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RECOMMENDATIONS
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Guides, captains, resorts, destinations
and booking agents
We travel a lot, fishing, diving and exploring the outdoors throughout North America and at numerous exotic destinations around the world. My adventures are many
as I experience a gamut of facilities, operations and destinations. Over the course of these travels, we have met many exceptional individuals who have made my outdoor/adventure activities a
success. In the past few years, some of the outstanding destinations above and beyond our expectations rightly deserve specific mention.
The following, which is updated on a regular basis, are some of our "preferred" travel opportunities, guides and captains, resorts, and booking agents. We
would recommend them all. To check lodging and flight availability (and much more), we also recommend that you visit these travel websites.
Yan-Kee-Way Lodge
Chile has not yet been fully discovered by the average traveler, and sometimes this is a good thing. Yan-Kee-Way Lodge, located in the Lakes District, is truly an unforgettable
destination which easily offers more activities than most resorts in many destinations across the world. First class service, accommodations and affordable pricing make this Lodge a must-visit. See
the fishing article and the upcoming special feature on this excellent destination.
St. Lucia Rainforest Canopy Adventure Tours -
 A great not-to-miss Caribbean activity on the island of St. Lucia is taking a flight
through the tropical forest's canopy. You'll get a bird's eye view as you glide along in the treetops, across rivers and through the jungle. Trained guides and first class
equipment ensure you are safely harnessed for the ziplining ride of you life from platform to platform. To re-awaken your sense of adventure (bike tours are also
available) in the mountains of beautiful St. Lucia, contact St. Lucia Palm Services (cost is $65) at (758) 458-0908 or email them at mtnbikeslu@candw.lc .
Casa de Campo Hospitality
 With 54 holes of golf and an all-inclusive top-rated resort, Casa de Campo
continues to please even the more discriminating traveler. The resort offers 300 guest rooms and 150 luxurious villa homes. Whether for leisure or
group business, the resort can provide an activity for everyone. From horseback riding, fishing, golf, tennis, shooting center, shopping, children's
programs and sightseeing tours, dining outlets and more, there is nothing that can't be discovered. Located just a short distance from Florida, with
direct flights into two airports, Casa de Campo is a sure bet. Contact them at 800-877-3643 for additional information.
Underwater View of Palau
For those that want a detailed 3-D look at the many underwater sights around Palau, a new interactive CD ROM offers unbelievable views. Called "D-Log Palau", it
contains descriptions of 35 dive/snorkel sites for those that want to plan their dive/snorkeling vacation to these Micronesian islands. Developer Navot Bornovski
calls it the "ultimate dive planning tool" but it is much more that that. Any visitor to Palau would be intrigued by the video clips, photography, 2-D and 3-D animation of
the unique and beautiful waters around the islands. The unique feature is the interactive capabilities that allow the diver to preview the sites as though he or she
were actually diving. It offers a real sense of the conditions, terrain and hazards that may be encountered. The World War II Wrecks and famous dive sites come
alive in three-dimension. The viewer can look at the site from any side or directly
above as the terrain spins accordingly to offer the view. There is also a dive log that allows the diver to record
data and drop in the 3-D site layout with his specific dive route delineated. In addition to the planning guide,
there is a brief history and detailed word description of each site and complete information on a variety of
accommodations and services on the islands. For more information, contact Navot at D-Log Palau, PO Box 142, Koror, Palau 96940, phone (680) 488-2637 or email him at navot@seapen.com.
Copacabana's New Marriott Hotel
Rio de Janeiro is a much safer city than it used to be, and the recently-opened Rio de Janeiro Marriott on the
famous Copacabana Beach is the place to stay. Security at the 245-room ho
tel and all along the beautiful crescent beach in front of it is visible and effective. Do the great outdoors touring of
the city. Don't miss Sugar Loaf and its two-stage cable car ride, and Corcovado or Cristo Rendentor (Christ Statue) monument, which is accessed by train. Both are on
mountain tops far above the city. Also check out Ipanema Beach and the Tijuca Forest with its beautiful Cascatinha Waterfall, grottos and lake on the edge of the city. At
the Marriott, the Terraneo Restaurant offers excellent Mediterranean and regional entrées and especially great pastries with the class and style that Marriott is famous
for worldwide. For more information, check out their website at www.marriott.com or call 55-11-3069-2807 direct or email them at reserv@renaissance.com.br.
