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Dolphin on the Rocks. This was in Costa Rica in 1976. A group of us went there to run the boats out of a new billfish camp called Bahia Pez Vela. Nearby was a beach with a rocky peninsula-island called Ocotal. Now it's the Ocotal Beach Resort, but at that time there was nothing there but a little farm. We would go at low tide when we were able to wade out to the rock island. Once we got on the island we would cast-net ballyhoo and keep them alive in tidal pools. We would then wait for dolphin to come and crash the schools of bait near the rocks. Standing on the rocks with a spinning rod rigged with a live ballyhoo we could sight-cast for the dolphin when they came within range. We caught a few roosterfish that way as well. If we had spent more time at it we may have been able to catch a sailfish from the shore. Or maybe at least hook one. But at that point the boats were delivered and we were busy exploring the Gulf of Papagayo for pacific sailfish. Because I was so caught up with the idea of going to Costa Rica to fish for Pacific sails my mind was stuck in the single dimension of agonizing over what fishing gear I should bring. So, I went to Costa Rica with some clothes and a ten year supply of tackle. Stupidly, I did not think to bring a camera. As a result, the only mementos I have of that trip are this photo taken by another member of our group, the chewed up psycho-squid daisy-chain teaser I dragged all over the Gulf of Papagayo, a bill from a pacific sailfish, and the skin of a poisonous sea snake. On my return to the U.S. that snake skin ended up expediting my passage through U.S. Customs. When the Customs inspector opened my suitcase and saw the snake skin she shrieked and sent me on through without further delay. I was home. |