Years ago, legendary angler Stu Apte wrote:
“Ray Smith of Dallas Texas, an orphan who started working in the oilfields of Texas as a teenager and became a self-made millionaire, had realized his dream of creating a tropical paradise, next door to the finest fishing grounds known to man, making this paradise easily accessible to fishermen from all over the world. Mr. Smith created Club de Pesca. We de-planed and stood in awe of the magnificence before us. Ray had literally carved his vision out of the impregnable Darien Jungle, and somehow it provides modern day conveniences for living, 150 miles from the nearest electric light bulb.”
After Mr. Smith’s death, the lodge was acquired and its name changed to Tropic Star Lodge.
In 1964 and 65, Stu caught many IGFA world record species fly fishing and bait casting in the waters of Pinas Bay Reef, renamed the Zane Gray Reef. This renowned reef is only 6–8 miles from the lodge. Two of Stu’s records still exist today as the longest standing IGFA saltwater world records on fly in salt water. They are a 58 lb. Mahi-Mahi in 1964 and a 136 lb. Pacific Sailfish in 1965. They were both caught on a 12 lb. tippet and to this day remain the largest of their species ever caught on a fly.
In our first trip to TSL, we traveled offshore and the sea was alive. It was truly humbling. This experience was beyond description and absolutely thrilling. Of course, we hammered them. The next day we traveled with new fly anglers to aid them in catching billfish. Our leading angler boated 13 sails, a Mahi-Mahi, and a small Yellowfin Tuna. Our mate served up Yellowfin Tuna sashimi that was wonderful. Everyone, despite age, lack of experience, and athletic abilities, landed multiple Pacific Sailfish and other species.
We called it a day and came in early as our anglers were arm sore. The same was true inshore where Roosterfish to 60 lbs., Cubera Snapper to 45 lbs., 30 lb. Jack Crevalle, etc., were taken in numbers.
For over 50 years we have traveled to the far corners of the earth, conducting research on the greatest game fish in order to protect them and analyze their behavior. Studying what they do and why they do it gives us better insights on how to catch them. We have taught offshore and inshore techniques of fly fishing to captains, mates, and anglers for over 35 years.
In all our travels, we have never experienced a fishery as great as that of Tropic Star Lodge. The incredibly rich Humboldt Current travels northerly along the South American coast and delivers vast numbers of migratory predatory and forage species. In TSL’s waters they combine with the local endemic populations.
These species include: Black, Blue, and Striped Marlin, Pacific Sailfish, Mahi-Mahi, Wahoo, and Yellowfin Tuna, along with many others. They all are present in bunches in TSL waters and the submerged mountain peaks that transition the Humboldt’s depths to shallow water at the Zane Gray Reef.
At certain times, the Humboldt brings debris in the form of trees and logs, coconuts, etc., holding a seemingly infinite number of forage species that all the predators feed on. It is easy to pull up next to the floating materials and cast a fly to teaming numbers of game fish of many species feeding under the cover.
Inshore fishing is no less spectacular. Once again, the numbers and size of the species are simply astonishing. The lineup of available inshore species is impressive, headed by the enigmatic Roosterfish that flourish here year-round.
Other species include: Cubera Snapper, various Grouper, Bluefin Trevally, Tarpon, Jack Crevalle, African Pompano, and many others for a total of more than 17 inshore species. These fish are here in great numbers and always seem hungry.
TSL is located in the Darien Jungle near the Embera Tribe of indigenous Indians. The Embera are at home in their jungle environment and many work for the lodge including as your fishing guides and mates. They are simply wonderful and as skilled on the water as they are in the jungles.
They are marvelous craftsmen that use the Darien Jungle’s natural elements to craft their weaving, pottery, hardwood carvings, jewelry, and other crafts.
The lodging accommodations and cuisine is five star, and the staff hard-working and cheerful. They cater to your every need. A visit here is incomparable and a memory to cherish forever.
TSL should be on everyone’s bucket list. An especially memorable trip is to attend the Legends on Fly event, where the guests mingle and fish with some of the greatest fly fishing anglers on the planet.
