February 2017 – Costa Rica Fishing Report
Crocodile Bay Resort Costa Rica Fishing Report – February 3rd, 2017 – By Fishing Director Todd Staley – True to form after the color change on the trees on the mainland side of the Golf Dulce, the sails appeared in big numbers. Days are offering multiple shots to anglers and have had as many as 19 in the spread in a day. Roosters are staying true to form with a steady bite and dinner size snapper keep the chef busy. The “a picture says a thousand words” is really appropriate as we feature the stunning photos of Pat Ford. Over the years Pat has had more cover-shots than probably any other fishing photographer. He was down with the legendary Stu Apte who at 87 years old is still cranking in multiple sails a day on a fly rod.
Crocodile Bay is proud that Stu Apte and Pat Ford chose our resort to field test Stu’s new line of Signature Fly Fishing Rods – “The Stu Apte Signature Collection”. He was also kind enough to leave us a signed copy of his new book “My Life in Fishing” for information on getting your hands on both the fly rod and the book visit www.stuapte.com. As we mentioned, we were equally honored and excited to learn legendary fishing and wildlife photographer Pat Ford was accompanying Stu to take photos during their stay. For more about Pat Ford visit www.patfordphotos.com
We hope you enjoy the following fishing video featuring Stu Apte and Pat Ford accompanied by Crocodile Bay Resort crew Captain German Bustos and First Mate Anthony Santos.
This February we also had a couple youngsters release their first sailfish which is always exciting. Jay Neely was just down last week with his son 13 year-old John Neely who released his first sailfish. We also had an 8 year old release his first sailfish the week before. Long time guest and good friend Mike Pizzi joined us with his wife Ann and their two kids Finn and Eloise. He has been adamant about getting them involved in the sport of angling at a young age and it has paid off. You may be looking at two future IGFA Hall of Fame members here – This is what it is all about (see photo below).
Crocodile Bay Captain Will Kitsos fished with long time friend Brad Tylman, one of the world’s foremost experts in exotic reptiles from “Brad’s World of Reptiles” – if you haven’t heard of him, check out his website here www.bradsworldreptiles.com. One of the highlights from Brad’s trip down was this hefty Roosterfish.
Todd Staley
Fishing Director,
Crocodile Bay Resort
Puerto Jimenez, Osa Peninsula
Costa Rica
Fishing Legends Descend on Crocodile Bay Resort
Stue Apte has been “aptly” referred to as a fishing legend since the 1964 when he landed the first (recorded) sailfish on a fly weighing in at 134lbs on a 12 tippet pound tippet. But even off the water his life has been the stuff of legends as he was a fighter pilot in the Navy during the Korean conflict. He then spent the next 34 years flying for Pan Am, while pursuing his “Reel Passion of Fishing”. He began fly fishing in the mid 1940s and began guiding anglers in the mid 1950s, in the Florida Keys. Through the years, Stu has held more than 44 saltwater light tackle and fly rod World Records, including the two longest standing saltwater fly rod records. A 58 pound dolphin caught in 1964 and a 136 pound Pacific Sailfish caught in 1965, both on 12 pound tippet. The Stu Apte Tarpon Fly and Stu Apte Improved Blood Knot are standard items. The Stu Apte Tarpon Fly has also had the distinction of being featured on a United States postage stamp in 1991. In 1969 Stu was inducted into the Fishing Hall of Fame. In 2003 Stu was the recipient of the prestigious Ted Williams Award and in 2004 for the fifth-year in a row, was the Pro Celebrity Grand Champion of the Backbone Tournament. Stu had the distinction of joining Ted Williams, Curt Gowdy, Ernest Hemingway, Izaak Walton and Zane Grey to name just a few, when he was inducted into the International Game Fish Association Hall of Fame December 11th, 2005.
I was lucky enough to sit with Stu and Pat during their last day at breakfast, talk about their adventures, and get a few of Pat’s amazing photos. Thank you to you both, we hope to see you again soon at Crocodile Bay Resort.
About Pat Ford – www.patfordphotos.com
Pat Ford was born and raised in northern New Jersey, fishing in most every body of water that was available to him. He entered the University of Notre Dame in 1961 where as a communications arts major, he added sports photography to his passions. After graduating in 1965, he entered Columbia Law School in New York City. After being admitted to the New York Bar in 1968, he joined the Navy JAG Corps and was stationed in Pensacola where he began writing for Salt Water Sportsman magazine and several others. When he was transferred from Pensacola to Key West, it became very clear that he was going to spend the rest of his life in Florida. After discharge from the Navy in December, 1972 he moved to Miami and began his law practice, specializing in civil litigation. He has been Board Certified in Civil Trial Law since 1983., but for over 35 years now, Pat has continued to fish, take photos and write about his experiences on the water. He has traveled extensively and has held over a dozen IGFA Fly Rod World Records ranging from a 196lb tiger shark caught in Florida Bay to a 14.5 lb tigerfish caught in Zambia, Africa. His first book on his fishing travels was published by STACKPOLE BOOKS in summer 2006. His articles and photos appear regularly in Fly Fishing in Salt Waters, Fly Tyer, Fly Rod & Reel, Sportfishing, Marlin, Florida Sportsman, Destination Fish, Florida Sportfishing, and most every other magazine that covers fishing in either fresh or salt water. Pat presently has an exhibit of his photos on display at the IGFA in Dania Beach, Fl.
Photos by Pat Ford for more visit www.patfordphotos.com
