Fly Fishing
One of the favourites things to do in Patagonia´s rivers, is the fly fishing.
What is fly fishing?
Fly fishing is a distinct and ancient angling method, most renowned as a method for catching trout and salmon, but employed today for a wide variety of species including pike, bass, panfish, and carp, as well as marine species, such as redfish, snook, tarpon, bonefish and striped bass. There are many reports of fly fisherman taking quite unintended species such as chub, bream and rudd while fishing for 'main target' species such as trout. There is a growing population of anglers whose aim is to catch as many different species as possible with the fly In fly fishing, fish are caught by using artificial flies that are cast with a fly rod and a fly line.
The fly line (today, almost always coated with plastic) is heavy enough to send the fly to the target. Artificial flies vary dramatically in size and weight, depending upon the application. It is important that the fly be matched with the appropriate line, rod, and reel. In general, larger, heavier flies require heavier lines, larger capacity reels, and heavier weight rods.
Fly fishing in river Puelo
Puelo is located in the Andes Mountains of Patagonia. The source of the river Puelo originates from high mountain glaciers along the border on the Argentine side (east), flowing through the Andes Mountains and out to the Pacific Ocean (west).
We suggest this lodge, because is wonderful for fly fishing practice. We can also recommend some wonderful places in this city to spleep and to get excellents meals.
Excellent dry fly fishing during the day and evening hatches are most remembered.
The lakes and rivers that surround the Alto Puelo have very good fishing. You will be able to fish for trout in the river using different methods. Fish are brown and rainbow trout.
Also…
This is one of the safest places on earth to be while enjoying your vacation. The clear lakes and also its rivers, the snow covered mountains, and the great fly fishing makes a perfect and memorable vacation. You must enjoy argentina´s beauty..
This magnific paradise is about two hours by car and one hour by boat from San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina. The boat ride takes you though the Puelo National Park and across two lakes from Argentina to Chile.
Many fly fishing enthusiasts who fish worldwide (especially those that plan to fish in Argentina and Chile) ask the question, "How do I find a responsible guide or outfitter and what questions should I ask him/her in regards to my fishing trip."
We are here to suggest some wonderful and experienced guides, from argentina, or chile, with the perfect knowledge about fishing.
In Argentina and Chile similar laws also applies as in the U.S. "Anyone entering Argentina or Chile with just a tourist visa cannot work in that country." So if an American guide enters either country with his passport stamped with just a tourist visa he is not allowed to work in that country. But you can ask as so as we contact a very good guide for you.
"...DESTINATION: O. Dono Expeditions , S.C. de Bariloche
» General Information:
The fishing season in Patagonia runs from the middle of November through mid-April in most habitats (ask about special packages in October and May).
During the first 2 months, the temperature tends to be very pleasant. It is thawing time so the rivers are high and well-oxygenated, creating the ideal conditions for fishing. In January and February, days are longer and hotter and the level of water is a bit lower. This is the perfect time of the year to fish wearing light waders, few clothes and to use dry flies.
In the last months of the season (March and April), the level of water drops down in most habitats, and it does not make trouble with wade fishing. Fishing is very profitable and subtle, big trout start swimming upstream, getting ready for winter spawning. It is a magic time as regards sights; vegetation becomes multicolor to welcome autumn.
» Package:
We offer daily or weekly tailor-made packages. Our aim is to make everything related to your trip easier, offering an integral service. For a 1-day-long outing, we take Bariloche and its surroundings as our base.
Weekly packages offer a wide variety of possibilities which include expeditions that last several days, accommodation in hotels or lodges.
Daily Outings:
Habitats where they are organized:
Rivers: Limay float fishing in four different stretches on our boats. Manso float fishing in five different stretches. Pichi Leufu private and public access. Traful private access. Foyel.
Lakes: Rocca, Fonk, Hess, Moscos, Mascardi, in these habitats we use motor boats to get to the best spots.
Rates include:
Transportation - Floats, motor boats or personal floaters - One guide serves two anglers - Lunch and tea, including drinks - Fishing tackle, in case it is needed (ask in advance).
