Adventures in Tierra del Fuego January '10

I have just returned from hosting our first trip of the new decade. To say that it was adventure filled would be the understatement of the new decade.

Before getting on to the fishing portion of this blog, please allow me to recount some of the adventures. They are worth it!

The Adventures
I was joined by a very fine group from Ireland to fish the Rio Irigoyen, our beloved river in Tierra del Fuego. The group was made up of Duncan Sleeman, Sean Mannion, Aonghus O'Donnell, Spencer Woolfe and Patrick Seigne; all highly respected gentlemen in the field of medicine.

I always feel the beginning is a good place to start. My learned clients were due to land in Buenos Aires at 9.45 on the Friday morning, having flown from Cork to London and then on to Buenos Aires with British Airways. I was crestfallen to discover that, with no explanation, their flight was delayed till, at least, 12.45. I was picturing my frustrated and by now exhausted group arriving in a foul mood having missed most of their free day in Buenos Aires. I was already thinking of ways to raise their spirits on arrival. The only explanation I could think of was that their flight had been held up in Sao Paulo (where it has a scheduled stop) due to the flooding which had been plaguing much of Brazil in January.

Imagine my surprise when, a few hours later, they arrived through arrivals, far from gloomy, but instead in very high spirits (spirits being the key word here). I was even more surprised to discover that they were in fact the reason for the delay.

It transpired that while sleeping peacefully at the very back of the Economy cabin, a call came over asking for a doctor of medicine. Three of the group being an assortment of very specialised dentists and jaw specialists, elbowed Aonghus, a leading cardiologist and Patrick, a leading anaesthetist, deciding that they would be the most useful unless a passenger was suffering from a jaw fracture or unexpected, emergency gum disease.

Aonghus and Patrick sleepily made their way forward to find a woman who had suffered a severe heart attack and whom the crew were presuming to be beyond help. Patrick found a weak pulse and Aonghus administered a shot of adrenaline which brought the fortunate woman back. The plane made an hallucinating 10 minute descent to the airport of Recife in North East Brazil to be met by waiting paramedics. We hear that the patient survived and is doing well. It was quite clear that Aonghus and Patrick saved her life.

“ Irelande 10 Points”

What other way was there for the Captain to thank our intrepid medics but to lead them swiftly up to First Class, much to the surprise of the few passengers who had parted with nearly £5,000 for the privilege of sitting up front. Sean, Duncan and Spencer who, although not directly participants in the mid-air emergency, felt that the emotional support they had offered had earned them a trip up-front as well. How could the captain refuse???

Suffice to say that our intrepid docs discovered the joys of Johnny Walker Blue Label and vintage Bolly while lounging in First Class: hence their high spirits when I met them on arrival.

I must conclude this memoir of their adventures with the most incredible part. After we had said our fond farewells at Heathrow T5, our doctors transferred to T1 to catch their flights to Cork and Dublin. While taxi-ing to the runway, a passenger on the Aer Lingus flight suffered a heart attack. Aonghus and Patrick looked at each other: “Here we go again!” They were able to keep the woman stable until the plane returned to the stand and emergency services were able to take her away.

“Irelande, 20 Points”. Now what are the chances of that????

The Fishing

Now for the fishing. The doctors were the guinea-pig group for Far End Rivers Lodge’s new heli-fishing program. The guides had scouted some extremely remote rivers to the South of the Irigoyen: the Leticia and the Policarpo. The latter is believed to be the southernmost fishable river in the world: no small claim.

As it turned out, we found that the great joy of having the chopper was not particularly to visit these remote, but small rivers, but the ability to fish the upper pools of the Irigoyen instead. The upper part of the river is, quite simply, stunning and an absolutely joy to fish.

I was quite convinced that, following their amazing exploits in the sky, added to the famous “Luck of the Irish”, we would have a bonanza week. A massive 9m tide was expected on the Thursday promising a massive run of fish for the last 3 days. Sadly, and amazingly unluckily at this time of year, the tide was accompanied by a vicious cold front coming from the Antarctic which brought consistent heavy rain and even snow and sleet. The river flooded and quickly turned to the colour of milk chocolate.

The group kept their spirits high and were now grateful for the first three, difficult, but productive days. Sean Mannion broke his personal best (from the Gallegos), the season’s best and the Latin American Fishing Co best with a beautiful fish which was calculated as being 23lbs, but most feel that it was closer to 25lbs(see picture above). Duncan Sleeman also broke a personal best with a fish of just over 20lbs. In fact, in one day, Duncan caught 5 fish, 4 of which were 20lb, 18lb, 15lb and 10lb. I think you can say that is hitting the mother load. Patrick Seigne, for whom this was a first trip to Argentina, managed to nail 6 fish on his first day.

