Lake Guri report -

[Legend]

Water at last!


Greetings Anglers,

Having just suffered one of the worst droughts in Venezuelan history, it was sure nice to get the camp opened again. For me it was even nicer just to get away from the snarling hordes living in my house. I love my family, but I can't seem to live with them on a full time basis without both sides suffering severe stress related problems.
With the rivers feeding massive Lake Guri having risen almost thirty feet in the past few weeks, I recently declared that it was time to stretch some strings, and boy did we do that this past weekend. The payara have massed together in the turbulent currents right in front of the camp, where they are gorging themselves on an abundant supply of bait fish being swept to them by the strong current. Bane jarring strikes and line ripping fights were the order of the day. David Brown's 20 lb payara won big fish honors this trip, but even bigger payara were hooked, fought, and lost. Remember, a 20% success rate of strikes to fish landed is a good one when talking about the bony mouthed payara.
Joining David in the opening day activities were Vito Zarrillo and his young son, Giovanni, and Carlos Simon and his young daughter, Nicole. This was the first time either Giovanni or Nicole had ever been fishing, and I sincerely hope we gave them some lasting memories. The first afternoon session, Giovanni hooked his first fish ever, and it was his bad luck the fish was a monster size payara (20+ lbs). He fought the fish for quite some time through many line ripping runs and high flying jumps before the jumbo size silver rocket managed to throw the hook out of its mouth. He had brought the fish within a couple of meters of the boat twice, and everyone got an eye full of this beautiful fish. I'm sure Giovanni has a mental image of that fish permanently stored in his memory. I'm not sure who was more excited over this fish, Giovanni, or his proud father, Vito.
Pretty little Miss Nicole Simon was not to be outdone, as she also hooked, fought, and unfortunately, lost big payara. Friends, this little girl is cute as can be, but with a rod and reel in her little hands, she could never be called dainty. She and Giovanni both cast like veterans with variety of artificial lures, except when they both felt it their duty to chase the live shiners around in the boat's livewell.
Now proud papas Vito and Carlos didn't get to enjoy doing much fishing themselves, as they enacted the ritual that has been taking place for centuries, which is a father teaching his child the art of fishing. The love of both these men for their child was apparent in the patience displayed when hooks caught baseball caps or someone's arm, and for this they deserve a big round of applause (Pause here for a golf clap). Doesn't that make those of you out there with young children that have never been given the chance to enjoy the thrill of catching their first fish feel a bit guilty. It should.
David Brown is a friend of mine that I am more than sure has contracted the help of a witch woman to assist him while fishing. I readily admit to no longer fishing so hard the water is stirred to a froth around the boat, but even fishing at a reduced speed I can usually hold my own with most fishing partners. When fishing with David, I seem to be reduced to rookie status, because he beats me like a drum each and every trip. Since I know this could never happen without him cheating, I refer again to the witch woman theory. Although I haven't caught him in the act of whacking the heads off of chickens while dancing around in a trance like state, I did see him accidentally drop his bag of turtle bones oin the deck the other day while digging in his tacklebox for a new lure.
Due to the sudden drop in the water level just prior to this fishing trip, the peacock bass weren't cooperating much. They did show up enough for young Giovanni to catch his first fish on topwater, which allowed him to see the awesome striking force of the fish. The conditions have now improved, and I fully expect the peacock bass to start feeding heavily in the shallow flats off the channels very soon.
Folks, we are open for business. There are open dates throughout the summer, so just grab the nearest kid of yours, wave goodbye to mama, and come enjoy something that will make you feel good about yourself.

Everyone have a GREAT week!!!!

Regards,
Steve Shoulders
Headwaters Fishing Club