Patagonia Sea Run Browns
The very mention of Patagonia evokes visions of an untamed and rugged wilderness, where nature reigns supreme. Mighty rivers teeming with large, eager trout beckon to fly fishermen, promising a thrilling adventure through uncharted waters. The vast expanse of this remote land is a haven for those seeking true natural beauty and untamed landscapes, where every step holds the promise of discovery and wonder. It is a place where the wild spirit of the earth still thrives, untouched by human hands.
After months of anticipation and preparation, the moment had finally arrived - my journey to the renowned Río Gallegos river. The stories about catching enormous sea run brown trout in its waters were enough to quicken any angler's pulse. But that was just the beginning; we would also visit the legendary Jurassic lake, Lago Strobel, where massive rainbow trout prowled the shoreline for scraps of food carried in by the constant winds of this region. It may sound like a horror story, but this area is no joke - it experiences some of the fiercest weather and is not for the faint-hearted. If your idea of fishing involves leisurely drifting down a calm river with a cigar and glass of wine in hand, then you might want to sit this one out. But for those who are willing to put in the hard work and brave the elements, the opportunity to catch a trophy trout of a lifetime is more than worth it.
The excitement and anticipation of my trip began even before my group departed, as I spent a week on the Río Gallegos. This area had always intrigued me, with its stories of massive sea run Brown Trout and a healthy population of resident trout. As I boarded the plane for my first leg to Miami International Airport, my mind was filled with images from the stories I had heard. There was a mix of emotions within me - anticipation and concern, as sometimes reality does not live up to the hype. After a brief layover in Miami, it was onto one of my favorite cities - Buenos Aires. The bustling streets were filled with the aromas of wine and delicious food, while the vibrant atmosphere buzzed with energy. But what I love most about Buenos Aires are its people. Their warmth and hospitality have captured my heart and their genuine kindness keeps drawing me back to this beautiful country. People often ask me why I love Argentina so much, expecting me to say it is because of the fishing - and don't get me wrong, I do love the fishing. But it is the people and their way of life that truly make this place special to me
The wheels of my plane touched down on the tarmac at around 11:30. Our American Airlines pilot expertly maneuvered the massive 777, bringing us to a smooth and picture-perfect landing. The precision and skill of these captains never ceases to amaze me. After disembarking and grabbing my luggage, I headed to the Savoy hotel my favorite hotel in Buenos Aires. Afterward, I headed to one of my beloved places: the San Telmo Mercado. There, I indulged in a delicious lunch of savory wood fire empanadas, a must-try when visiting Buenos Aires. Feeling satisfied and rejuvenated, I strolled back to the opulent Savoy hotel for a well-deserved nap.
Refreshed and ready for more adventures, I embarked on a leisurely stroll through the bustling streets of Buenos Aires, taking in the sights and sounds of this vibrant city. My ultimate destination was La Parilla Pena, a charming family-run steakhouse that I make sure to visit on every trip to Buenos Aires. As always, the meal was perfection, perfectly complemented by a glass of refreshing Malbec wine.
As the night grew late, I made my way back to the hotel with a full stomach and content heart. With a 2:30 am flight looming ahead, I quickly settled into bed, knowing that with such an eventful day behind me, sleep would come easily. And though there wasn't much time for dreaming about my upcoming adventure in Río Gallegos, I knew that in just a few short hours, I would be living it in all its glory.
The sky was still a deep midnight blue and the sun had yet to rise, casting a sense of drowsiness over the airport. I dragged my feet as I made my way to the domestic aeropark, barely awake after the early morning start. Boarding the 3 hour flight south to Río Gallegos, I settled into my seat for what turned out to be a surprisingly pleasant and uneventful journey. Despite the notorious turbulence that often accompanies these flights due to the ever-present wind, we glided smoothly through the air. Touching down in Río Gallegos, I was greeted by my friend Sergio with a warm and exuberant Argentine welcome, characteristic of this vibrant city.
Since our flight was so early, we decided to spend the night at the casino in town before heading to the lodge in the morning. While some may have been tempted to try their luck at the tables or slot machines, all that was on my mind was sleep. Tomorrow would be an intense day on the river, as we searched for the elusive sea-run brown trout. As I drifted off into dreams of reeling in a massive catch, I couldn't help but feel excitement coursing through me for the adventures that lay ahead
Despite our plan to sleep in this morning and set off at 9:00, I found myself up at the crack of dawn. I took a quick shower to refresh myself and then eagerly headed into town, determined to find the perfect cup of coffee. For me, there is nothing quite like the ritual of a warm shower followed by a steaming cup of coffee to start my day. As luck would have it, I stumbled upon a charming coffee shop and immediately made my way inside. The rich slightly nutty, roasted scented aroma of freshly ground beans hit me as soon as I entered, and I couldn't help but smile. Taking a seat at a small table by the window, I ordered my favorite Argentine Cafe Con Leche - coffee with warm milk.
As I sipped on my delicious beverage and watched the city come alive outside, I couldn't help but feel grateful for the opportunity to visit such exotic locations. The bustling streets, filled with locals going about their morning routines, reminded me of how lucky I was to be able to experience different cultures and places. And as I savored every sip of my coffee, I knew that this was just the beginning of another exciting adventure.
It was not long before my Argentine friends greeted me at the hotel and we loaded up the truck and down the road to their lodge on the Río Gallegos. As we traveled the winding road I could not but realize how much this area reminded me of the great western United States. the wide open prairies, and distance mountains brought back so many memories of my time in Montana and Wyoming. They call Montana “Big Sky Country” but I have to say Río Gallegos is right there in the same ball park. It was not long until we turned off onto the dirt road that would be our final stretch towards the lodge and the Rio Gallegos.
