Deep in the jungles of Costa Rica is one of the most unique dry fly fishing opportunities. Amidst the rivers, boulders, and vibrant jungle canopy are eager fish waiting for an easy meal. These fish are known as machaca, a fish native to Central America. The machaca is an alien-like fish possessing weird human-like teeth and an even stranger diet. Follow along as we explore the mystery of the machaca and how to catch these jungle fish.
Habitat and Biology
Machaca are a relative of the piranha and share many similar characteristics. For starters, machaca have a similar body and fin shape, but with a thinner body profile. They also have some impressive teeth, similar to a piranha. However, that is where the similarities end. Machaca are actually herbivores. They use their impressive teeth to crush fruit and berries that fall from the overhanging jungle canopy.
To find machaca, anglers must travel to the lowlands of Costa Rica. The rivers here hold machaca along with several other sought-after jungle species. Similar to trout, these fish will use the current to their advantage, lying and waiting for fruit floating overhead.
Berry Flies
Fishing for machaca presents a unique opportunity for dry fly-obsessed anglers. Since machaca have a specific diet of floating fruit, the best flies are berry flies. These are typically made from shaved cork or foam balls and float high on the surface. For the foam fanatic used to throwing summer hoppers, this is a welcome sight.
While the flies may look simple, typically a piece of cork and a hook, machaca can still be selective. If your fly does not match the color and size of the fruit they are keying in on, expect refusals. This also varies river to river, depending on the local fauna, fruits, and seeds around. To be prepared, it pays to have a well-stocked box of berry flies in different colors and sizes. On the water, match the hatch and get the color and size of your fly as close to the fruits and berries you see.
Catching a Machaca
To fool a machaca requires an intimate knowledge of the jungle. Fishing with seasoned guides, like the ones at 4 Corners Costa Rica, will help cut down this learning curve. Local knowledge goes a long way when identifying what machaca are eating and which trees are dropping fruit. Once you find the right fruits, cast your fly underneath the tree; this imitates a falling fruit and can get a machaca’s attention. Unlike a traditional, delicate dry fly cast, you’ll want to slap berry flies on the surface. The slapping sound imitates fruit falling overhead and is a dinner bell for waiting fish.
If a fish does come up for your fly, be ready. These jungle fish are incredibly fast and can often hit your fly and spit it out before you even set the hook. It’s also worth noting that if a smaller fish misses your fly, wait before recasting. Small machaca are often the first to try to eat your fly, but bigger ones aren’t far behind. Let your fly sit for a few seconds if a fish misses it to be sure a trophy-sized machaca is not on the way.
When everything comes together and you hook the machaca, hold on. These fish will frequently jump after being hooked, and can try to run you back into structure. While most machaca are in the one to three-pound range, there are bigger ones around. Fish have been caught weighing over 10 pounds, and there are rumors of 20-pound fish around.
For most machaca fishing, anglers should expect to fish 5- or 6-wt fly rods with floating lines and matching reels. These rods have a nice blend of finesse to land berry flies accurately and enough backbone to handle most fish. However, for those specifically targeting large fish, upsize your gear to 7- and 8-wt rods. Fish nearing 10 pounds will pull hard and know how to use the current to their advantage to break you off.
Final Thoughts
While Costa Rica is known for its excellent offshore and nearshore fishing, don’t overlook the hidden jungle fishing. Watching a machaca rise for a berry fly is one of the most intimate and unique experiences in jungle fishing. Add to that incredible scenery and wildlife, and a trip to the lowlands of Costa Rica should be at the top of every angler’s list.
