Costa Rica

[bdhoover77]

In July 2023, my wife’s parents are taking us on a family trip to Costa Rica. We are staying on the west coast near Manuel Antonio National Park.

I have never been to Costa Rica and I also have never tried any saltwater fly fishing. I don’t know what fishing opportunities there may be, but I assume I’ll take the kids out on a fishing charter. I’d also like to do some fly fishing on my own.

Does anyone have suggestions on what gear to consider?

 

[BrookieChaser]

An 8wt is your main saltwater rod. Think about it as this, an 8wt in the saltwater world is what a 5wt is in the freshwater trout world.

I know nothing about Costa Rica fly fishing or their species. From my experience I'd pack a fast 8wt with a good reel (good drag, solid dependable reel) a floating line, flouro to build a leader out to 12' (both 16lb and 8lb tippet), and some size 2 clousers, kwans and gotchas in tan and/or pink.

 

[BrookieChaser]

It hit me after I posted earlier that I saw a picture in "A Passion for Tarpon" of Lefty Kreh playing a tarpon from a river bank in some jungle. So I checked the book when I got home and it was Costa Rica.
I'm going to guess that was on the East coast.

 

[Fly-Swatter]

An 8wt is your main saltwater rod. Think about it as this, an 8wt in the saltwater world is what a 5wt is in the freshwater trout world.

I know nothing about Costa Rica fly fishing or their species. From my experience I'd pack a fast 8wt with a good reel (good drag, solid dependable reel) a floating line, flouro to build a leader out to 12' (both 16lb and 8lb tippet), and some size 2 clousers, kwans and gotchas in tan and/or pink.

...and, a fly line formulated for the tropics.

 

[Fish Sticks]

Bring wire leader because If you get a chance to catch a matchka on the fly take it.

 

[Fish Sticks]

Machaca Fishing in Costa Rica - Central America Fishing

Machaca Fishing in Costa Rica is one of our favorite ways to spend a day freshwater fishing with light tackle & fly tackle.

www.centralamericafishing.com

 

[Fish Sticks]

I hand lined for em off a bridge dropping the line down between Crocs, wish I had my fly rod. Later snorkeled with them in a high elevation mountain plunge pool. Cool fish