MACHACA FLY FISHING TRIP

The most active fishing period for Machaca is early morning and mid-afternoon, so to be able to experience this prime productive angling moment we have to leave San Jose in the very early hours of the morning. Departing San Jose at 3:00 AM we have a pleasant trip across some very beautiful country that passes by the active Arenal volcano after crossing the northern mountain range to the plains of San Carlos and across to the town of San Jose de Upala. Taking a stop in Guatuso for breakfast, we afterwards head out towards Upala and then to the Rio Nino near San Jose de Upala to meet guide and board our boat for the day. Depending upon the number of anglers, we can use the PAC1200 pontoon boat for a single angler or the 22 ft. fiberglass boat for 2 or 3 anglers. Once off the bank and afloat, we drift slowly down river silently casting to the river bank, searching out pockets for feeding fish. A narrow strip of tropical jungle lines the banks of the Rio Nino and within this dense corridor of towering trees and competing brush is found a host of wildlife, an added attraction to the fishing adventure. With every gust of wind, there is produced a shower of shed flowers that fall from the overhanging trees to the water surface below, initiating an immediate feeding frenzy. Fly fishing with dry fly flower patterns and surface poppers now becomes a real joy and challenge.

The Machaca (Brycon guatemalensis) of the Rio Nino are caught in numbers from 5 to 20 per day and in sizes averaging 4 to 8 lbs. Being active acrobats on the water, there are few sportfish that offer such angler enjoyment once hooked and a challenge to the ability of the flyfisher to remain connected and avoid not having the fly cut off by the very sharp teeth that requires the use of wire bite tippets. Top water fly action is the most desired and the use of large bass poppers and special dry fly flower patterns are standard on most trips, however, the use of streamers and other subsurface flies can definitely be good producers and should not be ignored. With wet flies it is also possible to catch other smaller sportfish like the Mojarra, Moga and even Guapote and the use of 6 weight flyrods and bug tapered lines with 15 lb. line tippets and 15 lb. wire bite tippets are preferred tackle. All necessary fly fishing tackle is also available for rent if requested prior to the trip. Lunch and refreshments are supplied on the river during the fishing drift. Drift fishing the Rio Nino is about the most relaxing, comfortable and productive fishing possible in Costa Rica. We all enjoy it.