Rio Colorado Costa Rica

Where the fishing meets the Jungle.

For Tarpon, Snook and a multitude of light tackle game fish, there is no place in the world that compares to Rio Colorado Lodge, nestled in Costa Rica's tropical jungle where the Colorado River flows into the Caribbean Sea. The Rio Colorado Lodge is built on the banks of the Colorado River, right at its mouth where it empties into the sea and where fishing is frequently the best. Each day you will go and fish in comfort on one of our 23ft fiberglass boats, powered by 90 HP, 4 stroke motors.

Each day you go fishing for both a morning session and evening session, returning at lunchtime to eat and relax in the heat of the day. Fishing comprises of 2 anglers to one guide and boat, you decide what you wish to fish for, either fish for Tarpon or Snook. Both Tarpon and Snook can be taken any month of the year, but like fishing anywhere, there are never any guarantees, and at certain times of the year chances of scoring big are greater than others. The dry season, from January through May, is considered the peak season in the quiet river and lagoons for Tarpon as the aerial acrobats swarm in by the thousands to spawn.

Tarpon are the king of all game fish and there is no bigger thrill in fishing to compare with hooking a Tarpon. Set the hook hard when they strike, then watch the water erupt as they head for the stratosphere, leaping and twisting clear of the water eight or twelve times! Average size of the Tarpon taken at the Rio Colorado Lodge is around 80 pounds up to 207 pounds. You can expect to jump eight or ten fish a day and when things are really hot, anglers often jump 25 or more Tarpon in a day's fishing. Most of the action will be in the calm waters of the jungle rivers and lagoons, with monkeys and brilliantly coloured birds to be seen in the vines and branches of the verdant orchid draped trees that line the shore. When the fish are on the outside, your guide will often put you in the middle of a school of literally hundreds of leaping fish spreading over an acre or more of calm sea.

The Snook are also present year around in the waters of the Rio Colorado Lodge and are taken casting, trolling, surf fishing and even on flies. Small Snook, called "calba" move into the rivers in November-December and provide furious action for two to three months, with 20 to 80 fish per rod not an unusual day's catch. They average about five pounds, so light tackle is in order. But beware! There are always a few up to 30 pounds mixed in with the smaller calba. The best surf fishing and trolling in the waters near the river mouths is in the late fall and that's when the monsters from 25 pounds up are usually caught. You're also likely to tie into a big jack crevalle, bonita dorado or mackerel while fishing in the sea. You will troll along the banks of the quiet jungle river or drift silently into a likely lagoon, plugging toward the brush. When the Snook hits, you'll know you have a real fish on the line as these sluggers know all the tricks, one moment bulldozing toward cover, then often reversing their field to break water as they try to shake barbs. Except during the calba runs, the average Snook is close to 20 pounds. Thirty-pounders are not uncommon and fish in the 50 pound bracket have been taken locally. Hooking a Snook in the surf as you stand waist deep in the warm waters of the Caribbean is an experience you will not forget, especially since the fish in the surf tend to run much larger. They will circle and jump frantically, using the surge of the tide and waves to their advantage and testing the angler's skill to the limit.

What our customers have to say: "Thank you to Dan and all your staff for taking such good care of us and thank you for professionally handling the whole trip from start to finish." Tony Warble "Love fishing for the Snook on the fly, the take is amazing and after a short battle what nice fish. " Dr Killings. "A Tarpon dream and by the end of the week our muscles knew we had just lived and fished a dream. Just a big thank you and see you again. " Robert Bertram

For both your first and last night you will be staying in the lively capital of Costa Rica San Jose

Hotel Tryp Corobici San Jose

B/B

The hotel Tryp Corobici is the ideal place to enjoy your visit to San Jose. Located in a commercial zone, the hotel is just 5 minutes away from the financial district and 15 minutes away from the Juan Santa Maria International Airport. Tryp Corobici is perfect for your business travels or to spend your vacation getting to know San Jose. The hotel has comfortable guestrooms, two dining venues, including a Japanese restaurant and various services to make your stay in the city memorable. For events and meetings, the hotel has 10 meeting rooms with a capacity of up to 1000 people.

Rio Colorado Lodge

F/B

The whole accommodation complex is a mini oasis in the jungle; it is built on stilts, elevating it from the ground and is under cover, shielding it from the rain. Rooms are double roofed, providing a cooling, insulating effect for your comfort. There are 18 comfortable rooms now air-conditioned (the only East Coast lodge with air-conditioned rooms). All have private baths, hot showers, electric fans and daily maid service (we can also take care of your laundry). Meals are served family style, all you care to eat, and the cuisine at the Rio Colorado Lodge has earned high praise from ardent fishermen from around the world. There is a comfortable recreation room with game tables, and you'll find a new video room with satellite TV, fax equipment, a very well stocked tackle shop and ample outdoor lounging areas, and a very interesting zoo. We have a fully stocked bar with drinks at reasonable prices. Our daily Happy Hour is from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m., when all rum drinks and soft drinks are "on the house."

Suggested Itinerary

This is a suggest itinerary which can be changed if you so wished to suit your requirements personally.

