Sea-trout
The story of the great big sea trouts in the south!
In the south of Argentina, Patagonia you will find the worlds famous and best rivers for sea trout. This season from various beats of Rio Grande we landed 28, 26, 26, 24, 22, 21pound, as well as good numbers of 15-20 pounders and many smaller ones in the size from 8 to 15 pounds.
The success of the fishery on the Rio Grande is a modern-day fisherman's Cinderella story. In just a decade, through access control and the diligent promotion of catch and release, average catch results have risen remarkably from less than a fish a day in the early '80's, to multiple fish per day, per person. Weeks are normally from 10 to 50 seatrout a week pr. person
The Rio Grande flows from East to West, from the Andes to the Atlantic Ocean, through 70km of Argentine territory. The landscape of Tierra del Fuego is reminiscent of Wyoming or the Scottish flow country. It is a sparsely populated wilderness. Large sheep farming estancias share this land with herds of wild llama-like guanacos, red foxes, and condors.
Starting with the opening of Kau-Tapen Lodge in the early '80s, the Rio Grande became the most productive sea-run trout fishery in the world. However, trout numbers fluctuate with conditions at sea, tides, water levels, and a host of other natural factors.
The rivers Rio Grande and Rio Gallegos have nourished and hosted the sea trout in the south for almost a century. The existence of these BIG, strong and fun fighting sea trout we owe to two gentlemen John Goodall and Jose Menedez back in 1935. They received 100.000 salmo trutta eggs which had been packed in milk cans, water, moss and sent from a seaport in Chile after arrival from Europe. Despite the difficult journey 60.000 eggs survived and were carefully stocked into two tiny tributaries of the Rio Grande river. During the following years the Rio Grande became well known for its strong and big runs of fresh hard fighting sea trout.
Rio Grande has been a strictly CATCH AND RELEASE river from 1983. That decision has been a great success with increasing numbers of average catch rod/week and last but not the least an INCREASE of average weight of the sea trout from 7 lbs 1983 to 12 lbs in 2004. Guides are equipped with nets ad will assist guests in weighing and releasing fish without damaging them.
Note: Larger streamers should be weighted and all should be tied on heavy hooks with good gapes. Treble & Double hooks are not allowed on the Rio Grande.
For further information about fishing in Argentina please contact Árni Baldurssonat Lax-á office through e-mail: arnibald@lax-a.is , or telephone +354 557 6100 or +354 8927146 .
RIO GRANDE - PICTURES!
Bolli from Iceland and Alejandro camp manager at Toon Ken gearing up for the first day of fishing.
No lack of fishing tackle.
Our great Toon Ken Cheff Lucas and desert cheff Marina.
Axel Wimmer from Austria and Guide Alex in to action at Russels Pool.
Bolli and Gusti with great Rio Grande trophies.
Gusti releasing a monster!
Axel and Alex proud with a fresh seatrout.
Thomas Durkop from Germany with his 19 pounder.
The twins Alex and Nico ... big time trouble .. who is who!
The comfortable lifing room at Toon Ken ... greatest place to relax, Thomas , Gusti , Bolli and Alex.
Thomas releasing a good fish.
The Macig hour!!! Most important time of the day ... Thomas and Alex getting ready.
Our lovely houstess at Toon Ken lodge Victoria take cares of every one feels like at home.
These two take care of that there is no way you will loose weight in their lodge :-)
Axel and Arni at the Seatrout monument in Rio Grande city.
A typical day on Rio Grande , blue sky , little wind and 12 C°.
Great heavy seatrout from Poachers pool.
Heading home after a great day of fishing.
There is always a time for a good laugh!
A typical Rio Grande Seatrout.
Vaaa.. Gusti from Iceland with one of the greater ones!
Toon Ken our home ... well good for now , more later , Arni.
Pictures is from Arni Baldursson and Alejandro Camp Manager of Toon Ken.
For further information about fishing in Argentina please contact Árni Baldursson at Lax-á office through e-mail: arnib@lax-a.is
For USA contact Fred Clough at fred@lax-a.is or give me a call in the USA at 207-423-4306.
