Estancia Maria Behety sea trout fishing Argentina, Rio Grande
ESTANCIA MARIA BEHETY; 2016 SEASON FISHING REPORTS
Week; 5-12th March – week 11
Maria Behety Lodge
We are getting close to the end of the season and the river is in excellent conditions, low and clear water. Fishing was a bit slow this week. 79 fish landed. Average weight of sea-trout was 11.3 pounds, the best of the season. 28 fish over 15 pounds, 3 of them were over 20 pounds. Mike Bay was the Top Rod with 10 fish landed. Tom Bettcher landed the fish of the week: 20.5 pounds.
Water Conditions: Water colour and visibility: River is low. Water is very clear. On Friday wind went up to 55 mph and the water got very cloudy. Water temperature: 40°F to 50°F Water level and amount of increase or decrease through the week: River dropped a couple of inches.
Weather Conditions: Wind speed ranges through the week: 5 to 55 mph. Air temperature ranges through the week: 32°F to 62°F
Fishing Conditions: Flies that are working the best: Mostly nymphs: Emb, prince nymph, Aurelia prince, beauty Camila, red butt, anadromizer. Yuk Bug, Wooly buggers, taxi. Big flies for the last time of the day: intruders, leeches, big tube flies. Fly lines (tips, heads, lengths, densities, etc.): We are fishing mostly heavy tips: different lengths of T-14 and T-17. To throw these tips the best are Skagit heads. In some pools Scandi heads with poly or versi-leaders. Length and strength of tippet and leaders: 4 to 12 feet. 15 to 20 pounds.
Fish Catch Statistics: Number of anglers for the week: 12 Total number of fish landed for the week: 79 Weight of the biggest fish landed for the week: 20.5 pounds. Number of fish landed over 15 pounds: 25 Number of fish landed over 20 pounds: 3 Notable catches: Tom Battcher landed a 20,5 pounder. Dan Bay landed a 20 pounder. Mike Bay landed a 20 pounder.
La Villa Maria Behety
We had 6 good friends this week, Kathy E. and her husband Steve E., Bob DB and his son Robbie DB from the USA; and Gareth B. on his 5th trip to La Villa, and Malcolm M. on his first trip to the Rio Grande. Both of them are from Scotland. The fishing had its ups and downs, and we managed to land 78 fish for the week. The average weight was again outstanding, surpassing the previous week’s, it was 11.17 lbs – top 3 of the last 4 seasons. Record-man, Robbie DB was the top rod again with 19 fish, a bit away from the 62 he got in 2014, but still great numbers considering the tough conditions! The biggest fish of the week was caught by Gareth, a beautiful 22lbs sea trout! Kathy E. got a 21 lbs. and Steve E. a nice 20 pounder. The average catch a day per angler was 2.16 fish.
Water Conditions: Water color and visibility: Water very clear, except for Friday, when the river got dirty due to the very strong winds. Water temperature: Between 5⁰ and⁰ 13 C (41⁰ – 55⁰ F). Water levels: Water level low, keeping a steady flow during the week.
Weather Conditions: Wind speed ranges through the week: 10 to 105 kph (6 – 65 mph). Air temperature ranges through the week: 3⁰ and 19⁰ C (37⁰ – 66⁰ F).
Weather Observations: Weather observations: Mostly cloudy and partial cloud cover. A few passing showers and very windy the last day.
Fishing Conditions: Flies that are working the best: EMB Rubber-legs, Green Machine, Sun-ray-shadow, Skagit Minnow, Turks Tarantula, Red Butt Bomber, Tdf Prince, Wonder Bug, Aurelia Prince. Fly lines that are producing the best: Skagits and Scandis with tips such as floating, intermediate,T8, T11, T14, T17 and Mow tips in various combinations. Length and strength of tippet and leaders: 12 to 15lbs tippet, lengths between 4 and 14 feet.
Fish Catch Statistics: Number of anglers for the week: 6 Total number of fish landed for the week: 78 Weight of the biggest fish landed for the week: 22 lbs. Number of fish landed over 15 pounds: 21 fish Number of fish landed over 20 pounds: 4
Week; February 27th – 5th March – week 10
La Villa Maria Behety
We had 6 repeating guests this week, Keith and Jean H. from England, a beloved couple who faithfully came to La Villa since we opened our doors in 2004, Jane and Mel H. from the USA, and Paul D. and Peter W. from the UK. The fishing had its ups and downs this week, following the same pattern of the year. Fortunately the River gained a few centimetres due to the rains we had last Saturday and during the week up in Chile. Jane H. From the USA, was the top rod with 14 fish, Jean H. from England landed the biggest, a fresh 23 pound female. Congratulations to the Ladies. The average weight was again very good, 11lbs, the average catch a day per angler was 1.77 fish.
