THE LARGEST CHINOOK SALMON IN THE WORLD

 With the drastic demise of Alaska giant King (Chinook) salmon, many of us wondered if we missed the opportunity of landing the King of our dreams. In recent years, the Kenai River in Alaska was the place to land a huge trophy.  Currently, the all tackle record sits at 97 lb 4 oz by Les Anderson out of the Kenai.  However, due to unknown reasons the fishery has not produced these monster Kings recently.

About a year ago, a good friend from Argentina told me of gigantic Kings being landed on the Caterina River.  Rio Caterina sits in the Los Glaciares National Park in the Santa Cruz Providence.  The river is crystal clear, little to no fishing pressure, and breath taking scenery.  My friend informed me that numerous Kings in the 70 to 80 lbs range are landed with a few pushing the scales OVER 100 LBS!!!  Guests stay at the exclusive Estancia Cristina which is a luxurious ranch in the National Park with sole access via boat navigating the north branch of Lake Argentino and the Cristina Channel.  Rumors are there is a very limited time to get into this magical fishery.  The season lasts January through March.  Only 6 rods are booked per stay.  So if a triple digit Chinook Salmon is on your wish list, the Cristina River in Argentina might be your final opportunity.  For more information, contact

Carlos at carlos@jurassiclake.com

Llew at scllewellyne@gmail.com

VENICE REDFISH AUGUST 9 TO 11 2022

 Bull redfish have become an annual desired species among the guidance of Captain Keith Kennedy of BORN TO FISH CHARTERS.  Captain offers all exclusive trips including lodging, meals, and all tackle.  Fly to New Orleans and rent a car for the 90 minute drive to Venice.  On August 8, my brother Bill and I flew to New Orleans for 4 days of fishing bull reds.  The bite was reported to be slow the past few weeks due to large amounts of rain and cooler than normal water temperatures.  We fished plastics such as Havoc Sickfish and Storm Seeker Shads behind Blabbermouth popping corks.  The bite was tough the first 1 1/2 days with a few hours lost motoring into the reeds to wait out thunderstorms.  Keith motored to Redfish Bay and we were greeted with numerous bull reds.  The follow day we again motored back to Redfish Bay, dodged thunderstorms, but caught some good bulls.  Our last day, Friday, was met by an all day thunderstorm so we decided to cancel.  In all the numbers were down but Capt. Keith still managed to put us on some big reds.  I am convinced with a few days of hot, calm days the bite will be on.  Venice offers world class fishing at a fraction it costs for International trips.  Book now as Keith has a few openings in prime weeks.  

A Trip for the RECORD BOOKS

 Fishing for muskies can be darn right frustrating.  Thousands of anglers make thousands of casts without hooking into a musky.  The fish has a cult like following and is very addictive.  Muskies are one of largest predators in North America reaching weights over 50 lbs and lengths around 55 inches.  They have been known to attack practically everything that swims..ducks, rodents, and even swimmers.  

Friend and avid angler, Larry Walker, recently had a trip for the record books.  In 2 1/2 days fishing with guide, Nolan Sprengeler, on Minnesota's Leech Lake, Larry landed an unheard of 22 muskies.  All were released to battle another day.  The largest was a monster measuring 52.25 inches.  I have never heard of these amazing quantity of trophy muskies being landed in such a short time let alone a lifetime!  Congratulaions Larry!!!

LOS GLACIARES NATIONAL PARK/ ARGENTINA

 

On April 28, 2022 while staying in El Calafate, Argentina on my way to a week long fishing trip at Jurassic Lake Lodge, I booked a trip to visit Los Glaciares National Park.   The National Park is about a 2 hour drive from Calafate.  I was picked up by bus at the Hostel Calafate around 6am.  The tour would be by ship and last about 9 hours motoring up to the many glaciers in the park.  Los Glaciares covers the region known as Andes Australes of the Argentine Territory.  It was created in 1937 to preserve this vast region dominated by glaciers.  It is a huge tourist attraction and brings in much revenue to Argentina.  The National Park includes a scenario of mountains, lakes, and forests, and a large portion of the Andes Mountains covered with ice and snow to the West and the arid Patagonian steppe to the East.

The numerous glaciers are fed by the massive South Patagonian Ice field, the largest ice field in the Southern Hemisphere after Antarctica.  It feeds 47 large glaciers of which 13 decent toward the Atlantic Sea. 

The scenery is breathtaking.  I took over a hundred photos and probably could have taken over a thousand.  Luckily I saw some of the glaciers calf where massive sheets of glacier ice fall off into the lake. Blue tint icebergs were seen floating in the lake.  We docked for lunch for about an ice at a Port on the lake which has a cafe.  We then boarded after lunch and continued our journey until we docked around 5pm.

