Toonken
The Fishing
The first brown trout were stocked in Tierra del Fuego by John Goodall in 1935. Shipped from
Puerto Montt in Chile, 60,000 'salmo trutta' eggs survived the arduous journey, to be planted
on the Candelaria and McLennan rivers, both tributaries of the Rio Grande.
These fish eventually found their way to the sea, probably sensing the nutrient filled estuary. SOme how the adapted to ocean life and began reproducing like and Atlantic Salmon . These sea-run brown trout now complete the yearly migratory cycle of their Atlantic Salmon Cousins,
spawning during the summer months in freshwater and returning to the ocean to get big and fat!
The baby browns remain in the river 1 to 4 years
until they are big enough for their first journey to the ocean, where they will feed and grow for about 6 months before
their first return to freshwater, weighing approximately 6lbs. Researchers have found trout
which had spawned more than 6 times. A trout which has completed 4 cycles of returning to
freshwater can weigh over 20 lbs. The frequency with which they return to freshwater is also
an indicator that the fish face very few threats. It also shows that our policy of Catch and release is working. The average returns have been going up and up since this policy was adopted. We are now averaging 2-3 fish per rod per day which is way up from the low of 1 fish per rod per day just a decade ago. There are not many places in the world you can visit that has so many big brown trout.
Fishing Methods:
Although most of their lives are spent in the ocean, the sea run brown seem to retain more of
the eccentricities of resident browns than, for instance, steelhead do of resident rainbows.
Moody fish, they must be shown flies the way they want to see them at the precise time, that
they're ready to take.
The Rio Grande isn't a big river. Thus, it's compatible with a wide range of techniques, critical
since a large sea trout may demand that a fly be fed to it on the bottom one hour but rise to
a floating bomber the next. Water levels can change from week to week and the water
generally drops as the season progresses. Vary your presentation markedly in each pool
fished until you find the right formula of fly, line, drift or swing, and retrieve. Pay
close attention to the advice of your guide, whose primary aim is to recommend the methods that
will help you hook and bring your fish to the net.
Generally, the Rio Grande's sea trout seem to lie near cut banks during the middle of the day,
though in low water they will also lie in the faster necks of pools. Naturally, they move up
primarily during early morning, evening and nighttime hours. Generally, "tails in the morning and
heads at night" is a good rule. Also look for fish distributed throughout pools on calm,
overcast days. Begin each fly drift or swing as close to the bank as
possible, whether the presentation is upstream and across, straight across, or downstream and
across. On sunny days, one theory holds that sea trout will take best if they don't have the sun
in their eyes, although this theory, like others, is often affected by the number of fish in a
particular pool and the number of "takers."
Here are a few good tips from the guides:
-
If you have questions, ask your guide. They know the river well and can usually give you the best recommendation on how to approach a particular fishing situation.
-
Fishing days are long, especially early in the season, and the climate can be difficult.
Concentrate your fishing during periods when trout are taking, and don't hesitate to rest at midday. If you find that you tire as the week progresses, talk with your guide about departing for the river a bit later; they will be happy to accommodate you. -
As a rule, the more time your fly spends in the water, the more sea trout you'll
catch.
You'll want to minimize false casting in order to cover as much water as possible during each
outing. One retrieve technique commonly employed is short strips, but since pools and fly
types vary it's best to consult your guide on how best to fish each new situation and which
retrieve to employ. Point your rod tip to where your fly line enters the water, following the
line around as it swings your fly while you retrieve it. Depending on the swiftness of the
current you may want to mend your line upstream, occasionally even downstream, in order to
present your fly most advantageously to the trout. -
Check leaders regularly for wind knots, which halve the breaking strength of
monofilament. -
If you have a fish roll at the fly, follow or "bump" it in any way; there is a good chance that the trout will come back to the same or a different fly. Wait a moment for the fish to return to its lie, don't move, and cast again to the same location. Try to repeat the same length cast and fly speed. Then, change speed and fly on the next several casts. If the trout does not show himself again after a few changes, mark his location and return to try him again after resting that portion of the pool.
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In setting a hook it's best simply to tighten and let the fish hook itself. Never jerk the line to set a hook.
-
Having hooked a large fish, don't plant your feet and attempt to drag it upstream against the current. Once you have the trout under control, head for shore and move with your fish, staying either abreast or slightly downstream of it. Also remember to "bow" to jumping sea trout by lowering your rod tip as the fish leaves the water.
-
Play sea trout aggressively, much as you should
Atlantic salmon or steelhead. Many anglers
play large fish too gingerly, which causes more losses than playing the fish hard. -
If you hook a fish in low light, communicate with your guide immediately. Listen carefully to his instructions, particularly with regards to the most reliable spot to net your fish.
-
Handle all fish with care and release them unharmed. (All fishing on the Rio Grande is catch and release.) Try not to let your trophies thrash on the bank. For pictures, cradle the fish in wet hands, gripping the handle of the tail firmly.
Catch & Release:
Toon Ken promotes a strict catch and release policy, which has over the years helped the
increase in numbers of returning fish.
The mortality rate of released fish is almost non existent, and these fish do not die after
spawning. Catch and release hugely increases the chances of that fish returning to the river. We ask that all fishermen de-barb all flies. Not only do barbless hooks penetrate more
readily, allowing for more successful hook-ups, but they are also more easily removed, should
a cast go errant. Guides are equipped with large nets featuring in-built scales. They are trained to land your
fish, weigh it and measure it, and release it undamaged.
If you are landing your own fish, hold it facing the current, and avoid moving it back and
forth in the water. You may have to hold it in this position for a good while. Be patient, only
when a fish is thoroughly rested should it be allowed to swim away.
ARGENTINA!
TIERRA DEL FUEGO
TOONKEN
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