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FISHING ENVIRONMENTS
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THE MALLEO RIVER
Access and General Features |
It is reached by Provincial Route 23, after approximately twelve
kilometers from the junction with National Route 234. Across the first
bridge over the river to the left -heading for the Tromen Pass-, the mid
and upper Malleo medio is reached; towards the right, the lower Malleo
is accessed.
The upper Malleo includes the area ranging from its source in Lake
Tromen to the San Huberto Inn. It has a variable structure that combines
rapid waters and pockets in the area of the Lanín National Park (high
waters, difficult to fish) up to a kind of spring creek opposite Mount
Tres Picos and the mouth of the Huaca Mamuil Creek -a very appreciated
spot for fishing with dry flies and small nymphs. In this area, the
river flows across the Lanín National Park first. This place has free
access (the spots are indicated by signs). Then, it crosses estancia
lands up to the mid Malleo, with public accesses in Pino Huacho, Puente
Amarillo and Puesto Paja. The morphology of the river in this area
varies among a soft flow with banks upholstered in ñire trees at Pino
Huacho, and more troubled waters with plenty of willows on the shores at
Puente Amarillo and Puesto Paja.
The mid Malleo spreads from the Provincial Route 23 bridge (the first
one we will come across) to the second bridge over the river in the
direction of the Tromen Pass. This area combines flumes, flats and pools,
bordered by willows. It is complicated to fish when the waters are high.
Access is free.
The lower Malleo is more easily accessed. An inner path of the mapuche
Painefilú community borders the river until it empties into the Aluminé
River. Fishing is allowed all along this 18-kilometer stretch. This may
be the spot where we can find the best brown trout (mainly at the end of
the season, when they enter from Aluminé).
Equipment
It is normally fished with floating lines and long leaders, although a
sink-tip line may be used when the waters are high. The 3 to 5-weight
slow or middle-action rods are the most appropriate and get adapted to
every fishing situation, thus permitting the angler to use fine tippets,
essential when using small flies.
Flies
Nymphs:
Prince #10 through #18, Pheasant Tail #14 through #20, Hare’s Ear #10
through #18, Stones #6 through #10, Caddis larva and pupa nymphs in
light colors including some dark green one, hooks #10 through #16, Soft
Hackles #12 through #16. Also, the bead head versions of the items
mentioned above.
Dry Flies:
Adams and Adams parachute # 12 through #20, March Brown #14 through #18,
Royal Wulff #10 through #16, Humpy #12 through #18, Blue Wing Olive and
Blue Dun #14 through #20, Elk Wing Caddis #12 through #18, flies #16
thorugh #20 CDC, Hoppers #8 through #12, Ants #16 through #20,
Stimulators #10 through #14. Do not prevent yourself from trying
whichever fly you trust.
Streamers:
Wolly Buggers #6 thorugh #12, black and white Marabou Muddler # 6 and
#8, Olive Matukas #6 and #8, Zonker #6 through #10 and other olive and
black rabbits.
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THE CHIMEHUIN RIVER
Access and General Features
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The Chimehuin River starts in Lake Huechulafquen and empties into the
Collón Cura River. Its upper area is reached after traveling 22 km.
along Provincial Route 61, which starts in the detour beside the
regiment in Junín de los Andes.
The upper part of the river starts at its famous mouth on Lake
Huechulafquen. Only fly-fishing with mandatory additional permit is
authorized in this spot. Along the first kilometers, the river has
typical mountain features, with important rapids and flowing between
high cliffs. It is very difficult to fish, especially with high waters.
Afterwards, the river begins to adopt the physiognomy of the plateau,
alternating flumes with deep runs and pools. The vegetation is shrubby,
with plenty of ñire trees and some willows. Close to National Route 234,
by the Centro de Ecología Aplicada del Neuquen, it splits into
two arms with lots of willows on their banks. The accesses here are in
la Boca, Las Viudas/Piedra del Viento, Balsa Vieja, La Herradura, La
Boca Toma, CEAN and Camping.
