This past weekend I went fly fishing and met my dear friends Pablo, Gustavo and Miguel Sanchez in Bariloche, Argentina. Bariloche is a gorgeous town resting in the foothills of the Andes facing the pristine Lake Nahuel Huapi; a glacial remnant over 100 kilometers long and 500 square kilometers and the source of the “boca” or mouth of my favorite river “The Rio Limay”. It is here where it is possible that your next cast could be in the mouth of a killer native rainbow trout, resident brown trout, or monster lake run brown trout. I always try to make it in April for the fall run when the majority of migratory brown trout generally have entered or are on their way to go down river to spawn and also because the season is closed here April 31st. The name Limay comes from the indigenous language Mapuche meaning translucency, and the name truly fits as one can clearly see their fly fifteen feet down with ease. We would fish the boca at first light and then we would float two drift boats all day until the magic hour (last light) which would always produce some form of gem, this time being a rainbow for the team. We have a very nice tradition that we have to uphold, to try to keep the bota flowing which is a bladder full of amazing Argentine wine. It was incredible to float and see these beautiful trout in the same spots as always and we really learned a lot more about there ways. If you are ever in Bariloche I strongly recommend you call my dearest friend Miguel Sanchez (011 54 2944-524795. He is born and raised in Bariloche and will float you down his home river. In the fall the fly rods are usually 6,7,8 weights as it can be very wide at times and the fish are really strong with strong currents on their side. I prefer to use heavier shooting heads to get my flies down and I to tie my flies with really long hackle for this time of year as I think the bigger profile attracts more and bigger fish. Generally we use black, brown and grey spey style streamers or smaller bead headed nymphs. If you have a warm front a dry line can be extremely rewarding if there is a hatch. Well I must say, another amazing fly fishing trip here in Argentina with great friends on my favorite river. We all said farewell to this fishing zone and we are already looking forward to chase them to there next spot which will open on May 31st.
Awesome Alex ! I can’t wait to go back to the Limay… I remember how clear the water was, with the fish stacked up in some huge pools. It was December, but my Dad got whipped by a huge fish that absolutely crushed his Pancora fly.. Dario, our guide, said “Wait till April!” One of the flies I threw was like a pill bottle, wrapped in Chenille and Hackle, with rubber legs, and like a salt water plug on the water! Thanks for the great story, it brings back happy , happy memories. I love Argentina!
Cheers
Paul
look at that rainbow trout … flawless .. well done … looks like you got a pretty tight group of good friends and fly fishermen down there …. can’t wait to fish with you guys …. so, you comin’ to usa this year? if so, you are coming to north carolina with me to fish for albies with seth and ra and kery … don’t know if you saw their video “albie chaser” .. but i showed seth our video (where you knocked me on the head with fly reel casting to albies) … he knew right away that we were albie addicts too .. and i told him about how you were the one that taught me how to fly fish for albies way back when .. …. anyway alex… i hope you get to make it to usa this year, let me know …
ps .. i checked out your webiste (www.patagoniaflies.ecrater.com) and i am considering buying “the real deal” .. or at least the “streamsider” for freshwater flies …. and for salt water … definately getting .. “the bonita” .. “cocaine lady” .. “the worker” .. “bluefin blitz” .. “silent assassin” .. and “the first light” … all hand tied flies by you … and nice work on “the real deal” … it certainly is … keep an eye out for my order …
It truelly is a magical river and has many sections. I am so happy to hear you love Argentina.. It is an incredible country and waits for you.. I look forward to fishing with you in the future. I have unlimited connections here and would love to get to know more people from FliesandFins.. Take care
Alex
Jer my brother… I always wish you were fishing along side. It is another world filled with great people and amazing trout. I love tying flies it is an absolute passion to me and I am always learning after each trip what generally works best. I have basically exaggerated and tweaked with alot of standard flies making them more killer to cater more to our sytle of fishing and I believe it increases your ability to catch more fish and bigger fish . The most beautifl fly for me is not hanging on the wall it is hanging in the side of a fishes mouth. Nothing makes me happier to see people catch fish with my flies, so thank you for the compliment and I really look forward to fishing the Albies soon …got to sell a lot of flies …..