Rates do not include:
Fishing licenses.
The outings are organized throughout the whole season, being San Carlos de Bariloche the starting point.
Expeditions:
What are they? A chance of fishing unexplored places of difficult access, far from roads or any kind of civilization, taking advantage of a fabulous fishing and surrounded by a totally wild and imposing environment. How? Going downstream on our floats, in some of the best rivers of Patagonia, with our qualified guides, who know each corner of these rivers and will be the perfect company in this great adventure. What shall I take? Exactly the same that you take for an outing that lasts one day, plus a change of clothes, a small lantern, and personal hygiene articles. Leave the rest to us. We have an excellent camping equipment that consists in 1 igloo tent per 2 anglers, inflatable mattresses, thermal sleeping bags, and everything that is necessary to make your stay totally pleasant. How does it work? The same as any other float fishing outing. Each guide takes two anglers on his float; the difference is that we have an extra float, called "pilchero", to carry tackle, food and drinks. The guide in charge of it always puts up the tents and waits for us with lunch ready at lunchtime.
There are more and more fans of this kind of excursions. Not only will you find fishing here difficult to compare, you will also enjoy the beautiful Patagonian surroundings, the fellowship during the glorious "asado" (typical grilled meat) nights served with fine wines, and the reflections around the fire.
Habitats:
Limay River
It is a renowned river around the world and it definitely deserves it. We might have a good time with an important amount of a medium-size fishing, but the possibility of hooking the trout of our lives is always there. Every season, many catches of fish that weigh over 9 pounds reaching the 18 pounds are registered. Big rainbows abound during the first months of the season (November and December), whereas there is more chance of catching excellent browns by the end of the season (March, April), when they migrate from the lakes to spawn in the winter months. A big-size river, we usually use inflatable rafts to float it and get to its best fisheries.
You can choose either daily outings or expeditions that last 2 or 3 days. Its name means "Clear Waters" in Mapuche (tongue pertaining to the Mapuche indians), and you just have to take a look at it to realize why it is called like that.
Manso River
Located in the south of Bariloche, born in the glaciers of Tronador Mount, it crosses the Andean cordillera along Chilean territory to drain into the Pacific Ocean. In the Argentine territory, it links five lakes and runs through over 80 km.
We use inflatable rafts to gain access to its best fisheries, because it has no paths in most of its course. Different fishing styles can be practiced in this river.
There are many spots to fish with nymphs and dries, looking at the trout we want to catch. It also gives us the chance of making attempts with sinking lines and streamers in deep pools which are home to resident and tricky brown trout. I dare to say that the Manso offers one of the most amazing landscapes of the south of Argentina. It runs through a fertile valley, surrounded by a forest full of cypresses, coihues, ñires, and lengas, which matches the emerald green of its waters. It seems the setting of a fairy tale.
Pichi Leufu River
Pichi means small in Mapuche, and that is the best way to describe this river. It is ideal for the lovers of ultralight equipment, rods #1, 2, 3, dries and nymphs. It has an important concentration of 2-pound rainbow trout, but there are also resident browns which reach 5 pounds. Fishing them implies an exciting challenge.
Located to the east of the Andes, it runs through the Patagonian plain. Mountains have been eroded by the wind for thousands of years, making them look as if it were a sight of the moon. Its waters flow slowly and is rich in hatches.
Due to its size, it is impossible to float-fish it. Wade fishing is done every day in private land. We also offer the possibility of making camp.
Caleufu River
Born in the union of the rivers Filo Hua-Hum and Melliquina, it flows along 50 km of private land to drain into the river Collón Cura. The only way to fish it is going on a 3-or 4-day float trip and camping on the shore and islands. This can only be done until mid-January approximately, because the level of water decreases too much to be able to float it afterwards. It is far away from any access or roads and floating it makes us feel we are in a truly virgin place.
Fat 2-pound rainbows in perfect conditions entertain us all day long, but be ready to catch browns weighing 4, 6 and 8 pounds.
