Naknek River Camp Sept 2017 

Just back from a great week at the Naknek River Camp near King Salmon, Alaska. We spend the week fishing for 24-30" rainbows that drop into the river to feed on all the salmon eggs.

Our group of six fished a combination of single and two handed rods and also landed cohos, sockeye and grayling. Great group of guys and I hope to fish with them again. This late season fishery is a wonderful place for swinging flies on a two handed rod.

 Accommodations at the camp are terrific and I look forward to bringing another group back again next season. I want to thanks the Johnsons for making our week such a success.

We had a great, great trip to the Kangia River Lodge in Greenland. Our group of 10 spent the week fishing for big arctic char on a combination of gurgles or a variety of streamers. We landed more than 850 char for the week, between 2-10 pounds.

 Accommodations and meals were simple, but no problems. Flying in, we went to Copenhagen and into Kangerlussaq and then Manitsoq. We had no trouble with the flights. Coming out  we hits some weather and were postponed for 24 hours in Manitsoq.

I will be hosting a group of 10 anglers back to the Kangia River Lodge next summer. My dates are July 26 to August 3rd. If you are interested in joining us, please get in touch. Thanks to David Kearford for the photos.

       

Christmas Island Trip April 2017

We had a great trip in mid-April to Christmas Island. The six of us spent the week at the Crystal Beach Lodge and the rooms and food were simple but very nice. On our way out to Christmas we all met in Waikiki and spent the night at the Doubletree and then headed out the next morning on the Air Fiji flight. The journey was not difficult. I would recommend coming out a day or two early and enjoying Hawaii and then heading off to Kirimati. We also added an overnight heading home.

Photo courtesy of Carl Bakke

After breakfast every morning, we would load up and head for the flats.  A couple of pairs shared a guide and a couple of
us paid extra and had our own guide. I would recommend adding another guide to each pair of anglers, it really is worth the cost. The guides are terrific at working with new and experienced anglers.


We fished 7-9 weights for bonefish and 10-12 wts for GTs. I was very happy with the 7 weight and 12 weight Echo 3s that I brought on the trip. I fished a Rio Bonefish line and a Rio GT line.



Throughout the week plenty of bones were caught by everyone and several guys took large GTs on flies and on bait.

Photo courtesy of Carl Bakke

Photo courtesy of Carl Bakke 

Thanks again guys, I look forward to our next trip.

Las Buitreras photos

 Some of Tom's photos

 It should be required that you stop and enjoy the last few minutes of light each day.

And there was the food.

Some of Chris's photos.

Tom with a nice sea run brown 

Chris with a nice sea run.

Below is a trip report Tom  posted on Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders about the week.

I just spent a week spey casting for searun brown trout on the renowned Rio Gallegos in Argentina with John Bilotta who organized of the trip.  The Gallegos is famous for it's annual runs of searun browntrout that can reach weights of 20-30 lbs.  The largest fish caught last week while I was there was 22lbs.  My personal best landed was a mere 15 lbs in comparison.  In addition to the searun there are many 20"+ resident brown trout that are also eager to grab you fly.

We stayed at beautiful Estancia Las Buitreras which offers almost 25 miles of exclusive fishing for its guests on both banks of the Gallegos river.  The river is divided into 5 beats and each beat has multiple Pools and lies.  There are over 50 named pools in the 25 mile stretch.  The fishing day is divided into the morning session and the evening session with a break in the afternoon.  During each session you will fish a different beat until you have fished all 5 beats and then you start again.  All fishing is done by wading in this relatively shallow river.

The lodge is very comfortable and well staffed.  The main meal of the day is lunch after you return from the morning session.  Lunch will include a hearty Asado of open flame cooked beef and lamb.  At night around 11pm when you return from fishing the evening session there will be a light meal waiting for you.  As you return from each session the staff is waiting for you at the door ready to offer you a glass of Malbec, beer or beverage of your choice.  You will never go hungry or thirsty at the Estancia.

The guides here are among the best I've seen.  They know the river very well and are more than happy to help those of us who are less proficient with our spey casting skills.

As if the fishing and accommodations were not enough the scenery is spectacular including the wildlife.  You will see Guanacos, Rheas, foxes, armadillos.  For the birdwatchers you might be fishing with flamingos in your pools as well as seeing Ibises, Black Neck Swans and Magellan Geese just to name a few.

The sunsets in Southern Patagonia are breathtaking.  I would stop fishing at sundown just to take in the beautiful colors of the sky and reflections of the canyon walls.

I highly recommend everyone to take this trip who wants a chance at catching very large 20+ brown trout on the fly.  That said it is important for anyone going there to know that there is almost always wind to contend with and spey casting is a good solution to handling the wind.

If you think you might want to go I recommend you contact John Bilotta for further information.

 I just want to say thanks again to all the guys for a terrific week at Estancia Las Buitreras. A lot of nice sea run brown were brought to hand. We will be back next March from the 24-31st if you are interested in joining us, please get in touch.

My 2017 hosted fly fishing trips are taking shape. Don't hesitate to contact me if you might be interested in joining us.

Rio Gallegos, Argentina- Jan 21-28th - Estancia Las Buitreras - full
Christmas Island - April 11-18th - still several openings
Kangia River, Greeland - August 10-18th - full
Naknek river, Alaska - Sept 16-23 - several openings.

Really enjoyed teaching a two handed class this weekend with Craig Buckbee at River Bay Outfitters in Long Island. I hope we do another class with these guys soon. They were terrific.

It has been a great fall for two handed fishing along the beach in CT. I been mostly using a 13' 7 wt or 14' 9wt Sage or Echo with a skagit line and a T8 or 11 tip.

Had a great trip to the Deschutes. Looking forward to heading back next summer. Thank you Mia Sheppard.