Rain Goddess (Costa Rica)

FISH WHERE THE FISH ARE      An anglers dream is to comfortably travel quickly to where the fish are biting and possibly hook up to one of the many great sport fish found in these tropical waters.  Our expert bilingual guides can direct the angler to a wide variety of water conditions found in remote locations, seeking out the majestic tarpon, trophy snook, rainbow bass (guapote), mojarra, machaca, and a number of other exotic tropical fish species.   This area offers a wealth of sport fishing potential, unequaled in the world for its variety and unspoiled angling conditions, a unique adventure for the angler seeking a new frontier to enjoy the ultimate value of the sport fishing experience.

The luxurious "Rain Goddess" assures us of a successful trip by bringing the angler much nearer to the most productive fishing water at any given time.  This mobility is an asset that can only be offered by the houseboat and its fleet of smaller boats capable of entering the lakes, lagoons, creeks, and rivers that comprises the aquatic systems of the Rio Colorado, Rio San Juan, and Rio Indio.

Blue Wing International has opened the door to many hidden lakes and rivers off the Rio San Juan system in Nicaragua.  Here, the many tarpon, snook, rainbow bass, machaca, and mojarra have rarely ever a lure or bait!  It is indeed also a luxury and a comfort to know that the air-conditioned floating lodge is never more than a few minutes away from the fishing locations.

Our fully equipped 16 foot jon boats allow anglers to work the rivers and backwaters, while the more powerful 20 foot boats safely fish outside the river mouths for tarpon, tuna, jacks, sierra mackerel, barracuda, and at times even dorado and sailfish in the deeper Caribbean blue water.  Our experienced guides know the waters and the fishing.   Tackle is at times provided, though we would recommend that guest bring their own accustomed heavy to light tackle.

The "Rain Goddess" accommodates from six to twelve anglers.  Three-day and five-day packages are available and we can custom tailor group trips to suit any particular schedule or fishing preference.  Packages include the night of arrival at a first-class San Jose hotel, ground transfers, round-trip flight into the area, gourmet meals, and an open bar.

WHAT TO BRING

Note: Moderate cargo space is available aboard our in-country charter aircraft and our water taxi therefore please limit your personal belonging to 25 lbs./person, a maximum of two rod tubes and one tackle box. Extra baggage can be stored in San Jose.

Passport: Although Costa Rica requires only a birth certificate, driver's license or other means of official identification; it is very wise to carry a valid passport with you.

Clothing: Lightweight trousers, shorts, long sleeve shirts for extra sun protection. Tennis shoes, hats, rain gear and sun screen.

Gratuities: Our staff is here to serve you and make your trip more interesting and pleasant. Recommended tip to guides are $10 per day/ per person, and $10 per day/ per person to cover chef, captain, first mate. The above is a recommendation and gratuities are left to your discretion and personal experience.

FISHING TACKLE

Tarpon tackle: 6 to 7 foot heavy action rod with reel capable of holding 200 to 250 yards of 20 to 25 pounds test line. Extra terminal leader material (80 lb. minimum recommended).

Lures: Coast hawks, 2 oz. multicolour. Buck tail jigs 1 4 to 2 oz multi color with jelly tails in red-yellow-orange-white. Rapalas #11 and 14, sinking and floating in red-white/blue and green mackerel. Mirror lures, M65 in Fire Tiger, Blue, White, Silver combination, Red, Yellow and Gold combination.

Fly fishing tackle for tarpon: 9 foot #11 or #12 flyrods for 12 weight line. Sinking fly lines of 600 grain density compensated sinking and depth charge or straight lead core lines and shooting heads work well fishing at the mouth of the rivers or out in the deeper saltwater. In the rivers a medium or intermediate sinking flyline works best. There are times when a floating WF flyline would work, especially if the fish are taking poppers or surface feeding. Fly Reels must have sturdy drags with direct or anti-reverse drivers, be saltwater resistant and have a backing capacity of more than 250 yds. Bring sufficient leader material for building your choice of leaders. The minimum recommendation is a 20 lb. tippet utilizing an 80 lb. shock.

Fly fishing lures for tarpon: Whistler or Clouser tied streamers in colors White/Silver, Orange/Black, White/Yellow, Blue/White or Cockroach patterns with bucktail/feather, bucktail/rabbit fur are good producers of positive strikes. Most streamer flies should be weighted. Flashabou is optional and utilize a 3/0 saltwater hook. Large poppers are good if you can find the fish feeding on the surface.

Tackle for snook: Medium action rod and reel with capacity to hold 150 yards of 15 to 17 pounds test line.

Lures for snook: Red and white in Mirror Lures. Rapalas and Rattle Traps in Fire Tiger, Blue/Silver and Orange colors work well. Small to medium (3/4 to 1 ounce) buck tail jigs with jelly tails. Surface plugs such as Creek Chub Darters in red and white, Sosin Jumpin Minnow in red and yellow and Zara Spooks in blue and white are also good.

