- January & February are considered to be prime months to chase the monster Sea Runs Brown in the Rio Gallegos. However, the truth is that the late season has always been extremely consistent in terms of numbers. Whilst early birds have the chance to hit the magic window where the water level, temperature, and wind align perfectly for a run with the highest possible average size of fish, the later months of the season usually provides more consistent numbers. There is also a very good amount of so-called dream fish being landed all through March and April. The fish are still fresh and they are plentiful. It’s the time of the year when you are most likely to hit a hot pool and get a dozen takes on a fresh pod of fish. If you prefer warm and nice weather, however, the early season is still the safer bet!
- Autumn run: Rio Gallegos has a late run of fish that usually arrives at the end of March. These fish are extra bulky and extra aggressive because they have less time to reach the upper spawning beds. These fish move significantly faster through the river and stir up the fish that are already defending their future reed areas.
- Warm water – small flies: Every rule has an exception, this one too. On a hot and bright day – add windless to the mix to create your very own “worst case” scenario on seatrout – you might want to try something that creates a bigger silhouette against the blinding lights. Especially when the fish “stare into the sun. At a given time, the angle of the sun is literally blinding them in some of the shallower pools. These fish require a different approach. When blinded by the light, try a big fly despite the conditions. You may be surprised.
- Gallegos Brown Trout: Rio Gallegos has a very strong population of 20-25” resident Brown Trout. In fact, if targeted, the Brown Trout fishing at Las Buitreras is probably up there with the best Brown Trout fisheries in all of Southern Patagonia. Their average size is certainly the biggest.
- Flies: Sea-Run Brown Trout fishing has a long history in Europe. And just like any other fishery with a rich history, a myriad of patterns and local sub-patterns evolved. Euro patterns and South-American fly patterns are nothing alike. Whilst most patterns in Central Europe and Scandinavia ought to be fished as a swung fly, South American flies are often stripped, jerked as well as swung. Confronted with Brown Trout that turned sea-run, the local anglers in southern Patagonia retreated to the safest base they could find, steelhead patterns – in particular, Great Lake area flies. Over time, the guides of the Rio Gallegos developed their own favorite patterns such as the Yellow Yummie, Buitreras Rubber Legs and variations of thin Beadheaded Rubber Legged nymphs in neon colors.
- Genetics: Brown Trout are one of the most genetically diverse vertebrates known. There is far more genetic variation present across British populations of wild Brown Trout than between any populations in the entire human race. Brown Trout belong to a single, polytypic, species. They are however so variable and adaptable that attempts have been made to assign them to at least 50 separate species.
- Physiological Changes: Sea-run Brown Trout undergo amazing physiological changes as they move between fresh and seawater. Special cells in the gills either take in or excrete salts and the fish’s kidney adapts either to produce more or little urine depending on the type of water around the fish.
- Sea-Run Brown Trout vs Sea Trout: In Patagonia, we refer to anadromous Brown Trout as Sea Run Browns, but in most countries, they are more commonly known simply as sea trout.
- Brown Trout is a European species: A rather hardy fish, European Brown Trout have been introduced and successfully naturalized in many countries. Countries with wild populations include: Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Kenya, Kashmir, Bhutan, Falkland Islands, Chile, Argentina. In North America, Brown Trout are sometimes referred to as German Trout or Loch Leven Trout.
10. Rio Gallegos on par with the Rio Grande: Statistically, your chances of hooking a 20+lb fish on the Rio Gallegos are the same as on the more famous Rio Grande. Nine – ten pounds is the average fish size on both rivers and catch rates are equal as well. Compared to the Rio Grande, the Rio Gallegos is shallow, allowing you to wade farther out and has more structure along the banks like bushes, cut banks and high rocky bluffs. Lighter Scandi lines and are also used more on the Gallegos while the more aggressive Skagit heads are more common on the Grande.
Learn more about Sea Run Brown Trout Fishing on the Rio Gallegos.
CALL: 434.249.1783 EMAIL: jcampa@flyfishingpatagonia.com