The mid stretch may be considered to start in the National Route 234
bridge and to continue downstream past the Quilquihue River. The banks
are packed with willows that shelter a large number of trout. It has
several public accesses, even in the town of Junín de los Andes, where
we can find sites that may give us a big surprise towards the end of the
season, such as the reel factory, the Toscas Blancas camping site, the
Curruhé River, La Angostura and the Quilquihue River.
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The lower part ranges from below the Quilquihue River up to its outlet
into the Collón Cura. In this area, the river has a large amount of
willows and alternates flumes, runs, flats and deep pools. It splits
into many arms which turn out to be excellent for fishing when the
waters are high at the beginning of the season. The problem with this
area is that it flows across private estancia lands. Therefore,
even if the river is public property, there is no access to it. However,
there is the possibility of staying at some of these estancias or
floating the river in a camping outing. |
Equipment
Rods for lines #4 through #6, and ocassionaly a #7 or #8 for the Mouth
on windy days. The most appropriate is a 5 or 6-weight rod, which is the
most adaptable to possible situations. As far as lines are concerned, it
is essential to carry a floating line, shooting tapers tied with amnesia
for the long castings of the Mouth and sink-tip lines, Deep Charge 200
and 250 or the like.
Flies
Nymphs:
Prince #10 through #16, Pheasant Tal #12 through #18, Hare’s Ear #10
through #16 (these versions also with bead head), Stone flies #4 through
#12, Caddis pupas and larvas #10 through #16 in cream and brown colors,
Bitch Creek #4 through #8, Montana #8 through #12, Jabalí #8 through
#12, Soft Hackle #12 through #16.
Dry Flies:
Adams and Adams parachute #12 through #18, Blue Dun #16 through #20,
Blue Winged Olive #16 through #20, Black Gnat #14 through #18, March
Brown #12 through #18, Irresistible #10 through #16, Royal Wulff #10
through #14, Humpy #10 thorugh #16, Dave’s Hopper #8 through #12,
Stimulator #8 through #12, Elk Wing Caddis #10 through #16, Goddard
Caddis #10 through #14.
Streamers:
Woolly Buggers #4 through #8 with and without bead head, black, yellow
and olive Marabou Muddler #4 and #6, Big Sac #4 and #6, brown, black and
olive Matukas #4 and #6, Zonkers and Rabbits #4 and #6, deer hair
Sculpins, with rabbit and/or feather wings, in #4 and #6, Fuzzy Wuzzi
tied with hair instead of feathers, in #4 through #8, Mickey Finn #4
through #8. Consider the idea of adding rubber legs to the woolly
buggers.
THE ALUMINE RIVER
Access and General Features
It is accessed through Provincial Route 23 from Junín de los Andes, or
coming from Zapala, in the North, through Provincial Routes 13 and 15 or
46.
The Aluminé is the largest river in the basin into which all the other
tributaries of the central-western area of the Province of Neuquén empty.
The upper area -from its source in Lake Aluminé up to the mouth of the
Pulmarí River- has white waters, more suitable for rafting than for
fishing. From the point where it enters the Pulmarí and up to the town
of Aluminé, its banks are dwelled by countless willows and it opens up
into several arms, excellent for fishing when the waters are low.
Past the town of Aluminé and downstream from the Rahue bridge, the river
alternates deep long pools with short flumes and its banks are packed
with willows, which turns it difficult to be waded. However, it
treasures excellent brown and rainbow trout. This is an ideal area to be
rafted and fished with floating lines and large attractors.
Shortly before reaching Pilolil, flumes alternate with long flats,
containing very good rainbow trout. In this area, the road borders the
river; therefore, it is easily accessed. From Pilolil onwards, the river
gets away from the road and is not visible until a short distance before
the Malleo River mouth. Large flumes alternated with runs and flats
covered with rocks of significant size and banks crowded with willows
perfectly shelter very good trout. Due to the difficult access, this
area is very good to be rafted in three days, spending two nights
camping.
Equipment
Rods for #5 or #6 lines are ideal, even a #4 as a light option to fish
nymphs and dry flies downstream. Floating lines and sink-tip lines or
Deep Charge 150, 200 or even 250 in high waters, cover all the
possibilities.
