TABLE OF CONTENTSMarch 2007
Judy and I had a great trip to Costa Rica. The “Cass Man” and the “Italian Stallion” were the ultimate hosts. I am sure Cass will call into your show tomorrow to give a report, but I thought you would like to see the quality of Tarpon we caught/released. Judy’s fish was estimated at 130 lbs, mine at 150 lbs. The largest fish caught by the group was estimated at 210 lbs. An interesting event was determining the biggest fish at the end of the trip. Each angler kept one scale from each fish. At the finale dinner, we had a “scale off” and the largest scale won the big fish award. My scale (image attached) was dwarfed by the winning scale. I would highly recommend a trip to Silver King Lodge, Costa Rica – not only for the quality of fish but also for the highly professional operation of the lodge, by “The Professor” Jim Kohl, in every aspect.
DEAR FRIENDS & FAMILY, I HAVE JUST RETURNED FROM THE INVITATIONAL TARPON
TOURNAMENT PUT ON BY HARRY GUALCO & RICHARD CASDENADA AT THE SILVER KING
LODGE LOCATED ON THE BARRA DEL COLORADO RIVER ON THE CARABEAN SIDE OF COSTA
RICA. A GREAT TRIP WAS HAD BY ALL 18 FISHERMEN AND ONE LADY RELEASING 66 TARPON
(MANY OVER 100 LBS.) IN FOUR DAYS OF FISHING. AS LUCK MIGHT HAVE IT THE FIRST
FISH I CAUGHT WAS THE LARGEST ON THIS TRIP GOING 210 LBS, WHICH IS ONLY 50
LBS OFF OF THE WORLD RECORD. AFTER MANY VIOLENT HEAD SHAKING JUMPS AND DEEP
UNDER WATER RUNS TAKING 45 MINUTES THE FISH FINALLY TIRED AND SURFACED BY THE
BOAT FOR PICTURES AND RELEASE. AS IT TURNED OUT ON THIS FIRST AFTER NOON OF
FISHING I WAS ABLE TO RELEASE ONE MORE GOING 100LBS, BUT HIS CHARACTER WAS
NOT EVEN CLOSE TO THE GOLIATH MAJESTIC FISH THAT WAS MY FIRST TARPON. I HAVE
HEARD THAT THE RATIO IN TARPON FISHING IS FOR EVERY 7 TARPON YOU HOOK THAT
YOU WILL ONLY GET ONE IN TO THE BOAT FOR A RELEASE, SO THE FIRST DAY OF FISHING
I BEAT THE ODDS WITH 8 FISH HOOKED AND TWO FISH RELEASED. AS LUCK HAS A WAY
OF CHANGING THE LAST THREE DAYS OF FISHING I HOOKED 7 FISH WITH NO RELEASES.
THE FISHING GUIDES AND ALL OF THE PERSONNEL AT THE LODGE WERE TOP NOTCH, VERY
HELPFUL AND FRIENDLY. THE FOOD AND SPRIT WAS EXCELLENT, AND THE ROOMS WERE
VERY COMFORTABLE. FUN WAS HAD BY ALL AFTER DINNER AT NIGHT ENJOYING A NIGHT
CAP ON THE DOCK SWAPPING STORIES FROM THE PAST AND TALKING ABOUT THE FISH THEY
HAD CAUGHT AND LOST AND ALSO WATCHING THE COOK FEED A HUGE ALLIGATOR THE TABLE
SCRAPS. I HAVE ATTACHED PICTURES OF THE LODGE, MY TROPHY FISH, AND A PICTURE
OF THE WORLD RECORD SO YOU CAN GET AN IDEA OF THE SIZE OF THESE FISH THEY CALL
TARPON.
IN CLOSING OUT OF ALL OF THE GAME FISH THAT I HAVE CAUGHT IN MY LIFE THE TARPON
SITS ON A THRONE HIGH ABOVE THE OTHER SPECIES. THIS FISH IS SO POWERFUL THAT
WHEN HE IS FIGHTING TO GET AWAY ON THE SURFACE OF THE WATER HE CREATES WAVES
WITH THE THRUST OF HIS MIGHTY TAIL. WHEN HE JUMPS FROM THE WATER HIS BODY CONTORTS
LIKE A SNAKE AND HIS HEAD SHAKES SO VIOLENTLY THAT YOU SOON REALIZE THAT HE
HAS A BETTER CHANCE OF WINNING THE BATTLE THAN YOU DO. I FULLY RECOMMEND TO
ANY ONE FISHERMAN OR NOT THAT IF CHALLENGE IS SOMETHING THAT YOU CRAVE YOU
MUST MEET THE ONE THAT THE TARPON HAS TO OFFER. THIS GLADIATOR OF THE CARIBBEAN
HAS NOT SEEN THE LAST OF ME! PURA VIDA, RICH
January 2007
Hello Hal,
Just wanted to go on record that we (me, my son Frankie and best buddy, Roger)
had a great trip last January. It was more than expected. We came for Tarpon
and hooked over 100 and landed 13 up to 140 lbs. Besides the great days back
in the jungle catching snook and pan fish the scenery and monkeys and wildlife
were spectacular. It was my best R&R in years.
