Greetings from Guatemala…Yes, the fishing is off the hook here!!! 30 to 70 raises a day for sometime now on the Casa Vieja boats and a bunch of Blue Marlin thrown in the mix as well. I just got back from the Miami Boat Show and entertained the Kennedy group from Calgary, Canada aboard the Rum Line for a few days of fly-fishing. We raised 124 sails and got 61 of them to bite the chicken feathers. Here’s some highlights of the releases you definitely want to check out. If you’re not on your way down here, you need to be!!! See you soon!…and much more to come Chris Sheeder

Greetings from Guatemala, just to keep you up to date, the fishing has been good to say the least. Some big numbers have been posted as far as 40 miles and as close as 3 miles with some Blue Marlin in the mix as well. The Samanka group fished the Rum Line the end of Jan. and in 3 days raised and incredible 112 sailfish and catching almost 50. Ross Darling brought his father and son down the beginning of Feb. and saw 60 sails and caught 26 using fly and spin tackle. Chris Martin had his brother and son aboard and raised over 100 fish, including 3 Blue Marlin and they caught 23 sails on fly and 1 Blue on 30lb. Kirk Weisman, daughter Kara, and Chris Malkin fly-fished for three days and raised 57 sails, catching 23 of them, however the last fish of the trip was the most impressive. Chris caught a 70lb+ sail on 2lb tippet! The only thing harder would be to levitate one on to the boat. The Batesko group just finished today raising 68 sails and catching 32 of them. A steady stream of fish seem to keep moving in from the west as the current keeps pushing them in. Some eddy’s s in the shallower waters are pushing up bait and giving everyone a look at small bait ball’s feeding on the surface. Breeding packs have also jumped up behind the boat in the spread, where a quad of 70lb males are joined by an enormous 110-150lb. female! All and all, fishing is very good and very steady.

I’ll see you soon,
Capt. Chris Sheeder
Rum Line

* 1-2: The Brad Decker party fishing on the Captain Hook reported the boat raised 27 sails, had 22 bites and released 19 sails and 1 blue marlin – est 400lbs.

* 31 Jan-02 Feb: The Darling family on the Rum Line raised 70 sails, had 50 bites and released 32 sails

* 1-2-3 Feb: The Furfine party on the Makaira raised 25 sails, had 23 bites and released 22 sails with one more day to fish. Final day added 8 more released from 13 bites, for a total of 30 released sails

This is an excellent beginning for February

This is excellent with numbers of sails and marlin, that we haven’t seen in a few years:

* 02-thru-04: The Weisman-Smithson party from Florida fished on the Intensity raising 23, had 11 bites and released 6 on fly.

* The following day Mr. Weisman and his daughter raised 62 sails, had 33 bites and released 24 on flies!

* 3-4-5 – had the Release and Spindrift with a private group, the combined boats raised 255 fish, with 223 bites and 114 sails were released.

* 05 thru 09: The Al Jacobs party is aboard the Makaira for 5 days with Jason. First day was spectacular – the boat raising 54 sails and one blue, having 46 bites, with 22 released sails and one blue marlin – est 350 lbs., Next two days they released 40 from 70 bites!

* 6-thru 9: Rahlves party from Montana and Arizona fly fishing aboard the Captain Hook on their first day (06), raised 24, had 8 bites and 3 released sails. Jay Pohley got his first fly caught sail! Next day Jay caught 4 more sails and 1 blue marlin – 350#

* 6 thru 8: IWFA auction winner Diane Locke and PCCA chairwoman Joan Vernon fishing aboard the Release – 2 day total of 29 released from 52 bites. One more day to go

* 6 thru 8: The Frymire brothers on Intensity released 7 sails from 36 bites with one more day to go

* 6 thru 8: Malkin and Weisman fishing on the Rum Line released 19 sails from 29 bites on flies with one more day to go

2011 ended and 2012 began with some fantastic fishing action from both sailfish and blue marlin. The year ended with boats raising up to 7 blues a day, and the year began with boats raising up to 40 sails a day! The McGee / Hughes group tried their luck fishing aboard the Rum Line the last few days of December and raised 25 sails, 6 blue marlin and keep the grill supplied with fresh dorado burgers everyday. The two couples released 13 sails and 2 of the blues. The first days blue was about 250lbs, and day two’s blue was over 400lbs…very nice!

