Fly Fishing Patagonia Argentina: Favorite Patagonia Flies, Dries and Nymphs

In the both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, the holiday season will soon be over. However, unlike our friends to the north, who may still have 3-4 months of winter left, Patagonians are just starting summer (Verano). This means the sunrises before 6:00AM and it sets between 10-11:00PM. With all this light, it also means that summertime hatches are just around the corner. In fact, just the other day, in a large back eddy on the upper Chimehuin River, I watched a chow line of rainbows sipping size 16-18 caddis flies. So, it’s time to bring out the dry flies (Moscas Secas) and your favorite dry fly rods. Although they work in Patagonia, we are not talking about your standard Elk Hair Caddis, and Parachute Adams dry flies. In Patagonia, whether fishing streamers or dry’s, SIZE does matter and once again, the bigger the better.

At the tail end of spring (mid-December), guides and clients will start to use a large dry and nymph dropper combinations. The majority of strikes are on the nymph, but we get a fair amount of strikes on the dries to make even the dry fly enthusiasts happy. Just an FYI…the dropper nymphs of choice are the prince and copper john with rubber legs. But, come January, February and March, for many of our guides, it’s straight-up dries with no droppers (some guides even put away their streamers for the season). But, if I could make one recommendation, come prepared to battle your wits against wild Patagonian trout! So, bring a variety of streamers, nymphs, dries, etc.

Muchas Gracias y Feliz Fiestas (Thank You and Happy Holidays)

Mark Foley

PS. In the below photos you will see a variety/variations of PMX, Gypsy King, Stimulators, Hopper’s, Chernobyl’s, Tarantula’s, etc. Also, I have added a few photos of preferred dropper nymphs (think...rubber legs)