From: 03/01/2022
To: 03/01/2022
Type of Water: Freshwater
Species: Chinook salmon, Brook trout
The current season has been a special one, full of surprises and new friends in the middle of a pandemic that seems to have got attached to us and does not want to leave us.
With this in mind and taking advantage of this slot of leisure time that beginning of March offered us, Martin and I went fishing during our free time, the way we, the fans of this wonderful sport, hobby or whatever each one may consider it, do.
It had been quite a long time, since we were trying to reach a lagoon that was part of our “special waters”, to which we have lost access due to the fact we could not find our host. But this would be one of those special days that season would gift us, granting us the access after months of failure……and it would be worth.
It was a rather cold, windy day with no View more...The current season has been a special one, full of surprises and new friends in the middle of a pandemic that seems to have got attached to us and does not want to leave us.
With this in mind and taking advantage of this slot of leisure time that beginning of March offered us, Martin and I went fishing during our free time, the way we, the fans of this wonderful sport, hobby or whatever each one may consider it, do.
It had been quite a long time, since we were trying to reach a lagoon that was part of our “special waters”, to which we have lost access due to the fact we could not find our host. But this would be one of those special days that season would gift us, granting us the access after months of failure……and it would be worth.
It was a rather cold, windy day with no surface activity, therefore, both of us decided to explore deep with streamers, with a full sinking line for Martin and with a sinking tip in my case.
In a few casts, Martín got the first bite. A trout that fought with an admirable spirit, and after showing us some silver sparkles under the water, would find the reward of being set free without giving us the chance of taking it to the hand net. We were intrigued by the silver color we saw under the water, considering that according to our records, only brown trout lived in this lagoon, but we assumed that it was consequence of the light due to the climate, since that was one of those gray days that make our Patagonia unique.
Two or three more casts and a new bite for Martín. This time, a beautiful brown trout of a very good size and well-fed, that after a respectable fight was returned into the water in optimum conditions.
At this point, it seemed evident that the full sinking line was given better results, and at the same time confirmed that the flies we were using were the right ones.
Already both of us with full sinking lines, we began to exchange bites and catches of good-sized and fighter brown trout, which delighted us with its pitch and escapes towards the bottom during the fights, which means these trout were very healthy and wild due to the good care given to the lagoon by its owner, something we are very grateful for.
Midway through the day, Martín casts towards the log structures and rushes as usual, finding a bite that would make appear that “silver shadow” under de water again. Both noticed it immediately and we proposed ourselves not to fail in this occasion so we could clear up the doubt this caused us. Seconds later, the hand net showed us a fish that, in fact, was silver; however, not of a rainbow trout (what would have been very rare), but it was a little Jack, a Chinook salmon that did not migrate to the sea and became inhabitant, which makes sense due the fact this lagoon connects with a river where these aquatic beasts spawn.
Nice surprise that later would be confirmed with the capture by me of another beautiful Jack that despite of its small size gave a memorable fight.
The day was already perfect, with many catches of brown trout averaging 2 kilos each one, nice fights, and the pleasant surprise of knowing that in those waters we could look for beautiful Jacks, however, the day still had another surprise waiting for us.
Already late afternoon and about to finish our fishing session, I feel an especially strong bite; I hook the fishing rod immediately and I realize that this is not an average trout, I feel that something tugs me and moves my arm, the fishing rod bends up to its maximum capability, and suddenly, I feel a horrible pitch and the unavoidable happens…The 0X tippet is cut, making me fell frustrated for having lost what could have been the record catch of the season and probably my personal record; however, at the same time with a sky-high adrenaline after that brief but powerful fight and with the conviction that those huge trout are in the lagoon and we will have a new chance of putting one of those in the hand net of our anglers.
Days like this encourage us to go further in the search of excellence in our service in order to achieve that fisherman of all over the world can enjoy the fantastic experience that fishing in the Chilean Patagonia means, especially in our waters. This land has a very special mysticism, which is transmitted through every tree, every stream and it feels intensely in every bite…We are waiting for you!