After a quick lunch and a short rest to recharge our energy, we set off on the river for our first day in search of the elusive sea run brown trout that roam these waters. As I approached the water's edge, it felt intimidating with its wide span and numerous channels where fish could potentially hide. Plus the Patagonia weather was being a bit of a problem the winds were like wild horses, stampeding across the plains and kicking up dust and debris in their wake, as if in a constant battle with the rugged landscape of Patagonia. But I was determined to try my luck with my trusty single-handed rod, my old favorite Winston Boron IIx. This rod had proven itself time and time again in challenging conditions, and today would be no different as the winds were howling at a steady 40 mph with gusts even stronger.
The wind was making it challenging to cast my line over long distances, so I opted to quietly wade through the river, keeping an eye out for any signs of movement along the banks and in the undercut areas. It didn't take me too long to find some promising spots, where I positioned myself carefully to use the wind to my advantage. With patience and a sharp eye, I waited for any indication of fish feeding along the banks.
As I perused through my fly box, my eyes settled on the Sun Ray Shadow tube fly. The bright colors and lifelike design seemed like just the right tool for the job. Tying on a tube fly is slightly different from your standard fly with the usual cinch knot combination. As I threaded the line through the tube, head first and let the fly slide down the leader, a surge of excitement coursed through me. My anticipation grew as I selected a hook, tied on my knot, and secured it into the body of the Sun Ray Shadow. We were now fully rigged and ready for action!
Despite my best efforts, my first cast was a complete disaster. The wind seemed to have its own agenda, altering the trajectory of my fly and causing it to land with a clumsy splash on the surface of the water, far from where I needed it to be for a proper presentation. It was like the elements were conspiring against me, laughing at my feeble attempts to master the art of fly casting. But I refused to give up. This was Patagonia, where the winds were known for their ferocity and unpredictability. In order to catch any fish, I needed to be creative and adaptable in my approach.
Today, however, was an especially brutal day. The winds were swirling in every direction, making it nearly impossible to maintain a steady rhythm. And to make matters worse, I was using a single hand eight weight rod - not exactly the ideal setup for these conditions. But I wouldn't let that stop me from achieving my goal.
Instead of sticking to traditional casting techniques, I had to think outside of the box. My cast now resembled more of a lofting motion, carefully gauging the strength and direction of the wind before releasing the line into the air. With precision and determination, I directed the line to fall into a spot where I knew there would be potential for success.
After several failed attempts, I finally achieved the perfect drift and swing. As my fly glided through the water towards the fish's location, I gave a few short strips of the line and waited in anticipation. Suddenly, there was a slight tug on my line and I knew I had hooked onto something big.
Surprisingly, though, the strike was soft and hesitant - almost timid. The fish swam over and gently sucked in my fly before swimming off with determination. But no matter how gentle its initial bite may have been, I knew this was going to be a tough battle between myself and what I suspected to be a healthy and strong sea run brown trout. The sleek fish darted through the crystal clear water, its scales glinting in the sunlight. My reel screamed with intensity as I frantically tried to control the line and put pressure on the fish. With each head shake and surge of its body, I could feel my arms straining against the weight of the catch. The current pulled us downstream, but I stubbornly held on, determined not to let this sea run trout get away. As we raced along, I couldn't help but admire the strength and tenacity of these magnificent creatures. Eventually, the chaos settled and I was able to truly engage in the battle against this fish. I firmly believe that fishing is an active sport, and I refused to simply stand and watch as the fish fought for its freedom. With my specialized equipment - a carefully chosen rod, reel, line, proper leader, tippet combination and good strong sharp hook- I was ready to take on this challenge. And so the fight began - back and forth, me pulling and putting pressure on the fish, only for it to suddenly turn and make a powerful run upstream. and in between these massive run the fish would perform an aerobatic display in attempt to throw the hook But with every move, I countered with equal force, determined to emerge victorious in this exhilarating struggle between man and nature.
The trout fought fiercely against my line, its powerful muscles straining as it resisted my efforts to reel it in. I could feel the exhaustion in its movements, and my heart raced with excitement as I continued to slowly bring it closer to my net. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the massive sea run brown was within reach. As I gently guided it into my net, I paused to take in its magnificent size and beauty. It was a fresh catch, only recently entering the river from the vast expanse of the ocean. Its gleaming silver scales shone in the sunlight, a true testament to its wildness and strength. With great care, I lifted the fish from the net, just enough to release it back into its natural habitat. I knew another angler would have the chance to experience the thrill of catching this remarkable creature, and I smiled as I watched it swim away.
Under the clear blue big skies of Patagonia, we spent the day chasing after elusive sea run brown trout and admiring the vibrant resident fish that call the Rio Gallegos home. With each catch, our excitement grew and our laughter echoed through the rugged landscape.
As we made our way back to the lodge, we were surrounded by a sense of camaraderie and joy. Our dinner was a feast fit for kings - tender steak served with all the trimmings, accompanied by a smooth and earthy Malbec from the Mendoza region of Argentina. This is Patagonia, a place where your wildest fly fishing dreams can come true on remote rivers teeming with wild, untamed trout. And when you're ready to unwind, there is no better company than the welcoming locals who will share their world-class wines and outstanding cuisine with you. It's a paradise for adventurers and foodies alike.
Be sure to keep your eyes glued to my blog, as this is just the beginning. There are endless memories and grand tales of big fish waiting to be shared! The excitement and anticipation is palpable, like a box full of treasures waiting to be opened. So stay tuned and join me on this adventure through Patagonia!
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