Rods


For fishing the Sea runs, we highly recommend either Spey or Switch rods in line weights 7-9. Single handed rods can also work well but two handed rods are much more efficient in covering the water and casting with the wind. Two handed rods should be relatively short. Rods of 11-14 feet are fine and rods longer than this can at times be a disadvantage in the wind. If you have never fished two handed, our expert guides will be happy to help you learn while at the Cameron. For single handed rods we recommend line weights 7-8 with rods 10 feet in length. The extra length makes mending and casting while wading much easier. For the excellent resident trout fishing on the Estancia a 6 weight rod will work very well. All rods should be faster action for maintaining tight loops in windy conditions.

Reels:

You should have a reliable reel with a good drag system and plenty of capacity for a minimum of 100 yards of backing. Having a good loop system with your running line and/or backing makes it easier to change lines. Extra spools and reels are good to bring, as replacement equipment in this remote location is impossible to find.

Lines, leaders and tippet:

While we try to use floating lines as much as possible, it is often necessary to use a variety of sink tips to find the fish. A changeable tip system can make a huge difference in your success. Lines should be well balanced for the rods. It is important to have short belly lines for both Spey and Overhand casting. Compact Skagit or Scandi type lines are excellent for fishing the Rio Grande. A selection of sink tips up to 250 grains is a must to have on this fishery as water levels and currents can fluctuate. For the resident trout fishing bring both a floating and light sink tip such as a wet tip or 100 grain line. When you come make sure to bring a good line cleaner such as Glide as a clean line is much easier to cast with less effort than a dirty one. Leaders are not that important. Most importantly, they should be strong and for two handed rods they should generally be as long as the rod. Straight 15 pound test Maxima works just fine. Poly leaders in different weights work well for two handed and Switch rods. In all cases leaders with very stiff butt sections are recommended to turn over large flies in the wind. With sink tip we generally use a 3 foot or shorter leader to help keep the fly down. Tippets used for Sea Trout will be from 8-15 pound test. The only tippet material that we recommend is Maxima Ultra Green or Chameleon. For the resident fishing it is rare that we will use anything smaller than 2x but the occasional hatches may require tippets as small as 4x. When fishing it is prudent to check all of your knots and make sure they are well tied and strong. These fish can put a large strain on your tackle and if there is a weak point, they will find it. Before leaving home double check your backing to fly line connection knot.

Flies:

At times the big Sea Trout will eat anything in their path and other times they can be surprisingly finicky. Therefore a wide selection of flies is important to have. Successful patterns range from classic Steelhead and Atlantic Salmon flies in sizes 2/0 to 10, to large black String Leeches, Conehead Wolly Buggers, Intruders, Zonkers and Egg Sucking Leeches. Rubber Legged nymphs in sizes 6-10 such as Bitch Creeks, Princes and Copper Johns are at times the best patterns. Varying the color of the rubber legs from Black to White and Orange can often make a critical difference to the fish. On calm days we can wake classic dries such as Bombers, fat Alberts and Mouse Patterns with success. Black is a very effective color in all patterns.
For the resident trout fishing, Wooly Buggers in olive and black, Zonker type streamers, large foam attractors such as Fat Alberts and Chernobyl Ants and a variety of classic trout nymphs are the best alternatives. Also bring some smaller dries in sizes 12-16 as well as a few olive scud patterns for the Lagunas.
It is very important that all of the flies are tied on high quality hooks. Beware of cheap hooks that will fold under the weight of a fish of a lifetime.


 
 

Other equipment:


All of the fishing here is done with waders. Before leaving home be sure to check your waders for leaks and buy good repair material such as Aquaseal or Loon UV wader repair to bring along Gore Tex type waders are perfect but make sure that you have a good layering system and warm socks for underneath. Stealth and rubber soled wading boots are perfect here. A good wading belt is a must for entering the river.

Be sure that you have a very warm layering system underneath as the water here is cold and the climate can be severe. Rubber soled wading boots work very well as do felt. Please do not bring used felts to Chile as they often transport unwanted organisms that can damage the fisheries.

Polaroid glasses with keepers are necessary. As we often fish very early and late in the day, we strongly suggest bringing another pair of lightly tinted or clear glasses for eye protection when casting.
As close to Antartica as we are, a high quality, waterproof wading jacket with a hood, fingerless gloves and warm upper body layers are essential. These and a good windproof, insulated hat can help keep you comfortable if conditions get tough.

The sun can be very strong here. Sun protecting, light colored clothes, a good sun hat and lots of sunscreen should be included in your gear.
Prepare for everything as you will be at the very southernmost confines of the earth. Note: Once you have your exact dates reserved, we will offer a more detailed list of what to bring.