The week started out with typically nice Patagonian summer weather, although maybe too nice one would say.  Water conditions were not ideal, low and warm up to 17 C, and fishing was not easy. Silky smooth presentations, small nymphs and a risk of sunburn was the order of battle for the first days of the week. Wednesday brought a distinct change with promising dark clouds and the water temperature dropped to 10-14 C and by Thursday the river had risen 10-15 cm.

The change in conditions brought the first big run of fish of between 3 & 15lbs, with bright silver fish showing throughout the system.  Techniques changed from nymphing for spooky trout to the regular downstream swing, but as always stripping the fly and imparting lots of movement.

During the week it was traditional versus modern and “high-tech” drags and ultra lightweight Carbon-fibre proved no match for skill and experience.  Mark Farrar just took off from day one and neither wind nor rain could stop his climb towards top rod of the week.  Using, what most people would call ”old fashioned” (Mark called it light), a Sharpe’s 12’ spliced cane rod, he just kept on landing fish, and every day he simply wiped out any attempt to challenge him on the numbers. But I have to say the combination of a classic fly rod and a rubber legged woolybugger, just didn’t quite seem appropriate….

Biggest fish of the week was caught by Nico Mills in the pool ”Puesto”, after guide Claudio had persuaded Nico to fish instead of staying in the car drinking coffee. He hooked the fish on a little Silver Doctor and after a dramatic fight, which included 6-8 spectacular jumps; Nico landed a very nice fish weighing 21 lbs.  Ulf & Jussi, our Swedish pair, despite a slow start got going by the end of the week, landing 4 fish on the last night all between 6½ and 12lbs.   The total number of fish caught for the week does not tell the true picture and never have any of the guides seen so many lost fish.  I might add that it was not for the lack of skills from the group but rather a result of fresh running fish and the tenacity of these very hard fighting Sea Trout.

Biggest fish: 21 lbs
Avg weight:  8,5 lbs

Tackle Tips

Rods & Lines:  Single-handed rods (9-10’ #7-9) were used most of the time, but because of strong winds double handed were used occasionally. Intermediate or intermediate sink-tips were the most effective lines to deal with the rise in water conditions.

Fly patterns: Due to the rapidly changing weather and therefore very different conditions it’s difficult to say much more than be prepared for everything.  A selection of flies is shown below but really ones imagination is the only limit to a successful choice