Granny and I have been up at 4:30 every day this week here at 4 Corners Corcovado Beach Lodge. It’s been awesome. During winter in the US we tend to miss sunrises while hibernating from the cold. Not here. Here you can’t help but wake up the minute the birds and the howler monkeys start to squawk along with the waves breaking along our beach.
We didn’t get up for fishing however. This morning we went on a 10 km hike with staff naturalist Harvey Harriett. A fun guy. A bird guy like me. We made about a 90 minute drive towards Corcovado National Park. We stopped just shy then hiked in through the rainforest all the way to the entrance of the park.
Along our hike we saw numerous birds and animals. The number of macaws is unreal as well as two types toucans. We also saw a variety of mammals that included this whiteface monkey, spider monkeys, howler monkeys, coati and an anteater. There were lots of tapir tracks but you have to be lucky to see the big game animals of Costa Rica.
Shortly past the park entrance we turned around to walk back. We had the option of taking the same path again or strolling 5 km of beach. The beaches are virtually empty of humans so there was no way we were passing it up. Being along the ocean also helped us work up an appetite for some afternoon shore fishing.
We drove about half way back from the park towards Puerto Jimenez. We met up with Chuck and Marvin near yet another beautiful beach for fishing. The waves were big so Granny left her rod behind. I took my 10-weight with the SA Clear Tip line and a Clouser. It was a blast giving the effort but I didn’t have my stripping basket with me so getting the fly out far enough more than on the occasional lucky cast made catching a fish nearly impossible.
There was a rocky point about a mile from where we started. The rocks eased the surf but the ocean swell still breaks on them. Places like this are always sketchy to cast from. One big wave will sweep you off your feet and you can get ground into the rocks and swept out to sea. When I was young, I was a mix of fearless and stupid and I got hurt a few times. Most famously when I fought the Africanus in Oman. I was a bloody mess when that event came to an end.
When we got to the rocks I approached with caution. I stayed back just enough that I took on some ocean spray and a few drops but was careful not to have the waves sweeping around my feet. Regardless, launching a successful cast was the ultimate challenge but I swore I saw a school of jacks feeding in the turbulent water.
I launched a cast. I had to hold it in the air for almost a minute waiting for a spot to land it between the breaking waves. But just as I put eyes on that calmest spot, I saw the jacks. I knew that if I dropped my fly that in one strip I’d be on. The plan worked like a charm and in one strip, indeed I was on.
It turns out they were Pacific jack crevalle. One of my favorites. These guys put up a raging fight. Once I tired this little guy came the chore of actually getting my hands on him without losing skin on the rocks. I was fortunate that Marvin saw my bent rod and came to the rescue. Marvin is still fearless of the waves and he retrieved my fish and we were able to snap a quick photo. No blank today!
The jack was the only fish any of us caught. I was lucky and able to sneak off that one cast. The tide kept roaring in and only a few minutes after I landed the jack the rocks were completely unsafe to fish from. There’s an estuary river behind the beach and I worked a few spots but no luck. There are some big crocodiles back there too so we didn’t want to get too adventurous.
It was another great day down here with the 4 Corners crew. Granny and I are having a blast. It’s hard to believe that a week from today I’ll be about to start the Fly Fishing Show tour. We best enjoy tomorrow. Tomorrow is our last day.