Where next? Take a look at some of our personal favourites

We are fortunate to travel to some amazing destinations across the world. However, given a choice what would be our favourites? Where would we return to tomorrow? And where would we like to visit next and why? Over the next few weeks we will explore these in turn, starting with Steffan.

We are very fortunate to have the opportunity to visit some amazing fishing destinations across the world. This may be for personal aspirations, product knowledge or even to unearth the next gem. Regardless of what brought us there, many present several reasons to return and some really do become like an annual pilgrimage. It is difficult not to become attached to some places, be that because of the fishing alone or because of wider variables that make a journey or lodge memorable such as the guides, house staff, lodge or setting. Within the Aardvark McLeod team we all have our individual passions and areas of interest, which helps form the backbone of our experience that we assist venturing anglers with every day. To put this into perspective we thought you’d like to see what gets us all excited on an individual basis, where we have enjoyed visiting the most, where we would return to tomorrow and where we would like to visit next. In doing so we hope this will help guide you on your next journey on where to explore but also help you see where our individual strengths lie when you next make contact.

Two most loved destinations and why:

Estancia Laguna Verde (Jurassic Lake), Argentina. Jurassic Lake used to be just fishing one small section of the lake, which, whilst catching plenty of fish, was pretty dull. Nowadays the operation at Laguna Verde offers so much more that a four day trip literally scrapes the surface. Laguna Verde really opened my eyes to how good fishing for wild rainbow trout can be and gave me a new respect for them. This is a great operation run by a fantastic team that really make you feel like family, hence why, along with the fishing, I hold it in such high regard. The river fishing is just fantastic and leaves me with one of two long lasting memories of the operation; a 15 lbs + trout feeding happily on the surface on tiny midges. Incredible. The other is from the main lake where I recall fishing over some deep but crystal clear water and seeing (but not hooking) some truly huge fish swimming slowly passed – they looked more like giant trevally! A great place to visit whether you’re experienced or inexperienced as they have something for everyone, including a load more lakes at their disposal.

Rio Grande, Tierra Del Fuego. This destination as become somewhat of an annual pilgrimage for me. I have deliberately left it open ended from a lodge perspective as each one really does offer something different. However, if I were to return to just one if would have to be Cameron Lodge on the Chilean side. Sure, less sea trout make it through to these reaches of the river but the diversity of the fishing and the amount of water you have to cover is just fantastic. Combine that with a great lodge, fantastic views, lots of wildlife etc. and you have a winning combination. The water has over 60 km of the Rio Grande to explore, with the water never being judges as overfished, especially with a maximum of eight rods per week at the lodge with many of these opting to fish the lakes or other rivers in the area.

Where I would return to tomorrow given the chance:

Tsimane, Bolivia. This was a really special experience and certainly a lot to take in beyond the fishing. Really an experience of a lifetime and one that you could hardly forget. The fish are fantastic and it was great to catch the dorado in such beautiful and wild surroundings. Wet wading freestone rivers with the jungle reaching overhead made for a surreal experience with the marauding dorado providing the pinch needed to stop you from daydreaming. A huge adventure from start to finish and one that I would urge you to try, especially the more physical fit who would get a lot more from the experience.

Most like to visit next:

Cayo Santa Maria, Cuba. I have unfinished business here with the tarpon. This is one of the best places on earth to target tarpon both in size and numbers. After sea trout they are my guilty pleasure and one that I would really love to tangle with again soon. They can frustrate you and there are always missed chances, but as they say ‘the tug is the drug’ and the tug of a tarpon is like no other. If you want to feel out of control with a fish then this is the one for you – even the 30-40 lbs tarpon will give you a fantastic run around.

If you are interested in travelling to these or any other destination within our portfolio why not contact Steffan Jones or call our office on +44(0)1980 847389.