Water Conditions: Water temperature: 8° – 14° C (46° – 57° F). Water level through the week: Water level a bit low, but with a rise in the level due to last Saturday’s rain.
Weather Conditions: Wind Speed: 10 – 75 kph (6 – 47 mph) Air temperatures: 4° – 16° C (39° – 61° F).
Weather Observations: Mostly sunny, partial cloud cover, three days with virtually no wind.
Fishing Conditions: Flies that are working the best: EMB Rubber-legs, Wonder Bug, Green Machine, Sun-ray-shadow, Red Butt Bomber, Aurelia Prince, Intruders, Skagit Minnows. Fly lines (tips, heads, lengths, densities, etc.): Skagits and Scandis with tips such as floating, intermediate, type 3, 6 and 8. T14 and Mow tips in various combinations and lenghts. Length and strength of tippet and leaders: 12 – 15lbs tippet, lengths between 3 and 15 feet.
Fish Catch Statistics: Number of anglers for the week: 6 Total number of fish landed for the week: 64 Weight of the biggest fish landed for the week: 23lbs Number of fish landed over 15 pounds: 13 Number of fish landed over 20 pounds: 1 1 Notable catches: Jean’s 23 pound female.
Maria Behety Lodge
Water Conditions: Water is very clear. It gets a bit cloudy when the wind blows. Water temperature: 44°F – 60°F Water level through the week: Water level increased a couple of inches because of some rain they received in the mountains.
Weather Conditions: Wind speed: 5 to 40 mph Air temperatures: 30°F – 70°F
Weather Observations: Mostly cloudy, with quite a few showers during the week.
Fishing Conditions: Flies that are working the best: Mostly nymphs: Emb, Prince Nymph, Aurelia Prince, Beauty Camila, Red Butt, Anadromizer. Some nymphs and scuds tied in size 12, 14 and 16 hooks. Yuk Bug, Wooly Buggers, Taxi. Big flies for the last hour of the day: intruders, leeches, big tube flies. Fly lines (tips, heads, lengths, densities, etc.): Skagit and Scandi heads. Scandi heads are great to fish light and short tips. Different lengths of T-11, T-14 and T-17. Mow tips are a good option. Length and strength of tippet and leaders: 4 – 10 feet, 10 – 20 pounds.
Fish Catch Statistics: Number of anglers for the week: 11 Total number of fish landed for the week: 88 Weight of the biggest fish landed for the week: 21.5 pounds Number of fish landed over 15 pounds: 16 Number of fish landed over 20 pounds: 3 Notable catches: John Burne landed a 21.5 pounder. Gary Debernardi landed a 20 pounder and a 21 pounder.
Week; February 20-27th – week 9
La Villa Maria Behety
Fortunately the fishing really improved this week. Not only on the fish landed, average weight was really impressive too. We had six guests this week, our friends Mark B., Jim “the Icon” R., Walt W. and Michael H. Chris P. and Jonathan A. came to La Villa for the first time.
Best figures in the last month, we had 81 fish for the week, and a really good average weight 10.7 lbs. Mark B. was the top rod with 19 fish, he had one of the best weeks ever at La Villa. Congratulations! The biggest fish was caught by the Iconic James R. A beautiful 19.5 lbs sea trout! The average catch a day per angler improved to 2.25 fish.
Water Conditions:
Water temperature: Between 6⁰C – 14⁰C (43⁰F – 57⁰F)
Water level low, the river rose a bit on Friday, but water remains clear.
Weather Conditions:
Wind speed ranges through the week: 0 – 90 kph (0 – 60 mph)
Air temperature ranges through the week: 0⁰C – 18⁰C (32⁰F –64⁰F)
Weather Observations: Mostly cloudy, and partial cloud cover. With a fairly heavy rain on Thursday.
Fishing Conditions:
Flies that are working the best: EMB Rubberlegs, Green Machine, Sun-ray-shadow, Skagit Minnow, Turks Tarantula, Red Butt Bomber, Tdf Prince, Wonder Bug, Aurelia Prince.
Fly lines (tips, heads, lengths, densities, etc): Skagits and Scandis with tips such as floating, intermediate,T8, T11, T14, and Mow tips in various combinations.
