Paradise lost can be found in Nicaragua

RIO MAIZ NATIONAL PARK, Nicaragua -- Because I travel quite extensively throughout the year, both here in the states and out of the country, I am committed to not entering a country or region that fosters unrest and strife. Nicaragua does not fall into that category.

So when friend Paul Melchior of Angling Escapes suggested I try my hand at back-country and in-shore tarpon fishing at the Rio Indio Lodge, I jumped at the opportunity.

In fact,the trip into the Nicaraguan jungle was so exciting and fruitful that I am definitely returning next April.

Many of you know I have a love affair with Costa Rica and its marvelous tarpon fishing. But as with many things in my life I needed a new adventure, and I found it at Rio Indio.

Dr. Alfredo Lopez, a Costa Rican physician, saw an opportunity in Nicaragua and found some investors willing to help in this multi-million dollar venture.

“I didn't just want an excellent fishing lodge, so I'm also focusing on eco-tourism and adventure trips as well,” he explained.

I can only attest to the fishing, and it was outstanding. Paul and I invited Palatine angler Ken Kortas and his friend Frank Carter Jr. on this foray. Kortas has been with me on numerous Costa Rican adventures, but this was Carter's first trip into the Central American jungles.

A little about the actual lodge itself:

Dr. Lopez prides himself in presenting a lodge facility that is unparalleled in the region. And because Lopez is a stickler for details, he succeeded in making his bush-jungle operation a true treasure.

Even though the jungle encapsulates the entire lodge grounds, Lopez made sure each room could stand up to any five-star hotel in the States. And because I have experienced hundreds of different lodges and camps, this operation ranks at the very top of my scale. And the food served was something akin to a fine dining experience in Chicago.

Now, allow me to discuss the fishing. Because I have tangled with hundreds of giant tarpon in the past, I was more focused on the deep-jungle angling. This is where the jumbo guapote (rainbow bass) live, as well as snook and muchaca, which resembles a lake trout only with very sharp teeth. The guapote looks a bit like Brazil's Peacock Bass and shares the latter's fighting abilities.

Melchior and I fished together, using fly and casting rods. The guapote and snook hit white and chartreuse spinner baits tossed to deeper river pockets, and sometimes we got strikes on topwater lures.

While I love tarpon fishing, this back-country stuff was amazing as the river fish struck lures with an unreal ferociousness I hadn't experienced before. It was like smallmouth fishing on a grand scale.

And the beauty of the Nicaraguan jungle is breathtaking. At one point Paul and I counted more than a dozen giant blue morpho butterflies skirting above our heads. Their translucent wings glimmered in the sunlight. We were captivated by the aerial display, which was very much like a scene from movie “Avatar”.

Because Frank had never caught a tarpon, he and Ken went out in the mornings and slowly drifted close to shore. Frank learned how to win the battle of man versus the silver king and did very well, landing quite a few big fish.

All the guides at the lodge speak English and are eager to make sure guests catch big fish. I noticed that our Rama Indian guide was quick to point out some of his people's cultural aspects as well as the history of the region.

For more information, visit rioindiolodge.com or anglingescapes.com.

I'd like to share this kind of adventure with you, and if you're interested in joining me next April, contact me and let's talk.

Ÿ Contact Mike Jackson at angler88@att.net, and catch his radio show 6-7 a.m. Sundays on WSBC 1240-AM.