Collón Cura River, Patagonia

An amazing big-fish river, the Collón Cura provides opportunities for a wide range of gamefishing styles and tactics.

Launching the boats at the start of a very varied day's fishing

This is a big river and in places deep and very fast flowing; however, there are also many places where large trout can be caught in the shallow riffles. Fishing from the bank or by wading is practicable over most of the river, but to cover the water effectively, especially beside the islands formed by fallen willow trees, a good float boat and a professional guide are essential.

Tributaries
In spring there is excellent fishing on the Quemquentreu River, which flows past a wonderful fishing lodge and ranch of the same name; this tributary falls to little more than a braided trickle in high summer, and by then most of the trout have retreated to the main river.

The guides that we use on our hosted trips are the very best, and they can offer expert fishing advice as well as flies suited to the river and the particular time of year. But as I'll explain in a moment, there is another outstanding added value element to the guiding package that we use and recommend...

Jackie and her guide with a fine rainbow caught during our guided trip in 2008

The Wild Trout of the Collón Cura
The rainbows range from 15 to 23 inches (a maximum of about 5 lbs) with an occasional bigger fish, while brown trout to 30 inches are not uncommon on this fast-flowing river. The fly hatches are good in spring and in autumn, and there is plenty of surface food for the fish to rise to. On breezy summer days hoppers and crickets get blown in to the margins and are warmly welcomed - particularly by big brown trout lurking in the bank-side shallows.

Andy in contact with a big Collón Cura trout

Tackle
Ideally you need both a light rod (AFTM #4 or #5) as well as one capable of handling large and heavy flies. Dry flies and small nymphs to match the seasonal hatches are supplemented by chunky hopper patterns and streamer lures.

What to expect
This is a big river - it is typically 75 yards across. It is also amazingly prolific, with 30 to 40 trout hooked per angler day being very common. As for our own experience, in a typical late summer day's fishing we landed an average of 12 to 15 large trout each, including several rainbows over 18 inches long (the best 21 inches) and a few brown trout 16 to 22 inches long (up to about 4 lbs in weight) as well as catching many other fish in the 12 to 15 inch region. (Brown trout up to 15 lbs have been caught on this river in recent years.)

Pat with Ron Sorensen and a nice rainbow trout from the Collón Cura

Accommodation
If you are able to join us on on a guided trip to Patagonia, while fishing the Collón Cura we are sure that you will really enjoy staying at the nearby Quemquemtreu Lodge... which provides convenient access to many miles of the most productive part of the Collón Cura River.

The other Big Added Value...
You may already have mastered some or even many of the fishing techniques that give best results on Patagonia rivers; if not then the guides will ensure that you do. But the real bonus of this top-class guiding is the tactical advice and practical help you get: how you need to move a surface lure differently in fast water, slow water, deep and shallow areas, for example; how to set up the nymphing gear for different locations and flow conditions; which areas are likely to hold the quality fish in particular light and water conditions through the day. This kind of expertise is not acquired easily; it's the result of detailed surveys and hundreds of days of effort on prime stretches of the river. We cannot commend it highly enough.

Join us in March 2009 or in early 2010 on a Hosted Flyfishing Trip to great rivers in Patagonia...

Can't wait? Send for details of opportunities in 2008...

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