Our friend Tom Enderlin, who runs the Tarpon Reserve in Costa Rica has just emailed me saying that he has some unexpected space available in late October and into November of this year. I like this operation a lot because it offers good opportunities at big tarpon during a time in the year when the more traditional big tarpon fisheries like the Keys, Cuba, and Mexico, don’t have big fish.

This is a very low-impact operation that only accommodates four anglers per week, and runs from the beginning of August to December each year. This fishery consists of a vast system of freshwater rivers, creeks, and flooded lagoons surrounded by rain forest and marshlands. These tarpon have journeyed from the Caribbean some 300 + inland miles to reach these feeding grounds. At the time of the tarpon’s arrival, seasonal rains flood the immense lagoons to create an inland sea surrounded by volcanoes and rife with other primeval creatures like tropical garfish, sawfish, and freshwater bull sharks.

Anglers fish from simple but efficient river pangas, with 2 anglers per boat taking turns on the bow. Since the environment is quite diverse, fishing situations are also varied, ranging from sight casting to feeding tarpon or walking in shallow lagoons and creeks, waiting for tarpon to roll or break bait on the surface before presenting a fly, and blind casting in likely areas. There are even times when tarpon congregate at the mouth of one of the jungle’s many creeks, and line up in feeding lanes like giant trout.

During a normal day, anglers can expect good numbers of shots at fish ranging from 60 to well over 150 pounds, and these tarpon within the Tarpon Reserve are actively feeding fish, with very little exposure to fishing pressure. The new accommodations are awesome and each angler will have their own room, while sharing a skiff for the week. Single skiff pricing is also available.

Please email us at info@slipstreamngling.com for more information on either of these weeks.