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Fishing in Patagonia, Argentina/Chile
This season saw more international travelers to Argentina and Chile than
in passed years. Argentina and Chile are recognized as two of the most safest
destinations in South America for vacation travelers. Most were tourist not looking
to get hooked up with some feisty aquatic acrobat (a term I use to describe our
hard fighting rainbow and brown trout). The
Fishing Season Has Been Extended
The
trout season has been lengthened in Argentina, now running from November 1, and
in some areas October 1 and then to and ending in May instead of the traditional
April 15 date.
Each fishing season, weather
in the mountains along the majestic Andes Mountains has a new face. Sometimes
our spring weather can be wet (Nov.-Dec.) causing the
rivers and lakes to be high and very cold. The trout do not seem to mind  and
usually they are very active looking for food. This spring we had moderate rains
and normal water levels. The trout fishing was very good in all areas. Fish were
in good numbers and taking flies like we take to candy - very good dry fly fishing
in all areas.
We
did have some slow moments in February. It became very warm and cloudless for
the major part of that month causing very warm temperatures in the lakes and rivers.
Of course, the fishing was slow, as the trout went for the bottom of the rivers
and lakes. Despite the weather, we did catch fish each day. Some of the best fishing
was in rivers where there was a lot of moving and well oxygenated waters tumbling
over rocks. In these waters you could feel it was cooler than in the still or
slow moving part of the lake or stream. Water
Temp. in Relation to Trout Responses
As February came to an
end, the weather changed its face to cooler smiles and some wetness. It got cold
enough one rainy day that you could see steam coming off the lakes and rivers.
At one point, with a cold front over us my hands got so cold that I put them in
the water to warm them up. It felt like a heater. That´s when I realized
why the fish had been so sluggish for the last two weeks when taking a fly and
their fight to get free. I remember one day in mid-February on Lake Menendez,
when it was hot and the water warm, the fishing was slow and when we did catch
a fish it did not fight as hard as they normally do. However, when we passed by
a very cold mountain stream coming into the lake, we caught fish that fought hard
and long. That shows you the importance of water temp in relation to trout and
their responses.
Salmon
Fishing
This year we added a special camp for Atlantic and Chinook salmon
fishing. We call the place Dos Rios or Two Rivers. It was experimental for this
season. The camp was well arranged for comfort and fine cuisine. Two of our guests
came from Sweden for Atlantic salmon fishing. Their trip was during the first
part of April.
Chinook salmon were in the river along with Salar (Atlantic salmon).
Each day we would see lots of large fish jumping. Their jumps and splashes could
be heard over the running fast moving waters of the river. The weather on some
days, was misty and cool or cloudy with some blue skies.
For the first few days we could not get a single Salmon to take
the flies, only nice size 5-7 albs. Brown trout seemed to like the salmon flies.
The anglers first started with tub flies tied for Atlantic salmon. Then they started
using some traditional patterns with simple ties. Jorgen
Stenberg was not expecting a whole lot out of his first trip to a new river in
South America and especially so since he came on a experimental fishing trip for
Atlantic salmon, Salmo Salar. Atlantic
Salmon in the Pacific Ocean
Being a
fanatic for Salars as Jorgen Stenberg said of himself, and wanting to get out
of the Swedish winter weather for a while, Jorgen was anxious to give the camp
and new river a try for these wild Salmon originating from the Pacific Ocean in
Chile. These wild fish of considerable size were coming up rivers unknown to salmon
fisherman, rivers that had no fame or catch record. 
After
many cast and presentations of different flies, which is not unusual for Atlantic
salmon fishing, Jorgen got a firm take on his fly and he new it was this time
not a trout, but a real Salar salmon. He had caught more than 500 Atlantics during
his life and knew from experience who was on the other end of his line. This was
his first true Salar Pacific run salmon he had ever caught. Jorgen had thought
that changing oceans might somehow change the fishes instincts, but it had not.
The fish acted just as the Salars of the Atlantic Ocean
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The camp had been put
up for this trip and proved to be a success. We learned a lot from Jorgen Stenberg.
His knowledge about the Salar salmon and its life cycle along with other things
such as habitat, types of water that they like to be in during their stay in fresh
water. This is a great help to someone that knows trout but limited knowledge
about salmon fishing. We thank Jorgen for teaching us about some of the mysteries
of the Salar salmon. What still remains a mystery in Jorgens mind is the question….
How
do we get those 25 kilo Chinook salmon to take the fly?? "I will return with
the answer", said Jorgen.
So
the camp will be set up for next season and we look forward seeing Jorgen Stenberg
again and others as well.
Until
next seasons report, hope you have some good fishing. Sincerely, Kent
Schoenauer
Patagonia Adventures
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