The Palmieri brothers fly-fished the first few days of January and saw some awesome action as well. The duo raised 84 sails, more than half of which came blazing in to accept a fly, and we released 22. The blue marlin decided to tease us, with 4 of them showing up, but wouldn’t be caught. Chris Palmieri decided to jump in and swim this his last fish to put a cap on a great trip. Check Chris and John out, holding up a nice one!

Tight Lines,
Capt. Chris Sheeder

* Samanka party from Pennsylvania is aboard the Rum Line on their annual trip with Capt. Chris Sheeder. The boat raised 113, had 80 bites and released 48 sails!

* Roberts party is aboard the Makaira with Capt. Jason Brice. The boat raised 88 sails, had 68 bites and 34 released on bait and 3 on flies.

* The Reissig party is aboard the Spindrift with Capt. Nicho Alvarenga. The boat raised 92 sails, had 35 bites and released 12 on bait and 6 on flies.

A great month and start of the new year, with plenty of hungry, mating sailfish. Won’t you join the action?

Everyone had a great time at this year’s event!!! The Marimba Band kicked off the festivities on Monday night right after the rules meeting. Chef Juan prepared an incredible five course dinner followed by his world renowned mouth watering desserts. “There’s is nothing like Casa Vieja’s Guatemalan Hospitality” said Capt. Stu Apte, “truly a first class facility.”

Day 1: We had the Captain Hook with the M*A*S*H team of anglers Dr. Jay Howington and Dr. Gage Ochsner in first place with 4 releases. The Makaira with Jeff Harkavy and Capt. Stu Apte came in second with 3 releases and both the Rum Line with anglers Dr. Mick Kollassa and Bill Little and the Spindrift with anglers Dr. Stephen Christensen and Dr. Michael Kish tied for third with 1 release. Our very own, Capt. Stu Apte released the first sailfish at 9:24am, way to go Stu!!!

Day 2: Darin & Dino Colucci aboard the Intensity started the day by breaking one of their new sage 13wt fly rods, but that did not deter them for coming in first place with 4 releases. The Rum Line came in second with 3 releases followed by the Captain Hook with 1 release.

Day 3: It was Intensity time!!! Darin and Dino did it again!!! Broke another Sage 13wt and came in first place with 3 releases – I hope this isn’t a new fishing ritual, ouch that’s a little to expensive for me!!! The Rum Line followed with 2 releases. This gave the Intensity the boost it needed to finish in first place overall with 7 releases. Darin also came in with top angler honors with 6 releases and caught the last fish of the tournament. Rum Line came in second with 6 releases followed very closely by the Captain Hook for third place with 5 releases.

Looking over all the Captains logs at the end of the tournament we noticed that the vast majority of the gameboats had raised well into the double digits every fishing day. The fish were just “in love” pairing up for their mating ritual, swimming along each other prolonging the normal tug of war we are accustomed to in Guatemala. Sailfish are opportunistic breeders and when the time is right they’re good to go!!! And they were in full swing our tournament week.

We thank Stu and Jeannine for their continued support as we do our great sponsors:
Galvan Fly Reels, Temple Fork Fly Rods, King Sailfish Mounts, Simms, Costa Del Mar, Fins Premium Superlines, Boga Grip, Mason, Ocean Potion and Casa Vieja Lodge.

Now before the IGFA, RFA, CCA, BFA or, for that matter, the NRA, says a word, let me tell you it is the most dangerous, challenging, reckless and yet most exhilarating way to catch a billfish.

It’s also effective. While using bait-and-switch techniques and a yo-yo at Casa Vieja Lodge in Guatemala with Capt. Chris Sheeder and Juan Cruz Anon, I went five-for-five on sailfish. Juan went four-for-four on ballyhoo and caught one on the fly.

