Curruhué Lakes

Light spinning with small spoons, micro-jigs and soft plastics, or fly with small streamers. Bait: worm. It keeps company with the trout in Patagonian lakes and rivers.

The gear is matched to the setting and the size of trout you are after, but these setups cover most situations in Argentina:

Spinning (general use, trout of 1 to 3 kg):

• Rod: 1.80 to 2.10 m, medium to medium-fast action, light to medium-light power (casting lures of roughly 3 to 12 g).
• Reel: front-drag, size 1000 to 2500, with a progressive, smooth drag—key to withstanding the runs and jumps without breaking off.
• Line: fine braid of 8 to 15 lb for its sensitivity and lack of stretch, or nylon/mono of 6 to 10 lb if you prefer something more forgiving for the hookset.
• Leader: a section of fluorocarbon of 0.20 to 0.28 mm; fluoro is less visible underwater, which matters in Patagonia's crystal-clear water.

Fly:

• 5-6 weight outfit: the most versatile for river rainbows in Patagonia (dries, nymphs, and small streamers). A 9-foot rod.
• 7-8 weight outfit: recommended for big-trout waters like Strobel/Barrancoso, heavy streamers, and strong wind.
• Leader and tippet: a 9-foot tapered leader finished in 3X to 5X tippet depending on the fly size and how selective the fish is.

For trophy specimens (5-10+ kg at the Strobel): step up the power—medium/medium-heavy spinning with 15-20 lb braid and a robust fluoro leader, or a 7/8 fly outfit—because these are fish with strength and runs far superior to the average trout.

In every case: a well-adjusted drag, sharp hooks (barbless if you are going to release), and a rubber net to handle the fish with the least possible harm.