PLEASE READ THIS INFORMATION CAREFULLY - WELL IN ADVANCE OF YOUR TRIP! Rio Parismina , Costa Rica - A Fisherman's Paradise Sportsmen are always searching for new fishing adventures. Rio Parismina Lodge offers anglers an opportunity to fulfill their dreams at a price that is affordable.
It is here on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, that enormous schools of marauding tarpon search to satisfy their endless appetite. Casting a plug or fly into a school of feeding tarpon is just the start of one of the greatest experiences an angler can have. Perhaps no other fish will take a lure so softly and then explode into wild, acrobatic leaps to throw the lure. The Parismina River is the site of four world record snook. Casting into the surf at the mouth of the Parismina River, you might spot tarpon rolling or catch glipses of giant snook as they frantically chase after baitfish. Not only will you find a shot at world class tarpon and snook action, but also offered is the option of fishing a few miles offshore. Here you may catch snapper, wahoo, jack crevalle, king mackerel and tuna. The seemingly endless network of rivers, streams and lagoons also offer the angler a wondrous and exciting challenge. These jungle backwaters are filled with exotic river fish waiting to ambush your offering. Fish with names like machaca, mojara, guapote as well as mangrove snappers, four different species of snook, and tarpon call this rainforest their home. Much of the freshwater fishing is done within the boundary of the Tortuguero National Park, affording you the opportunity to enjoy the rainforest, still untouched by man. Costa Rica: About the size of West Virginia, located in Central America between Panama and Nicaragua, Costa Rica has one of the oldest democracies in the Western Hemisphere and has a "Pro-American" government. San Jose is the capital and is located in a high central valley. The Colon is the official monetary unit. The water in San Jose and the lodge is safe to drink. Rio Parismina Lodge tests its water regularly. Costa Rica is in the Central Time Zone and daylight savings time is not observed. Nearly 12% of the country has been seta side for 29 National Parks. Costa Rica hosts 12,000 varieties of plants including an amazing assortment of orchids: 237 species of mammals, 850 species of birds and the greatest number of butterfly species in the world. Travel Documents: Costa Rica requires you to carry a valid passport. An Exit and Airport Departure Tax, totalling about $20USD, is also required of all foreign travelers leaving Costa Rica. No health certificates or shots are required to make this trip. What To Pack: Pack lightly. Leave your good suitcases at home. A light laundry service is provided at the lodge, so a lot of extra clothing isn't needeed. In San Jose, slacks, sports shirt and a light jacket or sweater are proper attire for the airport, nightclubs, casinos and most hotels. At the lodge, dress is casual. Shorts, T-shirts, lightweight shirts (both long and short sleeved), and long pants are a must. Parismina is near the equator, so be prepared to cover up to protect all of yourself from the intense rays of the sun. Bring a good hat, polarized sunglasses and a good sunscreen of #15 or higher. Don't forget to bring along a swimsuit for surf fishing, swimming or the Jacuzzi. The lodge is situated at the edge of the Tortuguero National Park, a rain forest. Bring your rain gear and an extra pair of tennis shoes. Don't forget a small flashlight, a camera, plenty of film, extra batteries and your toiletries. Also be very sure to bring any personal medications you take. Getting There: There are numerous airlines that have service to San Jose, Costa Rica. U.S. gateway cities include Dallas/Ft. Worth, Houston, New Orleans, Los Angeles and Miami, etc. For fares and flight schedules, contact your travel agent. Normally guests frly to San Jose the evening before their scheduled arrival at Rio Parismina Lodge. The Lodge's representative, Roberto Soto will greet you at the airport and transport you and your luggage to a fine cosmopolitan hotel and let you knbow what time he will return the next morning to pick you up. The following morning he will transfer you from the hotel back to the domestic airport for your private charter flight to Parismina: or (for an additional cost when you book the trip) you may elect for Roberto to drive you across Costa Rica's scenic mountainous highways to the plantation town of of Freeman, then a short ride by boat to Rio Parismina Lodge. Once you arrive at the lodge, the manager of the lodge, Fernando, will give you a brief orientation, get you situated in your living quarters, and then it's time for your first day of fishing. Suggested Tackle:
Tarpon on Fly: The near shore bottom is gently sloping sand and mostly featureless. The tarpon can be found anywhere from the backwaters near the surf line to well over 160-foot depth with 60-foot depth most common. For these reasons we recommend that you consider 10 to 12 weight anti-reverse reels with matched weight 9' or 10' rods with fighting butt extensions. Your reel should be loaded with at least 200 yards of 30 lb. backing. You will need various sinking tip lines to get your fly down into the feeding zone. The shock leader should be 80 to 100 lb. monfilament and your flies should be 3/0 to 6/0 hook size. Casting Lures for Tarpon: Recommended is a reel like the Abu-Garcia Ambassadeur 7000C, or something comparable, loaded with at least 200 yards of 20 lb. test mon or 30 lb. braid. Leaders should be 80 to 100 lb. monofilament. A 7' casting rod with a long handle works well. The rod should be able to cast 2 oz. lures or a little heavier. The rod should be stiff enough in the backbone to set the hook hard or walk the fish around the boat but have a soft enough tip to finesse a wild fish for an extended time. Spinning tackle requirements are much the same as for baitcasting gear. In either case, a reel with a smooth drag system and a rod with a nice stiff lower section helps to handle these fish. Don't hesitate to try out your own lure selections. One never knows what might be irresistible to these big fish. Fishing for Snook: Snook can be found in the surf or in the rivers and lagoons. The gear required for snook is a little lighter than for tarpon. A shock leader of 40 to 60 lb. test is a good choice. A reel with a good drag system filled with 100 to 150 yards of 12 to 17 lb. test line fitted to a 6 and 1/2 foot or 7-foot rod is recommended. For lures, consider 1/2 to 3/4 oz. Rapalas, 3/4 to 1 oz. bucktail jigs, Mirrolures and top water plugs. In the Rivers and Lagoons: The freshwater fishing requires very accurate casting skills. The farther back in the jungle you and your guide go, the more challenging it becomes to place your casts well and the more the fight leans to the fish's favor. A 7-weight fly rod is a good choice for snook, machaca and guapote. For smaller fish like the mojara and mangrove snapper, a 4-weight rod is sufficient. Floating line with tapered leaders and popping bugs work nicely. Lightweight casting or spinning reels with to 6 to 10 lb. test line
fitted to rods 5' to 6' in length are best. Deep into the jungle
backwaters, room to swing a rod is at a premium, so consider a shorter
rod than what you might otherwise prefer. Small topwater plugs that
chug, pop and create a lot of commotion as well as small spinner baits
have been most successful in the rivers.
Extra Cost: Any clothing, lures or leaders you wish to purchase from Rio Parismina's tackle shop will be put on a tackle bill. The Lodge adds $5 per day to your tackle bill as a tip for the kitchen, laundry and cabin staff. A Costa Rica fishing license is $30. The suggested tip for the guides is $25 per day and you may tip them after your last day of fishing. A Typical Day at Rio Parismina Lodge: A day in paradise begins with the voices of the howler monkeys sounding the approach of dawn. A light knock on your door at 5:00 AM will let you know it's time to rise and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee is welcome. This close to the equator, fishing early before the sun reaches full intensity is the practice. The early morning hours are refreshingly cool and provide good fishing. Breakfast is served at 5:30 AM and your guide will be prepared and waiting for your arrival at the dock. Chances are he already knows where the fishing action will be and you could have your first tarpon jumped by 6:00 in the morning. The most important person in determining your fishing success is your guide. All of the guides speak English and you should
Normally you fish until 11:00 or 11:30 AM when you guide will bring you back to the lodge. Many folks like to take a dip in the pool or Jacuzzi after a morning of fishing. A wonderful hot lunch is served at noon followed by one of the greatest ideas ever conceived, siesta! At 2:00 PM you head back to the docks where your guide once again will be ready and waiting. You will fish until just before dark. The lodge tries to pack as much quality fishing time into the day as possible. If you would like to surf fish before breakfast or after dinner, we can arrange for your guide to escort you. Before dinner "Bocas" or appetizers are served on the verandah or by the open bar, followed by a dining experience you won't soon forget. Served are grilled seafood and meats, local fares, exotic fresh fruits, pastas and heavenly desserts. After dinner, guests enjoy recounting the day's adventures or visiting the nearby National Park to observe giant nesting sea turtles. Most guests turn in early so they will be ready for another day of incredible action at Rio Parismina Lodge. If you would like to join us for the fishing adventure of your dreams,
we urge you to reserve your week as soon as possible. Due to the
many repeat clients, reservations are frequently made one year in advance.
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