# 611 - FISHING PROGRAM IN RIO GRANDE, TIERRA DEL FUEGO

The rio Grande is the largest river on the Tierra del Fuego island, and is well known for its huge seatrout and the solitude of the countryside

The Estancia Cameron main houses are 60 kilometers from where our Cameron Lodge is located. Our Lodge is the Estancia Cameron's recently refurbished administration houses, built on a high cliff, with a great view over the Darwin Range and less than one hundred yards from the Río Grande. This Estancia has about fifty kilometers of frontage on the north side of the Río Grande (all the way down stream to the Argentinean border), with Ted Turner's Estancia San José neighboring on the "other side of the fence". Cameron's water is almost identical to our downriver neighbor's section, for those who have already fished on the Argentinean side.

It's a beautiful place, surrounded by wooded hillsides, with the snowy Darwin Range overlooking the region. The wildlife and birds are much more plentiful than on the Argentinean side - on any given day, it's not unusual to see hundreds of grazing guanacos, or observe dozens of magnificent condors soaring overhead. You will especially enjoy the solitude of having this splendid fishery to yourself, with the chance of fishing yet unnamed pools where few outsiders have ever cast a fly!

It's an excellent river for flyfishing, sometimes more challenging and rewarding than downstream in Argentina, due to the different techniques and finesse that have to be employed. The water is much clearer, and maintains it's clarity, even in higher flows. The fishing is also rewarding because there's always action. In this section of the river sea run browns average ten pounds, with monsters up to eighteen/twenty pounds. On occasion we'll even land really huge fish, well over twelve kilos (twenty six pounds)!!!

Unlike the lower Argentinean section of the river, there are also resident river browns up to the six pound class, beautifully colored fish that readily take our flies. In addition, anglers will find some healthy, "chromer" lake run browns, with the shape of a rugby ball, that enter the river from the Blanco lake for our enjoyment. And, completing the "Grand Slam", there are rainbows too! You will see them some meters from you, down stream, feeding on the aquatic insects you kick up from the bottom of the river. It's something to be seen!!!

We accomodate ten guests in two very nicely arranged cabins. The original lodge, Cabin #1, has two double bedrooms with private bathrooms, and a nice living/dining room with a cozy wood stove - very welcome after a long days fishing - with a splendid sight of the river and the mountains! And now, since the last season, at the Cabin #2 we have three more doble bedrooms with their own bathrooms and a very nice living area with a warm wood stove.

The daily menu includes regional Chilean meals very rich in seafood, like king crab, mussels, scallops, calamari, clams, (collected at the Punta Arenas area) and, of course, the popular beef or lamb asado (Tierra del Fuego is a hoof and mouth disease-free zone). Cocktails, like the typical Chilean "Pisco Sour", and the justifiably famous Chilean wines are served with the meals.

This fishing package includes six and a half days fishing, seven nights lodging (double occupancy and guide sharing), all meals, all cocktails, wine, beer and sodas, one guide with a 4 x 4 vehicle for every two rods, fishing license. Tips (15%) and personal items are not included.

FISHING SEASON
The fishing season on the Río Grande runs from October through April. In November and December the fishing is very good, but the peak months are January, February, March and April. We encourage you to make your reservations as soon as possible, as there is usually a great demand for the peak months on the whole river.

EQUIPMENT
Single and two-handed rods in the 6-9 weight category between 9 and 14 feet are ideal. Shooting heads and fast sinkers (such as the Teeny or Scientific Anglers series of lines), as well as floaters or the new interchangeable tips lines, should all be brought. Tippet material should be in the 5-10kg (10-20 lbs) breaking strain category. The most effective flies for the area will be available at the lodges at a reasonable price. Disc drag reels are recommended, and anti-reverse can also be an advantage.

CLOTHING
A layering system is mandatory, waterproof, breathable hooded wading jacket, polarfleece midlayer, capilene underwear or similar. Fingerless gloves, windstopper hat, polarized glasses (rated 100%uv protection). There might be hot weather in summer but that's unpredictable. In those days, ligth clothing with a windproof shell are a better option. The ozone hole and corresponding increase in uv radiation is a problem in October and november. We reccommend you to use prescribed sun blocking creams. Clients should have health insurance with international coverage before leaving their countries. If they are taking medicine prescribed by a doctor, they should bring enough for the entire trip.

