Highlights
Fishing report from the spectacular Tres Valles Lodge in Central Patagonia - Beginning Season 09/10
In Río Pico, spring is synonymous with surprises. The small spring creeks, full of crystalline waters filtered by the surrounding lands, are full of wonderful browns that would take anything on their way, specially big dries, although they would not rule out a small Adams either. Mainrivers change so rapidly than the perfect river can lose its magic after some rain. But it is worththe risk. The big trouts that came from the lakes during the winter stay in these rivers, and they will certainly take the bait.
The small lakes and pools in addition to the Río Corcovado are, during the first months of the season, the ideal environment if you are trying to catch trouts over 5 pounds. The thermal stability and the invariable transparency of these waters, combined with populations structured with few individuals of very good size, create a tempting whole for those that look for excitement.
Our first visitors this season, passionated fishermen from England and Montana, USA, have enjoyed an excellent fishing period with great captures in the main rivers such as the Pico, the Nilson and the Pampas. They have also made short incursions into the creeks that flow into them, with light equipement, dry flies and nymphs. Very nice days let them experience incredible and memorable floats. And the first brown of the year was caught at Tres Valles Lake.
What is to come
Well into December and specially during January and February, the waters become stable and the mayflies and caddis shape up in all environments. This is the ideal moment to clutch a rod number 3 or 5, some dry flies and live one of those unforgettable days in which none of the ingredients to reach the ideal situation will be absent: a well sized rainbow, eating quietly at the edge of a gully 50 m from our position, the forest as a framework, the solitude of the landscape, one cast –maybe two- and the glory..., or perhaps a moment of reflection, walk a few feet upstream and start again.
By the end of the season, the rainy days begin, and big brooks and rainbows get to the Corcovado. Extremelly hard to deceive, brooks of more than 4 pounds –real giants for the kind- are common if you have enough patience. With regard to the rainbows, it is possible in these days to run into strong terribly large pieces, which often end up cutting everything. And while the waters and tracks allow it, to go fishing in the rivers becomes increasingly interesting, because this is the time when the big browns come out from the place in which they were hidden the whole summer and head for the rivers with reproductive purposes.
River Conditions
CLIMATE: The months of November and December, are remarkably characterized by instability and strong westerly winds. The most common days are cool and calm in the morning, becoming windy as the day goes on and the temperature rises. During January, February and early March, days grow noticeably longer. The winds gradually decrease and the temperature rises quickly. Days of 25 ° C average are common. In mid-March the rainy season begins. The temperature drops, the days shorten and temperatures rarely exceed 15 ° C. Winds at this time are very mild.
TECHNIQUES: In the early months of the season, it is more often to opt for a rod 6, wf floating line tipped with 3x tippets, and large dry or BH nimphs. Among the more promising models are the Stimulators, Chernoville, Goddard caddis, BH Prince, BH Pheasant tail. During the warmer months, it is usual to use rods 5, floating lines, 4x tippets, small and large dry flies, nymphs and some scuds. The most important hatchs are those of mayflies and caddis; therefore, we should have imitations of the different stages of these insects. The big browns from spring creeks, take wonderfully from good presentations of grass hopers.
Towards the end of the season, we must add streamers of gentle movements in orange, red and charteausse, with or without Bead Head, to tempt the brooks close to spawn. In search of trophies, you’ll likely opt for 2-4 or intermediate sinking lines, topped with 1x tippet and big streamers for smooth movement, especially in olive and black. Among the more promising models are the leeches, rabbits and wolly buggers.
For further informtion and bookings for Tres Valles, please contact fred@lax-a.is or arnib@lax-a.is
