Casa Vieja Lodge Guatemala, CA

August 19th, 2008

They're Back

MID JULY

RELEASE - Finds Wes and Alex Hixon accompanied by Mary and Carol Faucette aboard the Release, and finding the sailfish action in full swing. The group raised 41 over the course of the day with 31 bites and 24 releases. On day two the group opted for a little rest and relaxation around the Casa Vieja Lodge due to a little rain and allot of wind.

On day three the winds dropped off to nothing and we preceded offshore for the long haul hoping to find some tunas that we might be able to trade in for a marlin. We found the spinner dolphins  but they were not the bait size we had hoped for catching several in the 20 to 40 pound class. We Raised 8 sails had had 6 bites and released 5 sails while trolling the lures looking for a marlin, and at 2 O'clock we raised and Mr. Wes Hixon released a nice Blue Marlin of about 175 pounds on the pitch bait Mackerel on 50# standup. FINEST KIND - Finds John, Yvonne, William, and Zachary Whitcomb aboard the Finest Kind with Captain Chris Sheeder and crew.The group opted to fish exclusively for Marlin over the three days, releasing 10 sails while looking for the right one. The Whitcombs even toughed it out on day two when the Release and Intensity decided to sit the rough weather out. Unfortunately the group never found the one they were looking for but payed there dues threefold for the next one.

CAÑASO - Los encontramos a Bill and Sam Robinson aboard the Canaso with Captain Francisco "Chico" Alveranga. The father and son duo toughed out the three days with the Alveranga brothers. They raised 58 sails had 34 bites and released 24 sails. They also caught 5 yellowfin tunas in the 20-30 lb class range and raised a blue marlin that would not bite the pitch bait. Bill was very pleased with his trip and planning to join the brothers next year for the father and son tournament. INTENSITY - finds us aboard the Intensity with brothers Randy and Chris Stone and Paul Hixon fishing with captain Niko Malendez. the group had a great trip releasing 29 sails in there 2 days of fishing. Opting to take it easy on there 2nd day of the trip due to weather, the brothers spent the afternoon walking the countryside bird watching and drinking Gayo beer with the natives. Randy being quite the tree hugger was able to check off several birds on his lifetime list. Congratulations Randy! See Ya next trip.

LATE JULY

We had Harmon Gregory, James Akins, and Andrew Moste aboard the Finest Kind with Capt. Chris Sheeder, and Robert Lewis, Sandy Tarpley, and Alvin "Hoot" Jones aboard the Release. The group released 24 sailfish, and 3 Blue Marlins estimated at 250#, 325#, and 450#. Not bad for a two day summer trip in July!!

AUGUST 1 The Cañaso had a one day group from Sneads Island, Florida. David Bailey, Mike Klein, Harry Blenker and Greg Cornwell released 7 sails out of 10 raised. They rounded out the day with four nice yellowfin tuna and raised a blue marlin that wouldn’t bite. AUGUST 2 to 4

We find our old friend Capt. Rick Murphy and some new friends along with Rick to fish aboard the Casa Vieja fleet.

Aboard the Finest Kind with Capt. Chris Sheeder we find Photo journalist Mr. Pat Ford, Garrett Kizer, and Edward Duckworth. The group released 9 sails out of 13 bites on the fly and a 200# Blue Marlin also released on the fly. Aboard the Cañaso with Capt. Francisco "Chico" Alveranga we find William "Dexter" Reese, James Owen, James Armstrong and Robert Peacock. The group released 23 sails from 31 bites. Caught 8 yellowfin between the 20-35 lb range, and raised 3 Blue Marlins and released one in the 250# range, with Dexter Reese on the  50# stand-up rod . Congratulations Dexter!!

Aboard the Intensity with Capt. Niko Melendez are William Glawson, Rick Knight, Mike Gargiula, and Buddy Carlson. The group released 19 sails from 31 bites and raised 4 Blue Marlins and released one in the 200lb range on the 50# stand up gear. Aboard the Release we find the "Sportsman's Adventures" crew consisting of Star-Host/Capt. Rick Murphy, Camera-Producer/ Mike Zimmer, and Underwater specialist/ Mike Rifenburg. We released 6 fish on the fly, 7 fish on 20# conventional, and Rick was able to release his first ever Blue Marlin in the 250# range on the 50# Stand-up Gear. We had missed one earlier in the day on the pitch-bait mackerel about 500#, It didn't look like it was going to happen but with 20 minutes to go on the last day of shooting it all came together. So be sure to catch the show sometime this coming fall. FORECAST As you can tell the Marlin are back and we’re all hoping for those banner days of last years summer season. The upcoming months (August-October) should produce more incredible numbers of marlins. So please take advantage of Casa Vieja's summer discount rates (40% summer discount) and COME CATCH YOUR FISH OF A LIFETIME!

CREW UPDATE

"The Boys of Summer - Captains Chico, Chris, Erik & Nico"

Capt. Jason Brice – Congratulations to Jason, our latest world record holder. On the morning of June 4th Jason and his Mate Weecho worked the pit for our friend Gary Carter, in La Gomera, Canary Islands.  After several attempts, Gary set a new 6# men’s blue marlin record, 357 pounds. Cogratulations Gary on another great angling accomplishment! Jason will be back in November at the helm of the newly restored Pelagian.

Capt. Mike Sheeder – Mike left Hawaii in June to work on a ship out of Norway and the Baltic Sea. He is now in the Mediteranian headed for the Black Sea. While his passion is chasing Billfish all over the Pacific, he is a graduate of California Maritime Academy and a career merchant seaman. He has worked in all the worlds oceans, has sailed “around the Horn” and did hazardous duty in the Persian Gulf. All this at the ripe old age of 30! He’ll be back this fall at the helm of the Intensity, one of Casa Vieja’s most requested gameboats.

So don't let the big one get away, your fish of a lifetime is swimming less than 20 miles from our dock, so call our office at (866) 846-9121 today to book your trip of a lifetime!

Capt Erik Lorentzen "Release"