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“Forget
the snow—I’m going to Mexico,” I said to my wife
Maggie, and wouldn’t you know it—storm number two arrived
in this region as I was arriving in another--and I was gone for
Valentine’s Day to boot.
The lodge is called Angler’s Inn (1-800-GOTA-FISH) or www.anglersinn.com
on Lake El Salto, two hours drive from Mazatlan. Eight of us flew
from Reagan International Airport to Houston and then on to Mazatlan
via Continental Airlines. A three day, four night trip, costs
about $2000 plus your flight costs.
The only money you will need at the lodge is for tips and lures
you may forget or run out of. You will be met at the Mazatlan
Airport and from that moment on, until you return to that airport,
the Anglers Inn staff will dote over you with enthusiasm and efficiency.
The rooms are fine, the food is excellent, the fishing is world
class and the drinks are on the house.
At 5 AM, you will be awakened by a staff member—and he brings
a cup of coffee to your night stand. The climate is rather desert-like
so dress summer-style and be sure to smear on the sun screen.
You will order your breakfast at the grill and the guide expects
you to be in his boat by 6 AM.
The mid-day break is between 11 AM and 1:45 PM, for lunch and
a siesta if you wish. You will fish until 6 PM and return to the
lodge for refreshment and another great meal. We usually turn-out
the lights by 10 PM.
The lake is about 40 years old, created by damming a small river
and is about the same size as Lake Anna. The habitat is standing
trees, rocky bluffs, shallow flats and steep dropoffs. The horizon
is framed by the Sierra Madre mountain range.
The standard boat is an 18-foot aluminum “V” hull powered
by 40 horsepower Yamahas. The Mexican guide will sit atop the
motor’s cowling and operate a tiller, battery powered trolling
motor. Two anglers and the guide are quite comfortable aboard
these crafts. You may be able to upgrade accommodations and boats
if you reserve them ahead of time. The guides know enough English
to “get by” with—and some speak our language fluently.
The lodge will provide you with a neat little map of the lake
and they have printed plenty of questions in English with Mexican
interpretation.
This was the third trip we have made to El Salto, always in February,
but the lodge is open all year with the exception of July and
August (their rainy season.) We don’t take our fishing rods—we
use theirs. We do take our own reels (you don’t have to)
and I like to have three baitcasting reels spooled with 50# Power
Pro. I take my own lures, terminal tackle, a spool of 15 pound
test fluorocarbon for leader and plastics. I always take to much,
but you will want 5 bags of 8-inch lizards (watermelon red); 5
bags of 8-inch Senkos (watermelon red); 5 bags of 8-10 inch worms
(green pumpkin and black/blue); Rapala DT14 crankbaits; topwater
poppers; buzzbaits; ½ ounce spinnerbaits; 4-6 inch swimbaits;
1/8th, 3/8th and ½ inch bullet weights; swivels and beads
for Carolina rig and 5/0 Gamakatsu hooks.
Some days are better than others but that’s fishing. On Saturday,
February 13, from the crack of dawn and for the following 30 minutes,
I caught a 9+, 8+, two 7+ and two 6+ largemouth bass—all
the while watching two bob cats hunting the shoreline for birds
and critters to eat. That was probably the highlight of my bass
fishing career.
The lake has many, many 10 to 14 pound bass. One of our group,
John Ennis caught one over 10-pounds and his father, John Sr.and
Justin Musgrove caught 8-pound beauties. I had two over 9 pounds
and one 8-pounder.
The lodge
has a “tipping” policy that takes the guess work out
of the gratuity fog. They suggest that you tip the guide in person,
$100 from each angler. They will provide you with an envelope
for staff gratuity and $200 per person is the norm. You will find
special staff here and I generally tip them a little more, in
person.
I pack my tackle bag in my check-on luggage along with fishing
tools such as Boga Grip, Leatherman Tool, fingernail clipper and
one set of clothing. The lodge provides laundry service every
day so don’t take much. My carry on bag will have one complete
set of clothing, light rain coat (the mornings are cool), fishing
reels, sun glasses, and camera. If my luggage gets lost—I’m
still be in the game.
Be sure that you have a Pass Port in your possession at the airports
and be sure to have a pen to complete the various forms for Customs.
Prepare yourself for a culture shock, especially on the ride to
and from the lodge. The poverty you will witness is surreal, and
you may come to understand why those Mexican people risk life
and limb to enter the United States.
I make my living fishing but I’ll sneak off to Mexico any
chance I get. It’s that good.
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