Costa Rica Jungle Tarpon
Fly Fishing Adventure
GIANT MIGRATORY FRESHWATER TARPON
Deep in the jungles of Northern Costa Rica is a truly unique tarpon fishery where you can live out your wildest fly fishing fantasy! This vast area of freshwater wetlands, rivers, creeks and lagoons is inhabited by big migratory Tarpon that run more than 150 miles upriver from the Caribbean to feed on the abundance of baitfish during the wet season.
Fly fishing for huge migratory Tarpon in this stunning lowland jungle environment will put all of your skills to the test. Accuracy, stealth and perfect presentations are the order of the day and you will have daily chances of pitching flies at fish between 50 to 200 lb. This is a trophy Tarpon fly fishing destination like no other; it will test you and it will get under your skin, providing memories to last a lifetime. If you're looking to up your game and pit your wits against some giant Jungle Tarpon.....then this is the destination for YOU!
THE FISHING: Largely casting small 3 to 4 inch baitfish and deciever patterns on 11/12 wt tackle with floating and sink-tip lines. We seek out actively feeding fish in the rivers, creeks and lagoons and then get you in position to make your shot. The hunt for the feeding fish is as much a part of the experience as the fishing itself, which is very visual!
LOCATION: You will be fishing on the myriad of streams, channels and lagoons in the Caño Negro Jungle Reserve and the Rio Frio, Rio Negro and its tributries. Your lodging will be at a Hotel in the small town of Los Chiles, close to the border with Nicaragua.
SPECIES: The main focus on these trips is undoubtedly the large migratory Tarpon. Other species of interest to target should you wish are the freshwater Gars and Rainbow Bass.
SEASON: August through December - in the wet season. You should be prepared for tropical showers in the afternoons, so a good waterproof jacket is essential.
BOAT & GUIDE
You will be personally hosted and guided by Charlie Chavarria while on your trip to Costa Rica. He grew up on the river and fly fishing for Tarpon is his game. He has been guiding in the area since he was a teenager and knows the habits and ways of these freshwater tarpon intimately. He speaks perfect English and will take great care of you while on your trip. He's served a lifelong fly fishing apprenticeship under the tutelage of his late adoptive father, Peter Gorinsky, who pioneered much of the fly fishing in Costa Rica through the 70's and 80's. We have personally fished with Charlie many times and can assure you that you are in good hands with him at the helm!
Charlies boat is the perfect craft for fishing the area and makes a great casting platform for 2 anglers with one to the front and one at the rear, depending on the fishing situation. Its pushed along by a Yamaha 4-stroke and has a Minn Kota trolling motor mounted on the front. This enables a stealthy approach when you find some feeding Tarpon or use of the 'spot-lock' function to keep you on the spot while you present your fly to the fish.
WHO IS THIS TRIP FOR?
This trip is for adventurous and experienced fly anglers that are happy travelling to remote areas. This location offers real chances of having shots at trophy migratory tarpon that push 150 lbs in a pristine wilderness environment. It's technical fishing that can require accurate casts into tight spots, depending on where you find the fish. You will be hosted by Charlie for the fishing and will be left to your own devices at your hotel in the evenings where you can head out and enjoy your dinner and drinks at the local restaurants and bars. This is NOT a hosted trip.
YOUR LODGING
You will be staying at CyC Hotel in Los Chiles which offers simple, no frills, clean and spacious rooms with ensuite bathrooms, TV's, Wi-Fi and air-conditioning/fans. Each angler will have their own private room. It's a perfect spot from which to base yourself and rest your head after a long day on the water. There is a small onsite restaurant ('Soda' as they are known in Costa Rica) that is open from 6am untill 2pm where you can order coffee and breakfast before you get picked up for your days fishing.
The hotel is just a few minutes walk from the town centre where you can enjoy your evenings. There are a number of local restaurants within walking distance for evening meals and drinks. There are also stores and shops close by that are open until 9pm should you need any supplies or provisions.
THE WILDLIFE
PACKAGE INCLUDES
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Hotels at San Jose Airport.
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Private hire transport to Los Chiles & back.
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6 night stay at CyC Hotel in Los Chiles.
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Daily pick ups & transport to the river.
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5 days of guided tarpon fly fishing.
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All your fly fishing tackle and equipment.
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Your lunches, drinks and snacks on boat.
NOT INCLUDED
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International Flights.
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Additional expenses in San Jose.
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Breakfast & dinners in Los Chiles.
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Travel Insurance.
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Tips.
ITINERARY
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Day 1 - Fly in to San Jose Airport. Get the courtesy bus to your hotel and spend the night there.
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Day 2 - Get collected by your driver after breakfast and head up north to Los Chiles. Meet your guide, Charlie, discuss fishing plans and have a tour of Los Chiles.
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Day 3 to 7 - 6.30 am pick ups from your hotel and five full days of guided tarpon fishing.
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Day 8 - Get driven back to San Jose by your driver for a late afternoon/evening flight home. or a night in airport hotel and fly home the following day.