It just added more pre-trip hype to Guatemala’s Sailfish Oasis, based out of the port of San Jose and run by Kiwis Liz and Chris van Leeuwen. This was an Offshore Adventure/travel&co trip hosted by Tony Orton and Bea Bagnall, one of a number they lead globally each year.

Our plan was to have three days fishing to ourselves – Tony, Bea, Kerren Packer, Faith, and I – before the main party arrived, and it was a great call – it was to be some of the best three days’ fishing I have every experienced.

Faith and I flew in via Houston where we overnighted before heading to Guatemala, element of doubt thrown in to the situation by an active volcano. After a delay we finally boarded for our rendezvous at Guatemala City with the Offshore Adventures crew.

Our driver Eddie greeted us, loading a heap of camera and fishing gear into the back of the van before embarking on a twohour- plus trip to Sailfish lodge.

We had to go the long way round, thanks to the volcanic activity, but our pain was eased by a chillybin of cold refreshments, including a bottle of my favourite – Flor de Cana rum.

While we arrived late in the evening, we were greeted by a warm welcome from Chris and his team, with more cold drinks and some great food – it set the hospitality stakes high – and it was only to get better.

Sailfish Oasis has a great vibe to it. The setting and buildings are rustic but well appointed and maintained. There are 10 double rooms that all lead off an open-air lounge, alfresco dining area and bar/pool area. There is no doubt when you take in the décor – sportfishing memorabilia everywhere and a larger than life sailfish mount in pride of place in the lounge area – that you are in a fishing lodge.

The atmosphere is relaxing. Barman Freddie introduced us to campechana, a particularly refreshing rum-based drink – lots of ice in a long glass, a good pour of rum – Flor de Cana course – to which soda and coke are added – two parts to one – with the juice from a quarter of a lime squeezed on top, the drink stirred and enjoyed. At the end of each day’s fishing our crew headed to the pool and the swim up bar for which drinks and nibbles, the later usually mahimahi fish bites or tuna sashimi, contributed from the previous day’s catch.

The meals were superb – a mixture of local and European cuisine – using only the freshest local produce. We sat on one long extended table, at the head of which was the Captain’s Chair, to which the top angler of the day had the right to occupy.

Our accommodation was airconditioned and featured two double beds with a separate ensuite – very comfortable and cool, a haven after a long day on the water.

Chris and Liz met when they were travelling through Europe, working on superyachts, and doing delivery trips.

Chris wanted to get into fishing, having heard so much about the tease and switch method the American crews were using to target billfish. Via contacts in Florida he was introduced to Tim Choate who operated the famous Fins and Feathers lodges in Brazil, the Galapagos and Guatemala.

He describes the Galapagos as an amazing fishery. He fished there for a year, helping to catch big striped marlin yellowfin and wahoo for the client.

An opportunity came to fish out of Guatemala in 2002 - ‘I didn’t even know where it was’ – so they moved to San Jose and worked at the Fins and Feathers Lodge. The plan was to stay a year – it was great for Chris but not a lot for Liz to do – but they stayed until 2005 when Tim Choate closed the lodge.

The van Leeuwen’s saw an opportunity to run a booking agency for charters and accommodation. By this stage Chris had developed a good relationship with a group of Texan anglers, going into partnership with two of them to buy a boat.

A further opportunity came in 2009 to take over Sailfish lodge, which they took up.

He and his boat partners upgraded their craft to Allure II in 2013, a 1996 40ft Kapps Custom Carolina style sportfisher, powered by two Cummins 450 C-Series diesels. After a nine-year partnership, he and Liz purchased it outright in June 2016. Now the circle was complete – they had their own boat to fish from and some great accommodation to host clients when off the water.

The key period for sailfish is November through to April with Americans making up the bulk of their clients as they head south to escape their winter. The boat racks up some big numbers with the odd blue, black and striped marlin among them.

Our group was the first bunch of Kiwis, outside of family and friends, to stay at the lodge. By Chris’ terms, the fishing was only ‘average’ and what he would expect at this time of the year. For us, it was nothing short of spectacular.

Our request was that we all wanted to pitch our own baits and while this resulted in the occasional burnt thumb and serious overrun, we racked up some good numbers.

I think the final score was 139 sailfish in eight days, one blue marlin, some smaller yellowfin and ‘too many to keep track of’ mahimahi to 17kgs – but who’s counting. Top angler was Garry Townley who racked up 12 sailfish on a day his crew caught 22 – not a bad effort in any billfish angler’s books.

I have fished with many charter operations overseas and Chris van Leeuwen and the Sailfish Oasis crew were up there with the best on all fronts. For more information check out www.sailfishoasis.com