One of the most frequent comments I hear, no matter which river I’m guiding, is: “Wow! We are in the middle of nowhere… How come there is no one here!” Even in the most famous rivers of northern Patagonia, you can find that same special feeling of tranquility and solitude. I personally get that same feeling when I go hiking, and I experience even more joy if the main reason for that hike is to fish a small stream or spring creek, since I’ll be fishing even farther into the middle of nowhere!
The early part of the fishing season is late spring and early summer (November and December). During this time of year, almost all of the well-known rivers in northern Patagonia are still too fast and high to wade-fish. So the best option is to find small tributaries of major rivers or lakes that carry the optimum amount of water and produce incredible results.
We can successfully fish these small streams by prospecting the different water features using large attractors, terrestrials, streamers and nymphs. But when conditions allow, we can also sight-cast to a targeted trout—this makes all the difference!
Sight-fishing is the best approach in these small streams. Targeting fish is not that difficult; we just have to be patient and methodical while looking for fish. And of course the more we do it, the more adjusted to it our eyes will become, producing even better results. We begin by slowly scanning the bottom, trying to distinguish rocks, ledges, weeds and their shadows from an actual trout. Once we locate a fish, we then spend a little time to briefly study its behavior. Is it actively feeding on the surface? Or is it eating nymphs underwater? Or is it doing both? Is it holding a position while feeding? Or cruising an area? How big is that area? Is it anchored to the bottom without feeding?
There are many other factors to consider in the moments before we make the cast.
Should we change the fly? Or are we confident in the fly have on? Then we need to determine the position from which the cast is going to be made and how to stealthily move into that casting position without the trout detecting us. Finally, before casting, don’t forget to breathe!
All of this may sound like a lot to do, and that is why I think it is so much fun to fish/guide in sight-fishing situations. Even after many years of guiding in northern Patagonia, there are still more creeks and rivers on my list to explore. These are places that not many people fish and inspire me to continue to pursue my passion for the sport.
By Gonzalo Flego, SET Fly Fishing Guide
