Clinton Coming to Guatemala but is not Fishing

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is this week embarking on a whipsaw tour through Latin America. Friday sees her arriving in Guatemala for meetings with Central American leaders.

We would like her to sample the fishing in Guatemala while she was here, perhaps "Bubba" Clinton could take a brief sojourn to the coast and experience some of the best billfishing in the world !

If you are coming down towards the end of this week, you can expect to encounter extreme security measures; the last time we had American dignitaries in the country la gente were distracted from their nightly fireworks by the sound of a squadron of F16's hurtling overhead at close to the speed of sound. For a country that boasts no airforce to speak of, this caused something of a stir in the skies above the coffee fields as seemingly the pilots wanted to get up close and personal with some sightseeing from low altitude !

The old slate roofs of Antigua shuddered and shook as the shockwave followed the jets over the old capital. The famous Hotel Santo Domingo was the last destination in Guatemala for a US President, and coincidentally it was Hilary's husband who made that trip, unfortunately not accompanied by Hilary at the time. Obviously he has made her aware of some of the great history and culture that is readily available in the old capital, as the informal part of the itinerary is considering a side trip to Antigua the old colonial capital of Guatemala. Of course as well as culture and hospitality, Antigua Guatemala is also and ideal base from which to explore the region and is conveniently close to the coast - accessed via a high speed four lane "Autopista" in about forty five minutes.

This therefore gives access to what has become renowned as "The Sailfishing Capital of the World".

If the Secretary of State (or her husband) does manage to fit some sailfishing into the itinerary, she will be pleasantly surprised by her timing. Unfortunately the fishing didn't really get hot until the end of Secretary of State Clinton's official visit - the longest tour she has made in South or Central America since gaining office.

The past week had been relatively slow, but prior to that the bite had remained hot for the best part of two weeks.

On average we were raising 20 billfish per boat per day then - but now it has slowed to half of that as the moon became full - still greatcatching, but we always hope for even better !

The last few days has seen some great fishing at around the thirty five mile mark as the fish have been holding over bait concentrated in the deep blue water.

We are raising twenty plus fish per day, and the flyfishermen are getting plenty of practice with the long wand ! The good fishing however (and hopefully !) will continue until the end of April and even into May we have seen a strong and sustained Marlin bite - so in that regard the season here in February is only just starting !


------

The fishing in Guatemala has steadily improved just in time for a visit by Hilary Clinton. We expect tight security but not offshore fishing for sailfish. We offer greatsailfishing and all inclsive trips for Guatemala Sportfishing