Panama Fishing March 30, 2020

Well, an update from Hooked on Panama Lodge.

Our last groups for the season were about two weeks ago before the hammer came down in Panama and everyone else had to cancel.

Before this happened, fishing was good. Sails, Dorados, quite a few big Yellow Fin Tuna and great rooster fishing. Vanessa in one of the photos below got like a 90lb. rooster. It just happened to be her bucket list fish and the biggest one we caught this season. Took three girls to hold it up. The other two groups, I got squat on photos. So, I added a good shot of all of us in the kitchen vacuum packing the last days tuna.

And, a pic of me and my current corona reality. I don’t need a mask. Just stick your head into the neck of your t-shirt, tie the sleeves gently behind your head so you don’t suffocate, and put on your best Blues Brothers sunglasses and you are god to go. Better than any mask. 🙂 🙂

Our very last guys barely made it out. Their flight to Panama City got cancelled the night before, scrambled to get a bus here the night before, before curfew kicked in, got a signed letter from the Mayor to let them trough, left here at 4AM to Panama City and they made their flight. They closed the international airport the next day. WHEW!!!

Unfortunately we had to lay off the entire staff. Government mandate. But, we are trying come up with some ingenious ways to help our Hooked on Panama Family. I ordered 100lbs. of beans and 100lbs. of rice. Going to ration it out to our staff. Hope we can get it soon. Also have plenty of tuna for now. Guess I won’t complain about spending so much time in the kitchen packing fish anymore. 🙂 🙂

Now, we have been on complete lockdown since the 19th. Unfortunately no one was practicing the social distancing thing in Puerto Armuelles, a couple weeks ago, and now we have our first case there as of today. They are very serious here. If you get caught out during a time of day you are not allowed, based on your ID number, they can fine you up to $50K and take you directly to jail.

Say a small prayer for our Hooked on Panama Family. Unlike the States, they don’t have the means to stockpile supplies. It’s kind of funny, and not, but I have all rolls of toilet paper from the entire lodge in my house. 🙂 🙂 Down side. Kai the dog ate two of them. 🙂 🙂

Upside. The fishing next season will probably be better than it ever has. There is no pressure on the ocean at all, since they suspended all maritime activities. Plus, the sky is amazingly clear with no traffic. The stars for the last few nights are like diamonds in the sky.

We will all get through this. Despite our differences, at the end of the day, we are all Americans. We as a people have survived way worse than this. Maybe with a little luck this will pull us closer together. Stay strong, stay home, stay positive, watch out for your family and we will see you again when this is all over. And it will end.

Dan Peavy

Hooked On Panama Lodge
888-733-5368
www.hookedonpanama.com
[email protected]