DESTINATION: Bella Vista Lodge
, Rio Gallegos, Sta. Cruz
» General Information:
Bella Vista Lodge is located half way up the Rio Gallegos Valley. Which is the southern -most, large river, on the Argentine mainland in Southern Patagonia.
The lodge sits within two estancias (farms) which are farmed collectively for sheep. The total acreage of land is around 650,000 acres or an English county the size of Oxfordshire.
Santa Cruz Province in Southern Patagonia is a bleak land similar to the open plains of Wyoming or the Flow country of Northern Scotland. Barren rolling hills, stretch from the coast all the way to the "Cordillera" the mountain chain that is the termination of the Andes and a natural border between Argentina and Chile.
Whilst it is a hostile environment the province and Estancia play host to a surprising array of animals and birds.
Guests fly to Buenos Aires and typically overnight there to relax and spend a day touring the city and its nightlife.
The Lodge can be accessed from Buenos Aires via commercial airline to the local airport of Rio Gallegos (a 3 hour flight).
A one and a half hour transfer from the Airport takes guests directly to the Lodge.
» Package:
The sea-trout season in Argentina runs from Mid-November to Mid-April. *Santa Cruz is similar to Northern Hemisphere anadromous fish destinations, in terms of the weather and climate. Temperatures can reach as high as mid 70's during the day but will fall sharply at night. The infamous Patagonian wind is a factor to take into consideration in terms of clothing choices!
The fishing at Bella Vista comprises of two principal fisheries. The Rio Gallegos of which the Estancia has 50 km and the Gallegos Chico which is a spring creek tributary of the main river of which we fish 20km.
The Brown trout of the Rio Gallegos and Gallegos Chico are extremely well documented fish, originally stocked in the late 1920's and 30's the fish on the main river have gone on to establish a healthy Sea-run Strain of large running fish, present in only a few other rivers in the world. High average sizes persist and improve year on year and the chance of a trophy sea-trout are present with every cast.
The Gallegos Chico is a small charming spring creek with huge character that flows into the main river on the Estancia's Eastern boundary. Abundant weed growth and rich aquatic food combine to make this one of the World's most exceptional dry fly fisheries.
» Accommodation:
The Lodge comprises 5 en suite bedrooms to accommodate a maximum of 10 guests, a comfortable living room, a large wading room and spacious complimentary bar, fully stocked with local and imported spirits, to toast the one that got away! The lodge also counts with wading rooms, fly-tying table and facilities, satellite telephone and internet access, a fly shop fully equipped with flies, rods, reels, lines, and suitable clothing and Argentine crafts.
» Tackle and Equipment:
A 9, 91/2 or 10 footer for a No. 8 line it´s the ideal for covering the water and for optimal sport. A rod of this size makes casting easy with the normal downstream southwest wind, while an 8 or 9-weight helps you to drive your line into a contrary wind when necessary. Given the Rio Gallegos' moderate flow and generally even gravel bottom, you'll find an 8 or 9 capable of doing battle with even the river's largest sea trout (15 to 25 plus lbs.), while it insures the most action with smaller sea trout and resident browns (2 9 lbs).
Two handed rods are increasingly popular and allow anglers to cast a comfortable line with far less effort, particularly on windy days. Perhaps the most important factor at Bella Vista is that fishermen will have a lot of water to cover in a day and having a 2 handed rod significantly eases casting fatigue. Mending line is also easier with a 2-hander. We encourage you to bring one of 14 or 15 feet for a 9-11weight line. If you are new to 2-handers, our guides are expert instructors and will help you learn quickly. Among rod makers Sage, Thomas & Thomas, Scott and Loomis are excellent choices for Rio Gallegos fishing. It makes sense to bring a back-up rod as well.
For the Gallegos Chico you will need a single-handed 9ft, 4-6 weight rod.
Reels
A quality reel is crucial for playing big sea trout. A strong, smooth drag is a must. Reels (and spare spools) should have capacity for the fly line and 200 yards of 20 pound backing. Appropriate reels include Abel, Tibor, Hardy, Lamson, Scientific Anglers, Ross, Etc.
For the Gallegos Chico a direct drive trout reel is adequate for your needs
Lines
To be well prepared for Southern Patagonia, anglers should include at least three lines to accommodate variance in water levels and wind conditions. Weight forward fly lines are generally used on the Rio Gallegos. Floating lines are typically most useful in low water conditions and during early morning evening hours, when sea trout are inclined to be nearer the surface. Also a sinking shooting taper is very important. The
Teeny T-200 and T-300 lines have proven to be excellent, and at least one or both of these lines should be considered as must-bring items. Sinking tips, and sinking polyleaders are also used a lot. Intermediate lines are also effective in some conditions. For two handed rods the Rio Windcutter with its different tips is the most popular line and can save a lot of time on the water as it negates the need to change spools.
Even experienced anglers often find their running line snarls when buffeted by wind.
