Anglers at Estancia Maria Behety rotate through the premier pools of the lower and middle beats of famous Rio Grande, which have historically been the most prolific for sea trout. Keep in touch with page as we publish fishing reports from the 2024 season from the two properties within the estancia, EMB Lodge and La Villa.
Week 15, 6th to 13th April- Estancia Maria Behety Head Guide, Genaro Molinolo
We have reached the end of the season and enjoyed a closed group of eight friends from Argentina. The fishing was good and we had some nice calm weather. There was a lot of activity during the week, mostly in the middle and upper areas of the river with many fish caught on the surface. The water is just slightly coloured with good visibility. The water level is normal for this time of the season. Water temperature ranged from 3 to 10ºc.
Weather conditions
Air temperature: -3 to 15°c
Wind speed ranges from 0 to 68km/h
Rain during the week: 4mm
Fishing conditions
Very good, just a bit coloured.
Most productive flies
Intruder, leeches, Rio Grande queen, sunray shadow, woolly bugger, emb, green machine.
Fly lines most used
Skagit/multi density head (game changer, 3D, FIST)
Set of tips from 3 ips sink rate up to T20
MOW tips
Type 3-6-8 etc
Length and strength of tippet and leaders: 4 to 12 feet. 15 to 22 pounds.
Statistics
Total for the week – 92
Fish over 15lb – 22
Record fish – 25lb
Average weight – 10.3lb
Week 14, 30th March to 6th April – Estancia Maria Behety Head Guide, Genaro Molinolo
April is here and we are near the end of our season. This week we had a closed group of an Argentine family and friends, who prioritised the entire programme and being together over the fishing itself, which was good, and the moments shared were unforgettable. The water is just a little coloured with good visibility and the level is normal for this time of year. Water temperature ranged from 5 to 10°c.
Weather conditions
Air temperature: 02 to 10°c
Wind speed ranges from 4 to 79km/h
Rain during the week: 3mm
Fishing conditions
Very good, just a bit coloured.
Most productive flies
Intruder, leeches, Rio Grande queen, skagit minnow, sunray shadow, woolly bugger..
Fly lines most used
Skagit/multi density head (game changer, 3D, FIST)
Set of tips from 3 ips sink rate up to T20
MOW tips
Type 3-6-8 etc
Length and strength of tippet and leaders: 4 to 12 feet. 15 to 22 pounds.
Statistics
Total for the week – 91
Fish over 15lb – 15
Record fish – 20lb
Average weight – 8.9lb
Week 12, 16th to 23rd March – Estancia Maria Behety Head Guide, Genaro Molinolo
We’ve had a great week, the river has improved and the fishing has been very successful. A few cold and frosty mornings, but the fish have responded well. The water clarity is clearing, giving good visibility and the river level is normal for this time of year. Water temperature ranged from 3 to 8°c.
Weather conditions
Air temperature: 2 to 11°c
Wind speed ranges from 2 to 71km/h
Rain during the week: 4mm
Fishing conditions
Very good, just a bit coloured with visibility clearing up leading to excellent fishing conditions.
Most productive flies
Intruder, leeches, Rio Grande queen, skagit minnow, sunray shadow, emb, tdf.
Fly lines most used
Skagit/multi density head (game changer, 3D, FIST)
Set of tips from 3 ips sink rate up to T20
MOW tips
Type 3-6-8 etc
Length and strength of tippet and leaders: 4 to 12 feet. 15 to 22 pounds.
Statistics
Total for the week – 122
Fish over 15lb – 12
Record fish – 21lb
Average weight – 8.1lb
Week 11, 9th to 16th March – Estancia Maria Behety Head Guide, Genaro Molinolo
High and coloured water as a result of last week’s rains made the first couple of days this week quite difficult. The last two days improved as the river started to drop and visibility cleared. Overall the water is high for this time of the season with temperature ranging from 5 to 9°c.
Weather conditions
Air temperature: 3 to 14°c
Wind speed ranges from 8 to 59km/h
Rain during the week: 6mm
Fishing conditions
Tough, with high and coloured water. Low visibility (less than one foot). Conditions much improved for the last two days of the week.
Most productive flies
Intruder, leeches, Rio Grande queen, skagit minnow, sunray shadow.
Fly lines most used
Skagit/multi density head (game changer, 3D, FIST)
Set of tips from 3 ips sink rate up to T20
MOW tips
Floating
Intermediate
Type 3-6-8 etc
Length and strength of tippet and leaders: 4 to 12 feet. 15 to 22 pounds.
Statistics
Total for the week – 116
Fish over 15lb – 18
Record fish – 19lb
Average weight – 8.4lb
Week 10, 2nd to 9th March – Estancia Maria Behety Head Guide, Genaro Molinolo
The conditions were very good for the first part of the week but heavy rain on Wednesday and Friday made things a little tougher towards the end of the week. We did, however, manage to get some good catches. The water is coloured with low visibility and the level is high for this time of the season with temperature 4 to 10°c.
Weather conditions
Air temperature: 1 to 9°c
Wind speed ranges from 0 to 68km/h
Rain during the week: 41mm
Fishing conditions
Fishing during the early part of the week was excellent, it tailed off towards the end of the week due to rain and coloured water. There are fresh and coloured fish all over the river.
Most productive flies
Intruder, leeches, Rio Grande queen, woolly buggers, skagit minnow, sunray shadow.
Fly lines most used
Skagit/multi density head (game changer, 3D, FIST)
Set of tips from 3 ips sink rate up to T20
MOW tips
Floating
Intermediate
Type 3-6-8 etc
Length and strength of tippet and leaders: 4 to 12 feet. 15 to 22 pounds.
Statistics
Total for the week – 105
Fish over 15lb – 22
Record fish – 20lb
Average weight – 8.31lb
Week 9, 24th February to 2nd March – Estancia Maria Behety Head Guide, Genaro Molinolo
The last week of February gave us a great group of fisherman. We had little wind but a fair amount of rain mid-week which left its mark on the river giving it a little colour and overflow. The fishing conditions remain excellent. The water level is normal for this time of the season with temperature 4 to 13°c.
Weather conditions
Air temperature: 1 to 20°c
Wind speed ranges from 6 to 71km/h
Rain during the week: 9mm
Fishing conditions
The river is in excellent condition with fresh and coloured fish throughout.
Most productive flies
Emb, nymphs, salmon flies, tdf, red butt, Rio Grande queen, woolly buggers, sunray shadow, leeches and intruders at sunset.
Fly lines most used
Skagit/Scandi head, multi density head (game changer, 3D, FIST)
Set of tips from 3 ips sink rate up to T20
MOW tips
Floating
Intermediate
Type 3-6-8 etc
Length and strength of tippet and leaders: 4 to 12 feet. 12 to 20 pounds.
Statistics
Total for the week – 148
Fish over 15lb – 31
Record fish – 23lb
Average weight – 9.1lb
17th February 2024 – Estancia Maria Behety Head Guide, Genaro Molinolo
We have welcomed both familiar and new faces this week. The intense rain at the beginning of the week made us wonder if the river was going to overflow, but in the end there was only a slight rise and a little colour. The fishing remained good throughout and by the end of the week, the river had maintained it’s level and a tea colour. The level is low to normal for this time of the year with the water temperature 5 to 11°c.
Weather conditions
Air temperature: 4 to 11°c
Wind speed ranges from 8 to 59km/h
Rain during the week: 14mm
Fishing conditions
The river is in excellent condition with fresh and coloured fish throughout.
Most productive flies
Emb, nymphs, salmon flies, tdf, red butt, Rio Grande queen, woolly buggers, leeches and intruders at sunset.
Fly lines most used
Skagit/Scandi head, multi density head (game changer, 3D, FIST)
Set of tips from 3 ips sink rate up to T20
MOW tips
Floating
Intermediate
Type 3-6-8 etc
Length and strength of tippet and leaders: 4 to 12 feet. 12 to 20 pounds.
Statistics
Total for the week – 149
Fish over 15lb – 35
Record fish – 23lb
Average weight – 8.8lb
10th February 2024 – Estancia Maria Behety Head Guide, Genaro Molinolo
The river is back to normal after some rain and is in very good condition with fresh and coloured fish all over. Water temperature is 6 to 16°c.
Weather conditions
Air temperature: 2 to 16°c
Wind speed ranges from 4 to 79km/h
Rain during the week: 6mm
Fishing conditions
The river is in excellent condition with fresh and coloured fish throughout.
Most productive flies
Emb, nymphs, salmon flies, tdf, red butt, Rio Grande queen, woolly buggers, leeches at dark.
Fly lines most used
Skagit/Scandi head, multi density head (game changer, 3D, FIST)
Set of tips from 3 ips sink rate up to T20
MOW tips
Floating
Type 3-6-8 etc
Length and strength of tippet and leaders: 4 to 12 feet. 12 to 20 pounds.
Statistics
Total for the week – 121
Fish over 15lb – 25
Record fish – 23lb
Average weight – 8.1lb
3rd February 2024 – Estancia Maria Behety Head Guide, Genaro Molinolo
The week started with strong winds that made fishing difficult in some places. Later in the week, heavy rain made the river rise a little and gave a touch of colour to the water. This didn’t last long and by the end of the week we were fishing with nymphs and small flies. The river is full of trout, they are showing everywhere and in better and better sizes.
Water conditions
The water is normal to low for this time of the season. It is a little coloured but with good visibility. Water temperature 7 to 11°c.
Weather conditions
Air temperature: 6 to 23°c
Wind speed ranges from 12 to 92km/h
Rain during the week: 42mm
Fishing conditions
The river is in excellent condition with fresh and coloured fish throughout.
Most productive flies
Emb, nymphs, salmon flies, Rio Grande queen, woolly buggers, leeches at dark.
Fly lines most used
Skagit/Scandi head, multi density head (game changer, 3D, FIST)
Set of tips from 3 ips sink rate up to T20
MOW tips
Floating
Type 3-6-8 etc
Length and strength of tippet and leaders: 4 to 12 feet. 12 to 20 pounds.
Statistics
Total for the week – 126
Fish over 15lb – 46
Record fish – 23lb
Average weight – 9.2lb
27th January 2024 – Estancia Maria Behety Head Guide, Genaro Molinolo
We are at the top of our season with the river in excellent condition and full of trout. They are not ashamed to show themselves to our keen fishermen.
Water conditions
The water is normal to low for this time of year with clear, perfect visibility. Water temperature is 5 to 13°c.
Weather conditions
Air temperature: 6 to 19°c
Wind speed ranges from 10 to 78km/h
Rain during the week: 14mm
Fishing conditions
The river is in excellent condition with fresh fish throughout.
Most productive flies
Emb, nymphs, salmon flies, Rio Grande queen, woolly buggers, leeches at dark.
Fly lines most used
Skagit/Scandi head, multi density head (game changer, 3D, FIST)
Set of tips from 3 ips sink rate up to T20
MOW tips
Floating
Type 3-6-8 etc
Length and strength of tippet and leaders: 4 to 12 feet. 12 to 20 pounds.
Statistics
Total for the week – 109
Fish over 15lb – 26
Record fish – 23.5lb
Average weight – 8.2lb
20th January 2024 – Estancia Maria Behety Head Guide, Genaro Molinolo
We have had a great week in which the river monsters are already prowling the most traditional pools of the Rio Grande. It was very windy which made fishing difficult on some days. The number of fish caught is increasing as well as their sizes with one in every four fish weighing over 15lb.
Water conditions
Water colour and visibility: Low water, clear, perfect visibility. The water level is low to normal for this time of the season. Water temperature is 9 to 16°c
Weather conditions
Air temperature: 9 to 22°c
Wind speed ranges from 4 to 92km/h
Rain during the week: 6mm
Fishing conditions:
River condition is very good. Schools of fresh fish are entering and coming up the river.
Most productive flies:
Emb, nymphs, salmon flies, Rio Grande queen, woolly buggers, leeches at dark.
Fly lines (tips, heads, lengths, densities etc.) mostly used:
Skagit/Scandi head, multi density head (game changer, 3D, FIST)
MOW tips
Floating
Type 3-6-8 etc
Length and strength of tippet and leaders: 4 to 12 feet. 12 to 20 pounds
Statistics:
Total for the week – 113
Fish over 15lb – 26
Record fish – 22lb
Average weight – 8.91lb
8th January 2024 – Estancia Maria Behety Head Guide, Genaro Molinolo
Although for Tierra del Fuego the fishing season begins in November, a month in which we already receive guests only for La Villa, last week we received the first group for EMB Lodge. This was a closed group made up of family and friends with whom, as well as last year, they returned to celebrate the arrival of the New Year 2024. Clearly fishing itself was not the priority but something more recreational and, since many of the group never fly fished before, everyone was able to experience the magic of fishing the Rio Grande. This season is starting out very promising, with a river in excellent structural and water level conditions, so we have very high expectations for what is to come. We thank our outfitters and coming guests for the trust and for choosing us, so looking forward to seeing you soon.
The guiding team ready for the 2024 season
Water Conditions
Water colour and visibility: Low water, clear, perfect visibility. The water level is normal for this time of the season.
Water temperature: 7 to 11°c.
Weather Conditions
Air temperatures: 5 to 18°c.
Wind speed ranges from 18 to 65km/h
Rain during the week: 4mm
Fishing Conditions
River condition is very good. Fresh and coloured fish mixed in most pools.
Fly lines (tips, heads, lengths, densities, etc.)
Skagit/Scandi head, multi density head (game changer, 3 D, FIST)
Set of tips from 3 ips sink rate up to T20
MOW tips
Floating
Type 3-6-8 etc.
Length and strength of tippet and leaders: 4 to 9 feet. 12 to 20 pounds.
Most productive flies
Nymphs, salmon flies, Rio Grande Queen, woolly buggers. Leeches at dark.
Take a look at the video below for an idea of what you can expect.
For more information please contact Olly Thompson or phone 01980 847 389.