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Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

First and foremost, Merry Christmas.

Like last year, Anna and I spent the Christmas in Miami, sorry to dissapoint, but no short story this year, you can look that up in last year's in the archives.

Christmas was pretty uneventful this year other than Christmas Eve......

I love the Cubans and they know how to celebrate and to celebrate with family. Fifty years ago, the "abuelos" came to the United States in the middle of the night with their then-teenage children, escaping a communist regime that was confiscating farms, businesses and people's homes. (Anna says that her family came over on planes, not rafts) They came here with nothing. Nothing but family.

Although some of the abuelos walk with a limp from the Bay of Pigs, all hope is gone of returning to La Patria and reclaiming the past. Like their parents, who came here with nothing, nothing but family; through hard work, they seized the opportunities afforded them by the United States. Over fifty years the family has pretty much stayed in Miami, only now are the first generations of Cuban decent beginning to leave the nest of familiarity which is Miami.

It is celebrations like Christmas that bring that family together and they know how to make the best and the most of it. I am glad that I am part of it.....but what they asked me to do this year......

Christmas Eve is when the multitudes gather. All of the generations and now the newest generation. No Anna and I haven't contributed yet, but we may be working on it in the upcoming year. Children, a dozen, from infants up until 12 years old, made this Christmas extraordinarily special and Santa Clause is the best part of it.

With this much family coming together, the party starts early and last well into the night, Santa doesn't make an appearance until midnight, afterwards, children are running around the yard until 2 in the morning playing with toy ray guns, glow in the dark balls and new toys.

This year, guess who helped Santa? Yep, yours truly, the token gringo in the family, in a Santa Suit, ringing jingle bells, while standing on top of the roof. Not only did all of the kids in the house get a treat, but half of the neighborhood.

I hope that you took advantage of the Holidays and took the time to spend with your family. If not, then perhaps a good New Year's Resolution to make.

Tight lines, calm seas and Merry CHRISTmas,

George and Anna Beckwith

Merry Christmas

Had to pass this along....

Things have been slow......but not the fishing

If you have not gotten out on the water over the past month, you've missed some good fishing. Consistent action on stripers in the Neuse and trout up the creeks. I've fished for at least a couple hours about 4 times/week for the past month, each time in a different creek, trying to become a better trout fisherman. Despite the location or the conditions, with a couple hours of fishing, we've been able to find the fish and have some great afternoons. We've been eating a lot of fish around the house.....

There don't seem to be a lot of anglers willing to brave the cold for fishing, but we have had a few calls from duck hunters. We have not guided duck trips for the last 3 years, but I'm considering getting back into the business. Perhaps between shooting a few ducks in the morning and catching a few fish in the afternoon, we'll spark a little more interest in getting out in the weather next year.

If we do the duck-thing, we'll try and do it right, locking into a long-term lease with good blinds. Let me know if any of you out there would have an interest in securing an exclusive location for duck hunting opportunities.

Merry CHRISTmas,

George

trout bite and tropics

Capt. Ray gave me a nice lesson on up the creek trout fishing, catching a nice double limit in front of me. Capt. Lee and I did manage to beat down a few, including a nice striper. Good fishing in the creeks, but most importantly out of the wind and weather for anyone who wants to spend an afternoon on the water.

Meanwhile in the tropics, things are cranking up, plenty of dolphin and daily double digit shots at billfish.

Mini-newsletter

Greetings from the tropics…..well, almost. Anna and I will be heading down for the season in a few weeks. Before we left, we wanted to let you know about the remaining openings on the Dragin Fly, Costa Rica specials and some information on our other upcoming international trips.

We’d love to see you in Costa Rica or Argentina. If you have any questions, send us an e mail or
drop us a line anytime at 252-671-3474, we check messages daily and will call you back promptly.

Below are some details of some upcoming trips that you might have an interest.

Also check out our websites: www.draginflycostarica.com and www.downeastguideservice.com

Costa Rica:
The Fly Boats are almost completely booked during the peak season, December-April. Below are the remaining openings on our boat, The Dragin Fly. We will be glad to inquire on specific availability of the other 42’ Maverick Fly Boats per your request (The Spanish Fly, The Super Fly and The Bite).

Peak Season Openings on The Dragin Fly:
December: 14-22, 24, 26-29
January: 4, 5, 6
February: NONE
March: 15, 18, 19, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30
April : 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 15, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30

Four anglers can stay for 4 nights in Costa Rica, fish 2 days on the Dragin Fly, Tour Day and all ground transportation included for less than $1500/person.
Six anglers for less than $1200/person.

Smaller boats at smaller prices:
There is much more flexibility in the schedules of some of the other great boats working with Down East Guide Service. Tell us what you want to do and when you want to do it; we’ll build a custom Costa Rica trip for you.



Silver King:
Anytime is a good time to be at Silver King Lodge, but we’ve consistently picked the best time to be there during the fall tarpon trip that we host each year.

Hopefully, I’ve picked the right dates yet again. I just reserved the entire Silver King Lodge for Oct. 7, 8, 9, 2010.

Extend your stay options include:
• There is space available before and after these dates for you to extend your all-inclusive stay for only $385/day,
• OR you could add two days of fishing on the Pacific side for $1100/person ,
• OR you could just hang out in Costa Rica with a private driver/van and hotel for $125/person/day.

Space is very limited on this trip, within the next two weeks I need to confirm with a $500/person deposit for the Oct. 7, 8, 9 dates. Inquire anytime for availability outside of these dates.

Pacific Coast Green Season:

The fishing can be fantastic year round in Costa Rica and the Green Season is a great opportunity to take advantage of some serious discounts. Six people can fish 2 days for less than $900/person.

Argentina Anytime:
I’m ready to get back down there and am planning on hosting a July trip, 3 days of duck hunting, 2 days of dove hunting for $3750/person for adults, $2500/person for youth hunters. Inquire about discounts for large groups and other specials. Doves: anytime. Duck season: May-August

Thank you for spending time with Down East Guide Service in Costa Rica over the past few years. We appreciate your business and the opportunity to give you more than you expect out of your valuable vacation time.

George and Anna Beckwith
252-671-3474

I'm not a trout fisherman

I just can't fish that slow.....which is what you need to do, especially if you are occasionally getting a bite. After several decent days, a few stripers, a few trout, a few puppy drum and a few flounder, I had a really good day of trout fishing today. Caught about 35 this afternoon, of which, 12 were nice keepers, 8 of those in the 3+ pound club.

Capt. Ray had a tougher day on the beach today, dirty water which should clear up with this northerly blow, when things calm down, there will be albies on the east side, the big drum and maybe even a striper.