Tuesday, December 31, 2013

"George,
Another 150 today.  That’s over 650 in the last 4 trips.  I doesn’t get much better.  My arms are sore and my thumbs could use a little more skin.  Lots of 16-18 inches but plenty of these too."----Capt. Richard Andrews

"Capt George, if customers want keepers I can handle that.  Had about 120 fish today, took our   limit and released the rest."
Capt Mitchell Blake



Do you want some of that?   Shoot me an e mail and we will get you rigged up.

Sunday, December 29, 2013

Dragin Fly Marlin streak

"Still got that marlin sreaks going 2 for 3 on blue marlin,  2 sailfish,  2 mahi and one nice size yellowfin tuna.  great day of fishing"   Capt. James


Saturday, December 28, 2013

I DON'T DO TEXT and Costa Rica contact information

Without getting into another rant on texting and Dumb-Phone Zombies, those of you who don't know, I do note read or return text.   I'm getting in a little diver hunting between packing bags for Costa Rica, but will be heading down that direction soon.   When we get there, Anna and I will be checking voice message every day at 252-671-3474 but for a more immediate response, send us an e mail at info@pamlicoguide.com     I also have a Costa Rica cell phone that I can use to call out to the USA anytime, no big deal at all  for me to return your call.   If you want to call us, you can dial 011-506-8328-0104 from any land line and some cell phones

Red Hot Striper Fishing

Capt. Mitch Blake and Richard Andrews are really tuned into the winter Roanoke River striper fishery.   Capt. Greg has also been up there poking around.  Plenty of triple digit days, cold water catch and release spin and fly rod.    These guys are going to follow this huge mass of fish all the way to Weldon.  The below pic is from Mitch Blake from two days ago.   Thanks Mitch for taking care of our folks.   
If you want to get in on this action, e mail us at info@pamlicoguide.com or leave a message at 
252-671-3474

Thursday, December 26, 2013

Merry Christmas

Finally got that Galapagos Report together, see below, it bumped off earlier reports from Costa Rica, you can still see those at www.draginflycostarica.com .  A few more pictures of me riding turtles to follow.......

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Ecuador/Galapagos report

After arriving in Ecuador, we spent a night in Quito, checking out the very modern city and beautiful churches.  The first thing that blows you away is the excellent infrastructure such as great roads.  Where does the money come from?  They’ve got to have oil and $1/gallon gas confirmed that.   



Anna even got to meet the president
walking the line on the equator










We spent the next couple of day up in the highlands at a very remote spa/hot springs nestled in between the Andes.  Snow topped  volcanoes and mountain tops overlooked us riding horses and lounging in hot springs. 

Anna on the nearly dead horse with no name,
holding up the end of the line

     
They give me the wild one
Early morning start and we are back to Quito for our flight to the Galapagos Islands, 600 miles off the coast.
35 passenger/15 crew and plenty of room
We packed up and started steaming towards our first destination as the frigits closely followed


By early afternoon we had arrived at our first destination, deployed the pangas and came ashore on Santa Cruz Island.


Resting under a bush we encountered our first giant Galapagos tortoise and I was extremely chastised for trying to bridle it up and take a ride.
On the coast were Sally Light-footed crabs, no shit, named by a seafarer (out to sea too long) who says the crabs danced like an exotic dancer he once knew
....and marine iguanas, the only iguana species that has made it back to the water for survival and obviously the inspiration for Godzilla
And a very sleeply Galapagos Sea Lion.....very friendly, inquisitive and hard to get to wake up
Back to the boat for dinner on the boat and an overnight cruise to Isabela Island, to make landfall, we had to wake up another G sea lion.

A saltwater lake created from hot magma/lava suddenly flowing into the ocean, huge explosion, leaving this crater.  No life other than a couple of delicious Galapagos pintails

Another delicacy is the Galapago land iguana, this was the first one sighted in over 6 years on this side of the island, so we left it alone. 


Not many insects on the island other than these big locust and their primary predator, the lava lizard.  Most of the islands are very dry for a majority of the year with few flowers.  The only pollinater is the Galapagos carpenter bee. 

Back in the boats to check out the marine life hanging out on the rocks, marine iguanas













Then in the water for some snorkeling, I was a bit surprised to come face to face with a non-sleeping sea lion.
 While Anna swam like a fish with the fish, the water was a bit cold for me, so I hung out topside and lounged around with the sea lions, I like their style
 

 The cormorants are so lazy with all the bait around the islands, that they have lost the ability to fly
 Penguins were a bit of a surprise, the only penguins that cross into the northern hemisphere

Big fat male marine iguana hanging out on the beach with his ladies
 
"I love boobies!" was heard over and over again when we ran into the Galapagos blue-footed booby.   The one on the right has got a leg-iron.
A masked booby above and from the inside of a cave looking out below

Pics from Espinosa Point on Fernandina Island, one of our favorite excursions, where you could get up close and personal with the animals.  Actually, it's against the law to approach these cute sea lion cubs within 2 meters....
 .....but if you get on the edge of their swimming pool and bark like a sea lion, they'll come right up to you and say hello......not my fault that they like me.
 Another day at the beach






Baby Sea Lion

Lounging with the Lizards

sunset over the volcano
Isabella Island by sea and land:
Getting ready to head out for the day
 

 Do you call this a school or a flock of penguins?  


Back to the boat for lunch, then to land in the afternoon to check out the land iguanas and more giant tortoises. 
Finally waking up 

At high speed
Santiago Island by boat, beach and land


Fur Seals....actually another species of sea lion with a better coat


 

 We were not the first ones on the beach



Galapagos Hawk
Oyster catcher
  In the afternoon, a visit to a more unhospitable side of Santiago where only the tough survive. 


 
After a walk on the lava fields, most went for a swim, I regret that I did not brave the cool water and see what was down there.   Wow, I really missed it. 
 
I do love to watch a professional working a bait ball


  


 Our last day, in the highlands of Santa Cruz
  
Exploring the lava tunnels and checking out the mud baths


 And finally, riding that turtle!

I don't think that he liked it.....