Yet, it is an absolutely terrifying experience, and I do not recommend it for everyone. If you’re not fast with your hands and don’t have nerves of steel (or you’re not an expert wireman), you’re going to get hurt or killed. It’s that simple.

Here’s how it’s done.

When you raise a billfish in a bait-and-switch position behind the boat, cast the ballyhoo with your right hand and let the line run off the yo-yo, which is held in your left hand. Using your left thumb as a brake, your right hand extends out, holding the line in your first four fingers. You must wear a leather glove; normal cotton gloves won’t do.

When a fish strikes, drop your right hand toward the fish and let go; your left hand is then thrust forward, and as you drop back, huge coils of line fall off the yo-yo. After the drop-back, reach out with your right hand, grab the line, hang on and strike as the boat moves ahead.

The billfish will go absolutely berserk and must be transferred over to the yo-yo, while your right hand constantly regrabs the line, acting as a rod tip. The friction caused by a run requires pouring water immediately on the yo-yo; if the yo-yo is not held at exactly the correct angle, the 30- or 50-pound mono can wrap around your hand or wrist, resulting in extreme injury or amputation.

When a billfish jumps, bow to him and loosen the yo-yo thumb pressure; when he runs at you or the line goes slack, you have to place one wrap after another precisely on the yo‑yo.

Incredible knowledge and boat-handling skills are a must from the captain, who needs to give you enough pressure to stay tight. You can retrieve line only as fast as you can wrap it. One missed wrap and it’s around your wrist, meaning you’ll have to either unwrap it or triple‑wrap and break the line.

The yo-yo also requires a cut-out man, whose only job is to stand behind you with a knife. Fishing without him is unacceptable, and you can only imagine my problems in a wheelchair.

Does the use of a yo-yo have a place in our sport? It already does. People cast them off the beaches of Australia; they’re used for commercial tuna fishing; and they are common in many places in the world for sustenance fishing.

Done properly and safely, catching a billfish on yo-yo is 10 times as hard as anything I’ve ever done. It’s also 20 times as dangerous, and 100 times as exhilarating!

By the way, I might be the first cancer survivor, T‑4 Asia A complete paraplegic in a wheelchair to have ever caught a billfish on a yo-yo. But does it matter? With a yo-yo, you feel every twitch the billfish makes. It is the most sensitive, hands-on experience you’ll ever experience.

My name is Tred Barta, and I am chairman of the board of the IBYYA, looking for new members. Our official headquarters is the newly launched tredbarta.com. Just don’t try this at home.

Till next tide,
Capt. Tred Barta

The McGee / Hughes group tried their luck fishing aboard the Rum Line the last few days of December and raised 25 sails, 6 blue marlin and keep the grill supplied with fresh dorado burgers everyday. The two couples released 13 sails and 2 of the blues. The first days blue was about 250lbs, and day two’s blue was over 400lbs…very nice!

The Palmieri brothers fly-fished the first few days of January and saw some awesome action as well. The duo raised 84 sails, more than half of which came blazing in to accept a fly, and we released 22. The blue marlin decided to tease us, with 4 of them showing up, but wouldn’t be caught. Chris Palmieri decided to jump in and swim this his last fish to put a cap on a great trip.

Capt. Chris Sheeder

Jake Jordan Invitational Sailfish Fly Challenge
January 9, 2012 was the practice day for the Jake Jordan Invitational Sailfish Challenge, five boats fished the practice day and the results are:

Rum Line, Captain Chris Sheeder, Angler Don Butler 1 sailfish Release, Angler Brian Horsley 2 Sailfish Released. Total 3 on fly.

Release, Captain Chico Alvarenga, Angler Nassim Jaquim, 1 sailfish Release, Angler Nat Harris 2 sailfish Released and one (250 pound) Blue Marlin on fly.

