YELLOW FEVER VACCINE

The Spring and Summer months here in Whiting are normally times I start to get ready for the fall/ winter season as my fishing destinations are now in there winter months or rain seasons.  As I have become older, my boat barely hits the water as I have become spoiled by fishing the top destinations in the world.  Recently, I took a look at my medical/ vaccination records.  I noticed my Yellow Fever Vaccine expires this coming Fall.  The Vaccine is good for 10 years and is required for entry in some countries in South America and Africa.  So, I called my Infectious Disease Clinic to schedule an appointment for the shot.  To my surprised, I was told the vaccine was not available at the clinic.  The nurse told me there is a national shortage of the vaccine and they probably would not have it available for at least a year or two.  So, I called the Indiana Department of Health to find out where the vaccine is available.  I was told there is only 1 clinic in Indiana which MIGHT have the vaccine and it is in Indianapolis.  Therefore, I gave my health insurance, Blue Cross in MN, a call.  The nurse did some checking and found there there was a huge outbreak in Brazil last year so the USA does not have much of the vaccine.  She did some calling and found out that only 2 clinics in Illinois and 1 clinic in Indiana MIGHT have the vaccine.  So if you are heading to countries that require the vaccination, I recommend you act fast!
Yellow Fever is transmitted by infectious mosquitoes.  Early symptoms are fever, jandice, muscle pain, nausea, vomiting, and fatique.  It can spread to a 2nd stage which can cause sever damage to the kidneys and liver and ultimately leading to death.  Over 30,000 die from Yellow Fever each year.  Africa and the Amazon jungle countries have been known to have Yellow Fever. 

Trip Travel Insurance

During my recent trip to PNG, I purchased Trip Cancellation insurance from CSA Travel Protection.  I have always gone back and forth on whether or not it is worthwhile to buy such insurance.  The insurance which I purchased covered such items as Trip Cancellation, Trip Interruption, Emergency Assistance and Transportation, baggage coverage, and many more.  Often when making numerous flight connections such as I had to, a missed connection would be a nightmare!  When travelling in the winter months I am always worried about cancelled flights, delayed flights, etc.  My policy cost me $335.40 which was based on the type of coverage I wanted and the amount I spent on the trip.  Well, the insurance paid off.  While motoring in the ocean, one of my rods/reels/lure went out of the boat and fell into the ocean.  It was impossible to try and recover the items as I slowly watched them disappear into the sea from afar.  When I got home I contacted the insurance company and to my delight I was told the items would be covered under loss baggage.  Luckily I kept the receipt for the reel and rod.  So give Trip Insurance a thought before you venture out into your next adventure!

La Zona/ Giant Golden Dorado

As I have written numerous times, the golden dorado is the strongest freshwater species I have encountered along with the Papua New Guinea Bass.  Golden dorado in my opinion do not exhibit the strong first run of a PNG bass. 

However if you can withstand the bass initial run and keep it from running into snags odds are in your favor.  Golden dorado on the other hand have numerous drag burning runs and often leap numerous times to get free and put the strong currents to their advantage.  There are numerous places in Argentina to fish for the golden, however, if you are seeking a dorado over 50 pounds La Zona on the Uruguay River in the town of Concordia is the place to go.  Currently there is 1 operator who holds the 2 permits which allow you to fish in the La Zona area.  Bookings are already filling for the 2019.  If this fishery has been on your wish list, act now before the season is booked full.  You can contact me for help making a reservation or if you have any questions on this outstanding fishery.

Heavy Duty Split Ring Pliers

During my recent trip to the Solomon Sea, Papua New Guinea, I unfortunately discovered my split ring pliers would not provide a wide enough cap to attach the extremely thick gauge hooks.  Luckily, outfitter, Luke, had a pair of Owner pliers which allowed the hooks to be attached.  When I got back home, I found the Owner split ring pliers, GP40 or GP50, are difficult to purchase.  However, I was able to buy the hPa Big Game split ring pliers.  These pliers have the ability to open large, high strength split rings.  The gap created by the pliers is large enough to allow the think gauge hooks to pass thru.  So, next outing for monster GTs and doggies, make sure your split ring pliers work before you head out to the seas!

