Wonderous Argentina!

BY REBEKKA REDD

Upon my arrival in Buenos Aires, I was amazed by the stunning building structures of the city. The streets and buildings have a mixture of European and South American vibes.

Meeting me at the airport were friends Felix, who co-owns the lodge we are heading to, and Sam who is a traveling angler and video creator. It was just the start of an incredible fishing journey to this South American country. First, we had to get to the lodge, and this was a six hour trip by car.

During that lengthy road trip we had a few mishaps, including a case of food poisoning for Felix.

We switched drivers and Sam took over the wheel and quickly remembered the basics of driving a standard. I grew up driving manual, but I lost the coin toss to drive. Between the three of us, the jokes and stories made the time fly by. Luckily Felix’s food poisoning had faded by the time we arrived at the lodge.

The Argentine landscape is truly breathtaking. From the city scape to the grassy plains of the countryside to the towering peaks of the Andes Mountains, there is no shortage of natural and manmade beauty to behold.

During the trip, I had the opportunity to explore a variety of different environments, each with its own unique charms. The Don Joaquin River Lodge is situated in a lush, verdant region populated with greenery and bordered by rolling hills. The air was fresh, and the sound of birds and frogs serenading was music to my ears.

The lodge is home to a wide variety of wildlife, and I spent many hours exploring the surrounding areas and snapping photos of the abundant birds, reptiles including caiman, and other animals that I encountered. From colorful parrots to graceful anacondas, the Corrientes Province is teeming with life.

One of the highlights of my trip was observing the gauchos as they worked their stock near by the lodge. These skilled horsemen are an integral part of Argentine culture, and it was fascinating to watch them in action. I also had the pleasure of seeing Rheas, the largest flightless birds in South America, on several occasions.

These cousins of the ostrich are truly majestic creatures, and I couldn’t resist photographing them every time I spotted one. We had pulled the boat to a sand bar to fish, and in the same moments we spotted a small group of Rhea, and off I went camera in hand to check them out (at a respectful distance).

Fishing Was Spectacular

Of course, the main attraction of the trip was the fishing. The lodge’s location is close to 2 main rivers that hold a plethora of fish, and I was able to catch numerous species during my stay. From the elusive and feisty Dorado, the Surubi catfish, the ominous Chafalote, to the fierce Pirahna. I was thrilled to catch these bucket list species, some caught before on previous trips to South America! Pacu are also popular to catch in the same waters, but at different times of the year.

Each morning was a full breakfast in the main dinning area, and shortly after it was time to leave for the day. The boats conveniently awaited out front the lodge in the river. At the time of our stay, the

REDD’S GEAR GUIDE

FLY FISHING FOR GOLDEN DORADO (SALMINUS MAXILOSUS)

These powerful and aggressive fish are native to the rivers and streams of South America, and are highly prized for their fighting ability and stunning appearance. To have the best chance of success when fly fishing for Dorado, it’s important to have the right gear. Here are some essential items that you’ll need: rivers where much higher than normal, causing the water levels to be unusually high and coloured.

• Fly rod: 8- 9 weight rod - it has enough backbone but is still capable of making delicate presentations.

• Reel: Matching large arbour reel with a smooth drag is a must.

• Fly line: A tropical floating line is a good choice. Pack a 250 - 350 grain sinking line for days that the water is high and coloured.

• Leader and tippet: Dorado have sharp teeth, so it’s important to use a strong 7 1/2 foot(give or take) 25-30lb test leader and approx. 10 inch of wire bite tippet to prevent break-offs. Fluorocarbon is a good choice, as it is pretty invisible to the fish and has a high breaking strength. These are for general fishing conditions and can vary depending on the water, and time of year and size of fish that are being targeted.

• Flies: Dorado are opportunistic feeders and will eat a wide variety of flies. Streamers and large poppers are particularly effective for these fish, make sure the hooks are sharp.

We adjusted to the elements, and our tenacity was in full force seeking fish. Every day we found them, but not with out great commitment and time casting! Whew!

All that effort worked up an appetite! Good thing every day included a fire cooked lunch and a siesta in hammocks! Our guides created some incredible lunches, including open fire cooked rib eye and all the trimmings. When in Argentina one becomes a meat-aterian or starve! When I’m home I rarely eat red meat, however one must indulge a little from time to time.

The fishing days ended at about 4 pm with an hour (or more) boat ride back to the lodge. Arriving exhausted yet feeling content from a full day of fishing, it was time to freshen up and get ready for dinner. That’s right, more prime cuts of local grass fed beef, cooked in true Argentine fashion, smoked and seasoned on open fires almost every night. Let’s not forget the empanadas, chicken stew, fresh stuffed pasta, cheeses, garden greens, fruits and fine locally grown Malbec wine. There is no going hungry at this place!

The lodge itself was luxurious, with comfortable rooms and all the amenities one could ask for. The central hub of the lodge is the outdoor veranda and a large, elegantly decorated dining and living room with leather sofas, antique and reclaimed furniture and chandeliers.

There was plenty of unique opportunities during this trip and as luck would have it, I had the amazing chance to spend some time at a polo ranch. Polo in Argentina is a highly competitive and popular sport. I was able to join in on a few matches and even played a bit of polo myself. It was an incredible experience and a great balance to my trip, which had mostly been centred around fishing.

After a successful week at the lodge and time at my friends polo ranch, my crew and I decided to cap off our Argentine travels in Buenos Aires, the capital city of Argentina. This vibrant metropolis was a feast for the senses, with its Europeaninspired architecture and rich cultural offerings. We spent a couple days touring the city, taking in the art, music, markets, food, and enjoying the lively nightlife.

As our trip came to an end, I couldn’t help but feel inspired and grateful for the amazing experiences I had in Argentina. From fly fishing for bucket list species, to playing polo, drinking fine Argentine wine, and enjoying our cultural immersion, this destination offered a perfect blend of adventure and enjoyment. I left feeling content and already planning my next trip back. Stay tuned for the next destination. Wishing you tight lines and big fish! n

DID YOU KNOW:

Argentina is home to the largest dinosaur ever discovered. The Argentinosaurus, which lived around 100 million years ago, was believed to be over 100 meters (328 feet) long and weigh over 100 tons. Its fossil remains were found in Patagonia, a region in the southern part of the country known for its rugged landscapes and abundant dinosaur fossils.