There are numerous options on the Glacier Tours.  Puerto Moreno is the most famous glacier, trips to El Chalten, The Total Glacier Tour, and others are available.  I really liked the Total Glacier tour.  Will be heading back to El Calafate this September and for sure another glacier tour is on my list.  

EL CALAFATE, ARGENTINA

 Going on fishing adventures which travel the world, I have the pleasure of visiting many cities.  El Calafate is about a 3 hour flight from Buenos Aires.  It is a small town near the edge of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field in the Argentine Provence of Santa Cruz.  It has a population of around 6000+ and is the "Gateway to Los Glaciares National Park" and is situated on the Southern border of Lake Argentino. 

Normally, I like to extend my stay in these cities a few days to gather in the sites and culture.  In Calafate, I stayed at the Hostel Calafate which is about 4 blocks from the main street.  The main street has numerous stores which sell tours to the Glaciers.  There are 5 star***** restuarants specializing in Argentina lamb and beef and The Patagonia Brewing Company where one can quench their thirst on numerous beers.  

About a 5 minute walk from the Hostel Calafate, the Humedal Calafaterio, the Calafate Wetlands reside.  Here, thousands of pink flamingos and other waterfowl can be observed.  During the winter season (June, July, and August) the Wetlands freeze which make for a great local ice skating rink.  

So, on your next adventure make sure to visit some of the local towns.  

JURASSIC LAKE LODGE/ LAGO STROBEL/ ARGENTINA/ APRIL 30 TO MAY 7, 2022

 Once again I had to opportunity to fish giant rainbow trout at Jurassic Lake Lodge.  Jurassic Lake Lodge sits in a rugged valley where the Rio Barrancose flows into Lago Strobel.  The lodge boasts of large comfortable rooms with private bathrooms and gourmet dining.  The lodge sits about a 5 minute walk from the mouth of the Barrancose and other beats which all hold massive rainbows.  

I have fished Jurassic numerous times but always in September/ October when the season begins and the peak spawning activity occurs.  Lodge owner, Carlos Casanello, always suggested I try the end of April when numerous monster chrome rainbows can be landed.  This year I came with some old friends and a few new friends.  Was great to once again meet up with old friends Llew and Julian at the lodge.

 

The fishing was simply outstanding especially near the river mouth.  The average rainbow during our stay pushed the scales to around 14 lbs and a few up to 23 lbs were landed during the week.  The hurricane level winds Jurassic is known for did not disappoint.  When the winds are howling, the rainbows go wild feeding on scuds and midges and everything else which is blown in.  The weather was warmer than I expected pushing into the upper 40F.  

Top flies during the stay were the balanced leech under a striking indicator.  Some of the guys in the group even had good success with mice flies in the river.  

Due to no predators in the lake other than large rainbows, the average size seems to get larger each season.  I cannot wait to wet a line in Lago Strobel again this coming September where one can literally walk on top of thousands of monster rainbows.  

La Zona/ Dorado/ March 25 to 28, 2022

 Friends Greg Thompson, Ron Elbers, and two of their friends had the opportunity to fish on the Uruguay River for monster dorado out of  La Zona Lodge during March 25 to 28.  The water levels in La Zona have been exceeding low for a long period of time.  When the group arrived the levels were about 1 meter, but fishing was good casting poppers, local JAG lures, and Papa Doctor spoons.The levels stayed low for the first few days but numerous huge dorado exceeding 40 lbs were landed.  The third day, The Salto Grande Dam started putting their turbines in high gear and the water rose to about 6 meters.  This is perfect conditions for deep diving lures and Kermett Adams spinnerbaits.  Dorado often go on a feeding frenzy when the water is rising with lots of current.  Numerous lures were destroyed and rods broken. 

The water decreased at night and went back up to around 6 meters the last day making for a fabulous trip.  In total the group landed 23 trophy dorado between 40 to 50 lbs!!!  What a trip!!!  So on your next trip to La Zona be prepared for various water levels. 

Bring a few spoons, poppers, Super Shad Raps, Rapala cd18 and Rapala cd22,  Yo-Zuri hydro Magnums, and a few Kermett Admas Spinnerbaits with lots of extra skirts which is cover all depths.  Hopefully the levels continue to drop at night and rise during the day.  Have friends arriving tomorrow at La Zona and following 2 weeks then I make a return appearance.  Cannot wait to go back to great Freshwater Dorado Fishery on Earth, La Zona Lodge!!!