Captain Hook, Captain David Salazar, Angler Dave Wands, 3
Reliable, Captain Chip Shafer, Angler Nick Smith, 1 Blue Marlin 500 points
Angler Mike Smith, 0 Points, (Team Points 500), First Place

Rum Line, Captain Chris Sheeder, Angler Don Butler 1 sailfish Release, 100 points
Angler Brian Horsley 2 Sailfish Released, 250 points, (Team Points, 350), Second Place

Makaira, Captain Jason Brice, Angler Jack Callion, 1 Sailfish Release, 150 points
Angler Paul McGarvie, 1 Sailfish Released, 150 points, (300 Team Points), Third Place

Release, Captain Chico Alvarenga, Angler Nassim Joaquin, 0 points,
Angler Nat Harris 1 Sailfish Released, 150 points, (Team Points 150)

Intensity, Captain Mike Sheeder, Angler Lucien LaFond, 1 Sailfish released, 150 points. Angler Tony Weaver, 0 points, (150 Team Points.)

Spindrift, Captain Nicho Alvarenga, Angler Clayt Pollick, 1 sailfish released, 150 Points Angler Greg Kluh, 0 Points, (150 Team Points)

Captain Hook, Captain David Salazar, Angler Dave Wands, 0 points,
Angler Roger Harper 0 points. (0 Team Points)

Sunny and calm sea conditions, Nick Smith’s Blue Marlin was estimated to weigh close to 300 pounds. Fishing is slow for Guatemala, hopefully the action will pick up during the next two days. 81 percent of the fish that bit the fly on the first day were caught and released, the fly was recovered from 80 percent of the fish caught on the first day of this tournament. Stay tuned for further reports daily from Casa Vieja Lodge.

Day two produced 24 Sailfish caught and released on fly aboard all 7 teams, with the vessel Intensity, Captain Mike Sheeder and anglers Tony Weaver and Lucien LaFond finishing in first place with 8 sailfish on fly today increasing their score to (1200 total Points).

Makaira, with Captain Jason Brice with anglers Jack Callion and Paul McGarvie, caught 3 today to increase their score to 700 total points and second place,

Holding third place (on time) is Spindrift with Captain Nicho Alvarenga with anglers Clayt Pollock and Greg Kluh scoring a total of 600 points.

January 12 was the final day of fishing in my Sailfish Fly Tournament at the fabulous Casa Vieja Lodge in Guatemala. Fishing was relatively slow by Guatemalan standards, we had 7 boats (2 anglers per boats entered in the event. After of 3 days of fly fishing for sailfish our 7 teams caught and released 46 sailfish along with a Blue Marlin of 300 pounds, on fly.

The vessel Intensity, with Captain Mike Sheeder, and anglers Lucien LaFond from Normandy France, and Tony Weaver from Anchorage Alaska, won the tournament with 1,300 points, Lucien LaFond won a Mako 9600 fly reel along with a Jake Jordan edition TFO Blue Water HD Marlin Fly Rod as Top point angler.

Second Place Team went to Makaira, with Captain Jason Brice and anglers Jack Callion from Marathon and Paul McGarvie from PA with 1000 points, Paul also won a Mako 9550 fly reel and a TFO Blue Water HD fly rod.

Third place went to Release with Captain Chico Alvarenga, anglers Nat Harris from North Carolina and his partner Nassim Joaguin from Mexico with 950 points. I have to catch a plane, more later.

Following the full moon – the anglers on Casa Vieja fleet boats are blowing the doors off:

• Cates party (14 & 15) – Brian & Teresa with sons Phillip & Michael aboard the Release with Capt. Chico Alvarenga and special guests Norm Isaacs and film crew raised 85 sails, had 70 bites and releasing 35!
• Derner party (13-14-15) – Justin, Brad, Steven, William and Nick aboard the Captain Hook raised 50 sails, had 43 bites and released 26! They had one blue bite, but no joy.
• Daniels party (14 & 15) – Matt & William aboard the Makaira raised 69, had 51 bites and released 29 and a 250lb blue marlin!
• The Brownlee party (14-15-16) – John, Helen & Alex aboard the Spindrift raised 72, had 58 bites and release 40! They also pursued roosters, snappers and bottom species.
• Jarvis party (13 -17) – Tom & Tina with the Pintozzi boys aboard the Intensity who are still fishing now, have so far raised 102, with 88 bites and 51 released, with two more days to go!