Papua New Guinea/ Rock Expeditions

Had the opportunity to fish with Luke Wyrsta of Rock Expeditions along with friends Neil Waddall of New Zealand and Peter Furber of South Africa.  We fished for over 8 days in the middle of February.  Our main base was Bushy/Mwanewa Island out in the Solomon Sea and later in the stay we motored about 4 hours further south to Panarairai.  The majority of destinations have never seen a lure before.  We targeted GT ( Giant Trevally) using x-large poppers and stickbaits.  The GT fishing was good with approximately 80 lbs being the largest. 
Numerous blue trevally, a few bigeye trevally, a few dogtooth tuna, lots of Bohar Snapper, lots of coral trout, Spanish Mackerel, 2 Napolean Wrasse, a few rainbow runners, a few barracuda, a footballer trout, lots of green jobfish, a few coronation trout/ cresent tail trout/ scarlet sea perch, rock cods and skipjack tuna and a shark was landed during the week.  Peter Furber landed the fish of his dreams, a beautiful Napoleon Wrasse weighing around 85 lbs.  Peter also had a huge doggie get devoured by a shark at the boat and another giant doggie which he fought over an hour before his line gave away. 
The Louisiade Archipelago holds thousands of reefs loaded with fish.  The trip is extremely remote and more or less camping out which was to my delight.  We stayed in a native hut on Bushy sleeping on mats in mosquito netting.  On Panarairai were put a tarp over some trees and slept on the mats.  No cold drinks here!
We drank room temperature bottled water, soda, and beer.  Meals consisted of fish, bananas, pineapples, rice, and ramen noodles. 

Sleeping " under the stars" was a huge determining factor when I booked this trip.  Luke does everything in his power to insure a safe trip.  He is the most passionate angler I have shared a boat with and his knowledge about GT is second to none!  This trip was a dream come true to me and cannot wait to head back next February!

Temple Forks Outfitters TFD Big Fish Spinning Rods

Before my recent trip to Papua New Guinea for Giant Trevally, I talked to friend and IGFA Hall of Fame member, Larry Dahlberg.  Larry made a phone call on my behalf to Jim Shulin of TFO.  Jim provided me with a few TFD Big Fish Spinning Rod blanks in models 86P3 and 86P2.  I then sent to blanks to Thorne Brothers in Minnesota to have master rod builder, Lonnie, build the rods to my specifications.  I took the P3 model to PNG as a tad stronger than the P2.  The rods turned out great.  Was trying to see if a big GT would break the rod.  I was able to handle GTs up to approximately 80 lbs on these blanks.

So in my opinion they can handle practically every fish which swims as the GT are extremely powerful and put a hurt on many rods!  As of today, TFO is not selling the spinning rod models, just the baitcasting rods.  However, am sure you can get in touch with either Larry on his website www.huntforbigfish.com or contact Jim Shulin at TFO about getting some blanks. You can then contact a master rod builder such as Lonnie at www.thornebrothers.com.   Next year I hope to put a 100 lbs GT on the end of these rods!

THE NEW LA ZONA LODGE

As I have written in past posts, clients fishing in La Zona are no longer staying at Los Tres Sietes.  There is a new lodge which is a ranch style house.  It consists of 3 large bedrooms.  2 of the bedrooms have private baths while the 3rd has a separate bathroom in the room directly adjacent.
Each of the rooms have A/C and numerous electrical outlets to charge batteries.   In the main dining room there is a large table for meals.  There is a large refrigerator stocked with water, sodas, and beer.  There are rod hangers in the hallways, plus there is a large screen television.

Next door to the main building is a newly constructed foundation where meals are prepared.  There is a large dining table and stocked refrigerator in this building also.  There is no A/C, but large fans to keep the room cool.  So you have the option of having meals in this building or the main building.
Caretaker, Lucus, cleans the swimming pool daily which is a great way to cool down after a day of fishing.  There is a lighted deck on the main building so you can relax and have a few drinks while discussing your days fishing.  Laundry service is again provided.  Meals as always are delicious so expect to put on a few pounds during your stay.  Van transportation is provided from you arrival in Buenos Aires on Thursdays and return on Tuesdays in time for you flight home.  There are a few prime dates remaining in 2018 with popular dates in 2019 going fast!  Contact Giuliana Bradanini or myself for more information.  You will be guaranteed with the largest golden dorado on earth!