LEGENDS OF LOS BUZOS
THE PIONEERS
THE KAYAK YEARS
THE MIXED SPORTFISHING ERA
OFF THE WATER
THE PIONEERS
THE KAYAK YEARS
THE MIXED SPORTFISHING ERA
OFF THE WATER
Since we started at Los Buzos 24 years ago we have been blessed with a variety of contributors who helped shape and create what we are today. Some brought wisdom and experience for our benefit after stellar careers of their own elsewhere while others started their careers here with us and took their skills and experience on to new heights and adventures. We want to take some time to recognize them so that all who follow will know about the LEGENDS OF LOS BUZOS.
THE PIONEERS
Captain Richard Putnam
After a stellar career in the Gulf of Mexico including an unprecedented tournament run on The Punchlist, Richard helped us dial in on the very different fishery here in Panama. Had it not been for his constant commentary on Panama during our tournament years I probably would have turned down the consulting job that led to my discovery of Panama and Los Buzos. That experience bore fruit as we learned the key to Los Buzos – the fish – including the marlin- are in our back yard, not miles offshore as was our experience. Captain Richard is enjoying retirement in Alabama but still returns to Los Buzos annually to put on training seminars on rigging baits, handling and targeting big game fish.
Captain Skip Nielsen
THE KAYAK YEARS
Robert Field
Adam Fisk
Speaking of dramatic episodes, of course the star of the most dramatic of all is Adam Fisk – the marlin man. To this day no one has challenged our claim that Adam is the only person to release an estimated 500lb plus Marlin by kayak completely unassisted pedaling out from shore. Of course, everyone in the kayak world and beyond has seen Roberts’ dramatic story of this event. Adam is responsible for blending the big game techniques we used prior to his tenure with his South Florida techniques he brought into a Los Buzos Style of fishing that has delivered 7 and counting IGFA world record catches along with countless other trophies for our guests. Nowadays Adam in addition to being a new dad is representing Accurate reels selling the very reels that he helped make famous in the kayak world by putting them through the ultimate test in the Land of Giants.
THE MIXED SPORTFISHING ERA
Dakota Dunmire
Dakota probably inherited the toughest job of all and performed spectacularly. With Adam and Robert setting the bar so high as far as expectations were concerned, Dakota had the task of maintaining that standard of fishing while at the same time helping us transition to a more structured and versatile lodge that allows a wider audience to experience the magic of Los Buzos. Not only did his period continue the onslaught of IGFA world record catches by kayak, he helped develop our offshore panga program and protocols used by our first class group of lodge captains all trained on his watch. Not bad work for a guy whose first month on the job was met with our lodge burning to the ground and the Covid epidemic. Dakota remains on board as our director of social media marketing but is taking a hiatus from on water operations to train for and pursue Olympic Lacrosse Gold with the German team in the upcoming Olympic Games.
OFF THE WATER
Ovidio Diaz
Ovidio hosted my first visit to Panama, my first fishing trip in Panama and my first visit to Los Buzos. Needless to say, we would not exist today had it not been for his early advice and encouragement. Subsequently Ovidio became our first manager and oversaw the construction of our original 6 room lodge – each room with 4 bunks that many of you recall from the early days. Today Ovidio is a leader in the tourism industry and holds the position of President of the Panama National Chamber of Commerce. Most recently Ovidio hosted a Presidential debate 100% on tourism for Panama. That is a far cry from 2001 when he and I were trying to convince people Panama was even an option.
Chef Jose Carles
Jose was chef #1 in Los Buzos. Prior to his arrival at Los Buzos straight out of culinary school in Costa Rica I had barely held down the cooking duties not daring to call myself a chef. Under Jose’s direction we learned that the food could be a major part of the Los Buzos experience. His flan recipe is still around to this day and of course we still live by the farm/ocean to table dining experience for which Jose is now one of the most famous chefs in Latin America. On your next trip to Panama stop by and check out Jose’s latest award-winning restaurant Fonda Lo Que Hay in Casco Viejo
