El Pescador is THE BEST! My wife and I love it there and the fishing is great. Kinda wondering with all the fishing they have why you want to DIY in the Mangroves? Take LOTS of bug spray if you go into the Mangroves, lots. They have a place behind the lodge that you can get in with a Yak and get out a paddle around, so yes it is possible and doable. The folks there are great. Who is going to be the head fly guide when you go, Ed or Lori? Never been with Lori, been twice with Ed and really like him.