Our inshore boat day down here at 4 Corners Costa Rica in Corcovado had a magnificent start. We traveled about 30 minutes to a pinnacle rock and I was about to send down my heaviest Clouser Minnow on my 500 gr sinking line and hang on tight. Just as I took position to cast my 12-weight, up popped two adult humpback whales with a calf less than a 100 feet off our bow.
We took in the whales for about 20 minutes. They lingered around us. They were feeding on something. Sometimes they were so close that when they blew, the mist from their breath covered us like a blanket. We chilled out and watched. Eventually they slipped away and I sent my fly to the bottom.
I fished hard for about 30 minutes with nothing and then just as I let my guard down a fish ripped line from me so fast I couldn’t get a grip. Into the rocks he went and my leader was severed. That got me back on track but there were no more bites on those rocks. Nor the next. Or the next. Though I nearly got lucky in the first 30 minutes, over the next three hours we saw absolutely nothing.
Normally even on a slow day, blind casting to rocks produces at least some small fish. But not today. Its four days after the full moon and the fish were off.
The weather changed fast this morning as well. In three hours we went from the whales breaking a calm surface on a sunny day to clouds. Then wind started and so did the rain. 4 Corners guide Arturo suggested leaving the rocks to try and tease Granny a roosterfish off the beach. Steadier rain and increasing wind made it hard.
By mid afternoon we had a full on storm brewing. It wasn’t only wind and rain but also huge ocean swells made it hard to stand and cast from the boat. At about 2 PM we called it before things got crazy. Despite our strong efforts, today would be a rare skunking for the Curriers. Stuff happens.
As always, we chased away a tough day of fishing with good times with friends back at the Corcovado Beach Lodge. Being we were home early, Chuck, Marvin, Granny and I headed down to the local Puerto Jimenez pub and restaurant, Los Delphines, for a few drinks. After a fun time there we returned for some of Marvin’s wife’s delicious dinner that began with fresh yellowfin tuna sashimi. Back at it tomorrow but instead of a full day fishing, we’ll start with a nature hike in the morning then shore fishing in the afternoon. Stay tuned.