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Dear friends,
For some reason each new season seems to come to an end faster than the one before it. Across all our lodges, it’s been a whirlwind year of dorado in the marsh, sea runs in Patagonia, and great trout fishing. In this Newsletter you’ll find the highlights written by the main characters, our international team of fishing managers, plus two hot new fishing programs that we’re adding to the portfolio. Dive in and enjoy!
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| The Nervous Waters Team |
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| SEA RUN BROWN TROUT |
| End of season 2013 reports |
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It’s been an interesting season with solid overall results in terms of catch, size, and quality of fish despite unusual weather conditions. True story, the fishing was tough at times. But it was also awesome.
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| DORADO RELOADED |
| News flash! |
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Attention everyone. For those who haven’t heard about it yet, we have put together the most exciting Golden Dorado program imaginable. Read more and find out what it’s all about. + info |
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| TROUT FISHING NEWS |
| Futa Report by Brian McKnight |
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Another season is in the books at Futa Lodge in Southern Chile. This year we enjoyed great weather from beginning to end.
+ info |
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CELEBRITY ON BOARD!
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For the 4th consecutive year, our favorite ambassador of fly-fishing fun will be hosting two exclusive groups of only 10 anglers at Abaco Lodge, on the Marls of Abaco, Bahamas. + info |
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| SEA RUN BROWN TROUT |
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| Kau Tapen End of Season Report |
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The Stats
- We caught and landed 1,654 fish for 2,132 fish hooked
- Average fish per rod, per day: 1.84
- Average weight: 7.3 pounds
- Biggest fish for the season: 28 pounds in the Rio Grande;
22 pounds in the Menendez River
- 105 fish over 15 pounds landed and 16 fish over 20 pounds
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Another season ends at Kau Tapen Lodge, the first lodge built on the Rio Grande River in 1984, soon celebrating its 30th anniversary. It’s been an interesting season with solid overall results in terms of catch, size, and quality of fish despite unusual weather conditions. True story, the fishing was tough at times. But it was also awesome: fresh fish hammering streamers and nymphs, great moments at the lodge and on the river, and good laughs with our guests.
The lodge was full almost all season, with sticks from the USA and UK, as well as Spain, New Zealand, Russia, France, Switzerland, South Africa, and more. Our seasoned team of international guides performed great. Each of them with a different and interesting professional background, they were always eager to contribute their knowledge and make the best of the fishing.
We arrived in late December to scout the river as we do every season. We found relatively high water levels and ideal in-river temperatures. The river looked to be in perfect shape. We noticed some changes in the pools from last year, and we were excited to start the season right.
Weather was up and down and unstable throughout the season. From cold and high water, to low and warm water. Wind was also an important factor and we had many days when it blew in the wrong direction (upstream from the east), or no wind—which is always challenging.
However, by the fourth week the river was “on fire” and all the pools boiled with fresh fish. Catch rates were fantastic—plenty of action and fun! Our group got an extraordinary number of fish per rod, per day and some good fish, too. All fresh! On our best day we landed 51 fish, including some sizeable sea trout. We also had other great days, when the river showed us its full potential. On January 23, for instance, we averaged 7.5 fish per rod with several weighing more than 15 pounds. Our biggest sea run of year was landed by Heinz M. from Switzerland. He hooked this beautiful 28-pound buck on a small rubber-leg nymph. His partner also hooked a nice 15 pounder in the Dead Guanaco pool.
Throughout the season we were forced to regularly check water temperatures and adjust techniques accordingly for success. By adapting on a day-to-day basis we were able to provide our guests with interesting and exceptional experiences.
The Menendez River (main tributary of the Rio Grande) fished great this season and more and more guests are trying it. One of our best trout was caught there: a 22 pounder landed by Jacques from France and guide Fabian. This amazing fish took a size 14 EMB on a full floating line and a short, fast sinking-tip. This tributary is a jewel and one of the most amazing sea trout rivers available in the area.
In closing, I’d like to thank all our staff for their hard work this season—their comment cards have been full of praise. I would also like to thank our guests for joining us at Kau Tapen Lodge. We hope to see you again in 2014.
Have a great 2013 fishing season worldwide and tight lines!
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Jean Baptiste Vidal
Kau Tapen Lodge Fishing manager |
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| Find out more about Kau Tapen Lodge |
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| Villa Maria Lodge End of season report |
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A fantastic fly-fishing season just ended at Villa Maria lodge. And as the head of fishing operations, I can say I'm happy with what we accomplished.
The Rio Grande fishery had its beginnings in the 1930s—propelled by Mr. Menendez and executed by John Goodall. Those hundreds of thousands of brown trout eggs, released in rivers such as the Candelaria, Herminita, Ona, and Menendez, have led to the best sea trout season we’ve seen in the last four years.
For the most part, fishing fluctuated throughout the summer. Some weeks were great, while others fished slow. From my point of view, climatic variations were the main factors influencing fish activity: from extremely warm temperatures in January to cool waters—approximately 6 degrees C—over the past several weeks.