A medium-sized river, the Caleufu does not require heavy tackle and a15-metre cast will do to enjoy an excellent fishing
Alumine River
This long and mighty river is the perfect excuse to set off for the great adventure of floating it for a week, enjoying its abundant fishing. Its slow waters flow through a beautiful plain.
On the way, the Alumine receives the water of important rivers, such as Pulmari, Quillen or Malleo, which flow into it, and it forms the Collón Cura when it joins Rio Chimehuin. Although it is a big-sized river, it is possible to fish it with light tackles.
It runs through large distances of private land providing excellent fishing. The river is fished with dries, nymphs and streamers, because the trout are always challenging us.
Due to its wild surroundings, it is normal to see wild deer and guanacos while floating downstream.
Collon-Cura River
We could say that the Collon is Alumine and Chimehuin's son, because it is originated from the union of these two great rivers. Needless to say, the son inherits the fame and the excellent fishing from such good parents. The first stretch covers 14 km and it is possible to float downstream during the day.
To have access to the middle and lower sections, it is necessary to go on a 3- or 4-day trip, because the river flows far away from any road. The Collon has many islands in its course. They are excellent spots because they form a mini-delta with brooks and small arms which are ideal for fine fishing and light tackles. For the lovers of strong emotions, the main arm of the river is the appropriate choice; big browns coming from the dam Piedra del Aguila constantly swim upstream in the Collon.
Lakes
These mirrors of water are the ideal place to fish on belly-boats, in the bays of rush, having the chance of catching fontinalis, browns, and rainbows. Due to their excellent conditions, we have chosen 3 lakes located in the south of Bariloche, which are part of river Manso basin. They are Los Moscos, Hess and Fonk. Hundreds of small brooks coming from the Andes drain into them, creating a unique habitat. Not only do they provide food, they also bring their freezing water. Fishing is primarily dry-fly on the river, specially attractors or bombers. We usually enjoy the violence of the trout when catching the flies at surface. You'll love it.
Other Habitats: Taking into account the package and the time of the year, fishing can also be done in the following rivers: Quillen, Pulmari, Melliquina, Filo Hua Hum, Malleo, Traful, Chimehuin.
» Tackle and Equipment:
The number of the rod depends on the size of the river, the conditions of each spot, and, of course, your personal tastes. This region offers a finer fishing and good weather conditions. To fish small brooks and medium-sized rivers the best average rod ranges from #2 with floating line to #6, with floating line, Shooting IV or a Teeny Line. In case of mightier rivers, such as Limay, we recommend taking a strong #7 or #8 with Shooting Heads IV, apart from the tackle we have already mentioned.
When choosing the appropriate flies, we cannot forget, among the streamers, the Wooly Buggers ( black and olive, size #4 to 10, Rabbits (cinnamon and black, size #2 to 8), Matukas (black and green, size #8 to 12), white Blondes (size #2 to 6), Cone Head Marabou Muddler ( brown and white, size #2 to 8).
The nymphs we recommend are: Prince Nymph (size #10 to 14), Hare's Ear (natural and black, size #10 to 16), Soft Hackle (cinnamon and black, size #8 to 14), black Kaufmann's Stone ( size #6 to 10), Montana (size #8 to 14).
The most popular dries are Adams (size #10 to 16), Elk Hair Caddis (natural and black, size #10 to 16), Red Humpy (size#10 to 14), Black Gnat (size #12 to 16), natural Goddard Caddis (size #10 to 14), and Irresistible (size #12 to 16).
Other important items are:
- Polarized sunglasses - a cap or a woolen hat, depending on the package and the time of the year (ask in advance) - sun block and hydrating lotion - bandannas for neck protection - Wading jacket - Warm clothes ( made of polar, capilene or synthetics to wear under the waders) - Check the condition of your wader and wading boots before traveling - In case of taking part of an expedition, toilette articles (towel, soap, etc)..." Fuente: www. flyfishingcaribe.com
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