Casa Vieja Lodge - April 2010

[Marlinhunter2]

The Shimano group finished its final day (01 April) with 19 raised, 16 bites and 14 releases. Total for the 4 day trip was 57-52-38 released a 1 blue

The team of Daniel and Jacob Pearcy (02 thru 04) were able to get down for a few days. Daniel is a regular customer of Capt. Hamlin. They did extremely well - raising 86, with 78 bites and 50 releases. "Ron Hamlin is at the top of his game & the top of the sport. I've fished with a lot of great captains & Ron is among the 'best of the best'. The crew is also world class. Fishing was incredible! Lodge is the best of the many places we've stayed in Guatemala - A 1st class operation"

[Marlinhunter2]

Continuing the report:

* Allan party on Release (7 thru 9) raised 25, had 22 bite and released 16 sails / raised 1 blue

* Koecher party on Finest Kind (8 thru 11) raised 46, had 39 bites and released 23 sails / raised 1 blue, had 1 bite. Kudos to the crew.

* Hutcherson party on Intensity (9 thru 11) raised 20, had 3 bites and released 1 sail on fly / raised 5 blues, had 2 bites

* Allan party on Release (10 thru 12) raised 21, had 18 bites and released 12 sails / raised 3 blues, had 1 bite

Fishing for blue marlin is starting to pick up -

* Hixon party on Rum Line (11 thru 13) raised 48, had 35 bites and released 26
Hixon's second group on Pelagian raised 51, had 38 bites and released 25 sails / raised 2 blues, 1 bite and released 1 - 250# fish

[Marlinhunter2]

* Gary Carter fished yesterday on the Rum Line (14th), raising 16, had 4 bites and released 2sails on ultra-light tackle. Gary is one of the instructors for the IGFA Expedition Series fishing our lodge this week.

[Marlinhunter2]

* Casa Vieja hosted the IGFA Expedition Series, 14-18th. Anglers were Allen Peterson, Fred Bothmer, Bill Crozier and Jim Sauls. Instructors this year Gary Carter, Jim Turner, Rob Kramer, Mark Sosin. Adrian Gray took stills. And, Eric Combast in supporting role. Four of our boats participated:

Release 35-7-3 on fly
Finest Kind 36-32-19
Rum Line 47-37-15
Intensity 73-62-29

Totals: 190 raised, 138 bites, 63 released on conventional and 3 on fly

Le Cordon Bleu chef Juan Anon took time out from his busy Colorado restaurant to instruct our chefs and prepared the meals for the IGFA group. Videographers - Robert Beattie & Joseph Macomber filmed the event, plus La Antigua and other sights around the area. A DVD will be available for sale this Fall.

[Marlinhunter2]

This past week, Capts Ron Hamlin and Chris Sheeder went far off-shore 80-110 miles. Our normal operational area extends to 50. They went out seeking BIG tunas, but only managed a medium size thresher shark. I guess it's too early.

Over the weekend, Dr. Michael and his wife were fished by Capt. Hamlin with poor results because of rough water. It's unusual this time of year, but it does happen.
Sat. raised 7, had 6 bites and released 3
Sun. Very rough Missed a blue caught 2 of 3 sails

The Finest Kind and Rum Line are now equipped with satelite tracking of the billfish releases that transmits back to University of Miami instantly. The Guatemala Satellite Electronic Billfish Logbook Pilot Program is partly supported by University of Miami, the Central American Billfish Association and Casa Vieja Lodge with services and technology provided by CLS America.

Fundraising is underway to accomplish this worthwhile program in support of fishery management. Donations are accepted at Rosentiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science at the University. Dr. Nelson Erhardt <nehrhardt@rsmas.miami.edu> and researcher Mark Fitchett <mfitchett@rsmas.miami.edu> are the people to speak with regarding this program. 305.989.8308

[Marlinhunter2]

* Dr. Gregory & his bride Heidi Michael finally got their chance to fish with Ron Hamlin (24 & 25). First it was fine on Sat, then the winds shifted around and blew huge waves and made for uncomfortable fishing. Their totals weren't that good 10-9-5 and 1 blue bite.

* Coming off that weekend, the Siska party (which practically lives with us now) fly fished with Capt. Chris Sheeder on the Rum Line (25-thru 28). Numbers of raised and bites is high, but getting them to the boat very low. We've found with fly anglers it's about 2.5:1 ratio bites to release. 82-30-19