Caño Negro and Rio Frio

Tropic
Tropic
First Reviewer
4 out of 5
Avg. Member Rating
2
Reviews
8
Photos
Editor Pick

Rio Frio

  • May 21, 2001
  • Rated 4 of 5 by Tropic from Escazu, Costa Rica
Rio Frio

Drifting down the Rio Frio is not only a wonderful fishing experience, but also a great chance to see the wildlife and vegetation, being more like a rainforest jungle with tall trees and dense underbrush. The water is green and clear with a lot of overhanging trees and submerged logs to make casting very difficult in places. But it is worth the effort since it is here that the big fish hang out and the tropical light tackle fishing takes on a whole different scenario. We rounded a bend to find tarpon rolling in a big pool under a huge Caiba tree. Their long silver sides suggested some 100 lb. class tarpon and sporadic splashing against the bank signified they were feeding on small baitfish. Anchoring above the pool, I could make out their exact feeding area and cast the streamer fly to a position I felt would provide me with an ideal drift into their active zone. No sooner had the fly moved ten feet, a sudden stop was felt in the line, then some violent head shaking followed immediately by a great splash and the visual beauty of a giant 120 lb. tarpon taking to the air in a show of gill shaking and tail walking. The battle had begun and my guide immediately lifted the anchor and tried to give me more distance away from the leaping fish by using his oars. The trick is to not be pulled towards the fish and keep the control by bowing to every jump, striking firmly whenever the fish again entered the water. After many wonderful displays of the leaping tarpon, the fight lasted about 28 minutes and the noble fish was tired enough to be pulled alongside the pontoon craft and released by gently removing the barbless hook by hand. It quickly swam back down to its deep dark domain and we rested a while, recovering from the exercise and excitement of tangling with one of the greatest sportfish ever to inhabit our tropical waters.

From journal Caño Negro Nature Reserve and Wetland Fishing

Editor Pick

Caño Negro and Rio Frio

  • May 20, 2001
  • Rated 4 of 5 by Tropic from Escazu, Costa Rica
Caño Negro and Rio Frio

The lagoon fishing is best in the early morning when the fish are cruising through the lagoons and feeding on the schools of baitfish. Tarpon can be found near the surface and the take is immediate, resulting in a great battle with lots of actobatic display. Tarpon can run from 60 lbs. to over 200 lbs. so care has to be taken in fighting and playing these big active fish. When searching silently for these fish, there will be lots of encounters with the wildlife and caiman can be seen cruising about the surface or basking on the banks. The smaller sportfish like the Machaca and Guapote are mainly hooked along the edge of the lagoons, near structure and where the lagoons empty into the river. My preference is to fish for the Tarpon first and then go for the smaller fish using lighter tackle.

Fishing the lagoons is a lot different from fishing in the Rio Frio river where there is more current and deeper pools.

Be prepared to get wet,dress accordingly and make sure the camera and film is in a dry bag.

From journal Caño Negro Nature Reserve and Wetland Fishing

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