Prevailing southwest winds can be "used" by roll casting or spey-casting, which eliminates the need to backcast - difficult with a trailing wind. We found that a simple roll cast carries even large streamers 35 to 50 feet across and downstream, or far enough to cover the holding lies. Weight forward lines can be roll casted effectively by stripping and shooting line during the cast.
For the Gallegos Chico you will need a weight forward floating line to match your rod weight though 4-6 are generally the preferred weights.
Leaders
Experience on the Rio Gallegos, indicates that sea trout aren't particularly leader shy. While reasonable stealth should be exercised, your chief concern is to bring monofilament in sizes that will turn over the array of fly sizes and patterns you'll be using. Spools of mono should include 20, 15, 12 and 10 lbs breaking strengths. If you are fishing in High water conditions, made-up leaders aren't necessary, since a few feet of mono will do fine if you are fishing with sunk lines and big flies. Floating line fishing under normal or low-water conditions will require 9-12ft leader lengths and your guide will assist you in preparing these. Maxima Ultra-green tippet is a good choice it stretches during a fight with a fish and has excellent knot strength. While fishing, be sure to check your mono regularly for casting knots and abrasions, and after each fish caught test your leader knots.
For the Gallegos Chico you will need leaders tapered to 7 or 8 lbs breaking strain.
Flies
The lodge has a better than average selection of local patterns both for the Gallegos and Gallegos Chico, as well as other selected items of tackle. If however the river has been fishing one particular technique well for more than a few weeks, fly patterns will sell out. Bring with you the same flies that you might fish for Steelhead and Atlantic Salmon in all size variations and you won't go far wrong.
Sea run brown trout are mysterious fish. The only constant in their tastes seems to be a penchant for black, and the trout that accepted your small salmon patterns today may demand flies with white rubber legs tomorrow. Historically, most Rio Gallegos fish were taken on large streamers, perhaps because those were most used. In low water conditions, however, more large sea trout are taken on smaller wets, nymphs and dry flies. We suggest packing a range of flies in various patterns and sizes, and urge frequent changes when one combination of line and fly isn't working, depending on light conditions, water levels, and especially on your guide's advice. Barbless hooks are strongly encouraged. All you need to remember for the Gallegos Chico is to bring your terrestrial fly box with plenty of beetle and hopper patterns, you can also bring some smaller up-winged duns and spent fly patterns in sizes 12-18 for the still mornings and evenings.
Here is a basic working fly list for the main river:
*Tempedog and Collie Dog tube flies (31/2-41/2" long, both aluminum and plastic bodies, with hard plastic tubing and #4 wide-gape hooks)
*Bunny leech, Zonker, Woolly Bugger (black/olive), articulated string leech types, with electric blue flash, on #2-4 hooks
*Girdle or Yuk Bug rubber legs (#4-12)
*Bitch Creek nymphs (orange and black for preference, #4-12)
*Bead head nymphs (Prince, Hare's Ear, etc. #10-14)
*Traditional Atlantic Salmon Flies
*Bombers or other waking dry flies (natural deer, black, green on #4-8 hooks), for use drifted, riffled or with a Portland hitch.
Include 11/2-2 inch tube flies if you have them, as tubes can be very effective on the Rio Gallegos. Also, take any large, dark trout or salmon fly in which you have confidence. Fishing a fly that has worked for you in the past, and in which you have confidence, is half the battle.
Note: Larger streamers should be weighted and all should be tied on heavy hooks with good gapes. Treble hooks are not allowed on the Rio Gallegos.
» Additional Information:
Wading isn't difficult on the Rio Gallegos. However, we recommend chest waders for warmth, to get to that occasionally fished cut bank, and to manage deeper water when crossing the river.
Clothing. The summer climate of this southern region of South America is extremely changeable, and a wide range of temperatures and weather conditions should be expected. We recommend layering clothing, enabling you to add or subtract garments during the day.
Pack Polar fleece jackets, thermal underwear, Polar necks, wool socks and a wool cap to be prepared for the extreme. Flannel or chamois cloth shirts and Polars are ideal for the stream, although you'll no doubt change to something lighter while in the lodge. Also take a reliable windstopper/rain jacket. Gore Tex is excellent. Its waterproof yet breathes and so is comfortable on sunny, windy afternoons. Simms Gore-Tex and Patagonia SST wading jackets are popular. Most first-time visitors are surprised at how dry this region is, more reminiscent of Wyoming than of Scotland. Attire in the lodge is casual. Neat but casual is also the dress style in Buenos Aires. Laundry service is available at all lodges.
» Rates / 2011
U$S 5,250.-
Per person double basis.
Rates include:
7-night accommodation, all meals, all beverages, 6 full days fishing, 1 guide x 2 anglers, all transfers inside the property.
Rates do not include:
Airfare Buenos Aires/Rio Gallegos round trip, transfer in/out Lodge, fishing equipment and flies, fishing licence, gratuities.
Notes:
Ask for special offers in April 2011 !!!
» Fishing
Report
2010 fishing season is over; 2011 season starts next November.