Flies
Nymphs:
Stone flies #4 through #10, Bitch Creek #4 through #8, Hare’s Ear (with
and without bead head) #10 through #16, Pheasant Tail (with and without
bead head) #12 through #18, Prince (with and without bead head) #10
through #16, Jabalí #8 through #12, Zug Bug #110 through #16, Caddis
larvae and pupas # 10 through #16, Soft Hackles #12 through #18,
Gusanitos del Sauce.
Dries:
Adams and Adams parachute #12 through #18, Black Gnat #14 through #18,
March Brown #12 through #18, Irresistible #10 through #16, Royal Wulff
#10 through #14, Humpy #10 through #16, Dave’s Hopper #8 through #12,
Stimulator #8 through #12, Elk Wing Caddis #10 through #16, Goddard
Caddis #10 through #14, Tarántula #8 and #10, Chernobyl #4 through #8.
Streamers:
Woolly Buggers (with and without bead head and consider adding rubber
legs) #4 through #8, black and olive Marabou Muddler #4 and #6, Big Sac
#4 and #6, brown, black and olive Matukas #4 and #6, Zonkers and Rabbits
#4 and #6, deer hair or wool head Sculpins, with rabbit and/or feather
wings, in #4 and #6.
THE COLLON CURA
RIVER
Access and General Features
It is accessed from Junín de los Andes along National Route 234,
traveling approximately 35 km. up to La Rinconada Bridge.
This is the continuation of the Aluminé River. It changes its name to
Collón Cura from the mouth of the Catán Lil tributary.
The river can be accessed at the Rinconada Bridge and in all the other
areas where it gets close enough to National Route 40 as well.
This is a typical plateau river, with deep and slow flats alternated
with flumes and wide important runs. Some of its banks have enough
willows, although this is an area with scarce vegetation and very much
exposed to the winds, which blow mainly from the West. Downstream from
Balsa Vieja (signposted fishing access), the river physiognomy changes
significantly: the willows become more abundant and the course opens up
into countless arms and channels with high fishing quality and quantity.
Unfortunately, this lower stretch of the river, the best one without any
doubts, does not have public access as it flows across private
estancias.
Equipment
The most appropriate is the rod for line #6, although lighter equipment
may be used on windless days, or something more powerful (#7 or #8) for
long casting with shooting tapers. Sinking lines get impossed -sinking
tip o full sinking-, also the shooting tapers are used to manage some
distance (we must take into account that this is a large dimension river).
Of course, a floating line should not be discarded for those very
frequent cases in which the trout are close to the surface.
Flies
Nymphs:
Hare’s Ear (with and without bead head) #10 through #16, Prince (with
and without bead head) #10 through #16, Stone flies #4 through #8, Bitch
Creek #4 through #8, Caddis larvae and pupas # 10 through #16, Gusanitos
del Sauce.
Dry:
Adams and Adams parachute #12 through #18, March Brown #12 through #18,
Irresistible #10 through #16, Royal Wulff #10 through #14, Humpy #10
through #16, Stimulator #8 through #12, Elk Wing Caddis #10 through #16,
Goddard Caddis #10 through #14, Tarántula #8 and #10, Chernobyl #4
through #8.
Streamers:
Woolly Buggers (with and without bead head and consider adding rubber
legs) #4 through #8, black and olive Marabou Muddler #4 and #6, brown,
black and olive Matukas #4 and #6, Zonkers and Rabbits #4 and #6, deer
hair or wool head Sculpins, with rabbit and/or feather wings, in #4 and
#6.
THE CALEUFU RIVER
Access and General Features
To access the river, leave San Martín de los Andes along National Route
234 (Seven Lakes Road) and turn left into Provincial Route 63 towards
del Córdoba Pass (a total distance of about 60 km), or along National
Route 40 and then Provincial Route 49, if you wish to fish the lower
zone.
The Caleufú is formed by the junction of the Meliquina and Filo Hua Hum
Rivers. Casa de Piedra is the first fishing access and the spot known as
Los Alamos lies downstream.
The upper part physionogmy is typical of a mountain river, with white
waters, fast flumes, pools and runs, flowing across a deep valley
immersed in the mountain range. As it gets deep into the plateau, it
turns into a river with many arms, shallow flumes and runs, but with a
considerable trout population. The surrounding vegetation is shrubby,
made up by brushes and low bushes, mingled with some popplar trees and
maitén trees, which becomes more noticeable near its mouth, in
the lake formed by the Piedra del Aguila dam.
