Colombia

One cannot help but feel that Colombia is a country where the locals want to put it on the map, particularly the under-40s. We have met some truly talented young people from chefs to biology graduates etc. There seems to be a real determination to see Colombia respected and not known for it's past.

We have been to Colombia on a few occasions and to date, all plans in Colombia have gone exactly on schedule and we have suffered no delays. The airports have been a pleasure. Up to date, clean, bright and not crowded. Check-in has been very easy in all cases. All the major hotel brands seem to be there from Four Seasons to Hyatt to Marriott and we have been lucky to go to some really fine restaurants including Ushin, Japanese grill and sushi at the top of the Grand Hyatt, Bogota, Osaka and Andres D.C. which is the most traditional and lively!

Nestled along the picturesque northern shores of the Colombian Pacific, lies the captivating fishing town of Bahia Solano. Situated a mere 80 miles south of the Panamanian border, this hidden gem remains relatively untouched by international anglers due to its minimal tourist infrastructure and yet is the centre of some of the best bluewater fishing in Colombia or even the world. Despite its remote allure, accessing Bahia Solano is made convenient with three daily flights connecting Medellin and this coastal haven. Additionally, the well-connected city of Medellin offers numerous international flight connections, making it easily accessible for anglers from around the globe. Prepare to embark on an extraordinary journey as you discover the untamed beauty and abundant fishing opportunities for yellow-fin tuna, sailfish, dorado, rooster fish, cubera snapper etc that await you in Bahia Solano. Be among the privileged few to explore this captivating destination and uncover its hidden treasures. In its season, the waters of Colombia are as productive as any around the world.

Colombia is second only to Brazil in species diversity. Beyond the payara here are plenty of other species such as sardinata, peacock bass and bicuda. It seems that very little is known about the payara. They are mostly known as ‘Vampire’ fish and most commonly caught in the Orinoco basin in Colombia, Brazil and Ecuador. On a global scale they probably average 8 to 10lbs but where we have fished for them in Colombia, the average is more like 15lbs. These fish really intrigue us for several reasons. First, they lie in different types of water from slow to very fast, as fast water as an Atlantic salmon would lie in or faster. Just look at where their eyes are, these fish like to attack from underneath, hit their prey hard and then clean up the debris of pieces of fish afterwards which is when one can get in trouble because when a fish attacks and is hooked, others come up looking for the crumbs. While the payara is deservedly the poster-child for Colombian freshwater fishing, the peacock bass and other species abound too make for an excellent fishing adventure.