HFC fishing report

[Marlinhunter2]

27 April 2009

Salutations Fisherpersons,

In my line of work, which is wording highly contested by friends and foes alike as to whether what I do can be considered work, it amazes me as to how some folks lack a sense of humor. It has been rumored that my sense of humor goes slightly to the extreme on occasion, but I beg to differ. I just think I look at life through a different window than the majority of folks.

Take for example the opinion I wrote concerning my dislike for farting cows a few weeks ago, and my thoughts as to what could be done to control their flatulence, which caused them to be a major perpetrator of the greenhouse effect causing global warming. Two weeks later I get an email from my good friend, Jim Good, who had attached an article from Fox News Health Section. In this article, the scientist, who, although were unnamed in the article, had to be part of the group that were working on the farting cow project, because not only did they not like my idea of issuing each cow a Bic lighter to flame off their odorous emissions, but they went so far as to say the main contributor to the Greenhouse Effect were not farting cows, but fat people. I believe I would be fairly safe in saying right here and now that the scientist that wrote this article are all the approximate size of a straw. They were so blatant in their negative opinion of fat folks that they even said we were a hazard to society and the future of mankind itself, because fat people require much more energy to be used to transport and feed us. Well, I beg to differ you skinny, cow fart loving geek.

Just look at all the lives fat folks save each year. When there is a tornado or hurricane, you don't see skinny folks running to grab onto or get behind another skinny person. But you do see them clinging to fat folks like flies on a dead fish. When farmers are having a problem finding a market for their traditional food crops, you don't see them getting together and deciding to raise tofu and bean sprouts. No they don't, because what you see is a national campaign directed at the fat folks to load up the wife and kids in the family truck, chug on down to the local all you can eat restaurant, and chow down on anything that won't move. This is how farmers save themselves and their lifestyle. When two fishermen are in a boat and it is tilting to one side making it dangerous to run in high waves, you don't see the skinny one moving to save their lives. No you don't, because the skinny one can move all over or under the boat and it won't make one dang bit of difference. But have the fat one move just one butt cheek even a half and inch in the right direction, and you might have saved the lives of both men.

In conclusion Mr Scientist, I can only suggest you stick to working on a suitable solution to the farting cows, and just leave saving the world to us fat folks.

On the brighter side of the news, I am proud to announce that all of my Venezuelan family members that spent Easter Week at my camp sucking down everything in sight containing alcohol have now been certified as safe to go near open flames again. Well almost everyone, because I figure if Cousin Julio stops
drinking tomorrow, he might be able to light a cigarette safely in the year 2023.

Now the main part of my not really a job activities deals with taking lots of fine people fishing on Lake Guri for peacock bass and payara, and last week I did just that with eight fine gentlemen led by Alejandro Rebollo from Caracas. Joining Alejandro were Raul Albornoz, Oscar Morales, Rodolfo Macario, Pablo Ledezma, Recorte and Jose Juaquin, and finally Pedro Elias.

Alejandro and Pedro had flown in from Caracas, while the remainder of the gang had driven in from the State of Quarico. Upon arrival, we did not let any time be wasted and sent the eight men out directly to the best fishing area we know on the lake at this time. They did not have to wait long before fish after fish started being caught in virtually every boat at the same time. The first afternoon Raul Albornoz led all anglers with a 12 lb female, while the others had to settle for numerous fish from 8-11 lbs.

On day two we had three casualties from the previous evenings assault on the Scotch Whiskey, and they did not get out to the fishing area until around ten in the morning. Just imagine how happy Rodolfo was to have his partner, Pablo, finally show up after he had been frothing the water for four hours alone with nothing over 11 lbs to show for his effort, and on his first cast of the day, Pablo hooks and lands a beautiful 16 lb peacock bass. Even though Rodolfo managed to land a 13 lb peacock bass the following day, I do not believe he ever forgave Pablo for showing up hungover and catching that big fish.

Small minnow baits were far and away the main fish catcher this past weekend. Small Woodchoppers and Super Spooks also managed to get their fair share of the action on top. The area we are fishing is absolutely packed with small baitfish 1 1/2 inches long, and this appears to be the great attractant that has been holding massive numbers of peacock bass in this secret HFC spot. I guess you will just have to come see for yourself if you are curious about where we are fishing. Trust me, it will be worth the trip. But if this isn't enough incentive, payara season is just around the corner, and if getting your string stretched is your idea of great fun, the coming three months are the prime time to do it.

Here are the open weekend dates for the coming months, and the amount of spaces currently available.

May 15-17 8 persons
May 22-25 4 persons
June 26-28 8 persons
July 17-19 8 persons

Rates are $400 per fishing day + $55 per person for the roundtrip ground transfer based on 8 persons from Pto. Ordaz airport. The rate includes meals, lodging and guided fishing. Book thru South Fishing. Al & Herb have both been here and know the territory. Al was our primary agent at PanAngling, when I managed Puedpa Fishing Club in the late 80’s and early 90’s.


Regards,

Steve Shoulders Headwaters Fishing Club,
Lake Guri, Venezuela

[SoFLA34]

NOW THATS WHAT I'M TALKIN ABOUT!!!!!!! THOSE SUCKERS ARE HUGE! NOW HOW DO WE GROW THEM THAT BIG IN THE STATES, OR IS HEADING DOWN SOUTH THE ONLY WAY TO GO? I know catching a 5lb. peacock bass is a blast, i could only imagine catching so many 10lbs. and up! Very sweet pics! I'd love to see more of these!

[Marlinhunter2]

Funny you should say that - I've caught them in Fla City canals up to seven pounds and big tilapia too.

In Lake Guri it has more to do with survival of the fittest. There's some nasty denizens - like the saber tooth Payara, huge catfish and of course the piranha. Lil' pavon don't last long there - schooling and heavy cover is their only protection.

If you want to see a big Payara take a look-see at our webpage. I'm holding a 24pounder that sliced my thumb to the bone, as it struggled in my arms. I caught it when I hosted outdoor writer Jerry Gibbs at La Paragua, near where HFC is located.

[SoFLA34]

where at in Fla city do you go? by the everglades at the one of the locks? those pictures on the HFC website are really cool. How many fish do guests usually catch a day down there? thanks in advnace!