The total for the week was 23 fish caught. Several good Robalos were caught in the sea pool, with Sean Mannion, yet again, nailing a season’s best at a little over 10lbs.

Best flies were: In daylight, Bitch Creeks (orange), Wonder Bugs in black and olive, Girdle Bugs and various rubber legged nymphs, collie dog and Sunray Shadow tube flies. In the evenings: Egg sucking leeches and articulated black leeches.

Despite the very unlucky conditions, some beautiful fish were caught, a great deal of fun was had and the guiding was as dedicated, charming and supportive as ever. Alex and Nico are absolute stars and all love fishing with them. The lodge’s new addition is Fernando who proved to be a wonderful addition to the team. His tireless dedication to his charges, good humour and hard work won everybody over.

Last but far from least, Maira, our charming cook created wonderful meals time and time again. Thank you to all at Far End Rivers.

Bolivia Trip August 2009

In conjunction with Aardvark McLeod our first group has just returned from the wilds of the Bolivian Jungle. The Tsimane operation is the first to access these incredible rivers where it is possible to sight fish for huge golden dorado and the equally impressive pacu. The excitement before departure to this jungle wilderness has been tangible, not just for the clients travelling but also for all of us here in the office. With every new destination it is difficult to know what is going to happen with the first group. We are pleased to announce that Tsimane is everything we hoped it would be. Aardvark McLeod sent their photographer Henry Gilbey along to bring back the evidence. Here is his report:

Tsimane, Bolivia
The Tsimane operation is located on the River Secure. It is reached by a two hour flight from the city of Santa Cruz and a boat ride further into the remote jungle. The river is very clear, and unlike every other golden dorado environment you can see the fish cruising. In the “home pool” below the lodge we saw golden dorado well over the 30lb mark. Some truly massive fish were in evidence around the rapids we fished that day, indeed we often saw them coming up and breaking the surface or killing the abundant bait fish.


Only a handful of people have ever seen, let alone fished where we did that day. In one particular instance Gordon had just sight cast to a huge golden dorado that turned and hammered the fly immediately. It then proceeded to charge downriver through all the boulders and white water ripping line off with Gordon in hot pursuit. After an incredible battle, including some fantastic aerobatics, Gordon managed to subdue the fish and bring it to hand. I think that golden dorado are the nearest equivilent to giant trevally in freshwater, especially in terms of their savagery.


The operators run a two lodge operation to take advantage of the different rivers. We discovered when we moved that the other rivers have been fishing really well for both dorado and the pacu, sometimes referred to as the freshwater permit. I had yet to see one of these fish, and out here they too grow to unusal sizes. Pacu have been taken to over 40lbs from these rivers!! A few days later we fished a section of river with huge numbers of pacu swimming around in one particular pool, with some looking like they were well over 30lbs. Gordon was smashed by a huge pacu in the blink of an eye that just bit straight through the wire, and there were countless follows that came to nothing.


Dorado sometimes herd the poor sabalo, their principal quarry, and smash into them like jacks do in the sea. Gordon hooked fish after fish from the same pool for a mad hour or so, but we kept on moving up river to look for more dorado and pacu. After hearing so much about these mythical fish, I so badly wanted to see one actually hooked and landed. Finally I got my chance, everything these guys say about the pacu is true – they are indeed the freshwater permit. They are not easy to catch, and when hooked they scream off with proper speed, and they are hugely strong.


The Argentinean guides in Bolivia are truly outstanding, indeed every single aspect about Tsimane is awesome. It staggers me that people can create such a fantastic lodge in the middle of the jungle many hours from the nearest town or city. It is one of the most impressive places I have ever visited, and the fishing is really beginning to open up and reveal itself. The golden dorado live in savage water there, and fly fishing is perfectly suited to nailing them. Sea trout fishing is hugely popular in South America, but dorado are off the scale, and I love being around them.

Booking information
If you are interested in receiving some information on Tsimane or would like to go then please contact us as soon as possible. Space is very limited and demand is high already. Places are already booking fast for next year. The season is from May to October and we do still have some last remaing rods in October this year. This operation is limited to four rods and is fly only.
For more information, please click here

Los Roques Hosted Trip 2010

I am very happy to announce that I shall be hosting a group to Los Roques, Venezuela in June 2010 in conjunction with Aardvark McLeod.

Fishing on Los Roques has become synonimous with the archipelago’s pancake flats, as well as gin-clear water and large numbers of bonefish. Crucial to successful fishing in the area are the tides in order to maximise the amount of time on the flats. Thanks to Aardvark McLeod’s close ties with Chris Yrazabal, one of Los Roques’s most experienced guides, we have been able to secure the very best tidal weeks.

