# Fly Fish in Costa Rica: trout, machaca and jungle tarpon on the fly

> Fly Fish in Costa Rica is a fly-fishing outfitter based in San José that says it's been guiding since 1972, making it the oldest in the country by its own account. Charlie Chavarría, whose father was one of Costa Rica's fly-fishing pioneers, leads it. It builds custom trips for wild trout in the cloud forest, machaca in the northern rivers, jungle and Caribbean tarpon, and Pacific roosterfish, all catch and release.

Source: https://sportfishing-costarica.com/fly-fish-in-costa-rica/
Last checked: 2026-11-15
Location: San José, San José (trips nationwide), Costa Rica
Type: charter
Official website: https://www.flyfishincostarica.com/
Guiding since: 1972
Who: Charlie Chavarría, son of a Costa Rican fly-fishing pioneer
Freshwater: wild rainbow trout (cloud forest), machaca (La Fortuna, San Carlos and Guanacaste)
Tarpon: jungle tarpon near the northern border, Barra del Colorado and Manzanillo
Salt water: roosterfish and offshore fly fishing in Guanacaste and Quepos
Gear: Sage, Scott and Beulah rods, Abel, Tibor and Hardy reels, hand-tied flies
Release: catch and release on every trip
Trips: single day to multi-day, custom quotes, in English or Spanish

## Who runs it

Fly Fish in Costa Rica traces its roots to 1972 and calls itself the country's first eco fly-fishing outfitter. Charlie Chavarría runs it now, following his father, one of the people who brought fly fishing to Costa Rica. Charlie guides, casts and ties flies, and his team has been fishing these waters for more than 5 decades.

It's based in San José rather than on any one river, which suits the way it works: every trip is put together for the angler, from a single day to a week or more, and can mix fresh and salt water. The website was adding new trip photos through 2026, and a Tripadvisor review written in February 2026 describes a January trout trip near San Gerardo de Dota with plenty of small, pretty wild rainbows.

![A gloved hand holding a small, spotted wild rainbow trout just above the clear water of a mountain stream](/static/img/fly-fish-in-costa-rica-trout-800.webp "Photo: [Fly Fish in Costa Rica](https://www.flyfishincostarica.com/)")

## Freshwater trips

- **Wild trout in the cloud forest.** Trout aren't native to Costa Rica, but stream-bred rainbows now live in the cold rivers of the Talamanca mountains, around San Gerardo de Dota and the Cerro de la Muerte. Expect small, wild fish in pocket water, light rods and short casts, with quetzals and oak forest around you.
- **Machaca near La Fortuna and San Carlos.** Machaca jump like small tarpon and rise to fruit, flowers and insects that fall into the water, so they're made for small poppers and foam patterns.
- **Machaca in Guanacaste's rivers.** The same fish in tropical lowland rivers, best in the January to April fruit drop.
- **Jungle tarpon near the northern border.** Tarpon in the rivers and lagoons that drain toward the San Juan, fished on heavy fly rods.

Our [freshwater fishing guide](/freshwater-fishing-costa-rica/) has more on each of these, and our [guide to fishing near San José](/fishing-near-san-jose/) covers the trout country close to the city.

## Saltwater and Caribbean trips

The outfitter also takes fly anglers to tarpon on the Caribbean at Barra del Colorado and Manzanillo, and to the Pacific for roosterfish and offshore species from Flamingo, La Cruz and Sámara in Guanacaste, and from Quepos and Manuel Antonio. See our [Caño Negro and Río Frío guide](/cano-negro-rio-frio-fishing/) for northern tarpon and the [Caribbean fishing guide](/caribbean-fishing-guide/) for the coast.

![A smiling angler in mirrored sunglasses holding a sleek blue-backed fish with a yellow tail on a grey day at sea](/static/img/fly-fish-in-costa-rica-pacific-800.webp "Photo: [Fly Fish in Costa Rica](https://www.flyfishincostarica.com/)")

## Gear and release

Good fly tackle is part of the deal: rods from Sage, Scott and Beulah, reels from Abel, Tibor and Hardy, and flies tied for the trip. You're welcome to bring your own. Every fish goes back, and the outfitter makes a point of tarpon conservation. In the refuges and some rivers you'll need a licence or permit; ask Charlie to arrange it, and see our [fishing licence how-to](/costa-rica-fishing-licence-how-to/).

## How to book

Message or call +506 8428 8055 on WhatsApp, or use the reservations page on the website. Tell them which fish you're after, when you're coming and how many days you have, and they'll quote a custom trip. There are no fixed packages. Service is in English and Spanish.

## Frequently asked questions

### Where is Fly Fish in Costa Rica based?
In San José. Trips go out from there to rivers, lagoons and coasts around the country.

### What fish can I catch on the fly in Costa Rica's fresh water?
Wild rainbow trout in the mountains, machaca in the northern and Guanacaste rivers, and tarpon in the jungle rivers and lagoons near the northern border.

### Is everything catch and release?
Yes. The outfitter says every trip is catch and release.

### Do I need to bring my own fly rod?
No. Rods, reels and flies are supplied, though you can bring your own.

### How long are the trips?
Anything from a single day to several days, built to order.