|
If this newsletter does not display correctly, please click here. |
 |
| |
Dear Angler,
It´s incredible. The season has rushed by so fast… leaving us scrambling to process all the excitement and adrenaline. Sea-run brown, dorado, and trout lodges have all closed after incredible seasons. And as we expected, the new lodges have risen to the high standards of our established Nervous Waters’ properties. Our two Bahamas lodges are still running—but not for long. So if you have a bonefishing trip on your bucket list, this is your last call! Meantime, enjoy the many year-end highlights featured below. |
| The Nervous Waters Team |
| |
|
 |
|
|
| |
|
|
| MUCH MORE THAN DORADO! |
Alto Paraná, Pirá & Delta Fishing Trips |
This season was the first for Alto Paraná Lodge. It was designed to complement the program at our already well-known Pira Lodge, while adding two new and exciting ingredients to the mix: Pacú and Pira Pita. The program—both alone and combined with Pira—turned out to be a huge success.+ info
|
|
|
|
GIANT SEA-TROUT - RECORDS AND HIGHLIGHTS |
Kau Tapen & Villa María |
Sea-run brown trout season never dissapoints. This year was no exception. Both Villa María and Kau Tapen guests landed record sea-trout. On the other hand, Kau Tapen’s new “Green” modus operandi was more than welcomed, and its 30-year anniversary was celebrated and felt with every fish caught and released throughout the season.+ info |
| |
|
|
|  |
|
|
|
| ARGENTINA & CHILE - PURE TROUT FISHING |
|
BONEFISHING FEVER! |
Chime Lodge & Futa Lodge reports |
Abaco & Bairs |
Chime Lodge was also new to the Nervous Waters portfolio this season. Given that we already had Futa Lodge, with access to the best trout fishing in Chilean Patagonia, we thought that adding the best trout waters in Argentinean Patagonia made good sense. Read the reports to find if our intuitions were correct.+ info |
Bair’s and Abaco seasons are still in full swing. The fishing couldn’t have been better so far… and there is still much more to come, including the hosting the ESPN TV series “Buccanners and Bones!” Stay tuned and read more here. + info |
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The best parts of being a guide are opportunities to explore and fish exciting new waters. And searching for dorado, pacu, and two subspecies of pira pita at our newest fly-fishing destination - Alto Parana Lodge - has been awesome.
Starting with the venerable freshwater dorado, we learned a lot about their behavior and habitats this season. I mentioned in previous reports that dorado are not always easy to fool. They can be selective and wary at one moment, and ultra-aggressive another. Cracking the code from one day to the next has been absolutely addicting for guides and clients alike.
On the other hand, sight-casting to pira pita adds another great dimension to the fishing at Alto Parana. Although they typically don’t grow as large as our resident dorado, pira pita are pound-for-pound some of the hardest fighting fish we’ve encountered. And they love a well-placed dry fly.
Rounding out the equation is the pacu: one of the most challenging and exotic fish we’ve encountered anywhere in the world. Casting floating fruit imitations, or gangly terrestrial-style drys, to these selective beauties never gets old. Just ask clients like Dave M., who caught 10 pacu and pocketed 3 grand slams over the course of an amazing week!
All in all it’s been a great inaugural year, full of diversity and fun, and we look forward to sharing this remarkable fishery with you again next season.
Fabian Anastasio
Fishing Manager at Alto Parana Lodge |
PIRÁ LODGE - End of Season 2014 Report
By José Caparrós. |
The 2014 season at Pira Lodge started on the right track, with incredible summer weather and great dorado fishing. As those first days progressed into weeks and then months, temperatures dropped and the fishing changed.
We caught fewer dorado but we continued to find larger specimens, up to 15+ pounds, using sinking lines and big black flies in the deep waters of the Corrientes River.
Fishing in the marsh, on the other hand, was good. Guests caught fewer big dorado, but the eats were visual, aggressive, and consistent through the early season.
During the last month of summer, storms rolled in—unleashing a mix of rain, wind, and lightning that made fishing… interesting. Water temperatures dropped several degrees and the fish just closed their mouths. Following the deluge, the river and its myriad channels rose. Large lagoons were created and the fish spread throughout the system, making them increasingly difficult to pinpoint.
Of course when we found them, good fishing ensued.
Overall, it was an excellent season with more ups than downs. Clients left with big smiles and rarely empty-handed. This awesome place, our great guests and, of course, the world-class dorado fishing made for a truly remarkable year.
For now, we say goodbye. And we look forward to fishing with you again next year.