Length and strength of tippet and leaders: 12 to 15lbs tippet, lengths between 4 and 14 feet.
Fish Catch Statistics:
Number of anglers for the week: 6
Total number of fish landed for the week: 81
Weight of the biggest fish landed for the week: 19.5 lbs.
Number of fish landed over 15 pounds: 21 fish
Number of fish landed over 20 pounds: None
Maria Behety Lodge
The fishing improved considerably this week and some new fresh sea-trout came into the river. 118 fish landed this week. 35 sea-trout were over 15 pounds, 4 of them over 20 pounds. John Burne landed the fish of the week a great 22.5 pound hen from Z Pool. Nick Warren was the top rod: 20 fish in the net, 5 of them over 15 pounds.
Water Conditions:
Water color and visibility: Very clear water and good visibility
Water temperature: Water was a bit colder this week. Between 43°F and 51°F
Water levels: Water level raised a couple of inches due some rain on the mountains. This is good news!
Weather Conditions:
Wind speed ranges through the week: 0 to 60 mph
Air temperature ranges through the week: 28°F to 62°F
Weather observations: Mostly cloudy and windy with a few showers and east wind some days.
Fishing Conditions:
Flies that are working the best: Nymphs: EMB Rubber Legs, TDF prince, Aurelia Prince, Prince Nymph, and Scuds. Green machine, Yuk bug, wooly buggers. Different sizes of sunray shadows.
Big flies for the last hour: Leeches, intruders and big tube flies.
Fly lines (tips, heads, lengths, densities): Skagit and Scandi heads with different lengths of T-17, T-14, T-11. Floating and intermediate tips are working great. Mow and IMow tips are a good option.
Length and strength of tippet and leaders: 3 to 12 feet, 15 to 20 pounds.
Fish Catch Statistics:
Number of anglers for the week: 12
Total number of fish landed for the week: 118
Weight of the biggest fish landed for the week: 22.5 pounds.
Number of fish landed over 15 pounds: 35
Number of fish landed over 20 pounds: 4
Notable Catches:
Ted Kauth landed a 21 pounder. John Burne landed a 22.5 pounder. Bill Kauth landed a 20 pounder. Bryan Townsend landed a 22 pounder.
Week; February 6-13th – week 7
Maria Behety Lodge
Another great fishing week. 130 fish landed; 28 fish over 15 pounds, 2 over 20 pounds and the average weight at 10.33 pounds. Top rod of the week was Richard R. with 21 fish on the net, 5 of them were between 15 and 19.5 pounds. Steve Wise landed the two biggest fish: 21.5 pounds and 22 pounds.
Water Conditions
Water colour and visibility: Very clear water, a bit cloudy on very windy days.
Water temperature: 45°F to 64°F
Water level and amount of increase or decrease through the week: Low water, usual for this time of the season.
Weather Conditions
Wind speed ranges through the week: 5 to 65 mph.
Air temperature ranges through the week: 45°F and 70°F
Weather observations (sun, rain, fog, etc.): Mostly cloudy, on Tuesday 65 mph wind.
Fishing Conditions
Flies that are working the best: Nymphs: EMB, TDF prince, Aurelia prince, prince nymph, scuds. Green machine, yuk bug, wooly buggers. Different sizes of sunray shadows. Big flies for the last hour: Leeches, intruders and big tube flies.
Fly lines (tips, heads, lengths, densities, etc) that are producing the best: Skagit and Scandi heads with different lengths of T-14, T-11. Floating and intermediate tips are working great. Also polyleaders or versileaders are working good.
Length and strength of tippet and leaders: 5 to 15 feet. 15 to 20 pounds.
Fish Catch Statistics
Number of anglers for the week: 12
Total number of fish landed for the week: 130
Weight of the biggest fish landed for the week: 22 pounds
Number of fish landed over 15 pounds: 28
Number of fish landed over 20 pounds: 2
Notable catches: Steve Wise landed a 21,5 pounder and a 22 pounder.
Week; January 30th – February 6th – week 6
La Villa Maria Behety
As always in the first week of February, we had the group of David S., Karen R., John R., Chris B., Richard M. And Roland D. all of them from the UK. The average weight was good, it was 10.3., the average catch a day per angler was 1.6 fish, lower than expected for this week The Top rod was David S. with 16 fish. The biggest was caught by John R. a nice 20 lbs. Congratulations! The fishing was tough most of the week, as we saw lots of fish, but they were hard to get to take. Many factors could have contributed to the tough bite.
