Garfish Fishing
Garfish (Atractosteus Tropicus) is considered to be a living fossil: his appearance almost haven’t changed since the age of his predecessors, which have lived among the dinosaurs, more than 150 million years ago. This fish has unique characteristics: it has swimming bladder connected to the esophagus which takes the lung function, garfish gets to the surface to grab some air. Apart from that it has a long mouth, which reminds an alligator’s one and fitted with a few rows of sharp teeth. Garfish has a long body coated with “plate” made from shiny rhombic scales. Locals are often sailing the dried salty meat of this fish. Freshly cooked garfish taste reminds shrimps. Garfish caviar is poisonous, this fact is considered to be a reason for which the garfish have survived until now without almost no changes, because the other fishes wouldn’t eat his caviar. You can often see groups of this fish swimming so slow, so you can barely see any movement at all. After hearing any noise they will swim away.
Garfish characteristics:
Family: Lepisosteidae
Order: Lepisosteiformes
Class: Actinopterygii
Phylum: Chordata
Size and weight: 150 cm long, weight up to 120 kg,
Environment: rivers, backwaters, fresh lakes
Geographical distribution: Garfish is present in the North and Central America, also at the Caribbean Islands. They prefer small warm bays, lakes and rivers with the high amount of vegetation. Garfish could be met in Caño Negro Nature Reserve of Costa Rica, located in the northern part of the country. This reserve serves as the home to lots of birds and alligators. Caño Negro takes the area of almost 10 000 ha, which includes navigable rivers swamps and forests, inhabitant by the 350 species of birds, 78 species of mammals and more than 300 species of fish.
Garfish is currently close to extinction, that’s why they have a closed season for the garfish fishing during the spawning, from March to August.
Caño Negro population is having an annual festival after that fish at the end of October, where they are promoting the reasonable usage of the reserve’s resources.
Day 1 – San Jose, Costa Rica
Meeting with the Bilingual-speaking guide at the airport, transfer and accommodation (Superior Package: Barceló San José Palacio or Presidente ; Economy Package: Palma Real). (no meals).
Day 2 – Caño Negro
Early in the morning you will have an individual transfer to the northern Costa Rica, Caño Negro settlement, which is placed close to the Nicaragua border. Upon the arrival you will have a half day to rest or your can choose a 4-hour half day fishing tour, with the max of 2 people in the boat. Fish species: tarpon, snook, garlfish, rainbow bass. Accommodation at the hotel (Superior Package: Сaño Negro Natural Lodge; Economy Package: Wetlands Lodge). (Meals breakfast at the Сaño Negro Natural Lodge and half-board at Wetlands Lodge).
Day 3/4 – Caño Negro
Half or a full day of fishing. Accommodation at the hotel. (Meals breakfast at the Сaño Negro Natural Lodge and half-board at Wetlands Lodge).
Day 4/5 – Return to San Jose or transfer to the next hotel
Today after breakfast you will be heading back to San Jose or to your next hotel according to the tour (transfer is not included in the tour) (Breakfast).