Río Grande

Gear is chosen according to the environment and the expected size. A versatile, concrete setup:

Spinning (general use, rivers and lakes):

• Rod: 1.80 to 2.10 m, medium / medium-fast action, light to medium power (4–12 lb line). For large lakes or very big browns, step up to medium-heavy.
• Reel: front-drag size 2500–3500, with a good drag and smooth retrieve.
• Line: braided line 0.12–0.20 mm (approx. 10–20 lb) for sensitivity and hookset power, or 8–12 lb monofilament in smaller environments.
• Leader: fluorocarbon 0.25–0.35 mm (approx. 8–15 lb), low-visibility and abrasion-resistant against rocks and structure. Go finer with the leader if the water is clear and the brown is wary… but beef it up if there is a lot of cutting structure.

Fly fishing:

• Rod: #5–#6 line for a medium river and dry/nymph fishing; #7–#8 for streamers, the Patagonian wind and large specimens.
• Reel: with a good drag and backing, matched to the line weight.
• Lines: floating (WF) for dry and nymph; sink-tip or full sinking line for streamers in pools and lakes.
• Tippet/leader: tapered ending in 3X–5X for dry/nymph; a stouter 0X–2X for streamers and big fish.

Recommended accessories: rubber net (less harm to the fish for release), forceps for removing hooks, barbless hooks, and waders for safe wading in cold water.