Dorsal Variety In Costa Rica
For great action on both sailfish, blue marlin and roosterfish, only one place comes to mind: Crocodile Bay Lodge on the Peninsula de Osa in southwest Costa Rica. Those species and
more can all be caught on light tackle. Be sure and check out the March 2001 Florida Sportsman issue for the scoop on my 130 pound sail on 15-pound bass tackle! For more
information on the lodge and their fishing program, call one of their many U.S. agents..
Virgin Island's Best All-Inclusive Resort
The Wyndham Sugar Bay Beach Club and Resort on St. Thomas offers a fabulous getaway
spot that is near fishing, sea kayaking and other outdoor activities. You'll enjoy excellent
food and facilities featuring a great pool/water sports area. All rooms are outstanding in
decor and views. Contact (340) 777-7100 for more information. Check St. Thomas flight and hotel availability!.
Argentina's River Tigers
The pristine Ibera Marshes of northeastern Argentina offer some of the most exciting golden
dorado fishing in the world. The dorado's ferocious strikes, explosive leaps and line-stripping runs
in beautiful rivers and swamplands make this an adventure one can not forget. Quest Global
Angling Adventures offers this super fishing for the formidable fish which typically ranges from 7 to 15 pounds. Contact Scott Swanson of Quest at (888) 891-3474.
Giant Florida Largemouth Waters
Bass guide Corbin Dyer and a spinnerbait helped me take the biggest Largemouth Bass of my
life in September. I caught and released the 13 pound, 1 ounce bass in Lake Walk-In-Water in
southern Polk County. The 27-inch long monster was caught on 20-pound test line from a
hydrilla patch in 12 feet of water near the middle of the lake. Check Orlando flight and Lake Wales hotel availability!.
World Record Dracula Fish
The world's best payara fishing is undoubtedly at Uraima Falls in eastern Venezuela.
The Rio Paragua forms the falls above Lake Guri and the "demon" fish with two huge canine teeth feed voraciously in low water. Read about my new camp record catch of 86
payara in one day - over 1,000 pounds - in the Sept. 2000 issue of Florida Sportsman
magazine. Info on my new world record, a 31-pounder, can be found in the Newsroom on this site.
East Coast Tarpon Action
Captain Rufus Wakeman and a half-ounce D.O.A. Terror Eyz jigs helped me catch my largest Indian River tarpon recently during a D.O.A. Outdoor Writers Tournament. I
fought the 90-pounder for about an hour before the guide could get a lip gaff on it. It
was the event's largest fish and swam off healthy. I also recommend Wakeman's very nice River Palm Cottages right on the Indian River. Call (561) 334-4645 for details.
Check flight availability!.
Florida Kayak Fishing
Captain Ken Daubert offers a great, unique fishing experience in Central Florida lakes,
rivers and along the coastal waterways. The excellent saltwater and freshwater guide
has always produced fish for me. Reach him at his web site www.floridakayakfishing.com for more information. Check flight and hotel availability!.
Dominican Republic Off-road Adventures
The Casa del Mar all-inclusive resort, located on a palm-fringed beach between the
fishing village of Bayahibe and La Romana's Punta Aguila International airport, is a
Caribbean jewel that offers a great vacation value. Try the exciting ATV off-road
adventure, bay fishing for barracuda, reef scuba diving and beachgoing activities, or just
enjoy the resort's outstanding amenities. Check flight and hotel availability!.
Peacock Bass Information
 For those avid anglers who travel to South America, check out the Peacock Bass
Association website: www.peacockbassassociation.com. It is full of articles, has a forum
with the latest info available and offers a free World Peacock Bass Directory of agents,
outfitters and companies with products and services appropriate for avid peacock bass anglers.
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