I found this vid on Youtube and thought it might be of interest. It is a trailer for a forthcoming film by some Australian fisherman who went on the noble quest for giant Golden Dorados in Argentina.

This is the first footage I have found of the amazing fishing at La Zona. La Zona is totally unique and is without parallel when it comes to specimen dorado. They are repeatedly caught up to and above 50lbs. They are only spinning for them, but fly fishing is also highly productive.Check out the vid, it is mouth watering.

Click here for more info

Dever Springs is a corker.

For many years now I had resisted fishing at Dever Springs in Hampshire. I always had a gut reaction against the oversized beasts they stocked there. Add to which, in my experience, big trout over 6lbs never fought as hard as a fit 3 or 4lber.

Well, I will eat humble pie.

Ian Macdonald generously invited me to fish on his corporate day yesterday. There was a healthy mix of novices, semi-novices and hardened veterans.

One particular novice who was receiving his first ever casting lesson from Ian as I arrived, took us all by surprise bagging a 10lb fish after an hour or so. The surprise did not spring from his catching it, but more by how he caught it.

Ian had tied a Montana on the beginners leader and wished him luck. Aforementioned beginner fished the Montana for twenty minutes or so when he spotted a length of red wool on the ground by his feet and decided to tie a couple of inches of it to the leader just above the fly. He cast out and within seconds the rod nearly flew out of his hands as his first ever trout (a double figure fish no less) took him for a merry dance around the lake. I doff my cap to you sir.



I was delighted to see Fred Richardson again after a ridiculous 2 years. Fred is, aside from a fine angler, one of the most pleasant people you could ever travel and fish with. Hope we do it again soon.

In fact the less experienced fishermen outdid the veterans yesterday. Ian's friend Barry nailed a 12lb fish, see below. I believe it was Barry's third ever time flyfishing. According to him, not his last!!! Wonder why?

The record fish was caught by another comparative beginner whose name I didn't catch who nailed a 15lb monster. Seeing him carrying this fish to his car was was on of the highlights of a tough afternoon session.

My best (see top picture) was a 9lb beauty. Far from being the sack of rubble I expexted, this fish gave me fine fight that lasted well past the 5 minute mark. Having said that, I was fishing a Greys Streamflex 5 weight, so not overly gunned up.

Great fun, great day. Only disappointment was the lack of a rise. There were plenty of sedges, but no mayfly. Shame.

The Big Lebowski goes fishing.

Ty Pollock of Costa Del Mar was f(**$^$%$ing kind enough to send me this picture he took of me at the Sportfish Open Weekend a couple of weeks ago.
I found it amusing when Steve O'Dea and Malcolm Cocliff of Donegal Flies kept calling me Lebowski the whole weekend, but this picture seems to put it all into context.
Take slightly overlong hair and a goatee and you have the makings of a "Dude" Lebowski. Add a pair of Costa del Mar's new, but retro Wheelhouse glasses, a floppy fishing hat and the picture is complete.
My new sales patter from now on will be: "Hey man, come and fish with the Dude."
Whatever, now let me finish my White Russian in peace!

Have a look at this beauty

This is a video of my friend Rodrigo Salles landing a 28.5lb Dorado on the Rio Juramento in Northern Argentina. Clearly the beauty I refer to in the title is the fish!!!! :)
The guide in the vid is the wonderful Pablo Orfeo. One of the best, most passionate guides I have ever fished with. Hello Pablo if you read this.
For more info on this destination, please click here.

Fabulous BBC Documentary - not really fishing, but watery nonetheless

The BBC have done it again. South Pacific is one of those groundbreaking nature docs that really deserves watching. Not only is the technologically groundbreaking photography delivering genuine eye-candy, but this must be fascinating for anyone who loves true wilderness and the exotic.
The first episode was transmitted last week and can still be watched on BBC iPlayer. Watch it. Unbelieveable underwater footage of waves and sea life.
If you can't view the video above, click for the taster here

600lb Mako Shark Caught on the fly

This is a fantastic photo gallery from Field and Stream about angler Brendan Mason catching a 600lb Mako on the fly off San Diego. Click here to see the gallery
Congrats.

Sportfish Open Weekend Reading

The two intellectuals you see above are myself on the left and Peter McLeod, our chests heaving with pride as we finished setting up our first ever joined trade show stand.
Actually, the weekend was a huge success, partly due to the enormous fun we have meeting up with all our buddies in the trade, but also as it is such a great way to chat face to face with many of our clients.
This year had two added bonuses for us: first was the new hotel we all stayed in, second was the fact that many of our friends and supporters came down on the Saturday, helped us man the stand and stayed overnight at the hotel. As you can imagine, that led to an evening of abstinence, early bed and all fresh as daisies on the Sunday morning.
I would particularly like to thank Tony and Tara Hooley, Wayne and Sue McGee and Joerg for their touching support and enthusiasm.

Tara Hooley taking the stand

But where would I be without Amy and Gordon? Thanks guys for your cheery assistance, putting up with the set up and take down. Grrrrr.

Pete and Charlotte of Aardvark McLeod were amazing, super supportive and fantastic company.

There were also some notable personalities present. What would these events be without Steve O'Dea and Malcolm Cocliff of Donegal Flies. Their rapier wit always keeps the proceedings several millimetres above the gutter :) The face ache from laughter is always firmly their responsability.
Peter Gibson, Howard, Steve and Gavin from Hardy Greys, or the Hardy Boys as we all like to call them. Again, laughs a plenty. Ian Gordon, Scott McKenzie, Bill Drury, Hywel Morgan and all the other Salmon Gurus were there too.

The Sportfish Crew

As ever the Sportfish Crew were on hand to smoothly field customers from one rod display to the casting lake with dexterity. Particular thanks to Grant Harris, Allan Shepherd, Glen Dickerson and all the others for their great support.

Many of the top manufacturers were present, many with great new tackle and products. Hmmm love it. Patagonia Fishing with a great new waterproof rucksack I can't wait to take to South America. Donegal Flies are now agents for the fabulous Zpey Rod system: trust me, not just a gimmick. Cost del Mar were so ably represented as ever by Steve Chance and Ty Pollock were showing off their excellent 580 lenses, which are, quite simply, the best.

I was very flattered to be asked by Allan Shepherd to give a talk on Golden Dorado and Peacock Bass Wilderness Fishing. The lecture room was full, including several dogs. I am delighted to announce that the only hecklers were my own business partners (Pete McLeod was late and Charlotte got stuck on the floor with a dead leg causing some mayhem as Amy and Tara helped her up).

Anyway, great weekend and a great taste of what the Game Fair will be like.
Thanks all.

Welcome to my blog

Well, here I am joining the world of the mighty blog!!

Didn't know that would happen, but how can we stop the wheels of progress and communications.

I intend to keep you up to date with what is happening in the world of the Latin American Fishing Co and as these progress, what is new with our destinations, trips and clients.

I hope you will find this useful, interesting, and maybe on occasion, funny.

Thanks for reading
Nick