More Dorado Fishing from Corrientes

Barrett — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 13:00:35 +0000

A couple weeks ago I made a repeat trip up to the upper Rio Parana (which happens to have the best dorado fishing in Argentina imho) with Tom McMurray & Brandon White from Marine Ventures Foundation, a non-profit fisheries conservation foundation. They were interested in investigating Argentina’s native fish species, namely the golden dorado, in order to document what issues surround the fishery and what, if any, conservation measures are being taken. After talking w/ the locals and various stake holders in the area, we discovered that fisheries “management” or “conservation” or whatever you want to call it, is actually rather progressive in this part of Argentina. Despite the utter lack of scientific knowledge on dorado populations, officials largely realize the economic value dorado provide in the form of sport fishing and tourism, and want to preserve the resource. In fact, killing a dorado is now illegal in both the Corrientes province of Argentina and across the river in Paraguay. Nonetheless, the region is acutely impoverished and many locals break the rules and poach fish just to make ends meat. But at least the attitudes of the decision makers at the top of the pyramid seem to be oriented in the right direction. Perhaps our fisheries stakeholders could learn a thing or to from them.. But enough of fishing politics. We did manage to fit some actual fishing too!

Fishing Report Villa Maria Rio Grande Tierra del Fuego

Barrett — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 16:52:30 +0000

After very high water that rendered the Rio Grande completely unfishable, the river has come back into shape beautifully and the fishing has been incredible. For the next week our so I’ll be plying it’s coveted waters at Villa Maria Lodge after a two year hiatus, and it looks like my timing couldn’t have been better! Even having guided on the river before, I still find myself getting pre-fishing trip jitters – fitful nights constantly preoccupied in anticipation of that narcotic feeling when your line suddenly comes tight to a 20+ pound brown after a perfect spey cast. As metalheads like to say, “the tug is the drug”, and i’m starting to get flashbacks. The Rio Grande truly is an unequaled place anywhere in the world. Stay tuned for what could be the most explosive fishing of the season!

More pig brown trout from the Limay

Barrett — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 16:23:32 +0000

Courtesy of Big Fish Patagonia:

Patagonia Fishing Trip

Barrett — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 16:09:42 +0000

Here are some pics from a short trip I took to Patagonia last month. Like always, Patagonia is an incredible experience, and not even 23 hour bus rides, foul weather or 4 hour death marches with 50lb packs can change that. Thanks to Pancho for graciously putting us up at Carrileufu Valley Lodge, Diego, Facu & Disco Diego for their expert guiding, and to Mariano, my entrepid partner in crime.

Limay Excursion Big Fish Patagonia

Barrett — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 19:29:04 +0000

Golden Dorado Fishing

Barrett — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 17:25:29 +0000

Last couple pics:

Golden Dorado Fishing Rio Parana IV

Barrett — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 15:03:40 +0000

Big Fish Patagonia

Barrett — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 14:11:49 +0000

Golden Dorado Fishing Rio Parana III

Barrett — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 13:25:25 +0000

Golden Dorado Fishing Rio Parana II

Barrett — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 22:21:52 +0000