9 - Days / 5 - Days Guided Fishing

Day 1	Depart HEATHROW AIRPORT (LHR) with BRITISH AIRWAYS AM Arrive MIAMI (MIA) PM Depart MIAMI (MIA) with AMERICAIN AIRLINES PM Arrive SAN JOSE (SJO) PM On Arrival you will walk through the terminal building where outside our representive's will be waiting, holding up your name. They will then transfer you to the Hotel Tryp Corobici. Assist with check-in and inform you at what time they will pick you up in the morning for your connecting flight. Rest of the evening is yours to either relax or party in San Jose many clubs and bars. Overnight: Accommodation Hotel Tryp Corobici B/B
Day 2	Early in the morning our representive's will pick you up from your hotel and escort you to the internal airport, where you will embark on a 45 minute flight across Costa Rica to our lodge. On arrival you will be picked up by our lodge staff and transported to our main welcome area.(Approx 5 Min's). After check in your luggage will be taken to your rooms and you will be able to have a healthy breakfast. Once you have finished breakfast take the 2 minute walk to your awaiting boat and guide. Overnight: Accommodation Rio Colorado Lodge F/B
Day 3 to 6	Each day you decide what you want to fish for and if you have any particular methods e.g. you want to fly fish etc, as your guides are happy to accommodate all. You will depart after breakfast for your morning session and then return for lunch, after a small rest through the heat of the day you return to the river for your afternoon / evening session. Overnight: Accommodation Rio Colorado Lodge F/B
Day 7	In the morning you will be returned to the small local airstrip for your return journey to San Jose. On arrival at San Jose our representive's will again be waiting to escort you back to Hotel Tryp Corobici. Assist with check-in and inform you at what time they will pick you up the next day for your return flight home. Rest of the evening is yours to either relax or party in San Jose many clubs and bars. Overnight: Accommodation Hotel Tryp Corobici B/B
Day 8	Depart SAN JOSE (SJO) with AMERICAIN AIRLINES PM Arrive MIAMI (MIA) PM Depart MIAMI (MIA) with BRITISH AIRWAYS PM
Day 9	Arrive HEATHROW AIRPORT (LHR) AM

Departure Dates & Prices

People	7 days / 3 days fishing	8 days / 4 days fishing	9 days / 5 days fishing	Other
2 People	From £1,999 pp	From £2,299 pp	From £2,599 pp	POA

Additional Pricing Info:

There is a 25 pound baggage limit (including carry-on's) enforced on the "in-country" flight to/from the Lodge. Baggage over 25 pounds will incur a $.50 per pound surcharge. Please pack light! Your hotel in San Jose may have a secure storage room to leave heavier, unnecessary items. Please check with the front desk.
At our lodge it is a very relaxed atmosphere therefore you will not require many evening clothes.

Note: The above prices are per person and are based on two people sharing accommodation, transfers and fishing. These prices are for guide purposes only. Prices will increase or decrease dependant on number of people sharing accommodation or the fishing.

Whats Included & Excluded

Options Business Class Flight Upgrades Additional nights in San Jose Sight seeing tours

What's Included International return flights Internal Flights All transfers 2 nights accommodation at the Tryp Corobici Hotel B/B Nights accommodation at Rio Colorado Lodge F/B Fishing as indicated on itinerary. Alcoholic Drinks during happy Hour All fishing Tackle

What's Excluded Holiday insurance Personal items Local Tips Local Departure Tax

Enquiries & Bookings

Once you have an idea of what destinations and duration of the holiday you would like, contact one of our consultants on 01603 407596 who will be pleased to assist you with any questions and additional literature you may require to help you finalise your holidays itinerary, availability and prices.

When you are ready to book your holiday, our consultants will take down all particulars and take a deposit payment, please make sure that before making any booking that you have read our terms and conditions. At the time of the booking we will ask you to correctly spell the first and last name of each traveling member, as some flights will need to be ticketed at the time of booking and due to airline regulations no name changes can be made, once a ticket has been issued. On receipt of the deposit we will send the lead booker a “Booking Form” and a deposit receipt invoice which becomes the legal contract between Angling Direct Holidays and your party

Tackle Required
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Note: All spin and lure fishing tackle is provided. If however should you wish to try fly fishing we recommend all guests bring their own equipment. Also should you wish to bring your own lures and, rods and reels check out the information below.

For both tarpon and snook, we recommend a six to seven foot rod, stiff enough to set a hook in the tarpon's bony mouth, and a quality conventional or spinning reel spooled with 150 to 200 yards of 12 to 25 pound test line. A lighter bass outfit or spinning rod spooled with 6 to 12 pound line is suggested for small snook and light tackle gamesters, and a little longer rod is more suitable for fishing in the surf. The Lodge maintains quality loaner equipment if a visitor should be caught short.

Favored lures for tarpon fishing inside the river are Rapala Magnum 11 Series 14 in orange, red/white or silver and green mackerel colors. Two ounce Coast hawk lures are used in the deeper holes and 65M-11 Mirrolures are used when the fish are in the lagoons.

In the Caribbean tarpon will readily take a variety of lures with jigs being the most popular. Jigs should be one to two ounces with a strong short-shank hook. Popular jigs are Bomber 1 to 1 1/2 ounce in white, green or yellow and 12 Fathom Shad Tail Jigs. Coast hawk and 65M-11 Mirrolures also work well. CD9 or CD11 Diving Rapala's can be slow trolled in the ocean for tarpon jack crevalle, or an occasional king mackerel or barracuda.

Snook prefer jigs in the surf and lures inside the river. Bucktail or shad tail 3/4 ounce jigs work best when casting. Bomber 600HD series in fluorescent orange or green and Magnum 11 series Rapala's are trolled inside the ri vermouths for snook. During the calba run 1/2 to 3/4 ounce black/red bucktail jigs are the most productive. For casting in the lagoons, 7M model floating Mirrolures or similar lures are the best bet. Chartreuse or black/silver are productive colors.

A selection of "small" bass plugs and spinners including surface poppers and medium runners are effective for guapote, mojarra, machaca, drum and other light tackle gamester. Rooster tails, Rebel Teeny Crawfish and small floater/diver Rapala's are the favored lures. Hooks for all types of fishing should be very sharp, so take a file to the barbs ahead of time.

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