Tight Lines,
José Caparrós
Pirá Lodge Fishing Manager
As we mentioned earlier, Pirá and Alto Paraná lodges are a great pair. But they’re even better when combined with Delta Fishing day-trips in the Paraná Delta of Buenos Aires province. These dorado adventures—with a taste of pacu and pira pita fishing at Alto Parana—plus Tararira at the Paraná Delta, offer a triple threat of spectacular fishing you won’t find anywhere else in the world.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
KAU TAPEN LODGE - A season to remember
By Matthew Solon. |
Living and working at a fishing lodge for a full season no matter what fishery you are on is a unique experience. Living in such close quarters with a small group of people they become the closest thing to family you have, memories and experiences are shared leaving you the better person for it, while each day you find yourself constantly reading your guests and the river each being as variable as the other.
This, for better or worse gives you far more of a connection with your work and a sense of achievement with each passing day grows bigger and bigger. So as our time draws to a close here you find yourself experiencing something I like to call “Fisherman’s Blues” filled with a sense of relief that after 14 weeks your time for a break is near but tinged with sadness that the whole experience is about to end.
In some of my first reports I spoke about our hopes and expectations of which we had a lot considering we were working at one of the most prestigious fly fishing lodges in the world. Those first few test fishing seasons left us with some worries, the fish simply had not arrived, even the day before the guests were due to arrive the guides were finding it difficult to consistently get into fish. By some divine power however by the second day of the season fat fresh fish were nailing guests flies on all of the regular hot spots, this set the tone for an incredibly consistent season.
The high water episodes of the last two weeks of the season were the only time fishing could have been describe as poor but with extremely poor water clarity this was out of our control.
Standout performances by guests most go the Germany team of Daniel and Johannes who at this stage are Kau Tapen regulars and masters of trout trickery, the intense speed they fish at combined with delicate presentation ensured that they accounted for a combine total of 80 fish. Italian Orazzio Gatti also showed that experience pays, landing unattended the biggest fish of the season at 22 pounds, luckily for him his guide appeared at just the right time to confirm the measurements and dismiss the usual fisherman’s tales. His ability to find the “Big ones” is known worldwide having caught several “belters” in Russia and his average weight for his week here with us was 13 pounds.
Accepting the position as head guide at the start of the season was an easy decision to make considering the quality of guides I knew I would be working with, I would like to give them my sincere thanks for their professionalism and hard work throughout the season and look forward to catching up with at least half of them in a few weeks on the Ponoi in Russia.
It is no secret that Lodge managers Caro and Ale run an extremely tight ship, together with their house staff they were a pleasure to deal with and made both mine and the guides lives much easier. I would like to wish both Caro and Ale all the best in the coming year as they are due to “tie the knot”.
Matthew Solon
Kau Tapen Lodge Fishing Manager
|
Next Season, Simon Gawesworth will host 10 lucky anglers from Jan. 10 to 17. The last spots available are filling up fast, so don’t take a chance on losing yours and book it now! Find out more here.
Click to read more about Kau Tapen Lodge. |
VILLA MARIA LODGE - Season Highlights
By Ale Martello. |
Guiding and fishing the best beats on the best sea-run brown trout river in the world is a luxury. Every morning brings a heightened sense of anticipation, knowing the big-fish potential that lies within reach of every good cast. This is why I love the Rio Grande. And this season has been one of the best in recent memory.
Weather was generally tough. It was windy through late March. And during a couple of days we registered nuking speeds of up to 75 MPH! The river was low and clear during this time and factors such as sunlight, time of the day, cloud cover, water speed, and angler skill had to be weighed carefully in order to achieve results.
Thankfully, the river was kind. Villa Maria anglers, for instance, landed 1,479 fish weighing more than 5 pounds; 402 fish weighing more than 15 pounds; and 119 were over 20 pounds. We also landed 3 fish over 30 pounds: Two males weighing 33 and 32 pounds, and a chrome female that stretched the scale to 30 pounds.
These successes wouldn’t have been possible without our expert guide staff: Jason Jagger, Alejandro Bianchetti, Gaston Guglielminetti, and Alejandro Aloras. It was a superb effort all around! You showed professionalism, experience, great attitudes, and unwavering patience, and I hope to see you all again next season!
In addition, I’d like to thank all the guests that listened to our advice and put the skills we preached to work on the river. I was fortunate to share time on the water with many of you, and it’s always a pleasure to guide fisherman that I truly consider friends.
Finally, I want to thank Andres, Claudio, Florencia, Alejandro, Erika, and Alejandra for making our lives easier and doing a terrific job with the guests. See you all next year.
