Dive buddy wanted

[tomkom2]

Hello everyone,

I´m looking for somenone who is interested in helping me with my field-work for a phD in Nicaragua. I will stay 6 month in Nicaragua and the plan is to gather certain fish species from the lagoons and great lakes - scuba diving and net fishing. As diving without a buddy can sometimes be a bit dangerous I´d like to try this way finding a buddy.
I would also be grateful for information about local fishermen I could contact for help or any other helpful advice.

That´s all for the moment,

Matthias

[Huehuete Bob]

Most divers on the west coast do not use scuba. They use a hookah which consists of a normal electric air compressor with the electric motor removed and replaced with a gas motor usually 5.5 hp. No filters, just connect the hose to the air output and split to two hoses after 50 ft. then a couple of hundred feet of hose at each end and an octopus at the end of the two hoses. If you come here, I will show you the hookup. Will take you with some of the divers if you like. I am involved in the fishermen in Casares on the west coast. So let me know by email. Robert_cefalu@yahoo.com

[tomkom2]

Hello Robert(?),

thanks for your reply! Sounds a bit strange to me the way of diving you practize but I guess it works well. I will come to Nicaragua at end of November and will contact you.

Thanks!

[Huehuete Bob]

OK, its not the way I would do it but it is the way they do. I have a boat, motor, nets, fishing equipment, and two of those makeshift hookahs. I personally am PADI certified since 1978, but have not been diving in about 25 years. There are only 2 places where you can fill a tank that I know of, and two places where they have dive equipment. I know where I can borrow some dive equipment and if its not too strenuous or too deep I can join you on some dives. We can also go out on my boat with local fishermen and you can observe them using handlines, nets, and diving for lobsters and fish. My house on the beach in Huehuete will be finished in Late Dec. and it is 15 minutes from the fishing village. You are welcome to stay there for free if you like. Just recommend it for others that may come to Nicaragua later because I do want to rent rooms for fishermen, divers, surfers adventurers etc.

[Huehuete Bob]

OK, its not the way I would dive, I have been PADI certified since 1978, but that is the way they do it. I have a boat, motor, fishing nets and fishing equipment. I rent them all to the locals and take my part of the profit. My beach house will be completed by the end of September and you are welcome to stay there for free. Only tell your friends because I am planning on renting to those who would like to fish, surf, dive, adventure, etc. I know where I can borrow diving equipment so maybe I can buddy with you as long as its not too deep since I havent been diving for 25 years. There are only two places that I know of where you can fill your tanks and its about 1 1/2 hours from Huehuete.

[tomkom2]

Hello Bob,

its good to know that you have a boat and can organize fishing equipment. I work with a biologist from Ave Maria College and he managed that I can stay at a kind of field station at Lake Xiloa - he also has a compressor for the tanks that I can rent. Its just that he will not have the time to always accompany me when I go diving. I need samples from all crater-lakes (Apoyo, Xiloa, Tissua, A.Leon, A.Managua...) and Lake Managua and Nicaragua. Some certain species from rivers entering the Pacific would also fit greatly in my phD topic.
We should definitely meet in Nicaragua - even better if I can stay a bit at your site ! I´m sure you can show me some nice beaches at the west-coast.
My email is tomkom2@gmx.de - if you like you can send me your phone number and I give you a call when I´m at Xiloa station.

See you soon,

Matthias

[Huehuete Bob]

Well, I will be living in my house in Managua until the construction is finished and I am retired, so so if you need to get around let me know.