Today in the Fishroom ~ 4/07/08 Panama

[Aquamojo]

Here's the first installment...the fish:

Really nice Live Bearer...Molly caught in the Rio Balboa.

This was caught on hook and line in Lago Gatun. We ate it a little later with some Peacock Bass and a nice Snook.

We caught DOZENS of Peacock bass...including a 6 pound lunker while trolling:

Adult Nanoluteus caught in the Rio Mananti:

A local fisherman at the Rio Santa Lucia had a little better luck than we did. On his stiring were Altifrons, Rhytisma and some other fish.

A large Knife Fish that I caught in a very small stream emptying into the Balboa. At this same location we collected a very nice...and apparently rare...livebearer. Amazing that such a small biotope could contain these fish.

Another Oscar caught on hook and line:

More to come...

 

[Aquamojo]

We pulled over in the middle of nowhere on the back waters of the Rio Mananti to check the water for fish. It wasn't long before we had visitors:

Everywhere we went we saw kids. Dan brought a five pound sack full of lollypops that were a big hit. These young guys were at the village at the entrance to the Rio Mananti:

Couple of huts along that river. Amazing when you see how little they had. We would pass huts that had as many as a half dozen people in residence. Homes no bigger than a large utility shed. Looking at them...and looking at the people I had to wonder what their dreams were? What did they think about when they thought of the future?

This was the "Donald Trump" of street vendors. Cute kid that managed to get six bucks from me for a trinket:

Just some shots I took along the way:

I took this from a moving boat along the Rio Mananti. Just a really strange effect...that i really liked

This lady was selling sandwiches at the water taxi. She said, "do you know how old I am? I'm 80 years old." I didn't want a sandwich...but paid for the privledge of taking her photo.

Butterfly's everywhere...this one on a dirt road along the Rio Balboa:

More artsy fartsy shots:

You can just see the dug out canoe along the left bank. They were everywhere:

Gamboa Preseve on Lago Gatun...just before we left for a day of fishing:

Turtles on the canal:

Our open water adventure started off just LOOKING like it was going to rain. In the end we had 2 3/4 hour ride in torrential downpours and some chunky waves. Most of the ride the three of us in the front seat rode with a sheet of plastic held high.

Here's the boat for eight people and all of our gear (photo later of that pile). Later I was told it was great that we had a canopy. That kept the snaked from falling directly into our laps.



This was a cat that lived (?) at the place we stayed for three days. I christened the place as Casa $hithole. This was a SERIOUS kitty. Eddie was kidding around playing with it by moving his finger around under a blanket. The cat pounced on the finger with full body weight and both claws...obvioualy NOT used to missing a meal. LOL When we arrived at Casa $hithole we were reminded that if we had any food in oour bags...we should put it in the refrigerator...because the rats will chew RIGHT through the bag. Obviously blue-eyed kitty had plenty of livestock.

Warren tossing a cast net:

Photoshop fun:

Monkeys in Lago Gatun. The guide brought the boat close to the island and they jumped onto the boat to be fed. Very cool. The other monkey in residence could be heard...but not seen...the Howler Monkey:

Tree frog on the Rio Manati:

 

[neoprodigy]

wow... bring me with you next time mo!

 

[xander]

nice pics and great trip!!! makes me wanna go out to my backyard...

 

[---XR---]

amazing trip, only made the better with National Geographic quality shots. wonderful!

 

[Full Metal Gundam]

awesome pics!!!

 

[ohiodave]

you are a hell of a photographer my man, we need more pics, must of been an awesome trip

 

[fobrinkle]

great pics, better trip.

 

[MDH]

Looks like you had quite the trip, oh and great shots too

So what did you bring back for fish?

 

[Angler]

Thank you for the pics! I couldn't think of a better vacation.