Fly tackle for snook: 9 foot #8 or #9 flyrods for 8 or 9 weight density compensated sinking or Hi-D line or when fishing from the beach it would be best to use Hi-D or Floating Shooting Heads. Reels capable of handling 150 yards of 20 lb. backing with 12 to 15 lb tippet and 40 lb. shock rigged according to angler's desire.

Guapote Bass-Mojarra and Machaca: Light to ultra light bass tackle, 6 to 12 pound line.

Lures: Poppers, small rapalas and cray fish, crank baits; spinner baits in multicolour.

General Bass tackle works well.

Fly fishing tackle: 7 to 9 foot #4 to #8 flyrods for 4-8 weight WF floating flylines. When using large popping bugs or on windy days, a bug taper would be advised. Multicolored, natural cork and foam bodied poppers sized 4, 6, 8 with rubber legs are popular. Pencil, Slider and hair bodied poppers are sometimes very productive in color of Black/Yellow, orange/Red, Yellow/Black and Chartreuse. Machaca fishing would require using a short piece of light wire shock leader because of its teeth. Poppers with long shank hooks are also preferred.

Wet flies are also used and are very productive when the mojarra and machaca fail to strike the poppers. Small streamers in yellow, red and tinsel color combinations are effective. Shrimp flies in beige, brown and gray produce when the fish are feeding deep. Yellow nymphs, small Clousers in size 8 hooks are also effective.

Rods and reels are available on a loan basis, but a replacement fee will be charged if damaged, lost or broken. All lost or severely damaged lures are charged at replacement cost.

Rates

Rates and conditions for season November 1, 1997 to November 1, 1999. Based on double occupancy in hotel and house boat.

5 days, 4 nights, 3 full days fishing Rate $1,750 per person, non anglers $850 per person

7 days 6 nights, 5 full days fishing Rate $2,250 per person, non anglers $1,070 per person

Additional fishing days $350 per day/ per person. Additional days nonfishermen $110 per day/per person.

Inclusive: All ground transportation in Costa Rica. Air travel to Barra del Colorado or trip to Puerto Viejo and river tour to House Boat. All meals on House Boat. Open bar: rum, vodka and whiskey (local brands). Complementary wine with dinners.

Not included: Tips to guides and crew. Borrowed rods and tackle that are lost, damaged or accidentally broken.. $5 visa into Nicaragua. Phone calls made from House Boat and articles of personal nature. Outbound overnight in San Jose Licenses and park permits in Costa Rica and Nicaragua.

Conditions of payment:

1. A $500 nonrefundable deposit per person is required to confirm the reservation.

2. Reservations will be held for 15 days pending deposits.

3. Balance of trip payment is due 60 days prior to departure date.

4. If an angler cancels more than 60 days prior to departure, only the deposits submitted will be forfeited.

5. If cancellations is received less than 60 days prior to departure, but more than 30 days prior to departure, 50% of the total price of the trip is forfeited unless a replacement angler can be found for the same dates.

6. If cancellation is received 30 days or less prior to departure, the complete balance is forfeited unless a replacement angler can be found for the same dates.

7. Exclusive use of the House Boat: a minimum of 8 pax are required to have exclusive use of Rain Goddess, boats and crew. And it has to be requested at the time of making the reservation.

Package 1

5 Days, 3 Nights with 3 Days of Fishing

DAY 1: Arrive in San Jose', transfer to a first class hotel.

DAY 2: Early transfer to airport for 30 minute flight to Barra del Colorado to meet "Rain Goddess", full day of fishing.

DAY 3 and 4: Full days of fishing.

DAY 5: Flight back to International Airport to make the connection for trip home.

Cost: $1,750 per person, $850 non anglers

7 Days, 5 nights, with 5 days of fishing

Cost: $2,250 per person, $1,070 non anglers

Package 2

3 Days and 2 Nights

DAY 1: Early morning departure from San Jose' for scenic drive across Brauho Carrillo National Park to Sarapiqui, Puerto Viejo where we board a river boat to travel on the Sarapiqui River to meet the San Juan River. Your Naturalist guide will show wild life and birds of the area. Your boat ride will take 3 hours, you will reach the House Boat, Rain Goddess, at the mouth of the San Juan River. You will have lunch on board and then do a nature walk to the ruins of the old town and cemetery. San Juan del Norte was the starting point from where miners from Europe, Germany and U.S. crossed Central America to go to California and Alaska during the 1849 Gold Rush. Over night on the House Boat.

DAY 2: Full day of nature tours to explore the Indian River and Si a Paz National Park. This is the boarder between Costa Rica and Nicaragua and the largest rain forest north of the Amazon. Over night on House Boat. All meals are included, beer and soft drinks.

DAY 3: Morning nature tours. Lunch at 11:00 a.m. and return to Puerto Viejo. Return to San Jose.

Cost: $475 per person