THE RIVER of MONSTERS: NO SEA RUNS HERE. BOWS ON STEROIDS and BIG BROWNS !!
The mighty Limay River, once flowing freely for about 300 miles from its source Lake Nahuel Huapi near San Carlos de Bariloche until it joins the Neuquen River to form the Rio Negro River on its final destination to the Atlantic Ocean, has its flow now interrupted by five dams. It is the stretch between the Pichi Picún Leufú Dam and Exequiel Ramos Mejia Reservoir that is called "Middle Limay" or " Limay Medio".
As a result of the dam, the Reservoir creates a great source for minnows from different species as well as a great environment for brown trout to grow fast and reach unbelievable sizes. These two things combine to make every fall , MARCH, sometimes starting even in the late summer a time when big quantities of migratory brown trout swim up into the river.
It is for these large migratory trout as well as resident specimens, some exceeding 15 to 20 lbs., for which we fish. Trophy brown trout some of them competing with the famous sea run brown trout in the Rio Grande of Tierra del Fuego.
Our program consists of a six (6) day float trip, the best way to fish river sections otherwise unreachable, with overnight camping on islands along the 40 mile trip during the peak spawning-run months of March, April and May. We are also discovering great fishing in late January and February for minnow chasing trophies, both browns and bows, using floating minnow patterns.
A typical itinerary is as follows:
Day 1: Arrival and reception at Chapelco, the airport serving San Martín de los Andes or Barioloche airport. Transfer to a hotel in the town of Piedra del Aguila, a three-hour drive. Dinner in the hotel, then check camping and fishing equipment.
Day 2: Breakfast in the hotel, start the float trip about 20 km (12.5 miles) down stream from the Pichi Picún Leufú dam. Float and fish for an average of 15 km (about 10 miles). Shore lunch and then camp for the night in a river island where we will have an argentine cookout and great wines.
Days 3 to 6: Breakfast, then float and fish it as per Day 2.
Day 7: In the afternoon we end the float trip where the Limay River empties into the Exequiel Ramos Mexía lake. Transfer to the hotel in Piedra del Aguila, dinner.
Day 8: Breakfast in the hotel, and then drive for departure to the Airport.
Although many target the brown trout, the Middle Limay has hard fighting rainbow trout that will put to test a fisherman’s ability to land them. Considering river sections vary between 100 to 200 meters (300 to 600 ft.), long casts are required, many times against the wind and one should be able to double haul.
There are evenings, when the wind dies down, one can practice dry fly fishing but the Limay Medio River is a "streamer river". Typical tackle consists of a 9ft 8 wt. rod, shooting heads (in Type #4 to #6 in range of sinking) of a total length of 27 to 30 feet for the shooting head plus a running line like Rio Slick Shooter or Amnesia of 20/35 pounds test with 200 yds. of backing.
The flies used mostly imitate our two different minnow imitations "pejerrey" and "Puyen" and the pancora crayfish. Saltwater deceivers and flies with slim profiles and pulsating materials are very productive.
