Hope that you are all doing great there in Connecticut. A small report on what is going on at the Estancia, to wet your appetite.
Last week the fishing at the ranch was outstanding to say the least. Our guests caught very nice trout on the Pedregoso Creek, the Coyhaique River and of Course on the Zorro Spring Creek.
The Pedregoso was particularly productive there we have been averaging 50 trout per guest a day (between 12 and 19 inches).
At the Zorro Creek they caught an overage of 15 trout per day, they were from 16 to 24 inches. (all in dry flies, since they did not want to use nymphs).
We are starting to see some pretty good hatches in the afternoon (may flies and caddis); we expect that the fishing in the next weeks will keep getting better and better.
Now we have a group from New York and Pennsylvania, they are here for the second time and were having a blast in the Pedregoso today.
For more information, call (800-628-1447 / 860-434-9624) or email Chip Bates (chip@angleradventures.com) at Angler Adventures.
A couple of years ago I made my first visit to Montana. The first day on the water, 30 Trout!!!!! I had never nymphed in my life and by the end of the first hour I was a pro! Not only was I nymphing, I was dry fly fishing like never before.
Since then, I have convinced many saltwater anglers to fill out their summer calendar with a trip to the mountains and Blue Skies of Montana.
Whether you are new to freshwater, or you have lots of experience, Montana offers “action”, as well as technical match-the-hatch fishing. Montana is also a great adventure destination, whether you are a couple, single, family or group.
There are two lodges that have something for everyone and are my favorites.
Five Rivers Lodge is in an ideal location, Dillon, Montana. Some of the “best kept secrets” are in this area. Five Rivers offers excellent fishing on the Beaverhead, (Upper and Lower and more private access points were added this year), the Madison (Rainbows are terrific on this river), the Ruby, Big Hole, the Jefferson and several private water access points including, “The McCoy”.
Five Rivers has a host of guides that are experienced, friendly, and professional and are very good about providing instruction as well.
Jay Burgin and Mary Jacques (your host and hostess) are simply terrific. They make you feel at home, keep the food
and wine flowing, and offer accommodations with all amenities. You will love their warmth and hospitality, and enjoy the magnificent sunsets while dining on the delicious meals they provide.
Five Rivers has something for everyone! Jay and Mary are more than happy to assist with other arrangements as well, horseback riding, day trips and picnics.
The “Good News” is it is not too late to book for 2003, and this year is shaping up to be one of the best years in many years, with 90 percent of normal snow pack. If 2003 is just not possible, now is the time to secure your week for 2004. Fiver Rivers will honor all 2003 rates for clients deposited by September of 2003.
During my stay at Five Rivers, I was able to experience, “Vinter’s Week” and due to it’s popularity it is repeated every year. World Class Wines and World Class Fly Fishing at their finest. The dates for “Vinter’s Week” are noted below and please check out our web site at www.www.angleradventures.com/fiverivers for current rates.
10 MayRoger Riccardi of Gallo of Sonoma – California14 JulyMarc Mondavi of Charles Krug – California11 AugustJohn Dingethal of Sandhill – Washington / Alex Schug of Shug Carneros – California1 SeptemberJerry Bookwalter of Bookwatler – Washington
During my visit to Montana, I made a stop at the The Complete Fly Fisher located on the banks of the Big Hole River in Montana. The lodge was full of very happy guests some of whom were learning the art of fly fishing for the first time. The guides at the CFF love to teach, whether its converting a beginner into a devote, or showing an experienced angler how to double haul. The lodge, situated on the east slope of the Rocky Mountains, is located Riverside, dining is Gourmet with a full, “Water View”.
You will never experience the beauty of the Big Hole in a picture. Even if you aren’t fishing, the scenery will absolutely overwhelm you. For me, it was not only beautiful, but spiritually moving. The terrific fishing was a bonus.
Some of my favorite weeks in Montana are late June, through July when the weather is warm, water levels are up and the dry fly activity can be outstanding.
I asked the guides at the Complete Fly Fisher what their favorite time is, and most of them agreed, the last 3 weeks of September to the first two weeks of October.
The fishing can be superb, many of the tourists have gone home and the fall
colors are spectacular. Many anglers choose their dates according to what’s hatching, such as the Salmon Fly Hatch on “Rock Creek” in early June to July, or the “Hoppers” in August. For more information on the hatch schedules, dates of availability and rates please go to: https://www.angleradventures.com/complete
The CFF also hosts a variety of activities for those that want to take in all that Montana has to offer. Guided day tours are tailored to fit your interests – be it wildflowers, native uses of plants, birds, wildlife or historical sites. Other activities include Horseback Riding, High Country Discovery Tours with a wide range of natural history activities, especially designed for children. There’s something for everyone!
Montana is an awesome adventure, for fishers, non-fishers, family and friends, and now may be the best time to get historically low airfares.
For more information, please contact Judy S. Hall at Angler Adventures by email (judy@angleradventures.com) or phone (800-628-1447 in the US, 860-434-9624 internationally). I look forward to hearing from you.
Jorge Graziosi was the guest speaker at a luncheon held September 9th, 2009 at the Anglers’ Club of New York, 101 Broad Street. Other invited guests included three representatives of Angler Adventures; owner Chip Bates, Travel Manager Judy Hall, and Webmaster Evan Peterson.
