El Calafate

Here are some pictures from our trip

 We were lucky enough to witness this footage while trekking the Perito Moreno Glacier.

Day 4

We woke up around 8am which is late for our standard.  It felt incredible to sleep through the night without waking up, in a tent on an island of Patagonian river...

After a quick breakfast, we were to continue on with the trip.  It seems warmer than yesterday and there were thousands of grass hoppers were lining up the river banks.  It turns out when the temperature reaches certain point, the hoppers tend to hop not crawl and today they were hopping so making a fly selection was no brainer.

The water levels for this area definitely went down significantly from the last 3 days we've been fishing and with the anticipation of catching bigger fish, we left the island with Capt. Gabriel's command, "Vamos!"

Within 50 yards from our camping spot, Patty yells out "fish on" and starting to struggle with the line.  After a few minutes, she lands this fat bow with bulging stomach.  Gabriel tells us they are gorging themselves with freshwater crabs called Aegla.

Maybe because of lower water level or hopping hoppers, the big fish were out and eating!  The most of the trout we've caught were a lot bigger than our previous day's catch.

It was a nonstop fishing extravaganza.  Patty was too tired to fish after a few hours of fishing so she enjoyed the whole experience from the back seat.  Although it was a short trip, we were glad to be out on this beautiful country and able to meet new people and reconnect with the old friends.

Here is an instructional video I put together.  Some of you might not approve but very effective...



Day 3

The day was warm and sunny and most of all, less wind.  Finally!  The temperature is predicted to reach 80 degree. When Travis and Gabriel came to our motel to pick us up, I've realized that they brought two boats.  One for us to fish with and the other to carry our camping gear.  Our plan is to drift down the Chimehuin river for next two day.

Our supply vessel

Day 2

Malleo River

When we arrived to the Malleo river, I was immediately connected to this river.  It had a lot of resemblance to the waters I fish back home but much bigger in size. Known as one of the best dry fly river in the world. The source of the water is fed from melted snow from the central Patagonia's impressive peak, Lanin Volcano.    

However, unlike it’s neighboring bigger rivers, it’s a lot smaller and, at least for me, a perfect trout stream as it is filled with pocket waters, riffles, pools, flats, and cut banks.  An angler can experience all kinds of fishing style and eager trout will reward you.  

After a short hike along the river, we were able to find our first fishing spot.  Patty was paired up with Travis and I with Gabriel.  We would skip a beat or two so that each other can fish all the way through without interference. From my understanding all streams and stream banks are public domain in Argentina.

Hopper dropper with a little spinner were used to fish as the beautiful pools and undercut banks accompanied by strong wind were ideal for such setup. 

This river, just as any rivers around here, supports healthy population of wild rainbows and browns and they weren't shy and going after the both flies with aggression.  I guess they were deprived from eating from the recent water level rise.

Although strong wind continued throughout the trip, willow trees provided enough protection for us to catch plenty of trout.  It was a mixed bag of rainbows and browns.

We didn't get to explore the river as much as we would like to due to high water level and the wind but I can easily see that this river can be a haven to an angler and offers all arrays of fishing experience as different sections of rivers from what I told is very distinct from one another.  

Since we have a long two days ahead of us, we decided to retire around 5pm.  Also, from all the casting against heavy wind yesterday took a toll on our body as well.

This condor's wingspan can reach to 10 feet!