The trip went just as planned from the airport to the lodge and home again.
The guides were very friendly and knowledgeable. Raja did an excellent job
helping us catch fish. His experience with handling the boat and tackle excelled
what we expected. The trip was worth the price for the food alone.What great
buffets. Your entire staff can be commended for doing an excellent job and
your manager, Jim, did a great job keeping everything together.
I'm home on the Outer Banks recovering from a successful 1/2 left knee replacement
while making DVD copies of the trip which I will mail you when completed. I'll
be cobia fishing before long and will book another trip next January soon.
I want to get some other buddies together so we can have a foursome and two
boats.
Please feel free to print this for your brochure. I'll be back next Jan, perhaps
for a month total in Costa..
Frank
PS I understand my other buddy, Bill Dillon from Cape May, NJ and others, that
came in March did not do as well. After all, that's why we call it fishing.I
prefer my own equipment and will bring more tackle and less clothes.
PSS Please send a copy of this memo to Charlie the Dentist. I misplaced his
business card.
Frank A Jakob,President/Broker
Cape Hatteras Realty & Construction Corp
Kelly Watson & Her Jungle Tarpon
Silver King Lodge
Barra del Colorado, Costa Rica
Dear Shawn and Ray,
What a great fishing trip! Jeff and I have voted it the best ever! As Marvin would say, "Perfecto! Excellente!"
All of our arrangements went without a hitch. Fernando was waiting for us in San Jose, got us through customs in minutes and to the Cariari. We arrived on Sunday morning, had a wonderful breakfast and went fishing. Within the hour we boated our first tarpon! That was just the beginning of five great days of fishing. We experienced doubles with Tarpon, Jacks and Snook! We fished the river (and caught a tarpon, jacks and Mahara). We trolled for wahoo, caught barracuda, king fish, and mackerel.
Your lodge really caters to the guests. Meals were incredible! It was like going to a five star restaurant for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The presentation was beautiful. Bob definitely did not help the DIET! Yvonne was so pleasant, friendly and helpful. The laundry service was great, too. We got to wear that favorite fishing outfit over and over again! We also met some great people who have become future fishing buddies in Florida.
Thank you for a great experience. Your hard work and dedication to making your guests happy does not go unnoticed. All said....WE WILL BE BACK! It is so difficult to come back to the REAL WORLD. We were so relaxed.
Kelli Watson and Jeff Allen
TO: Silver King Lodge
We visited Silver King Lodge this past September. Our original plans were to go to Los Cabos to try our hand at marlin fishing, but a hurricane spoiled the trip. We were very lucky that Silver King had two openings left two weeks later.
My close friend Charlie Harrod and I were taken care of the minute we landed in San lose. The next day we flew to the lodge and started three wonderful days of fishing. We ate like kings the whole trip, and the staff at the lodge took care of all our needs.
The highlight of our trip was when we landed two huge tarpon on the same day. Mine was estimated at about 1 3Olbs and Charlie's at about 1 5Olbs. We were sore for three days after returning home.
We are going back next year with a whole group, (they saw the pictures and want to go with us.)
I want to thank Silver King Lodge for the best fishing trip I've ever been on.
Thank You,
Todd Whitesell Normangee, TX
Jerry and his sons have been returning twice a year since 1996, boy he realy loves it here!!!
Jerry Sumners |
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The Colquitts have fantastic fly fishing at Silver King Lodge
The Colquitts with Clifford |
Fly Fishing Open Water |
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October found John Colquitt III and son fishing with Clifford. They were fishing with Orvis fly rods 14 weight and a 10 weight. John said the fishing was fantastic. They had fought in excess of 24 tarpon boating 8 with one estimated to be over 110 pounds. When the tarpon weren’t hitting action was fast with giant jack crevalle. John learned the adage that “Jacks Don’t Jump” when he had a hit by a fish that he could have sworn was a large tarpon. After numerous runs and heart stopping dives he found that the strong back bone of his 14 weight rod was able to beat this tarpon that wouldn’t jump. As it came to the surface he was amazed that it was a giant jack topping 20 pounds.
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