Snowbird Destinations - Tico Trout
Conclusion
By Rory E. Glennie
Trout and Beyond:
Fly-fishing for rainbow trout in Costa Rica is an oddity for
sure, and probably presents one of the strangest places on
Earth to find trout. World record tarpon, sailfish, snook, and
guapote are the usual target for visiting fly fishers. However,
trout fishing is a powerful attraction and is offered as one of
the components in a "Costa Rican Grand Slam." That is when you
try to catch a sailfish, a rainbow trout, and a tarpon, all in the
same day. Should you wish to try this, here's how it goes: sailfish
in the Pacific Ocean in the morning, trout in the mountains midday,
and tarpon on the Atlantic side in the evening. A helicopter gets
you from one ocean to the other with a stop in the mountains in
between.
Some notable rods have tried that feat, but the obstacle to success
tends to be catching a trout. Seemingly, saltwater specialists have
a hard time getting their mind wrapped around the small stream
stealth tactics needed to entice a wily rainbow. Few have accomplished
the Grand Slam, as the expense involved limits the number of participants,
but it is quite do-able.
For the truly adventurous fly fisher, an excurion to the trout
streams in the Mountains of Death can be undertaken as a
do-it-yourself project. From what I could ascertain, the foreign
fly fisher has little to fear from the myths and legends surrounding
this ill-named region. Once you are down into the lush verdant
valley, rock hopping along the cool trout stream, all eerie notions
of disappeared souls quickly vanish. However, it's best for the
first timer to hire an experienced fly-fishing guide for the trip
into the hills. Besides assisting with fishing, he can provide you
with a colourful running commentary on the area and its abundant
wildlife and flora, including the gorgeous, long-tailed mystical
bird of royalty, the rare Quetzal. ~ Rory E. Glennie
We thank the
Canadian Fly Fisher for re-print permission!
Our Man In Canada Archives
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