifying events for theWorld Billfish Series, Pacific RimDivision, and the Rolex/InternationalGame Fish Association (IGFA) OffshoreWorld Championship. For more informationon the tournament, e-mail pezvelajv@aol.com or visit www.preschallenge.com.All marlin and sailfish caught in thetournament will be tagged and released.I talked to Rick Ruhlow in Carrillo ashe was heading to sea on the Kingfisherwith his fishing party this past Monday.He reported going seven and eight releasesper day for about 20 sails up the previousfew days, and a lot of small tuna inthe water, if you can spot the schools ofporpoise they track.Kitty Cat skipper Rob Gordon, whoalso fishes that area, said he has only hadhalf-day trips in recent days, but scoredtuna and dorado every trip.RÍO Colorado Lodge, on the northernCaribbean, reported clear skies Monday,temperatures in the low 90s and a prettystiff wind blowing, but only one boat outthat morning with a lone flyfishermanarriving that day and scheduled to fish sixdays straight.On Friday of last week, lodge ownerDan Wise reported that two anglers hadfive tarpon releases between them, and anunusual run of big snook for this time ofyear, most being caught by locals fishingfrom the beach at Samay Lagoon.“We had one of the locals come by thelodge over the weekend, trying to sell ustwo snook that would run 25 pounds eachfor our dinner table,” Wise said, addingthat the run of big snook doesn’t usuallystart until mid-May and is likely due tothe crackdown by local authorities on illegalnetting.For more info on fishing or assistancein planning a trip to Costa Rica, contactJerry at jruhlow@costaricaoutdoors.comor visit www.costaricaoutdoors.com.Skippers, operators and anglers areinvited to contact Jerry with fishing reportsby Sunday of each week. Call or fax 282-6743 within Costa Rica or write to the emailaddress above.