ITINERARY

Day 1 (Saturday).
Meeting at the Pampa Guanaco or Porvenir airfields or at the Punta Arenas and Río Grande Airports, your choice! After lunch a brief siesta (nap), and then a ride for the evening's fishing.

Day 2 to 7.
Fishing the Rio Grande, rotating pools along the more than 50 kilometers of available water.

Day 8 (Saturday).
Transfer back to the airfields or airports.

GETTING THERE
International flights to Santiago, Chile, connecting flights from Santiago to Punta Arenas, and then, options A, B or C. Or, international flights to Buenos Aires, Argentina, connecting flights down to Río Grande in Tierra del Fuego, and then option D.

There are 3 ways to access the lodge from the Punta Arenas airport:

A - Chartered forty five minutes flight (*) from Punta Arenas airport to Pampa Guanaco airfield, then a 25 minutes drive to the lodge. Cost of the flight one way: us$1.250,00 aprox.
B - Chartered fifteen minutes flight (*) from Punta Arenas airport to Porvenir airfield, crossing the Magellan Strait, then a three hours drive to the lodge. Cost of the flight one way: us$750,00 aprox.
C - Seven hours drive from Punta Arenas airport to the lodge, crossing the Strait of Magallanes by ferry. Cost, one way, is: us$250,00 aprox.
D - If you would preffer to fly through Buenos Aires, Argentina, and then to Rio Grande in Tierra del Fuego, we could collect you at the Río Grande airport. There is a two hours´ drive from the airport to the lodge in Chile. The cost of this transfer is us$150,00 aprox. per vehicle (three passengers maximum).

(*) The airplane is a twin engine and 9 passengers Cessna 402. DAP is the regional airline offering the charters and it is based in Punta Arenas. Rates are for six passengers (the full flight), one way only.
Depending upon the group's size, we have also available a Twin Otter (see photo) and a Dash-7 for the chartered flights from Punta Arenas. Quotation upon request.
Magallanes Flyfishing has no responsability for delays due to the weather or any other circumstances not related with the fishing operation itself.

Daily bookings are also available, minimum three days and two rods.

MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION

TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
Your domestic airline tickets in Argentina, if booked by us, will be sent to your Hotel in Buenos Aires or will be readily available for you at the airline's check in counter at the airport in BA.

British or American Passport holders do not require a visa for Argentina nor Chile. Other nationalities should check. All clients should ensure that they have at least 6 months validity before the expiry date on their passport.

LUGGAGE
There is a 15 kg. baggage allowance for the internal flights in Argentina. Please be advised that any excess baggage charges are your own responsibility. For those taking a double handed rod please ensure you use a locked, well padded and taped tube.

ELECTRICITY
The electricity is supplied to 220 voltage sockets. Clients are advised to take travel adapters to comply with Argentinean and Chilean plugs.

DRINKS BILLS AND TIPS
Drinks bills, and any other additional costs such as telephone charges or laundry should be settled directly with the hotel at the end of your stay. Credit cards and travellers cheques are accepted in hotels in Buenos Aires. Tipping is entirely at your discretion. A 15% is what we suggest as gratuities per rod per guide. At the lodge in Chile hard liquor is not included, so, if you would like to have some drinks during your week you should supply yourself in Río Grande. Pisco Sour and Chilean wine is served at no extra cost at the Cameron lodge.
In Chile, at the Cameron lodge, the government fishing licence is included.

HEALTH AND MEDICATION
Although at present no inoculations are required for travel to Argentina nor Chile, please consult your doctor prior to your trip. It is essential that you bring personal medicines that you might need with you.

THE CLIMATE
In January and February the weather can be variable. With the best fishing being early morning and late in the evening you need to have warm clothing. The temperature can be as low as 5ºC - 10ºC but at midday it heats up to 20ºC. It is often extremely windy and can also rain. Conditions change regularly and often.
In March and April the air temperature can reach freezing temperatures in the morning as low as -5°C and 15°C at midday.

CLOTHING
With such variable conditions it is better to have layered clothing which can be added to or shed according to the changes throughout the day. Bring a windproof hat and gloves as well as a waterproof/windproof jacket. Heavy underwear and socks are a must throughout the season.

