“December’s ESPN shoot was the 10th ESPN show and 15th cable fishing show filmed in Zihuatanejo.”
Thanks to the efforts of Ixtapa Sportfishing Charters, Aeromexico Vacations and Airlines, and the Barcelo all-inclusive resort,Ixtapa Zihuatanejo once again enjoyed the opportunity to show the world its outstanding big game sportfishing through the eyes of the ESPN cameras. Mr. Jim Costolnick, host of the television series, In Search of Fly Waters, joined Mr. Stan Lushinsky, owner of Ixtapa Sportfishing Charters and fishing consultant to Aeromexico Vacations for several fun filled days of fly fishing for Sailfish in early December. The duo along with world renowned Emmy winning Cameraman, Bob Perrin, and sound man, Ken Delbert, raised more than 25 sailfish, 2 blue marlin and several dorado in 5 days of fishing. Producer, Doug Orr, will have his work cut out for him trying to compress all of the exciting action and background information into the show’s 22 minutes which will be seen by an estimated audience of more than 850,000 avid sportfishing enthusiasts. Projected airing date for this episode will be mid-to-late March 2001, on ESPN2.
In Search of Fly waters, constitutes a novel approach to the derivative world of Outdoors programming. This thirteen week series on ESPN 2 will reach out to several highly desirable demographics as the stories — all shot on breathtaking 16mm film — seek out the most beautiful and challenging fishing waters in the world. The show’s host, river man and float guide, Jim “Coz” Costolnick, promises to take the audience to places seldom seen on television, imparting his own insight and lessons learned in his travels through the endlessly layered world of fly fishing. Whether it be on Montana’s Madison River, his own beloved Delaware River, or surging sailfish off the coast of Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, Coz will entertain the audience with great adventures and valuable fly fishing information.
Jim “Coz” Costolnick is the founder and owner of Outdoor Adventures guide service and resides on his farm in northeastern Pennsylvania near the Catskill region of New York where he guides on his beloved Delaware River. In addition to being a professional fly fishing and wingshooting guide, Coz is also a pro staff advisor to the Scott rod and the Clacka Craft boat companies, a certified casting instructor, licensed NY fishing guide and also holds a captains license in the state of Michigan. His company, Outdoor Adventures, offers guide services, fly fishing instruction and adventure travel throughout the United States. Coz’s gregarious personality and enormous enthusiasm makes him one of the most popular speakers on the winter fly fishing show circuit. Coz is also a member of the US fly fishing team which will compete internationally for top honors next year in Scotland.
The sportfishing enthusiasts of Ixtapa Sportfishing Charters, Stan Lushinsky and Susan Richards, have continued to promote the exciting sportfishing of this area for more than a decade. December’s ESPN shoot was the 10th ESPN show and 15th cable fishing show filmed in Zihuatanejo through the efforts of Ixtapa Sportfishing Charters. Past films sponsored by ISC include episodes with such notable celebrities as pro golfer Fuzzy Zoellar and Hall of Fame baseball player, Doug Decences, of the Baltimore Orioles. In 1996, Stan and Susan’s invitation to come to Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo was accepted by award winning television personality and professional fisherman, Mark Sosin, who produced a full 30 minute show of his visit for ESPN. Further ISC sponsored promotion, highlighting Zihua’s great sportfishing have been seen on the Travel Channel, Prime, TNN (The Nashville Network), The Outdoor Life Network, Texas Outdoors and The Sunshine Network. In print, Ixtapa Sportfishing Charters has produced and co-authored sportfishing articles for the Houston Chronicle, New Jersey Star Ledger, LA Times, Phoenix Republic, and a wide variety of trade publications including Saltwater Sportsman, Marlin Magazine, South Coast Sportfishing, and recently The Men’s Journal.
Conservationists, Stan and Susan introduced the concept of Tag & Release to the area in 1992 and the results of their education and dedication has resulted in higher and higher percentages of fish being released today. Co- Sponsors of this movement is Aeromexico Vacations which will be the presenting sponsor of the 2001 Total Tag & Release tournament to be held in Zihuatanejo from November 6 through November 9. All told, the promotional efforts of Ixtapa Sportfishing Charters along with the partnerships they formed with the Aeromexico Airlines and the Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo hotel associations over the past 12 years have resulted in consistently high visibility for the destination and its excellent sportfishing opportunities. Be looking for Zihuatanejo’s latest shining appearance on ESPN2 in March of this year.
-January 2001