Jorge Graziosi has been guiding in Patagonia, Argentina since 1968. In 1999 he built and opened Arroyo Claro Lodge, located in the beautiful Carrileufu River Valley, a 3-hour drive south of Bariloche and 3-hours from the Chilean border. Jorge may be the only outfitter offering guests the opportunity to fish both Argentina and Chile. Arroyo Claro Lodge will host an Anglers’ Club outing January 23-30, 2010. Arrangements for the Anglers’ Club Argentina trip are being handled by Angler Adventures. Click here for more information on Arroyo Claro Lodge or contact Chip Bates at Angler Adventures: (800) 628-1447 or Chip@angleradventures.com.
We hope you enjoy Jorge Graziosi’s slide show presentation to the Anglers’ Club, below. If you would like the slide show to auto-play, please click on the menu in the lower left hand corner and select auto-play. Click here to read Angler Adventures September 2009 Newsletter.
Angler Adventures has negotiated several value packed “2 for the price of 1” deals at some of our premier lodges. For more information, please click on the lodge name, or call us at 800-628-1447 (860-434-9624).
Spectacular, remote setting.
6 person capacity.
Rainbows and big Browns.
Normal weekly price $3,250 per person, double occupancy / shared guide.
Angler Adventures’ Special for November 2009: $1,625 per person double occupancy / shared guide.
Excellent Bonefishing with good chances at Permit.
Access to Gorda Cay and Mores Island.
Price Reduction for 2010.
Normal weekly price $2,820 per person double occupancy / shared guide.
Angler Adventures’ Special through February 2010: $1,813 per person double occupancy / shared guide.
Permit, Bonefish, and Tarpon.
30-miles off the coast of Belize.
Only 6 spots currently available: 2 – November 7 – 14, 2009 & 4 – November 21 – 28, 2009.
Normal weekly price $3,902.58 per person, double occupancy / shared guide.
Angler Adventures’ Special: $2,573.09 per person double occupancy / shared guide.
Direct access to Bonefishing in the Marls.
Nice Accommodations and Gourmet Meals.
Great location for non-anglers.
Normal weekly price $6,800 per couple double occupancy / shared guide.
Angler Adventures’ Special, February 1st – March 15th, 2010: $4,250 per couple double occupancy / shared guide.
Extensive Hard Sand Flats.
Wade fisherman’s paradise.
Comfortable cottage style accommodations.
Normal weekly price $3,085 per person double occupancy / shared guide.
Angler Adventures’ Special for bookings confirmed before January 1, 2010: $1,962.50 per person double occupancy / shared guide.
Experience Chilean Patagonia in luxury.
Unparalleled level of Service.
Access to typically inaccessible fertile fishing grounds.
Normal weekly price $17,850 per person double occupancy / shared guide.
Angler Adventures’ Special: $8,925 per person double occupancy / shared guide.
These discounts are offered to new reservations only and do not apply to existing reservations, nor date changes to existing reservations. Discounts for alternate times, or other lodges may be available. If the above offerings aren’t exactly what you’re looking for call us at 1-800-628-1447; and we’ll find you the best possible deal!
“Why bones are special—The bonefish is the nearest thing there is to a perfect gamefish for fly-fishing anglers. A voracious predator, it readily (but warily) takes flies. It accelerates faster and sprints farther than any other fish you take on light tackle. It fights more doggedly than most fish twice its size.
This performance alone would qualify the bonefish as one of the world’s top fly-fishing targets. But what makes this silver phantom of the tropics the ultimate quarry in fly fishing is that you must see it—sometimes from 80 feet away—before you can even cast to it. You stalk it like a predator. You track it down, take your aim, and cast with precision. You must make no mistakes. The ruthless, primitive survival instincts of this skittish creature leave no room for error.”
Reprinted from Fly Fishing for Bonefish, New and Revised by Dick Brown, (copyright 2008). Published by Lyons Press an imprint of Globe Pequot Press, Guilford, CT
Tanzania offers one of the finest fisheries left on the planet – Tigerfishing on the Mnyera and Ruhudji Rivers. This is the place if you’re looking to catch a big Tigerfish on the fly. The season runs from August to November (15 weeks) each year, with a maximum of 8 rods per week (4 rods per river).
The early part of the season is good for big fish with less numbers and late season in better for more fish with a decrease in average size. Early season the water levels are higher and guests can expect to hook around 10 fish per day. During the later part of the season, water levels are lower and warmer, and this attract more small male fish into the system from floodplains downstream, accounting for the increase in smaller fish in the system. During this time, clients will expect to hook up to 20 or so fish per day.
The strikes are violent and when a Tigerfish hits your fly, she’s moving at top speed. Due to the voracity, strength, and size of these fish, a 50% hook up to landed fish ratio is considered doing well. Tigersfish will actually hold the fly in their jaws for an entire fight, unhooked, only to open their mouth at the boat and spit the fly. Similar to Tarpon fishing, it’s all about the take, the acrobatic jumps, and the fight.
The past 2 seasons on the Mnyera and Ruhudji were superb: 578 fish landed between 10 and 20 lbs and 31 fish breaking the magical 20lb mark. To put this in perspective, a trophy Tigerfish from any other river would be 12 pounds. On the Mnyera and Ruhudji, the average fish is between 8 – 12 lbs.
The cost for 7-nights / 6-days fishing is USD $6,750 per person person based on double occupancy accommodations and a shared boat / guide daily.
