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Big Brown 1
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In light of leaving for Patagonia in a few days I have been thinking about some of my past experiences. Fishing Patagonia has taught me a few things about fishing for giant trout.
My first trip to Patagonia was in April of 2003. I had always heard stories of monster fish being caught and what an amazing part of the world this place is. I arrived to Chapelco Airport on April 10th to start my adventure. Justin and Rachel picked me up and we headed straight for the water. Our first week was spent exploring new waters and we had great fishing each and every day, but the big fish had eluded us. Justin kept telling me “there are big fish in these waters,” and mark my words I said, “I will believe it when I see it.”
From my Journal
April 16, 2003
It was a windy evening on the Limay River and Justin was very excited. Because I was the guest he gave me first pass down the run. This run was big, fast, and deep. Even with a type 6 shooting head and a 4in. long streamer a person felt helpless in covering the water. I told myself to concentrate because anything could happen. The drift consisted of casting as far as you could, try to get your line to sink, and then swinging the fly through the fast water. Just before dark my drift felt good. A person can tell when your fly is doing what you want it to do, and it felt that way. Not a moment later there was a huge pull on my line and after a 40 ft. run a monster brown made some huge jumps. My heart was racing as I yelled for Justin. He came down and said, “Take your time, this is a big fish.” In the excitement his words were lost as I had one objective, get this fish in as fast as possible. I had my 6wt. Loomis Rod doubled over and the fish was only about 10 ft. away at this point. I think I was pulling so hard all the fish could do was jump. So 10 ft. away a 10 lb. brown jumped, and in slow motion I watched the hook fly out of her mouth. After a swear word or two, there was silence, and then Justin said, “I told you to take your time.” Those words seemed really powerful at that moment and they stuck with me.
The following year I was back in Patagonia to try my luck again….
May 18, 2004
Justin, Matt, Gabriel and I had been fishing the Chimehuin all day. We saw numerous good fish and were satisfied with the day. As nightfall neared we knew that we could see a big fish. In Patagonia big fish don’t start to count until you are measuring 25 in. or more. Similar to the year before all of the sudden I felt a giant pull, a run, a jump, and the fight was on! I knew the fish was BIG and the first thing that went through my head was Justin’s voice saying “take your time.” I settled down and played the fish perfectly. We took a couple photos to preserve the memory and watched the beast swim away unharmed. I sat down to think about what happened, and was satisfied that I learned from the past and things worked out. Job well done!!
May 24, 2004
Today was my birthday and I hadn’t touched a fish all day. What kind of a present is that? I told myself that maybe the day was saving up for something BIG. Once again, just before dark, on the Limay River feeling helpless with my type 6 shooting head and giant streamer I settled into a nice cast and swing rhythm. Everything started to feel right, and there I was again feeling a big pull, except this time the fish just kept running. My Ross BG 6 reel was singing a song, after almost all my Amnesia was off my reel the fish leaped out of the air to finally show himself. But not to panic I just heard the words “take your time.” Slowly, but not too slowly, I brought the fish in. Another Patagonia Monster!! What a birthday fish!
Playing any fish is an art in itself. There is a proper rod angle and tension level that will make you win the battle. One can try to explain the feeling but until you have experienced this for yourself it is hard to tell. My advice on big fish is to “take your time” and be smart. Playing the fish for too long is unhealthy, but with BIG fish it is a battle that must be won on his terms. Adapt to what the fish does and things just might work out. I think for the rest of my life when I am playing a big fish I will remember two phrases, “I will believe it when I see it” and “take your time, this is a big fish.”
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