Seychelles

 

During the beginning of November, I had the opportunity to fish the Seychelles.  The Seychelles is an archipelago of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean off of East Africa.  I flew into Mahe from Abu Dhabi on Ethiad Airlines.  The fishing trip would concentrate on jigging for giant dogtooth tuna. 

I fished with Yachting Fishing Specialists (YFS).  Our adventure would be aboard the Michelle Rose which is a huge Catamaran.  We fished and slept off the Michelle Rose which I found very comfortable.  We ventured out into the Indian Ocean roughly 85 miles constantly moving destinations in the afternoon and night.  The six fishermen on board were international veterans living in the United States, France, Denmark, and Africa. 

We speed jigged in depths up to 100 meters.  Numerous dogtooth tuna were landed by all with a huge 160lbs brute being the largest.  An abundance of jobfish, trevally, grouper, and other species were landed by all.  A few times we spotted Yellowfin Tuna busting the surface so we casted large poppers and were rewarded with drag burning runs.  Freshly caught Yellowfin Tuna is hard to beat on the table, simply delicious! During the trip, I landed 2 huge sharks.  Also, I landed a huge ray which I had to give the rod to another as my arms could no longer handle the battle

.  Our Captain was Basil Larue and our guide was Guillaume Benoit both of whom know the waters around the Seychelles well.  In all the trip was a huge success.  This was my first adventure to the Seychelles.  I hope to return in the future possibly battling the huge Giant Trevally which were highly spoke of by both Basil and Guillaume. 

 

EL CHALTEN, ARGENTINA

 

During each visit to Argentina, I try to spend at least a week visiting friends and exploring the Country.  During my recent fishing trip to Jurassic Lake Lodge, I spent a few days in El Calafate.  While there, I took a boat tour in Los Glaciers National Park and took a bus tour to the town of El Chalten.  El Chalten is a couple of hours from El Calafate. 

It is located in the Santa Cruz Province and is known as "National Capitol of Trekking".  It is the gateway to trails surrounding the peaks of Cerro Torre & Mount Fitz Roy.  There are roughly 350 residents in El Chalten and more hotels than one can count.  During the tour I hiked up a trail to the top and was rewarded with a fantastic view of the City. 

Next year, I hope to stay a few days in El Chalten and hike the vast trails which surround the mountain peaks.

LA ZONA ARGENTINA OCTOBER 7 TO 10

 

October is the beginning of Spring in the Southern Hemisphere.  One never knows whether water levels will be high or low or know whether the outside temperatures will be cold so lots of factors will determine catch rates.  Argentina has become my home away from home.  On this special trip, I will be in my 2nd home for over a month fishing at Jurassic Lake Lodge down South then fishing at La Zona up North.  I always spend time at the Grand King Hotel which is located in Buenos Aires's City Center.  Here i have the opportunity to visit old friends and seek out new restaurant. La Zona is a special place for me.  I have had the opportunity to fish there every year since the opening except the covid years. This October we were met with low, cold water conditions. 

Guides Alejandro and Elbio said the fishing is good with gold spoons casted near huge boulders will be the ticket for trophy golden dorado. 

The guides were right on.  For the trip our group of 4 landed 19 dorado exceeding 30 pounds.  Of the 19, 10 pushed the boga past the 40 pound mark with the largest weighing in at 48 pounds.  Generation by the Salto Grande Dam is the key as it sets off a dinner bell for the big dorado.  We experienced a few hours of generation each day.  At LaZona Lodge, Chef Santiago, went way out of his way packing a few pounds on all of us. 

Also was great to see old friends Giuliana and Hector Brabandini who are the lodge owners.  Friends Jorge and Mateo from Concordia also made a visit.  If your after a trophy golden dorado, LaZona Lodge is the place where are the records are set.  The lodge boasts the best guides and chef on the Uruguay River.  Anxious to return for another visit to my 2nd home next April!  Already counting the days!!!

JURASSIC LAKE LODGE SEPTEMBER 2022

 

Wow! Wow! Wow! I took friend, Nick, to the mouth of the Barrancoso River and that is all he could say.  The river was stacked full of giant rainbow trout pushing their way up the Barrancoso to complete their spawning.  Our group of 9 arrived at Jurassic Lake Lodge on September 17.  Many in the group have casted a fly into Lago Strobel numerous times.  Strobel sits in the Santa Cruz Province about a 6 hrs drive from El Calafate. 

This is definitely rainbow trout heaven!! During our stay we had a day or 2 of little wind which is unheard of for Strobel.  Winds averaging 40 to 50mph are the norm here and the rainbows love it.  During our stay balanced leech and mop flies were on fire!! Jurassic Lake Lodge sits about a 5 minute walk from the rivermouth of the Barranoso which is the only river feeding the lake.  The Bay of Pigs and the Aquarium Pool are also top beats within walking distance. 

For the stay, 7 rainbows over 20 lbs were landed with 23lbs topping the charts.  They were more rainbows between 15 to 20lbs then we could count.  The temperatures were cold in the mornings warming up in the afternoon.  We encountered a little snow on the drive from El Calafate. The Jurassic Lake Guides are tremendous.  A few in the group were new to fly fishing and within a few hours under the guides teachings they were casting like experienced fly casters.  In all another great trip to Jurassic.  Anxious to return end of April to battle the giant "chromers" and visit old friends!!

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!!!