SEA-RUN BROWN TACKLE AND GEAR

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TROUT DESTINATIONS:
Tackle Suggestions

RODS:
Fast action (3 - 5 piece) 6 weight travel rods are the best choice for an all-around rod in Argentina. Typically you will have 2 rods rigged all of the time (floating and sink-tip). An ideal combination of rods would be a 5 or 6 weight for dry flies and nymphs, and a 6 or 7 weight with a 200 – 250 grain sink tip for streamer fishing.

REELS:
Match your rods with your favorite freshwater reels. A quality reel with a reliable drag and at least 75 yards of backing is recommended.

FLY LINES:
Most experienced anglers believe that the only line necessary is a floating line, though we believe a 200 grain sink tip for streamer fishing in Argentina is mandatory.

LEADERS/TIPPETS:
Dry fly leaders are typically 9-10 feet with 4X the most common tippet choice, and occassionaly using 3X and 5X. The same configuration is used for nymph fishing. For streamer fishing , plan on using short leaders tapered to 1X or 2X.

WADERS:
While wet-wading may be possible in January and February, make sure to bring a high-quality pair of breathable waders. In November, December, March, and April, breathable waders are mandatory. You will be spending an enormous amount of time in your waders, make sure you bring a set that is comfortable, warm, and fit well. Make sure that your socks and thermal layers fit easily underneath your waders long before you pack.

WADING BOOTS:
On warm days, we prefer to wet-wade if possible. If you prefer wet wading, bring a high quality pair of sandals for the warm days. Nothing can be worse than wearing uncomfortable wading boots on an extended fishing trip. Make sure the boots that you choose have enough room for an extra layer of socks under your waders, have good ankle support, and have a sturdy felt sole for extra traction on slippery surfaces. Do not wear boots with studded soles!! Due to problems with Whirling Disease, consider bringing a pair of new boots on your trip to avoid spreading the disease.

A LIST OF OTHER ESSENTIAL ITEMS:

FLIES:
(Always check for latest suggestions)
All of our guides have a wide assortment of patterns, and each operation has flies for purchase. However, we ask clients to please come well prepared, due to the lack of available goods in Patagonia.

All the flies on this list are highly recommended:
Flies in BOLD are a must on every trip:

#8-12 Foam Hopper (Assorted)
#8-12 Parachute Hopper
#10-14 Stimulator
#14-20 Humpy (Yellow)
#14-20 Irresistible
#12-20 Parachute Adams
#16 Blue Dun
#16-18 Black Gnat
#18-20 Griffiths Gnat
#16-18 Comparadun (sulfure, olive)
#14-16 Sparkle Dun – PMD
#14-18 Light Cahill
#14-20 Mayfly emergers, CDC (dun, olive, PMD)
#14-18 Elk Hair Caddis (Cream and Tan)
#14-20 Any Mayfly spinners/emergers or cripples, dun colored
#14 – 18 Copper Johns
#12-14 Sparkle Pupa
#18-20 Midge Pupa
#6 – 10 BIG FOAM (Assortment of Chernobyls, Fat Albert, etc)
#16-20 Pheasant Tail Nymph (weighted, with and without beads)
#14-18 Copper John (Nymph)
#14-18 Prince Nymph (weighted, with and without beads)
#14-16 Brassie (Nymph)
#10-12 Kaufmann’s Rubberleg Mini-Stonefly Nymph
#4-8 Woolly Buggers
#4-8 Sparkle Buggers (Olive, Brown, Black)
#2-6 Muddler Minnow
#4-6 Matukas (Olive, Black)



SEA-RUN BROWN TACKLE AND GEAR:
Tackle Suggestions

ROD:
For a single-handed rod – 9, 9 or 10 ft. for an 8 weight is ideal. Light two handed rods are increasingly popular and allow anglers to cast a comfortable line with less effort, particularly on windy days. We encourage you to bring one of 13 to 15 ft. for a 9-11 wt. line.

REEL:
A strong, smooth drag is a must. Reels should have capacity for the fly line and 100 yards of 20 lb backing

LINES:
Anglers should include at least 3 or 4 lines to accommodate variance in water levels and wind conditions. Weight forward fly lines are generally used n the Rio Grande. A sinking shooting taper is very important. The Teeny T-200 and T-300 lines or Rio 24 ft Density Compensated Sinking Tip 200, 300 and 400 grs are excellent, and at least one or both of these lines should be considered as must bring items. Intermediate lines are also effective in some conditions. Floating lines are typically most useful in low water conditions and during early morning and evening hours, when sea trout are inclined to be nearer the surface.

For two handed rods we find that a Rio Spey Lines Diversity Tips, Skagit model or equivalent is very versatile as these allow one to switch line weights from fast sinking #8 to medium #3 or floating lines easily; Furthermore Rio Big Boy type line tips in the 150 to 600 gr or T14 can be very useful for varying the length of the sinking tip being used.

LEADERS/TIPPET:
Spools of mono should include 20, 15, 12 and 10 lbs breaking strengths. We recommend straight Maxima for sinking line leaders and for floating have a knotless tapered leader from 9 to 12 ft with OX tippets.

FLIES:
Collie Dog tube flies (3" - 4" long, both aluminum and copper bodies, with hard plastic tubing and #4 wide-gape hooks)

Bunny leech, Zonker, Woolly Bugger (black/olive), articulated string leech types, with electric blue flash or holographic , on #2-4 hooks

Peacock (now a staple on Rio Grande, tied on #2-4 hooks)

Woolly worms in different colors

Girdle or Yuk Bug rubber legs (#4-12)

Bitch Creek nymphs (orange and black for preference, #4-12)

Bead head nymphs (Prince, Hare’s Ear, etc. #10-14)

Traditional Atlantic Salmon flies

Bombers, Green Machine, Tarantula or other waking dry flies (natural deer hair, black & green on #4-8 hooks), for use drifted or with a Portland hitch.

Include 1 • 2 inch tube flies if you have them, as tubes can be very effective on the Rio Grande

Also, take any large, dark trout or salmon fly in which you have confidence. Fishing a fly that has worked for you in the past, and in which you have confidence, is half the battle.

OTHER EQUIPMENT:
Breathable chest waders and a good pair of wading boots with felt soles or rubber cleats.

Capilene fleece pants are a must, worn under Gore-tex waders, given that water temperatures can be in the 40’s. Long johns and thick wool or capilene fleece socks are also a must.

Gravel guards and a wading belt

Gore-tex windproof rain jacket with hood.

Polaroid sunglasses, camera & film, flashlight, sun protection, fishing hat, etc.

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