Water Conditions Water color and visibility: Water clear, a bit dirty two days after the rain we had on Thursday. Water level and amount of increase or decrease through the week: Normal to low for this time of year. The level was decreasing until the thunderstorm we had on Wednesday. On Friday the level was 10cm higher and the water slightly dirty but still with very good visibility.
Weather Conditions Wind speed ranges through the week: 15 to 60 KM Air temp ranges through the week: 2° – 17°C Weather observations (sun, rain, fog, etc.): Sunny, cloud cover. A heavy shower on Wednesday with some thunder.
Fishing Conditions Flies that are working the best: Wonder Bug, Green Machine, Sunrayshadow, EMB, Camila, small nymphs, Turks Tarantula. Fly lines (tips, heads, lengths, densities, etc) that are producing the best: skagits and scandis with tips such as floating, intermediate, type 3, 6 and 8. Heavy and Medium MOW tips. Length and strength of tippet and leaders: 12 to 15lbs tippet, lengths between 5 and 14 feet.
Fish Catch Statistics Number of anglers for the week: 6 Total number of fish landed for the week: 58 Weight of the biggest fish landed for the week: 20lbs Number of fish landed over 15 pounds: 14 Number of fish landed over 20 pounds: 1 Notable catches: John R. landed a great fresh 20 lbs. fresh female. Roly D. Had a fantastic 19 pounder
Maria Behety Lodge
129 fish landed for the week. Fishing was slower the last two days because of the hot weather and water temperature. First time all season the average weight has beent up to 10,8 pounds. Top Rod was Doug Limburn with 18 fish landed!! 4 fish between 15 and 20 pounds, and a 21,5 pounder.
Water Conditions
Water color and visibility: First 4 days almost crystal clear, then after a heavy rain on Wednesday morning, it got a little colored.
Water temperature: Warmer than usual. 50 °F to 74°F
Water level and amount of increase or decrease through the week: After a heavy rain on Wednesday morning water level increased 3 or 4 inches.
Weather Conditions
Wind speed ranges through the week: From 0 wind to 40-45 mph.
Air temperature ranges through the week: 47°F to 81°F.
Weather observations (sun, rain, fog, etc.): heavy rain by the middle of the week.
Fishing Conditions
Flies that are working the best:
Nymphs: emb, tdf prince, Aurelia prince, prince nymph, scuds.
Green machine, yuk bug, wooly buggers. Different sizes of sunray shadows.
Big flies for the last hour: Leeches, intruders and big tube flies.
Fly lines (tips, heads, lengths, densities, etc) that are producing the best: Skagit and Scandi heads with different lengths of T-14, T-11. Floating and intermediate tips are working great. Also polyleaders or versileaders are working good.
Length and strength of tippet and leaders: 5 to 15 feet long. Fluorocarbon or monofilament. 15 to 20 pounds.
Fish Catch Statistics
Tom Heasley with the fish of the week: 23 pounds landed on Lonius pool.
Number of anglers for the week: 12
Total number of fish landed for the week: 129
Weight of the biggest fish landed for the week: 23 pounds
Number of fish landed over 15 pounds: 21 fish
Number of fish landed over 20 pounds: 5 fish
Notable catches:
Tom Heasley landed a 23 pounder and a 22 pounder.
Doug Limburn landed a 21,5 pounder.
Simon Kaye landed a 20,5 pounder.
Ricky Walker landed a 20,5 pounder.
Week; January 23-30th – week 5
This week we were visited by Dar I., Stephen T. from the USA, and Peter W. from England; the rest of the crew was Roger Y., Keith C., and Alf B., their second week of fishing at La Villa de Maria Behety. It has been a wonderful week, and the fishing was the finest ever for this group. Fortunately every year anglers are keener on trying the dry fly. Fish are looking up, and the takes go from subtle to really taking the rod out of your hands. Great fun! As usual, Roger Y. was the top rod with 30 fish, the best performance of the season. He also got his biggest ever on top. A beautiful 16 pound sea tout that hammered the sun-ray-shadow he was swinging. Roger was only one session away from the NBSC (Non Blank Session Club) The biggest fish for the week was caught by Dr. Keith C. a phenomenal 23 pound fish! The average weight was outstanding, 10.28 lbs., and the average catch a day per angler was just around 3 fish, the best so far this season.
Water Conditions: On Sunday the river rose a little and the river’s clarity wasn’t the best. But it never got really dirty. Toward the end of the week, water was very clear again.
Water temperature: Between 8⁰ C and 16⁰C (46.4⁰F and 60.8⁰F)
Water level through the week: Water level normal for this time of year. The level increased about 10cm, by the end of the week it went down about the same amount.
