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We are indebted to subscriber Mac Beatty for word of a lodge in eastern Costa Rica that was completely new to us. It’s called Costa Rica’s Jungle Tarpon Lodge, and it is owned by Laurance John, who also owns a major fishing operation on the Kenai Peninsula of Alaska. Beatty begins his report on this lodge by joining the others who question our report of pesticide pollution in the Parismina River. He writes, in part:
"I have just returned from an extended trip to Costa Rica that involved fishing both coasts. On the east coast, I spent five days near the town of Parismina at a place called Costa Rica’s Jungle Tarpon Lodge. I went there immediately after reading your article on Rio Parismina and find many of your facts incorrect. Yes, there has been pollution from the banana plantations and, yes, the number of tarpon in the Parismina River is down. But the nearby Rio California and other extensive tributaries in Tortuguera National Park are plugged with tarpon of all sizes gorging on the abundant bait.
"As for the new lodge, it holds four to six fishermen in plain, comfortable accommodations. They use 24 or 28-foot boats with 125-horsepower motors, and we went across the bar comfortably every one of the five days I was there. Fish were feeding by the thousands about one to three miles offshore. We jumped as many as 10 fish per boat during the mornings we fished outside and had one triple hook-up. In the afternoons we used four to six weight fly rods with poppers to go for the abundant mohara and machaca found in the lagoons and rivers interlacing the entire area.
"This part of Costa Rica is untouched jungle, quiet and serene with monkeys, sloths and parrots present. Costa Rica’s Jungle Tarpon Lodge is perfect, in my estimation, for groups of four to six who want to come together and arrange their days in various ways. The accommodations are comfortable, with good baths and comfortable beds. The meals are drawn from Costa Rican recipes with lots of fresh fruit and vegetables. Beer and soft drinks are always available. I recommend the entire Costa Rica experience, particularly my stay at Costa Rica’s Jungle Tarpon Lodge. Best regards, Mac Beatty."
(Editor Note: Four-day, six-night trips to Jungle Tarpon Lodge cost $1,395. Six-day, six-night trips are $1,895. You can get more details by calling them.)