My wife had a projected 4 hour dental procedure today on the mainland, so I took that as an open door to spend that amount of time trying to collect Panamanian cichlids.
I spent the day before getting collecting gear together
And had spent the last couple weeks practicing with a 4 foot cast net.
Lago Mira flores (above) is a promising looking little feeder lake to the Panama Canal.
Working my way around the lake, trying to hit any accessible areas the first hour or two, I made over a dozen casts, with no luck except a chunk of water lettuce and some Salvinia (a sort of ) giant duck weed floating plant.
After the lack of success, we (Juan Carlos my driver and I) moved across the highway to the Panama Canal area, casting another dozen or so attempts, while a large crocodilian watched about a football field away, stilll no fish.
During that time a young Panamanian couple showed up with hook and line, and caught 1 foot long Cichla occelaris in 5 minutes, using 1 inch tetras as bait.
By that time it was time to hit the dentist for my numbed up wife, and hit the grocery store, for stuff not available on Taboga.
Lets say, I split the collecting cost in half, considering grocery shopping and dentist.
My portion would be, a $20 round trip ferry ride fee, $30 driver fee, so being anal, that a couple expensive plants at about $50.
The water lettuce above, Salvinia below.
I think the next trip will be on a boat, with a guy who knows (my driver tells me) where to find endemic Panamanians.
Can you imagine adding airplane tickets, hotel rooms, restaurant fees, and coming up empty handed like that?
I spent the day before getting collecting gear together
And had spent the last couple weeks practicing with a 4 foot cast net.
Lago Mira flores (above) is a promising looking little feeder lake to the Panama Canal.
Working my way around the lake, trying to hit any accessible areas the first hour or two, I made over a dozen casts, with no luck except a chunk of water lettuce and some Salvinia (a sort of ) giant duck weed floating plant.
After the lack of success, we (Juan Carlos my driver and I) moved across the highway to the Panama Canal area, casting another dozen or so attempts, while a large crocodilian watched about a football field away, stilll no fish.
During that time a young Panamanian couple showed up with hook and line, and caught 1 foot long Cichla occelaris in 5 minutes, using 1 inch tetras as bait.
By that time it was time to hit the dentist for my numbed up wife, and hit the grocery store, for stuff not available on Taboga.
Lets say, I split the collecting cost in half, considering grocery shopping and dentist.
My portion would be, a $20 round trip ferry ride fee, $30 driver fee, so being anal, that a couple expensive plants at about $50.
The water lettuce above, Salvinia below.
I think the next trip will be on a boat, with a guy who knows (my driver tells me) where to find endemic Panamanians.
Can you imagine adding airplane tickets, hotel rooms, restaurant fees, and coming up empty handed like that?
Last edited:
