Fishing Rio Grande Argentina sea trout Estancia Maria Behety
ARGENTINA, TDF, ESTANCIA MARIA BEHETY; 2017 SEASON FISHING REPORTS FROM THE RIO GRANDE.
WEEK 7-14 JANUARY
Great fishing! Total fish landed for the week was 136 fish, of which 43 were over 15 pounds and 3 sea-trout over 20 pounds. The average weight of fish landed was 12 pounds. It was a very nice group of people and very good fisherman.
Water Conditions Very clear water all week, with some windy days that turned the water cloudy. Water temperature: 8⁰ – 12⁰ Celsius (46⁰ – 54⁰ Fahrenheit) Water level: Low, dropping every day. Weather Conditions The wind blew west all week, some days strong reaching up to 70 km (43 mph). Air temperature ranges through the week: we had low temperatures during the week from 5⁰ – 14⁰ Celsius (41⁰ – 57⁰ Fahrenheit). We didn’t have any rain and the river is dropping. Fishing Conditions Flies that are working the best: Nymphs: Emb, wonder bug, Aurelia prince, prince nymph, rubber legs nymphs, green machine and different sizes of sunray shadows. Big flies for the last hour: Leeches and big tube flies. Fly lines (tips, heads, lengths, densities, etc.): Skagit heads with different lengths of T-14 and T-11. Scandi lines with poly-leaders worked as well.
Floating and intermediate tips started working better; we had a lot of raises striping tubes on top. Biggest fish on top was 17 pounds and others from 10 to 14 pounds. Leaders: 7 to 12 feet, 12 to 15 pounds. The most successful way of caching sea-trout this week was dead drifting nymphs, and in dirty water striping tubes with sinking lines. Most of the fish landed were in the lower and middle parts of the river, the upper part is very low and not to many fish. Statistics Number of anglers for the week: 6 Total number of fish landed for the week: 136 Weight of the biggest fish: 22pounds Number of fish landed over 15 pounds: 43 Number of fish landed over 20 pounds: 3 Notable catches: 6 of the 6 anglers landed a sea-trout to 19 pounds fish and lot of double hook-ups. And an incredible average weight of 12 pounds, drop one pound but we landed 70 more than the last week prior.
WEEK 14-21 JANUARY
Last winter it did not snow much, so all the rivers in Tierra del Fuego are low. The Rio Grande is low for this time of the season, but excellent for fishing. Unlike other years the fish started to run up river in big numbers earlier, so it is full of fresh fish.
We landed 83 fish for the week
Water Conditions
River is low. Water is very clear.
Water temperature:
45°F to 59°F
Water levels:
The river stayed at the same level all the week – low.
Weather Conditions:
Wind speed ranges through the week: 5 to 30 MPH. On Tuesday it went up to 50 MPH
Air temperatures:
41°F to 75°F
Fishing Conditions:
Flies that are working the best: Mostly nymphs: Emb, Prince Nymph, Aurelia Prince, Beauty Camila, Red Butt, and Anadromizer. Yuk Bug and Wooly buggers also worked well. Big flies for the last session of the day: intruders, leeches, big tube flies
Fly lines (tips, heads, lengths, densities):
We are using light tips. Due the river condition it is very important not to make too much noise on the water during casting. So we recommend Scandi heads. We use Scandi heads with poly or versi-leaders. Also, it is important that anglers bring a single handed rod with a weight-forward floater for fishing the smaller water – very important.
When we have to throw T-14 tips, a Skagit head is the best option.
Length and strength of tippet and leaders:
4 to 12 feet, 15 to 20 pounds.
Fish Catch Statistics:
Number of anglers for the week: 10
Total number of fish landed for the week: 83
Weight of the biggest fish landed for the week: 21 pounds
Number of fish landed over 15 pounds: 32
Number of fish landed over 20 pounds: 3
WEEK 21-28 JANUARY- EMB LODGE
We had some very good friends visiting us here this week. Fishing was good some days and tough some others. We had some great weather. The river level is excellent. Lots of fresh fish are running up from the ocean and river is loaded! There were 139 Fish netted this week, with 21 over 15 pounds and 4 over 20 pounds. The top rod was David Parkes with 22 fish to hand. Our good friend Mike Roberts landed the fish of the week: 22.5 pounds.
Water Conditions Water color and visibility: Low and clear water. Water temperature: 45°F to 59°F Water levels: A little rain up at the mountains made the river rise about an inch.
Weather Conditions The weather was great this week, with 5 to 15 mph winds. On Friday the wind went up to 35 mph Air temperatures: 50°F to 76°F
Fishing Conditions: Flies that are working the best: Mostly nymphs – Emb Rubberlegs, Prince Nymph, Aurelia Prince, Beauty Camila, Red Butt, Anadromizer, and Fast Water Prince. Yuk Bugs and Wooly Buggers also worked well. Big flies for the last time of the day: Intruders, Leeches, and big tube flies. We landed several fish skating sunray shadows on top with a floating line.
Fly lines (tips, heads, lengths, densities, etc): We are using light tips. Due the river conditions it is very important not to make too much noise on the water during the casting. So I recommend Scandi heads. We use Scandi heads with some poly-leaders or versi-leaders. Different lengths of T-11 and T-14 were the go to, when we have to throw T´s aS kagit head is the best option.
Length and strength of tippet and leaders: 4 to 14 feet, 12 to 20 pounds.
Fishing Statistics: Number of anglers for the week: 12 Total number of fish landed for the week: 139 Weight of biggest fish landed: 22.5 pounds. Number of fish landed over 15 pounds: 21 Number of fish landed over 20 pounds: 4
WEEK 21-28 JANUARY- EMB LA VILLA
Another Week just ended and the fishing was a bit slower with 88 fish landed of which 23 were over 15 pounds and two over 20 pounds. Average weight of sea-trout landed was 12 pounds. The river increased in level in the middle of the week, but didn’t get dirty. Top rod of the week was Roger young with 24 fish tot the net, the biggest 19 pounds. Dar landed the biggest fish of the week with a with 23 pound buck. We had good fishing on top this week with fish landed to 15 pounds. Water Conditions Water conditions for the most part did not change for the week, even with the slight increase in level. Water temperature: 7° – 14° Celsius (44° – 57° Fahrenheit)
Water level: We had a 10 cm increase in water level but 2 days it dropped down fast to previous levels – very low.
Weather Conditions The wind blew from the northwest as usual, but was not strong at all.
Air temperature Ranges: 10° – 22° Celsius (50° – 71° Fahrenheit) We experienced very good weather during the week, despite a little rain.
Weather Observations: Storm clouds over the Andes, made the sunsets something special.
Fishing Conditions: Flies that are working the best: Emb’s, Wonder Bugs, Aurelia Prince, Prince Nymph, and other rubber legged nymphs. Different sizes of sunray shadows also worked well. Big flies for the last hour of fishing – Leeches and big tube flies worked well. The Green Machine and small tubes were the best flies of the week.
Fly lines (tips, heads, lengths, densities, etc): Skagit heads with different lengths of T-14 and T-11, Scandi heads with poly-leaders. Floating lines were very good this last week, with heavy nymphs swung just under the water surface.
Length and strength of tippet and leaders: 7 to 12 feet, 12 to 15 pounds. The most successful way of catching fish was swinging nymphs with a floating line, Green Machines swung on sinking lines, and using small plastic tubes swung with a floating line. Most of the fish were in the lower and middle part of the river, although we started to hook and landed some fish in the upper beats.
Fishing Statistics Number of anglers for the week: 6 Total number of fish landed for the week: 88 Weight of the biggest fish landed: 23 pounds Number of fish landed over 15 pounds: 23 Number of fish landed over 20 pounds: 2 Notable Catches: We landed some 15 pounds fish on top, using floating lines with plastic tubes, green machine and bombers.
WEEK 28 JANUARY – 4 FEBRUARY – EMB LODGE
The end of an amazing week – great fishing and good weather. There are thousands of sea-trout in the river. We had the pleasure of 10 repeat clients and a one new friend visiting us this week. 197 fish were landed this week with 55 over 15 pounds and 9 over 20 pounds. David Bowden was the top rod with 39 fish netted. Sasha Savic landed 35. Jay Deeds landed a 28.5 pounder fresh female the last morning in Lonius pool. Average weight for sea-trout landed was 11.2 pounds.
Water Conditions: Water colour and visibility: Low and clear water. Water temperature: 44°F – 57°F. We had a big rain on Thursday evening, but the river did not rise at all yet.
Weather Conditions: Wind speed ranges through the week: weather was good. Air temperature ranges through the week: 40°F – 72°F.
Fishing Conditions: The fly of the week was the Red Butt. Other flies that also worked were EMB’s, Prince Nymph, Aurelia Prince, Beauty Camila, Anadromizer, and the Fast Water Prince. Yuk Bugs and Woolly buggers also produced. Big flies for the last fishing of the day included Intruders, leeches and big tube flies.
Fly lines (tips, heads, lengths, densities, etc.): We are using light tips. Due the low water and river conditions it is very important not to make too much noise on the water while casting. So I recommend Scandinavian heads. We used Scandi heads with poly and/or versi-leaders as well as different lengths of T-11 and T-14. When we have to throw T´s a Skagit head is the best option.
Length and strength of tippet and leaders: 4 to 14 feet, 12 to 20 pounds.
Fish Catch Statistics: Number of anglers for the week: 11. Total number of fish landed for the week: 197. Weight of the biggest fish landed for the week: 28.5 pounds. Number of fish landed over 15 pounds: 55. Number of fish landed over 20 pounds: 9.
Notable Catches:
Hootie Clark landed a 20 pounder.
Sasha Savic landed a 21 pounder.
Bob Burdick landed a 22 pounder and a 24 pounder.
David Bowden landed a 20 pounder.
Hugh Clark landed a 21 pounder.
Jay Deeds landed a 28.5 pounder.
Scott Hagen landed a 23 pounder.
Simon Kaye landed a 20 pounder.
WEEK 28 JANUARY – 4 FEBRUARY – EMB LA VILLA
The last week of January just ended and we experienced excellent fishing. The river is still dropping fast and full of fish. We landed 110 fish for the week with 41 fish over 15 pounds and 7 over 20 pounds with an average weight of 12.3 pounds. We saw more fish over 20 pounds in the river. Most all of the fish still in the river are very fresh. Top rod of the week was Karen Reeve with 26 fish to the net, the biggest 22 pounds. Richard miller landed the biggest fish of the week a 25 pound male. We had good captures on the top; fish to 17 pounds. Most of the fish were in the lower and middle part of the river, although we found a lot more fish in the upper beats of the river. The river is full of fish, a lot more than the last season.
Water Conditions: Very clear water all week. Water temperature: 7⁰ – 13⁰C (44⁰ – 55⁰F) Water level: dropping fast, lower than ever.
Weather Conditions: The wind blew northwest as usual, it wasn’t strong. Thursday afternoon the wind blew from the south, lowering temperature. Air temperature ranges: 5⁰ – 21⁰C (41⁰ – 70⁰F). We experienced very good weather during the week, with some rain, the last 2 days and the temperature dropped.
Fishing Conditions: Flies that are working the best: Nymphs like EMB Rubber Legs, Wonder Bug, Aurelia Prince, Prince Nymph, and other rubber legged nymphs. Also different sizes of Sunray Shadows and big flies for the last hour of fishing like leeches and big tube flies. Tarantulas worked well this week, fished on floating and sinking lines.
Fly lines (tips, heads, lengths, densities, etc.): Skagit heads with different lengths of T-14, T-11, as well as Scandi heads with poly-leaders. Floating lines worked very well this last week with nymphs on top.
Length and strength of tippet and leaders: 7 to 14 feet, 12 to 15 pounds.
Fish Catch Statistics: Number of anglers for the week: 6. Total number of fish landed for the week: 110. Biggest fish landed for the week: 25 pounds. Number of fish landed over 15 pounds: 41. Number of fish landed over 20 pounds: 7.
WEEK 4-11 FEBRUARY – EMB LODGE
We just ended another excellent week at Estancia Maria Behety Lodge with good friends and good fishing. We experienced some unstable weather, east wind and a heavy rain on Monday, but still good fishing. There are lots of big fish in the river. Top rod: Clive Bruton with 20 fish to the net. Biggest fish: Patti Ferrin landed a 23 pounder. Art Flynn landed a 23 pounder.
Water Conditions: We had low and clear water the first 4 days. On Wednesday evening the river started to rise due the heavy rain we had on Monday. On Thursday morning water was fast but still very clear in the lower beats, getting cloudy on the upper beats. By Thursday evening water was very dirty and cloudy (visibility one inch). Friday morning was a little better; visibility was about 6 – 7 inches. Water temperature: 47°F – 59°F. Water levels: By Friday the water came up about 7 – 8 inches.
Weather Conditions: The weather was unstable. From Monday to Wednesday evening wind changed from west to north to east all the time. Air temperatures: 40°F – 74°F.
Fishing Conditions: For one more time, the fly of the week was the Red Butt, it worked great the first four days with low and clear water. Also, some other nymphs: Aurelia Prince, Prince Nymph, TDF Prince Nymph, Fast Water Prince, Anadromizer, Emb, Yuk bugs and wooly buggers. With high and dirty water the best flies were leeches, intruders, and big tube flies.
Fly lines (tips, heads, lengths, densities, etc): Light tips and Scandi heads for low water conditions. Poly-leaders and Spey versi-leaders worked well. Heavy tips and Skagit heads were used for high water conditions with different lengths of T-14 and T-17.
Length and strength of tippet and leaders: Short leaders for heavy tips, 3 to 5 feet and long leaders for heavy tips, 10 to 15 feet in length.
Catch Statistics: Number of anglers for the week: 12. Total number of fish landed for the week: 144. Weight of the biggest fish landed: 23 pounds. Number of fish landed over 15 pounds: 47. Number of fish landed over 20 pounds: 12.
Notable Catches:
Rich Rubin landed a 20 pounder.
Art Flyn landed a 23 pounder.
Patti Ferrin landed a 23 pounder.
Ross Wheeler landed a 22 pounder.
Clive Bruton landed a 22 pounder, a 20.5 pounder
Mike Panio landed a 20 pounder.
Ron Short landed two 20 pounders.
Rodney Peck landed a 20 pounder.
Ken Ferrin landed a 21.5 pounder.
WEEK 4-11 FEBRUARY – EMB LA VILLA
Another week at La Villa just ended. The fishing was a bit slower; we had wind from northeast all week. The river rose on Thursday and got muddy. The fishing next week could be great with more water in the river. Top rod of the week was Kevin Winter and Peter Woodhouse, each with 18 fish to the net. Jeff Williamson landed the biggest fish of the week a 26 pounder.
The most successful way of caching sea-trout was dead drifting nymphs, and using small plastic tubes with floating lines. Most of the fish were in the lower and middle part of the river, we found a lot of fish in the upper part of the river as well. The last two days of the week, we had dirty water and we used sinking lines, big intruders and tubes.
Water Conditions: Very clear water until Thursday then the rain and increase in water levels it got dirty. Water temperature: 7° – 14°C (44° – 57°F). Water level: On Thursday the river rose 20 cm and got dirty the last two days.
Weather Conditions: The wind blew northeast most of the week, but it wasn’t too strong. On Friday the wind blew from the west and got stronger. Air temperature was 5° – 22°C (41° – 72°F).
Fishing Conditions: Flies that are working the best: Nymphs: EMB, Wonder Bug, Aurelia Prince, Prince Nymph, rubber legged nymphs and different sizes of Sunray Shadows. Big flies for the last hour: Leeches, and big tube flies. Best flies for the week EMB, red tail nymph, and small tubes.
Fly lines (tips, heads, lengths, densities, etc): Skagit heads with different lengths of T-14, 11 along with Scandi Heads with poly-leaders. Floating lines worked very well this last week, with heavy nymphs.
Length and strength of tippet and leaders: 7 to 12 feet, 12 to 15 pounds.
Fish Catch Statistics: Number of anglers for the week: 6. Total number of fish landed for the week: 79. Biggest fish landed for the week: 26 pounds. Number of fish landed over 15 pounds: 41. Number of fish landed over 20 pounds: 10.
Notable catches: We took some good fish on top, 15 to 21 pounds using floating lines with plastic tubes. Doug Slayer landed the same 23 pound fish in the same pool. Brad Wistrom landed three 20 pounders in the same session. He also landed a 21 pound fish with a surface fly on top.
WEEK 18-25 FEBRUARY – EMB LODGE
Another week just finished, here at Estancia Maria Behety Lodge and it was a complicated fishing week. The river changed a lot in a few days as the water went up and down, and from cold to warm and from clear to cloudy more than once. We had some good sessions fishing sunray shadows on top. 85 fish landed. 14 fish over 15 pounds. 4 fish over 20 Top Rod was Charles Grube with 16 fish landed Anna-Lena Dunn and Duncan Morrison landed the fish of the week, at 21.5 pounds.
Water Conditions: Water color and visibility: The week finished with the water dropping and visibility 2-3 feet Water temperature: 42°F – 56°F Water level: The water came up 2 inches the first days of the week and went down by the middle of the week and came up again a little by the end of the week. The water level of the river is very good right now.
Weather Conditions: Wind speed ranges through the week: We experienced mostly a west wind, 5 to 40 mph. And on Friday the wind blew from the North. Air temperature ranges through the week, were 35°F – 76°F
Fishing Conditions: Flies that are working the best: With the clear water nymphs worked the best –Red butt, Aurelia Prince, EMB Rubber legs and TDF Prince. Also, medium size buggers, TDF Taxi, and Yuk Bug. For cloudy water days and for the last 30 minutes of the day, Leeches, big tube flies, and intruders worked well. We landed some fish on top with Sunray Shadows.
Fly lines (tips, heads, lengths, densities, etc.): Light tips and Scandi heads for low water conditions, as well Poly-leaders and Spey versi-leaders. Heavy tips and Skagit heads were used for high water conditions, with different lengths of T-14 and T-17. We also used T-20 in some pools.
Length and strength of tippet and leaders: Short leadersfor heavy tips, 3 to 5 feet. Long leaders for lights tips, 10 to 15 feet.
Fish Catch Statistics: Number of anglers for the week: 12
Total number of fish landed for the week: 85
Weight of the biggest fish: 21.5 pounds
Number of fish landed over 15 pounds: 14
Number of fish landed over 20 pounds: 4
WEEK 18-25 FEBRUARY – EMB LA VILLA
The eighth week just ended here at La Villa. The fishing was a bit slower this week, with 60 fish landed. There were 19 fish over 15 pounds, 7 over 20 pounds, with an average weight 11.5 pounds. We had clear water the first 4 days and then it got dirty the last 2 and the fishing was much better with dirty water. The air temperature was lower than the water temperature all week, that was one of the reasons why the fishing got slower. We used heavy sink tips and big flies, as the fish were taken deep. Top rod of the week was Steve whiteford with 20 fish to the net, the biggest 21 pounds. Paul Souza landed the biggest fish of the week a beautiful 28 pounder!
Water Conditions: Water color and visibility: Very clear water the first 4 days and then it got dirty the last 2. Water temperature: 7° – 13° Celsius (44.5° – 55° Fahrenheit) Water level: higher than January, the river is in a very good water level situation.
Weather Conditions: Wind speed ranges through the week: The wind blew northwest as usual, but it wasn’t too strong. Air temperature ranges through the week: 2° – 20° Celsius (35.5° – 68° Fahrenheit).
Fishing Conditions: Flies that are working the best: Medium size streamers, with hooks number 8 and 6, as well as tube flies. We used big flies for the last hour, leeches and big tube flies. In the dirty water tube flies were the best again, sometimes used in tandem.
Fly lines (tips, heads, lengths, densities, etc.): Skagit heads with different lengths of T-14, 17, 20 were the most common. Floating lines didn’t work as well, althoug we got some fish on top with plastic tubes. We used heavy sink tips, even T-20, up to 15 feet. Length and strength of tippet and leaders: 7 to 12 feet, 12 to 15 pounds in strength were used. Most of the fish were in the lower and middle part of the river, we didn’t get many grabs or fish in the upper part.
Fish catch statistics Number of anglers for the week: 6
Total number of fish landed for the week: 60
WEEK 25th FEBRUARY – 4th MARCH – EMB LODGE
End of the week of February 25 – March 04, 2017 here at Estancia Maria Behety. Fishing was not easy for us, as unstable weather and mostly east wind and rain. All the guests worked very hard to catch fish. The river is dropping a little every day and clearing up, with good water visibility. We had some good sessions fishing Sun-ray shadows on top. 64 fish were landed, with 10 fish over 15 pounds and 3 fish over 20. Top Rods were Kent Brodie and Susan O´Neil. Kris Timken landed the fish of the week a 22 pounder.
Water Conditions: Water color and visibility: Water is getting very clear again, visibility 3 – 4 feet. Water temperature: 40°F – 56°F
Water Level: The river is dropping down a little every day. Good water visibility.
Weather Conditions: Wind speed ranges through the week: Very unstable weather. We had just one day with normal wind from west, it blew mostly from east and sometimes from south and north. On Wednesday a west wind win blew up to 40 mph. Air temperature ranges through the week: 31°F – 68°F
Fishing Conditions: Flies that are working the best: We fished mostly big flies including, leeches, intruderes, big tube flies, Skagit minnows, and Paul Millers. By the end of the week we used smaller flies. Medium size buggers, Tdf Taxi, and Yuk Bugs. We landed some fish on top with Sunra yShadows and some skaters.
Fly lines (tips, heads, lengths, densities, etc.: Light tips and Scandi heads for low water condition together with Poly-leaders and Spey Versi-leaders. Heavy tips and Skagit heads for high water conditions with different lengths of T-14 and T-17. We also used T-20 in some pools. Short leaders for heavy tips, 3 to 5 feet and long leaders for lights tips, 10 to 15 feet.
Fish Catch Statistics: Number of anglers for the week: 12 Total number of fish landed for the week: 64 Weight of the biggest fish: 22 pounds Number of fish landed over 15 pounds: 10 Number of fish landed over 20 pounds: 3
Notable Catches: Kris Timken landed a 22 pounder. Ted Reznik landed a 21 pounder. Jordan Brodie landed a 21.5 pounder.
WEEK 25th FEBRUARY – 4th MARCH – LA VILLA EMB
The fishing for week number 9 was good, despite the challenging weather and river conditions. We landed 82 fish, 30 of which were over 15 pounds and 6 over 20 pounds. The average weight was 12.5 pounds, another great average – typical for the season. We had a great group of people with us again this week, friends and longtime guests. Keith and Jean Howman were here once again; always a pleasure… We had dirty water all week; however we took a lot of fish on top with floating lines. Mostly we fished heavy sink tips and big flies, which together made for difficult casting. Top rod of the week was Jean Howman with 18 fish on the net, the biggest 20 pounds. Robert Prentice landed the biggest fish of the week at 24 pounds.
Water Condition: Water color and visibility: dirty water all week, however it started clearing on Thursday. Water temperature: 7⁰ – 13⁰ Celsius (45⁰ – 55⁰) Fahrenheit.
Water Level: Higher then January, but the river is at a very good water level, may be same level than November.
Weather Conditions: Wind speed ranges: The wind blows northwest as usual, it wasn’t so strong. Air temperature ranges: 2⁰ – 14⁰ Celsius (35⁰ – 57⁰) Fahrenheit We had heavy rains through the week which made the river increase in level.
Fishing Conditions: Flies that are working the best: Big flies for the last hour: Leeches, big tube flies. The best flies of the week were intruders and chartreuse a leech.
Fly lines (tips, heads, lengths, densities, etc.): Skagit heads with different lengths of T-14, 17, 20 Floating lines worked well and, we got some fish on top with plastic tubes, up to 15 pounds. We used heavy sink tips, even T-20, up to 15 feet.
Length and strength of tippet and leaders: 3 to 6 feet, 12 to 15 pounds.
Most of the fish were in the lower and middle part of the river, we didn’t get many fish in the upper part.
Fish Catch Statistics: Number of anglers for the week: 6 Total number of fish landed for the week: 82 Weight of the biggest fish: 24 pounds. Number of fish landed over 15 pounds: 30 Number of fish landed over 20 pounds: 6
Notable Catches: We land the same fish twice in 10 minutes; a 20 pounds female.
Fishing Rio Grande Argentina sea trout Estancia Maria Behety
For more information please contact Steffan Jones or phone 01980 847 389.