Alejandro Martello
Villa Maria Lodge Fishing Manager
Read more about Villa María Lodge here. |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
FUTA LODGE - End of Season Fishing Report
By Pablo Tañira. |
With this final report, another fine season ends at Futa Lodge. This year we enjoyed great weather, excellent fishing, and perfect company. We hosted experienced fishermen and novices, as well as non-anglers who enjoyed horseback riding, hiking, and long naps in the shade. Nice!
The river went through highs and lows throughout the summer months, giving us opportunities to experiment with techniques and explore unfished waters—including new river sections and hidden lakes. We discovered the potential of our home pool, which produced some of the biggest trout. Fall ushered in cooler weather and awesome fishing through late March—especially at Macal and along the lower sections of the river.
We also hooked several large Chinook salmon.
In addition to fishing… there were a few heroic moments that must be shared. Juan, Bob, and Danielle, for instance, rescued our neighbor’s dog from drowning close to the lodge. Teamwork and some quick thinking were necessary to pull the pooch from the grips of the river! These and other stories were shared by delighted guests around a glowing fireplace.
Staff this season included a mix of new and old faces. María pleased guests with her exceptional meals. Carlos took care of everything at the lodge. Juan turned most fishing excursions into a clinic, helping guests improve their casting and presentation skills. Olga did a wonderful job in the housekeeping department, and Carolina was a customer service extraordinaire.
We look forward to seeing return guests and all the new clients that will for sure become friends next year!
Pablo Tañira,
Futa Lodge Manager |
CHIME LODGE - Season Wrap
By Kurt Treichel. |
At Chime Lodge, we began the season with doubts. Spring, for example, had been dry and we knew that a hot summer could mean low and, perhaps, unfishable rivers by March. But in the end, summer weather was perfect and left us with enough water for good fishing from start to finish.
On the lower Chimehuin River guests landed healthy and hard-fighting browns and rainbows. It also produced our biggest fish of the year, a supersized 27-inch rainbow.
During our days on the water, some sessions produced one fish after another—all very nice trout! And our regional lakes (Huechulafquen, Paimun, and Epulafquen) provided great alternatives when the river turned slow. Stillwater fish included beautiful browns, rainbows, and brook trout, many of them between 20 and 24 inches.
Join us next year for more exciting fishing action at Chime. You’ll be happy you did!
Tight Lines,
Kurt Treichel
Chime Lodge Manager |
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
BAHAMAS BONEFISHING REPORT |
Bonefish have begun to school more and more on the flats and seem to be enjoying the shallower water as it warms during these sunny days of spring. We’re seeing more and more tailing fish and the larger than average bone trend continues. Guests are continuing to enjoy consistent hookups with 5-pound+ bonefish! Weather has been stabilizing (barring a few random storm fronts); yielding warmer, sunnier days with much lighter winds. The bite is on!
Days pass as the season moves ahead, bonefish tails and the sun remains longer in the sky. While new groups take some of the last spots available, some unlucky anglers are forced to cancel. It happens each year. And each year we have the chance to offer prime time fishing at off-season rates. If you have a window in your calendar, you must act quickly—these specials are for specific dates and only offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
|
Abaco Lodge
June 1-5 (4/3) ----- 2 rods
June 6-10 (4/3) ---- 2 rods
June 10-17 (7/6) --- 8 rods
June 16-20 (4/3) ---- 6 rods
June 22-26 (4/3) ---- 8 rods
Bairs Lodge
June 4-8 (4/3) ---- 4 rods
June 8-12 (4/3) --- 10 rods |
Bucaneers and Bones Set Sail for Bair´s Lodge |
Award-winning flyfishing TV series “Buccaneers and Bones” is dropping anchor at Bair´s Lodge on South Andros Island, Bahamas, to commence filming a new season with Outdoor Channel.
Past guests have included media, business, and fishing luminaries such as newscaster and author Tom Brokaw, Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard, actor Michael Keaton, author Tom McGuane, and veteran anglers Lefty Kreh and Flip Pallot.
This season the cast will target bones and permit across pristine flats accessed via Bair's front door. In addition to readily available fishing, past episodes of Buccaneers have successfully spotlighted conservation issues surrounding our last great coastal environments. Teaming with top researchers such as Aaron Adams at the Bonefish & Tarpon Trust, expect to learn more about groundbreaking bonefish research being conducted in this part of the Bahamas.
Based out of Abaco Lodge in 2010, Bairs Lodge at South Andros is a natural progression for the show, say its producers. Since 1989, Bair's has been a consistent favorite among traveling anglers because of its quality bonefish, expert guides, and convenient and comfortable accommodations. Andros is also the largest island in the Bahamas chain, which means it houses more unpressured flats per square mile than anywhere else in the country.
Click to learn more about Bairs Lodge or Abaco Lodge. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
