Organic Farm, Campsite, Guesthouse and Restaurant

Fishing

Ometepe island and Lake Nicaragua offer a unique opportunity for fishing. The settings are the most incredible I have ever witnessed, with some locations offering views of 5 volcanoes! Watching Savalo leap again and again as they fight you every inch of the way against such a backdrop is jaw dropping.

First, an overview of what you can expect to catch;

Savalo - The most aggresive fish I have ever encountered. They fight harder than any other fish I have caught for their weight. Often they'll take the lure as it hits the water! I've taken these to 5 pounds though for the more adventurous you can fish for them in the San Juan where they go to 250lbs!!! Depending on the time of year somewhat depends on wether you'll catch them or not, September and October are awesome months for these fish which spawn in the wet season streams, just like Salmon. They are also incredibly well flavoured fish, very sea-fishy in flavour BUT they are terribley boney, so preperation is key to enjoying them. Of course, we know exactly how to do that at our restaurant!

Guapote - The king of the lake fish. This is actually a Ciclid (as are the Tilapia and Mojara) but is commonly reffered to as a fresh water Bass. Smaller specimens are fairly plain in colour but the "Lagunero" is a spectacular fish, coloured purple and green with a huge swollen lump on its head. They fight a little like I would expect a oil drum to fight! Sinking to the bottom and burrowing themselves undfer the largest rock they can find, they can be very stubborn indeed. Marvellous eating fish, large clean bone free fillets. This fish makes superb ceviche! Again, prepared to perfection at our restaurant!

Tilapia - It is with regret that I have to report this fish even exists in the lake and even worse, that its numbers are increasing dramatically. This is a terrible introduction to the lake harming other lake species considerably, especially the Guapote, which I imagine will become extint in the years to come. This is a herbiverous fish, so you would expect me to say that it cant be caught on lures.....But you'd be wrong! I catch these fish fairly regularly now and it has to be said that prepared properly they make fantastic eating. It's fight isnt that of either a Guapote or a Savalo but it's fun to catch. They are also very big for their size, presumably allowing for all those miles of intestine they need to digest the rock slime they eat. As you can tell, I'm not so fond of them!! Subsequently we sacrifice every one to the kitchen!!

Mojara
A ubiquitous name for the species. There are many types of "Mojara" and they can be very pretty indeed, some being pure gold in colour, others being purple or black banded. They dont grow very big, a 1lb specimen would be large and quite rare, but they make up extra interest and eating options!

So, if you want to fish how best to do it? Well, entry to fishing on Ometepe isnt easy, I know from experience. It has taken me a number of years to find all the best spots and for the visiting traveler this isnt an easy place to get to grips with. The fish prefer rocky habitats and water depth is also very important. Lure selection isnt critical, they'll take most things and Rapala's and MEPPS have all prooved very successfull. The trick is to make sure your lure spends a lot of time in the water and that you cover a large area. I'm a bit of a purist so I favour bank fishing over boat fishing and I always catch! I offer half day (3 hour) and full day (6 hour, 2 trips) fishing trips. This will include supply of tackle, transport to and from your place of stay and your guide - me!! Prices are $40 for the 1/2 day and $75 for a full day, 1 person fishing and $75/$140 for 2 people fishing. We would also like to prepare your fish for you and offer a variety of options depending on the catch, from Thai fish curry to Ceviche (raw fish poached in lime juice) and many more. Contact us for more details.

Fishing Methods and Guiding
I offer fishing from the shore or from Kayaks.
I generally fish from the shore using light tackle, its how I've always fished. Its not the easiest fishing, its rocky and you're up to your waist in water but for me its very pure and thats important. You'll need strong footwear (I wear wellies!) and clothes you dont mind getting very smelly - I always smell like a Tilapia after a session!
We now have 2 Kayaks and I offer guiding from these also. Kayak fishing means we can cover a lot of ground and get to some great spots. Its also gives awesome views of the island.

In my opinion this is the best day out on Ometepe! I will take you to the best spots and work myself stupid to get you fish! A 1/2 day starts at 6.00am or 3pm and a full day obviously goes at both these times.

Swimming
Balgue - is very short on swimming options as is Madronal. In Balgue you can go to the Balgue beach. Its stony and right next to the road, on the fringe of the village and next to 2 bars - its not ideal. Casa Campestre has a stoney beach which is very private but its use is only for guests, its10 minutes outside of Balgue.

Santa Cruz - This is the closest beach to either Madronal or Balgue. Its a nice enough section, best if you head for Istiam and go from there, they ahve a few temporary shelters to sit under and hide from the sun. The lake is clean enough to swim in and always quite warm. Its fantastic at Sunset.

Santa Domingo - the most famous stretch of beach on Ometepe is in front of Hotel Paraiso. They have a number of sun parasols on the beach and a variety of chairs and loungers too. This is a great location for a sunset bathe.

The sections of beach in between Santa Cruz and Santa Domingo are very quiet, it makes a great walk from one end of the beach to the other and back again with a swim or 2 on the way.

Ojo de Agua - This is an essential island must see. It is half way between Santa Domingo beach and the main road and is well sign posted. Ojo de Agua is a large concrete swimming hole supplied by fresh water coming from a spring in the ground in the second smaller pool. Its amazing. The water is perfectly clear and deep, the place is surrounded by large trees and the air is much cooler here. The water is cool and refreshing, there's lots of shade around the outside and there's beer but usually not cold enough by far. The food here isnt that great either, take a Cafe Campestre packed lunch with you! It is worth making a day out of Ojo de Agua and the beach.

Canoeing
Canoeing can be done from Merida where you can spend a number of hours whiling away time paddling from Merida to the Rio Istiam. The Rio is itself another of Ometepe's unique attractions, starting near the lake on one side and winding its way out to the lake on the other side of the isthmus. Expect fantastic scenery, turtles, exotic birds and maybe even aligators on the way. This is a fantastic day out on Ometepe, one not to be missed. We can provide transport to and from Merida if you are staying in Balgue. Resrevations required 1 day advance. Please contact us for more information.

Kite Boarding
The beach from Santa Domingo to Santa Cruz offers world class Kite Boarding. I have a friend who flies across the water on his board, there are often 1 or 2 people Kite boarding these days. As of yet there is no kit for hire and no lessons.