The Bite is ON!!! – RED HOT fishing reports are pouring in from the Casa Vieja fleet. “Everyone’s been averaging over 25 releases per day” says our head skipper Capt. Chris Sheeder aboard the Rum Line. The bite is on FIRE folks!!!

Following the full moon – the anglers on Casa Vieja fleet boats are blowing the doors off:

• Cates party (14 & 15) – Brian & Teresa with sons Phillip & Michael aboard the Release with Capt. Chico Alvarenga and special guests Norm Isaacs and film crew raised 85 sails, had 70 bites and releasing 35! World renowned skipper, angler and TV personality Capt. Norm Isaacs raised 63 sails on the 14th of January. “ That’s as good as it gets” said Capt. Isaacs.
• Derner party (13-14-15) – Justin, Brad, Steven, William and Nick aboard the Captain Hook raised 50 sails, had 43 bites and released 26! They had one blue bite, but no joy.
• Daniels party (14 & 15) – Matt & William aboard the Makaira raised 69, had 51 bites and released 29 and a 250lb blue marlin!
• The Brownlee party (14-15-16) – John Brownlee, editor and chief of Saltwater Sportsman Magazine, and his lovely bride Poppy raised 41 sails with Capt. Nicho Alvarenga aboard the Spindrift. Spindrift raised 72, had 58 bites and release 40! They also pursued roosters, snappers and bottom species.
• Jarvis party (13 -17) – Tom & Tina with the Pintozzi boys aboard the Intensity who are still fishing now, have so far raised 102, with 88 bites and 51 released, with two more days to go!

Prime dates still available from January to May. Visit us on the web www.casaviejalodge.com or call us 800.882.4665

Greetings from Casa Vieja Lodge:

Yesterday January, January 9, 2012 was the practice day for the Jake Jordan Invitational Sailfish Challenge, five boats fished the practice day and the results are:

Rum Line, Captain Chris Sheeder, Angler Don Butler 1 sailfish Release, Angler Brian Horsley 2 Sailfish Released. Total 3 on fly.

Release, Captain Chico Alvarenga, Angler Nassim Jaquim, 1 sailfish Release, Angler Nat Harris 2 sailfish Released and one (250 pound) Blue Marlin on fly.

Captain Hook, Captain David Salazar, Angler Dave Wands, 3 sailfish released, Angler Roger Harper 1 sailfish released.

Intensity, Captain Mike Sheeder, Angler Lucien LaFond no fish, Angler Tony Weaver, No Fish.

Spindrift, Captain Nicho Alvarenga, Angler Clayt Pollick, 2 sailfish released, Angler Greg Kluh, 2 sailfish Released.

If you were wondering were to catch a Pacific Sailfish, you may want to remember to add Guatemala to your list. 30 Boats fished all four days of this Tournament to release 1,169 Sailfish. That is a 39 fish average per boat!

This was a very tight Tournament with only one fish separating 1st (Canazo) and 2nd Place (Spindrift) in the boat division and there was a tie in the Angler Division with Carlos Barnes and Ricky Jaen both releasing 24 Sailfish.

BOAT FINAL
1st – Canazo – 54 Sailfish
2nd – Spindrift – 53 Sailfish
3rd – Release – 52 Sailfish
10th – Intensity – 44 Sailfish
16th – Makaira – 40 Sailfish
25th – Captain Hook – 27 Sailfish
26th – Rum Line – 22 Sailfish

TEAM FINAL
1st – Puerto Rico Light Tackle – 59 Sailfish
2nd – Guatemala 5 – 52 Sailfish
3rd – Guatemala 6 – 52 Sailfish

ANGLER FINAL
1st – Carlos Barnes – 24 Sailfish
2nd – Ricky Jaen – 24 Sailfish
3rd – Rafael Martinez – 21 Sailfish