A DAY ON THE RIO GRANDE
Much will depend on the prevailing climatic conditions of your week and, also, of the time of the season. Due to the high latitude where our Cameron Lodge is located, the days are very long during the beginning of the season in November and December getting shorter towards the end of it by mid April. As an example, the sun rises and sets in December about 5am-10 pm and 8am-7pm in March. However, normally breakfast is from 0730 after which you drive out to the river. Depending on the beat you have been allocated for the morning, the drive can take from 10 to 45 minutes.

Lunch is taken around 1330 at the lodge. Most people take a siesta until 1700 when they change beat and head back to the river. In late March and April there usually are no siestas.

Dinner will be served upon your return to the lodge after having some Pisco sours.

It is a long day but with the best fishing being early and late in the day you should be on the river at these times to get the maximum benefit.

FISHING TACKLE AND KIT
Sea trout fishing on the upper Rio Grande, in Chile, is similar to salmon fishing or trout fishing. But there are some subtle differences in both tackle and technique. Please read the enclosed carefully and follow the guidelines - a 15ft Salmon rod and a floating line may be fine in Scotland or Russia, but are not ideal for sea trout on the Rio Grande. Similarly the techniques will be "alien" to many. When on the river please listen to the guides and their advice in order to get the most out of your trip.

RODS
It is best to bring at least two rods in case of breakages and also for variety. Traditionally single handed 9/10ft # 8 have been used but increasingly double handed 12 - 14 ft rods have proved successful in the windy conditions. Reels should be sturdy and have a good braking system with 100m of backing.

LINES
It is best to have an entire range of lines for the changeable conditions: floating, intermediate, Wet Cell III (sinking) and also a faster sinking line such as 200 or 300 grains shooting lines. With the strong winds a shooting head (10 - 11m) or weight forward taper lines might be useful. The interchangeable tips lines are very useful on both, single and double handed rods.

WADERS
Chest waders are essential with felt or studded soles for added grip. Neoprenes are useful as added protection against the wind (and the temperature of the water) but are not a necessity if one has adequate layers of clothing underneath. The goretex waders have proved to be very good because of its lesser weight for travelling and also because they are very comfortable on the river. With these waders consider extra warm underwear and socks. The wading is not hard and a stick is optional but helpful on som beats.

NYLON
10 - 20 pounds is fine.

FLIES
The following are recommended patterns:

Mamarracho, black or brown
Cucaracha
Angler's Green Machine
Angler's Red Ass
Angler's Teddy Gay
Angler's Prince nymph
Angler's Zug Bug
Monona
Monona Bugger
Fina
Campeona
Mini Rubber Legs
Woolly Buggers - Black or olive green
Muddler Minnow - Black or brown
Yuk Bugs and Girdle Bugs

Dry flies have proved increasingly successful and amongst the most popular are Madam X, Tarantula, Royal and White Wulff, Buck Bugs and Atlantic Salmon Bombers in sizes 4, 6 or 8.

Small nymphs are also very effective, particularly in low water conditions. All the flies are readily available at Angler's Aventuras Fly Shop and at the Cameron lodge at a very affordable cost.

Generally the season begins with larger patterns and ends with smaller ones. However, as always climatic conditions will be more of a guide to the size of the fly that you use, so a good selection is recommended.

MISCELLANEOUS EQUIPMENT
Polaroid glasses, scissors, wader repair kit, masking tape, sun screen and lip balm. The combination of wind, sun, reflection and the hole in the Southern Hemisphere's ozone layer combine to make the risk of sunburn an important factor that should not be disregarded.

We hope that you will have a successful trip to this remarkable river. However, please remember Tierra del Fuego is the southern most tip of South America. Being so remote everything does not always work in the time and manner we are accustomed to. Our closest town is Río Grande, in Argentina, 120km and 2 hours driving away. The closest town in Chile is Punta Arenas,500km and 8 hours driving away. This latter is where our supplies of fresh food comes from.

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RIPIO TURISMO - Incoming Tour Operator Argentina & Chile- Leg. 10.687 Secretaría de Turismo de la Nación Argentina.
info@ripioturismo.com.ar

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