I love The Musky ... But Patagonia is pretty cool too!

[fluid1]

If you ever get the chance to go...don't hesitate! We fished the Limay out of San Carlos Bariloche. Unbelievable experience.

 

[skipper3245]

Where did you guys access? I was in Villa Angostura and was looking at where to access but could not find anything when I tried to hike in (which is like 20 miles from town). Kept running into private land. Fished it a little but it was far from the boca and did not get into anything too big.

 

[fluid1]

Where did you guys access? I was in Villa Angostura and was looking at where to access but could not find anything when I tried to hike in (which is like 20 miles from town). Kept running into private land. Fished it a little but it was far from the boca and did not get into anything too big.

Nearly all access to the Limay and most rivers is by permission of these huge ranches. The Limay, though, does have some public access points as it runs a good bit along a major highway. Still, this is a river, as are most in the area, that you want to float covering as much water as you can. I strongly recommend a guiding service. I wholeheartedly recommend Outfitters Patagonia. Easy to find on TripAdvisor.

 

[flyI4]

Im actually heading down there this thursday to fish the De Los Andes area of Argentina, which I believe is also in patagonia and is very close to Bariloche. This is my first time going- any flies/patterns you could recommend that worked so I can do some last minute tying would be much appreciated. I've basically been tying hoppers and other large attractor dries along with some generic caddis patterns. Thanks for any help you can offer.

 

[fluid1]

The guides will usually tell you, if you want big fish, you have to chuck them something big....all of our large fish came on big, deep-swimming streamers and buggers with rubber legs...always rubber legs. The sculpin, zonker, matuka, bunny, muddler...all cone head. We fished a 30 ft, deep sink tip as we were after the large migratory browns at the opening of the season in November. Black and olive colors seemed to do best...though each river seems to have its own character. At one point, my guide said tie on a white bugger...we promptly caught a few rainbows, then, never used the white bugger again. Go figure.

The fish there are fat and strong. You will be amazed by their strength and weight versus length. Take LOTS of sunscreen and be generous. My arm nearly fell off after 6 days of chucking large streamers at the banks. Many, many of the fish came off strikes within inches of the bank or in between two willows that over hung the banks....tough, technical fishing. Fast water, fast stripping...slow water, slow stripping.

We did zero dry fly fishing...I bet it is boiling down there now. But, the big ones are down below.

Do you have a guide? If not, take Outfitter Patagonia's number or PM me and I can send you other details. These guys are incredibly knowledgeable and friendly.

 

[flyI4]

thanks-- I've heard from just about everyone I know thats been down there that streamers are the ticket for the monsters and that if you get the fly under/between the willow banks you are golden. I stacked up on Kelly Galloup stuff and bought all the crazy shit mostly because I just want to see what it looks like to have a 6'' streamer get totally mauled, and hopefully on a semi- regular basis. Outfitter wise, I'm going being guided/staying at this lodge called "Old Viking Lodge". I actually met a few fisherman in an airport last year who had been on the trip and said the guy was a great guide and his prices were reasonable so I decided to set it up with him. I'll let you know how the trip pans out.

 

[fluid1]

Sounds like you are set...we camped on the Caleufu for two nights which was a trip. Such incredible, waters. It's like Carribean blues and greens in a river! Tight lines!