Wind during the months of January and February deviated from southwest Patagonia’s prevailing westerly. We encountered nine high water events that significantly altered fish activity, as well. And our guide team was forced to be on its toes, constantly experimenting with different fly patterns and techniques.
In the end, the numbers really the story of just how good our season was. Average weekly weights for sea trout were higher—at 9 pounds—during 72 percent of season, reaching a maximum value of 11.24 lbs. We landed 1,124 sea trout and lost a total of 431 fish. Large sea trout totals were lower this summer than last summer, but we caught 20+ pound fish weekly. The great news this season is that Mark Riley entered Villa Maria’s Hall of Fame, with his massive female sea trout of 26.5 lbs.
I feel doubly blessed to have had the chance to finish the season with such a fantastic group of fellow guides and lodge staff. Anyone who spent time with these folks will attest to the professionalism and dedication exhibited by everyone at the lodge and on the river. Thank you all for your hard work! |
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Tight Lines!
Gastón Guglielminetti
Fishing Manager –Villa María Lodge |
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| Find out more about Villa Maria Lodge |
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| DORADO RELOADED |
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| Alto Paraná Lodge |
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Our valued Pira Lodge has stayed a favorite among many anglers seeking to fish for exotic species. Golden Dorado’s strength and spirit makes the experience as exciting as it can get. However, during the past years, many environmental cycles have made the fishing in the Ibera Marshlands hard to predict.
With that in mind, we needed to develop a fail-safe and exciting Dorado program, because that’s the minimum that a fish this esteemed deserves. And we found the answer in the acquisition of Alto Paraná Lodge.
This new lodge—now officially part of our portfolio—is only 3.5 hour’s drive away from Pira Lodge, which enables us to offer the first and only program in which anglers can fish dorado in two completely different environments: the upper section of the Paraná River and the Iberá Marshlands.
Pira alone already offered plenty of variety, from the marshes to the Corriente River and the Headwaters. Now Alto Paraná adds stability to the program, as well as the chance to experience a different adventure in this section of the Paraná River. As if supersized Dorado weren’t enough, Alto Paraná also features Pirá Pitá (pound-for-pound one of the strongest freshwater species) and chances for Pacú on the fly.
The logistics are also ideal, with daily non-stop flights available from Buenos Aires to Posadas—only an hour drive to the new lodge.
Check out our website to learn more about Alto Paraná Lodge!
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| Check out our website to learn more about Alto Paraná Lodge! |
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| Delta Day Trips |
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| For those visiting Argentina, who will stop at Buenos Aires for just one day, we’ve put together an innovative package. The program includes exciting dorado fishing in the Paraná Delta and its braided wetlands coupled with breathtaking views of the city. |
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| Read more about Delta Day Trips Here. |
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| TROUT FISHING NEWS |
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The Futa was high the first couple weeks of January, but quickly receded and by the 15th it was as low and clear as I have ever seen it. This makes for great takes on the streamer since you can track your strips all the way to the boat. It can also make dry-fly fishing a little more technical as trout become more leader shy.
We had a real mixed bag of clients this year from North and South America and Europe. Biggest fish caught was an 8-pound brown on the upper stretches of the Futa. Longest fish I personally taped was a 25-inch rainbow.
Some memorable moments: a friend from Buenos Aries fell out of the raft in stillwater while attempting to reach a rainbow with a long cast. By the time I got him back in the boat, and as he unwound his fly line from his chair, I spotted the same fish and he bagged it first cast!! We laughed all the way to the bank. By dinner he had switched the story to: “I did it on purpose cause it was too hot!” Ha-ha.
Another great friend and his wife from Texas came and we had the most incredible day on the river and never changed the fly once. It became a game, anytime he hooked the trees or something, I would ask him to break it off. Then he would manage to get it back and keep fishing. I only had one of these flies in the boat and it was doing remarkably well. We had to retire “The Fly” at the end of the day. It looked like chewed bubble gum.
The Futaleufu River is a productive trout fishery for all novice to advanced anglers. It offers opportunities and challenges for both. The scenery is like no other place on earth. You have to experience it for yourself because words do it no justice.
Our staff was slightly different this year, too. Emer Gavin hosted and Shane Reynolds was guiding with me. Maria and Carlos were chef and caretaker and Antonela was the housekeeper. We look forward to seeing the returns and all the new clients next year at the pristine Futa lodge.
From all of us… Saludos, |
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Brian McKnight
Head guide |
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| Find out more about Futa Lodge |
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CELEBRITY ON BOARD!
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| Bonefishing with expert angler Flip Pallot is like possessing an encyclopedia of flats fishing know-how in your back pocket. Flip has been reaping the spoils of Abaco’s prolific bonefish flats for many “mango seasons” as he likes to say. He hosted the Walkers Cay Chronicles TV series, exploring the Abaco archipelago up and down for 16 seasons and is ready to share its secrets with you.
You can expect 5 nights of fine dining and conversation in impeccable accommodations, 5* service and the Bahamas’ best bonefishing at your doorstep.
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