Capt. Ron Hamlin report

[Legend]

27 Jan 09 - Capt. Ronnie Hamlin - Casa Vieja Lodge - Guatemala Report

First Week Back!

First I want to say it's good to be back on the water. This has been my first 7 days of fishing since moving over to Casa Vieja Lodge. Boy was I out of shape not having fished in 6 months.

Jim Turner owner of Casa Vieja broke me in on the first day running the "Finest Kind" a 40 Whiticar. Kind of a thrill growing up just a ways down the road from Whiticars Boat Works. Also knowing Jack Whiticar the King of Stuart, and his lovely wife Alice who many of you know as the Lady who ran the Stuart Sailfish Tournment.

Back to day one we were fly fishing and I had my problems finding neutral a couple of times. But we did good for all my nervesness raising 26 getting 8 bites and releasing 4. You know how it is first day new boat and fishing the new boss - tough day.

16-18 Jan: we had a group of Jake Jordans' friends from No. C. The first and last day I had 4 ladys all single, we had a great time raising 62 and releasing 36. The middle day we had a husband and wife team we saw 28 that day caught 2 out of 3 on fly and 10 for 15 on the one bait we had out.

My last 3 days the 24-26th. Bill Fintel brought down 3 of his friends that are professional bird watchers, they saw all kinds of birds and told me what kind they were I might add I didn't know much about birds. We also had some great fishing raising 50 Sails 2 Blacks and 1 Blue. We released 30 sails 2 blacks but missed the slam when the Blue bit thru the leader, the first day and never had a shot at the blue the last day although there were about 6 blues caught that day. I did wind up with a stiff neck as when they yelled I had to look in all directions as well as up.

Folks I hope my change to Casa Vieja didn't confuse or mess up your plans on fishing with me, if it did I apoligize. Contact Herb Rosell at South Fishing - I still have time open the rest of the season.

Capt. Ron Hamlin
Casa Vieja Lodge
Pto. San Jose, Guatemala

[Capt. Fred]

What a pretty boat. Great pics. Thanks.

[offshore]

I really like reading your reports!! Glad to here that the bite is well in Guatemala. Keep catchin them................. Mark

[MTLOGGER]

Originally Posted by Legend

Folks I hope my change to Casa Vieja didn't confuse or mess up your plans on fishing with me, if it did I apoligize. Contact Herb Rosell at South Fishing - I still have time open the rest of the season.

Capt. Ron Hamlin

Well, it farked up our trip and now we can't get our deposits back from Fins!

[reefhunter]

Originally Posted by MTLOGGER

Well, it farked up our trip and now we can't get our deposits back from Fins!

I noticed they are advertising specials but emails to them are un-answered. I wonder how long they're going to be in business?

[Blue Magic]

Originally Posted by reefhunter

I noticed they are advertising specials but emails to them are un-answered. I wonder how long they're going to be in business?

What does Fins stand for. Are you talking about Finest Kind in Stuart FL?

[reefhunter]

Originally Posted by Blue Magic

What does Fins stand for. Are you talking about Finest Kind in Stuart FL?

Fins = the classic rip-off - run a great lodge into the ground = Pacific Fins Resort.

Finest Kind = the boat from Stuart is in Guatemala, still called the same, registered to owner - Casa Vieja Lodge.

[Legend]

Regarding Fins - the phones are turned off in Florida. The Vonnage line to the resort is off also. We have filed complaints on behalf of our clients. Anyone who hasn't received their refunds needs to go file a complaint with the Florida state ag's office and with the bureau of consumer affairs. The latter two are on the web.

[Legend]

"When I finished my last fishing report for the end of March, I stated I expected the fishing to go off big time! I love it when the anglers make me look good

01 April: Fishing bait, we raised 65, had 61 bites and released 44 and I wasn’t the high boat!!

02 thru 05 April Dr. Sherman party: We were fly fishing and the balls of bait were everywhere. That makes a great day for the boats fishing bait, but it makes the fly fishing very finicky. I tried to stay out of the bait to find more aggressive fish. We still raised 104, had 37 bites from sails and 2 from blues – we released 11 sails and broke off 1 blue on flies. Pulled the hook on the other blue. Then had two sails on bait just to show the anglers the difference between bait and flies.

The boats on the bait all had excellent days catching 15-30 per boat. If you can get away after Easter, come on down – there’s still great times ahead. You can book me thru South Fishing.

Have a Happy Easter and I hope to see you after the holidays.

Good fishing,

Ron Hamlin"
Aboard the Finest Kind