Wind speed ranges: 15 to 70 kmh (9.3 to 43.4 mph)
Air temperature ranges: 5⁰C and 22⁰C (41⁰F – 71.6⁰F)
Weather observations: A passing shower and heavy rain on Saturday. The prevailing winds were from the west. Some days the wind changed direction.
Fishing Conditions: Flies that are working the best: Wonder Bug, Green Machine, Sun-ray-shadow, EMB, Camila, small nymphs, Stoats Tail, Red Butt Bomber, Turk’s Tarantula, and Micro Flies (I mean flies tied on #14,#16 and #18 hooks) they were amazingly fun to fish.
Fly lines (tips, heads, lengths, densities, etc): Skagits and Scandis with floating tips mainly. MOW tips, all the variations.
Length and strength of tippet and leaders: 15 to 20lbs tippet, lengths between 5 and 14 feet.
Fish catch statistics: Number of anglers for the week: 6 Total number of fish landed for the week: 103 Weight of the biggest fish landed for the week: 23lbs Number of fish landed over 15 pounds: 19 fish. Number of fish landed over 20 pounds: 4 Notable catches: Roger’s biggest on floating line, 16 pounds
Week; January 16-23rd – week 4
La Villa – EMB
Another guiding week just ended. Fishing is improving a little. The river is getting full of fresh fish from the ocean. And as usual it was windy and mostly sunny. I would like to thank to THE FLY GIRLS, that made of this week a very special one.
Water Conditions Water color and visibility: It couldn´t be more clear. Water temperature: between 45°F and 59°F Water level: River dropped about 4 inches this week.
Weather Conditions Wind speed ranges through the week: It went from 10 mph to 55 mph Air temperature ranges through the week: From 41°F and 71°F Weather observations: Prevailing wind from the west. A very heavy rain on Saturday afternoon.
Fishing Conditions Flies that are working the best: Nymphs; EMB, TDF prince, Camila, Aurelia prince. Sunray shadows, Wooly buggers. And for the last hour big leeches, intruders and tube flies. Fly lines: Skagit and Scandi heads. Light tips. Floating and intermediate tips, some T-14 in different lengths Length and strength of tippet and leaders: Lengths between 5 and 12 feet, 15 to 20 pounds.
Fish Catch Statistics Number of anglers for the week: 12 Total number of fish landed for the week: 108 Weight of the biggest fish landed for the week: 22 pounds. Number of fish landed over 15 pounds: 11 Number of fish landed over 20 pounds: 1
Estancia – EMB
As usual, we had the classic group lead by Alf B. who had his 89th birthday party and managed to land the biggest sea-trout of the week. Roger Y., Keith C., Arthur M., and Roger C. all from the UK, and Colin G. from Malaysia. As usual, Roger Y. was the top rod with 28 fish, the best performance of the season. The average weight really improved, it was 10.6 lbs., the average catch a day per angler was 2.3 fish, the best so far this season.
Water Conditions Water colour and visibility: The water is at its clearest. Water temperature: Between 7⁰C and 14⁰C (45⁰F – 57⁰F). Water levels are normal for this time of year. The level decrease was faster this week, estimated at about 10 centimeters (3.2 inches.
Weather Conditions Wind speed ranges through the week: 15 to 85 kilometers (9 to 53 mph) Air temperature ranges through the week: 5⁰C to 21⁰C (41⁰F to 70⁰F). We had a passing shower and heavy rain on Saturday. The prevailing winds were from the west.
Fishing Conditions Flies that are working the best: Wonder Bug, Green Machine, Sun-ray-shadow, EMB, Camila, small nymphs, Stoats Tail, Red Butt Bomber. Fly lines: Skagits and Scandis with tips such as floating, intermediate, type 3, 6 and 8. Short custom tips between 3 and 5 feet. Length and strength of tippet and leaders: 15 to 20lbs tippet, lengths between 5 and 14 feet.
Fish Catch Statistics Number of anglers for the week: 6 Total number of fish landed for the week: 86 Weight of the biggest fish landed for the week: 22lbs Number of fish landed over 15 pounds: 22 fish. Number of fish landed over 20 pounds: 1 Notable catches: Alf B. got the biggest on his birthday, a 22lb. fresh female.
Estancia Maria Behety sea trout fishing Argentina, Rio Grande
If you would like more information then please do not hesitate to contact Steffan Jones or call our office on +44(0)1980 847389.