Rainbow and Brown Trout Fishing Flies

     The hare's ear nymph is the imitation fly that we like to use in spring creeks in the Andes Mountains of Chile and Argentina. It does a good job imitating the fresh water shrimp or scud that big trout forage for in a spring creek environment.

Trout Fishing in Patagonia Spring Creeks

     Patagonia has spring creeks and desert lakes with huge populations of fresh water shrimp and the rainbow and brown trout that are in these waters feed and grow to very large sizes, mainly due to this one food source. The trout get so locked in on the scud that their whole feeding time is looking down in the moss or weeds to find them. Because of the still water or almost still water the fish do not have to exercise much muscle and so they grow fast while eating a lot.

     The trout in the spring creeks also develop habits different than a trout would normally have in a moving stream or river. The trout in the still water spring creeks take their time searching the bottom moss or sand head down and tail up. Because the water is so transparent it is easy to see the prey and for us the angler easy to see the fish. But you know what that means? The fish can see you. So how do you fish these waters? You have to approach these waters very stealthily.

     This is especially true when the sun is behind you or in front of you. It is very difficult to make a cast without the fish seeing the line shooting across the water having the sun at these angles. I normally will not fish these waters in a cloudy or windy day and with the sun in front or back of me. I have found that with sunny cloudless days, no wind and with the sun above you is the best way to fish for these trout. At this time the trout cannot see you very easily, but you can see them very well and you get a chance to study their feeding habits.

     You will find that some of the trout are territorial and will roam a section of the spring creek and not let others in their area. When you spot a feeding trout and not all will be feeding, that feeding trout will be the easiest to catch.

The Fly Presentation

     The feeding fish is interested in eating as fast as he can and therefore he is not to cautious about things above him or things in the water, like your leader. Even though this might be the case you still must have a good presentation, the right size fly, a very light but strong leader or tippet, and weight. We like to fish with a size 18-20 hare's ear no shine or wrapping, very drab in the dark brown or gray, lightly weighted. It should be weighted to sink fast enough to get down to the bottom before the slightest current can carry it to far from your vision. You need to see the fly when you are fishing up close for big trout in the creek. This presentation has to be done when the fish is not in sight, but you know he will be coming back soon. He must find the hare’s ear naturally just as he finds his shrimp. As your fly sets on the sandy bottom or moss you need to have your leader kind of straight not curled up. You do not want to attract light or have the fish see the leader if possible.

Brown and Rainbow Trout

     The spring creek at the Alerces Park in the Argentine Patagonia is unique in this type of fishing. The brown and rainbow trout range from 20 to 29 inches all feeding and growing big on scuds. The flow of the spring creek is slight, hardly discernible. The water is so clear and the fish feeding so close that you have to plan your cast and presentation to the perfection. You need to take time to observe the habits of the trout you’re stalking, wait for him to go past you and then set the fly in his feeding area and wait. When the trout comes back and when he is within a foot or two you will have to move the fly off the bottom or moss to get his attention. When he comes for the fly he will open his big white mouth and take the nymph and close his mouth. If you do not set the hook as the mouth of the fish is closing you have lost him. You cannot see the leader move or feel the take. This type of fly fishing is all visual and up close so you have to be watching very carefully.

     Every spring creek has its own technique and every angler his favorite imitation. For Argentina or Chile there are a number of nymphs that can be used for Spring Creek still water fishing. If you are coming to fish in Patagonia do not forget to bring your favorite imitation and a dozen of those Hare's Ears.