Fly fishing in
Patagonia is always great, but every river and lake has its
own rhythm and seasonal events that make it special. The
fall migration on the Limay; the willow worm hatch on the
Chimehuin; and the week of the dragonfly on Lago Fonk, are
all annual events that a handful of lucky travelers
experience every year. But one that seems to be a more
closely guarded secret is the minnow hatch of the Rio
Caleufu.
I
fish the Caleufu every year; floating its length in early
December with my friend Gustavo Hiebaum, owner of Andes
Drifters, and relishing the big browns that dominate the
upper river. But the waters drop quickly, and by late
January each year, the river runs low and the rafters are
gone. There are so many other places to fish in the Lakes
District that few tourists ever see this river after New
Year’s. But the last 500 meters of the Caleufu, accessible
by car and wading, brings a miracle of action each year,
somewhere between mid-February and the end of March, in the
form of minnows hatching by the millions and swarming from
shallow pool to pool on their way into the big Collon Cura.
This is where you’ll see the fishing guides on their
occasional day off; walking, scouting, testing the pools
for hints of action; it’s a private party for the locals.
But last February, a lucky group of anglers fishing with
Andes Drifters were given the option to make a day-run from
their lodge on the Chimehuin and hit the
Hatch.
