By Ollie Bass

I have written previously about the fantastic sportsfishing available in the waters around Quepos and Manuel Antonio.  International  Game Fish Association world records have been held over the years in both flyfishing and “conventional” fishing by Puerto Quepos  fishermen.   The abundance of billfish in the area makes Quepos one of the premier spots in the world for flyfishing  with anglers successfully catching (and releasing) sailfish and marlin caught on the fly.   Quepos  annually hosts the Gray International Flyfishing Tournament  that was started as a memorial tournament to recognize Jim Gray a local flyfisherman and IFGA recordholder and a pioneer in saltwater flyfishing.   Next month Quepos  will host the Costa Rica Classic  International  Billfish Tournament (www.costaricaclassic.com) benefiting the Boomer Esiason Foundation. All the money raised in this tournament stays in Costa Rica to help those suffering from cystic fibrosis.

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Filed under: Ollie Bass, Quepos Fishing on February 14th, 2011
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These Horoscopes are meant to be fun and enjoyed. They should not be taken too seriously.

AQUARIUS - January 20-February 18

Don’t trust little birdies…they are renounced liars. Protesting is about to become important to you, as is writing witty slogans on placards something you are very good at if you can get the right pens.

RULING GEMSTONE: AMETHYST

PISCES

2011 offers the prospects of at least 4 once in a lifetime opportunities. Be ready. Beware of arguments while playing Monopoly this month, especially if you have just rolled a 6. And always choose the dog as your monopoly marker.

RULING GEMSTONE: AQUAMARINE

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Filed under: Cosmic Confetti, Horoscopes on February 7th, 2011
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By Joshua Stewart

Thinking about a big sailfish?

The time has come for this ocean treasure and the year starts with a decent number on the reports. From now until April, boats will chase more Sailfish than any other months of the year. Only in the first two weeks of January, Ojaran II and Ojaran III have released 19 Sailfish. They have come joined with a Marlin and rarely a Mahi-Mahi. This is not really the a good times for Tuna lovers so; we definitely stand up for Billfish during these months and Marlin has been showing up too. The first two weeks in January were nice for Captain Rocco and mate who released 5 Marlin around 200 and 300 pounds on the Ojaran II. Cold water has been enemy number one when looking for a nice Mahi-Mahi these days. Even in those conditions, truly expert captains and mates have found warmer rips where Dorado have been boated. Inshore fishing lovers will be fascinated with the great opportunities to catch a delicious Spanish mackerel. Daily fishing reports stand from 10 to 25 Mackerels in one boat. Ojaran II had 16 on January 12^th. Real Deal came back water to catch a couple of Roosterfish the second week of January.  Amberjacks have been present too.

If you want to join our number one crews in a fishing adventure, contact Luna Tours Sportfishing at Hotel Best Western Kamuk lobby, downtown Quepos central. Book now Ojaran II, Ojaran III, Magic Moon and the Reel Deal (27 ft to 33ft) on full days or half day charters. We also arrange other boats for charter up to 46 ft. Contact us at 2777-0725 (office), 8869-4808 (24 hour cell) and visit our web site www.lunatours.net. And remember, old fishermen never die. They just smell that way!

Filed under: Fishing Report, Luna Tours on February 7th, 2011
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Bienvenidos/Welcome to Paradise. How lucky you are to be visiting the Quepos/Manuel Antonio area. We hope that your vacation is a wonderful experience………..you have come to the right place for exciting tours like rafting, sportfishing, & canopy zip line – just to name a few!………we also have the most enticing restaurants with delicious meals-culinary delights – no fast food here! made of the freshest seafood including International, Fusion,  Sushi, Thai, Tipico Costa Rican, Tex-Mex – we have it all………..not to mention lots of ice cold libations! This being the month for Lovers & Friendship with Valentine’s Day check our ads for those offering a very special dinner for those romantics – you will also find great live music in both Quepos & Manuel Antonio almost every day of the week including– wonderful classical guitar with Rafa at Victoria’s, Live Music on Monday& Belly Dancing on Thursday at Bogart’s, lots of dancing on Weds with Benjammin & the Howlers At Dos Locos so check our Niven’s Musical Notes on the left sidebar……….for those looking for the  Super Bowl Game we suggest El Gran Escape, Wacky Wanda’s, Byblos just to name a few…….Our local animal rescue group PAWS would like to invite you to visit with them every Saturday on the seawall at the Feria – come see the animals for adoption and learn about PAWS – you can also volunteer to help if you will be staying for awhile…. we would like to thank Gil Westreich of The Silk Shop at the beach for the photo of the Saddleback Caterpillar which makes our cover –watch out for these colorful little guys as they have a nasty sting!……..we hope you enjoy your visit –stay in touch with our website when you return home……..we welcome your comments –  ciao……….P

Filed under: Pat Cheek, Qué Pasa en Quepos on February 3rd, 2011
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By Matt Casseday

This current situation with Nicaragua makes me feel like I am witnessing some mean, underfed yet frightening school bully stealing lunch money from the timid, studious kid the next barrio over. The powerless one—Costa Rica– offers no resistance, hands over his change, and looks about pleadingly for help, for some authority figure or big brother/mentor to step in and make things right but no help is forthcoming. Meanwhile, the dull bully –Nicaragua– flexes his angry anemic muscle as Costa Rica waits and waits patiently for someone to come and put the meanie in his place. I love this country, but I don’t love the wimpiness, the “turn the other cheek for we are a trembling but proud people of peace” image we seem to be cultivating. Our answer to this illegal occupation of a small piece of Costa Rica has been to….wave flags. We lack toughness. It’s a brutal world out there and too often the Costa Rican response to turmoil is to seek immediate refuge. And while I have no solution to aggressive neighbors, I do have an idea how Costa Rica can assert itself and show some huevos on the international stage.
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Filed under: Crazy From the Heat, Matt Casseday on February 1st, 2011
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By Jack Ewing

The season is here for bird watching fever.

The patter of raindrops lightly pelting the leaves far above our heads was the first warning of a change in weather. It would take a minute or two for the rain to filter down 50 meters, through the layers of canopy to the jungle floor. We covered our binoculars with plastic bags.

“Maybe it’ll pass,” I offered weakly.

“You think so?” queried John, hopefully.

“No, not really, but let’s wait and see. When the rain comes this early in the day, it’s not usually a passing shower. If we go back, we’ll be soaked by the time we get to the house anyway, so we might just as well wait a while and see.”

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Filed under: Jack Ewing, Nature and Local History Stories on January 26th, 2011
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By Mark Goldstein

Why practice yoga? Because you will feel better.

Practicing the type of yoga that is right for you will improve your life. Some enter a yoga practice in search of physical improvement, and some are searching for a deeper spiritual involvement. Many find their way into some of both. It is truly unimportant what physical shape that you are in, or whether or not you believe or disbelieve in any type of higher power. All that is important to practice yoga is showing up on your mat and letting your practice unfold.

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Filed under: Costa Rica Yoga Journal, Mark Goldstein on January 26th, 2011
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