Unfortunately, all this middle area does not have an access by land.
Therefore, the only possiblity to fish it is from a raft, during two or
three days, depending on the height and speed of the river.
In the lower part, there is the access known as El Monolito, which is
reached through the Alicurá estancia, whether traveling National
Route 40 and taking Provincial Route 49, or coming from Junín de los
Andes along route 49 (bear in mind that the bridge over the river was
destroyed during the flood in 2002; therefore, the way back must be done
along the same bank. Route 49 is made of rubble and is not in good
condition).
Equipment
A rod for line #5 or #6 is the most appropriate. Some lighter pieces of
equipment can also be taken to try with nymphs and small dries. The sink-tip
or Deep Charge lines predominate, but if the river is floated, a
floating line and heavily weighted streamers or nymphs are a good choice
as from the second day.
Flies
Nymphs:
Prince #10 through #16, Pheasant Tal #12 through #18, Hare’s Ear #10
through #16 (also these versions with bead head), Stone flies #4 through
#12, Caddis pupas and larvae #10 through #16 in cream and brown colors,
Bitch Creek #4 through #8, Montana #8 through #12, Jabalí #8 through
#12, Soft Hackle #12 through #16.
Dries:
Adams and Adams parachute #12 through #18, Black Gnat #14 through #18,
March Brown #12 through #18, Irresistible #10 through #16, Royal Wulff
#10 through #14, Humpy #10 through #16, Dave’s Hopper #8 through #12,
Stimulator #8 through #12, Elk Wing Caddis #10 through #16, Goddard
Caddis #10 through #14, Chernobil #4 through #8, Tarántula #6 and #8.
Streamers:
Woolly Buggers with and without bead head #4 through #8, Big Sac #4 and
#6, brown, black and olive Matukas grizzly #4 and #6, Zonkers and
Rabbits #4 and #6, deer hair or wool head Sculpins, with rabbit and/or
feather wings, in #4 and #6, Gray Ghost #6 through #10.
THE MELIQUINA RIVER
Access and General Features
This river is accessed through National Route 234 from San Martín de los
Andes towards Villa La Angostura. Turn left into Provincial Route 63
heading for del Córdoba Pass. Border the entire lake Meliquina on whose
end the source of the river is located. The road gets a little bit away
from it and then escorts it again. There are three signposted fishing
accesses.
This is a typical mountain river, with flumes, white waters, large rocks
and pools. It has a significant mid-size rainbow and brown trout
population, although early in the season, when the waters are high, it
hides quite a few surprises. It is not easy to wade when the waterflow
is high. However, the beauty of this river and its surroundings is worth
a visit. In the summer, when the waters are low, the size of the catches
drops considerably but the amount does not.
Equipment
The 3 to 5-weight slow or middle-action rods are the most appropriate
and get adapted to every fishing situation. A floating line with long
leaders will be the most used. In the event of using nymphs, micro
weights must be added to the leader to make it sink. Long castings are
not necessary as this is a middle-size river. Sinking lines or sink-tip
lines may be necessary early in the season, when the waters are high.
Flies
Nymphs:
Prince #10 through #18, Pheasant Tail #14 through #20, Hare’s Ear #10
through #18, Stones #6 through #10, light-colored Caddis larvae and
pupas without discarding a dark green one, hooks #10 thorugh #16, Soft
Hackles #12 through #16. Consider the use of bead head nymphs.
Dries:
March Brown #14
through
#18, Adams and Adams parachute # 12
through
#20, Black Gnat #12
through
#18, Royal Wulff #10
through
#16, Humpy #12
through
#18, Blue Winged Olive and Blue Dun #14
through
#20, Elk Wing Caddis #12
through
#18, CDC flies #16
through
#20, Hoppers #8
through
#12, Ants #16
through
#20, Stimulators #10
through
#14.
Streamers: Wolly Buggers #6 through #12, black and white Marabou Muddler
# 6 and #8, Olive Matukas #6 and #8, Zonker and other olive and black
rabbits #6 through #10.
ORVIS
San Martín de los Andes
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