* Next up (3-4-5) are Richard Draschil & Peter Paulson from Chesterton, Indiana (my old backyard) on the Rum Line

* (5) Matt Harris from the UK taking photos for the Mako Reels-Charlton group with Jake Jordan on the Intensity

The Jake Jordan report:

This week was a tribute to my late friend Jack Charlton who designed and built his incredible Mako fly reels. Jack’s wife Judy Charlton, along with friends, Mark Vorobic, Keefer Meranto, Jerry Jenkins, Richie Glonek, and Photographer Matt Harris, traveled to Casa Vieja Lodge to celebrate Jack and re live his favorite all time fishing trip

This year we fished for 3 days, and had relatively slow fishing for Guatemala, however 5 anglers caught a total of 8 Sailfish on fly, and my buddy Keefer fought a 250 pound blue Marlin for 5 minutes before the fly came out. Every one had a great time while fishing aboard “Intensity’ with Captain Mike Sheeder and “Makaira” with Captain Jason Brice. Casa Vieja Lodge was lit up for Christmas, the food, beverage, service, and staff where even better than usual.

Capt. Jake Jordan

* At the same time as the Mako group was the Phillips party fishing on the Captain Hook.

The boat raised 12 sails, had 8 bites and anglers released 5 sails – one on fly.  They also had one blue on but lost it minutes later.

* Brett Combs brought 32 of his best salesmen and customers to the Lodge last week (10-11 Dec). Fishing only two days the boats raised 116 sails and anglers released 70. Additionally the boats raised eight blues and anglers released four.

* The Mitchell group of 11 anglers from North Carolina and Georgia are now fishing.  The results are amazing.  In the first 2 days – Intensity raised 103 sails, the anglers have released 50; Captain Hook raised 73, the anglers have released 49; Rum Line raised 69 sails and 1 blue and anglers have released 38 sails, never hooking the blue.

More to follow with final count for Mitchell-Montgomery anglers

Captain Hook reports total of 106 raised, 92 bites & 62 releases for the Montgomery anglers

* The Evans family is there now aboard the Captain Hook and Rum Line (20-21-22):

Captain Hook reports for the three day trip 79 sails raised and 2 blues, with 71 sail bites and anglers (George III, George Jr, John & Nathan) releasing 40 sails.  Rum Line reports 64 raises, 52 bites and anglers (Geoffrey, George Sr, Jay, Grant & Erik) releasing 31 sails.

* The McGee-Hughes party (27-28-29) – fishing aboard the Rum Line – the last few days of December and raised 25 sails, 6 blue marlin and keep the grill supplied with fresh dorado burgers everyday. The two couples released 13 sails and 2 of the blues. The first days blue was about 250lbs, and day two’s blue was over 400lbs.

* The Best family (28-29-30) – fishing aboard the Captain Hook the boat raised 41 sails and 8 blues.  Anglers Munroe, Clement, Frank Robert and Thomas did their best releasing 14 sails and 2 blues, largest 300 lbs.

* The Palmieri brothers fly-fished the first few days of January and saw some awesome action as well. The duo raised 84 sails, more than half of which came blazing in to accept a fly, and we released 22. The blue marlin decided to tease us, with 4 of them showing up, but wouldn’t be caught. Chris Palmieri decided to jump in and swim this his last fish to put a cap on a great trip

2011 ended and 2012 began with some fantastic fishing action from both sailfish and blue marlin. The year ended with boats raising up to 7 blues a day, and the year began with boats raising up to 40 sails a day!

Finals for the month – raised, bites and released
Makaira – 21-20-and 12 sails released
Spindrift – 43-31-and 25 released; 3 – 1 – and 1 blue released
Intensity – 126-113- and 65 sails released
Release – 175-143-and 89 sails released; 5 – 5- and 2 released blues
Captain Hook – 151 – 115- and 104 sails released; 18 – 11 and 5 blues released
Rum Line – 170 – 141– and 88 sails released; 9 – 3 – and 2 blues released
686 – 563 – 383 sails / plus 35 – 20 – 10 blues