June is a particularly good month as the fishing is excellent, but it is also traditionally a quiet month meaning much less pressure and better access.

Los Roques is famous for its consistently high numbers of bonefish with an average size of 3 to 4lbs with many fish over 5lbs landed throughout the season. Recently many fish between 7 and 10lbs have been caught. In addition to bones, Tarpon of up to 100lbs have been caught in the channels and occasionally on the deeper flats. There are permit there, but they should definitely be seen as a bonus. There is also great fishing for snook, barracuda, cero mackerel, bonito, several species of snappers and, of course, jacks.

Accommodation will be at the lovely Acuarela Lodge, only 3 minutes from the beach on Gran Roque.

We will be leaving the UK on Saturday 5^th June, landing back at Heathrow on Sunday 13^th June.

Please click here for a slideshow of Los Roques as well as some more info.

A hosted trip is a great option for those of you who may be new to bonefishing, or indeed saltwater fly fishing, as well as anyone who has never travelled to South America before.

Several places on this trip have already been booked, but there are some rods left so please let me know if you would like to join us.

You can send me a message by clicking here

Fab Video of Tsimane Dorado Fishing in Bolivia

Rodrigo Salles of Untamed Angling has recently posted this excellent video of the Tsimane Lodge in Bolivia. Photographs are great, but this vid gives an excellent sense of first, how beautiful the rivers are, and two, the calibre of the fishing. My god I want to be there right now! About to have a tantrum...

Rodrigo and others have just come back from there to see how everything was going before opening their doors in August. The news is simple: fabulous. The lodge and camps are terrific and the rivers are already fishing superbly.

I cannot stress strongly enough that this is the most exciting new fly fishing destination anywhere. We have a couple of rods left and we strongly urge you destination fly fishers to pounce on them. Has to be an adventure of a lifetime.

For more info please look at our page for the Tsimane Lodge, Bolivia

Childrens' Trust Pro-Celeb Fishing Day

David, Elisabeth and Peter McLeod and Nick Palliser

Yes, that's correct, you are not mistaken, you are looking at a picture of the winning team, the Gold Medallists, the "Numero Unos", the "Hombres", the "Poderosos"... Ok, I may be getting a little carried away but it is the first gold medal I have ever won. As Peter McLeod Senior, aka David put it "Haven't won one of these since the '36 Olympics!"

The event was a the Pro - Celeb Fly Fishing day at Meon Springs in aid of the Children's Trust. For anyone not familiar with them, a remarkable charity bettering the lot of handicapped children with complex care and therapy needs. The fishing was organised by Fish & Fly and a really good turn out ensued. On the celeb front the highlight was definitely Ian Botham who added stature and panache to the event, although not quite as much as Steve Edge (see below). On the pro front, aside from my captain of the winning team (did I already mention that we won???) Peter McLeod, such luminaries as Charles Jardine, Robin Elwes etc etc were in attendance.

Peter and Grant Harris

Very importantly the day put pay to one of fly fishing's oldest conundrums. "Does Grant Harris of Sportfish actually fish??" This question stood, until last friday, alongside such brain teasers as "Do Salmon feed in Rivers?", "Does the moon affect trout feeding patterns?", "Is the earth truly round?". Well, my friends, I saw it with mine own eyes. Not only does he fish, he catches too!

Neil Freeman, Steve Edge and Peter McLeod

I have to mention an amazingly moving speech by a 20 year old whose life was transformed by the Children's Trust. He had been given up for lost after being run over by a car at the age of 10. He was told he would never walk again. After 2 years' care by the Trust, he left riding a bicycle and went on to be a paralympics gold medallist and completed the London Marathon. Remarkable young man and an icon of the human spirit.

Neil Freeman conducted a very entertaining auction that included some very desirable fishing days, meals and artwork. Surprisingly, although the object was to raise money, it was quite clear that some of the bidders walked away with some absolute bargains. My favourite was a table for 10 at the House of Commons that no one wanted to bid on. Sign of the times methinks!!! In the end it was snapped up for £500. Bargain methinks!!!

Anyway, back to important things. Team McLeod/Latin American Fishing Co. snatched gold with a total weight of 38lbs. Sorry, did I mention that already?

Ian Botham tells Pete a thing or two about fishing

By the way, yes, I know, there are far too many pictures of Pete, but what can I do?

Product Review: Costa del Mar 580 Lightwave Lenses

After 40 years of 20/20 vision, time has caught up with me and my eyesight isn’t what it was.
One thing that has deeply frustrated me of late, is that I have struggled to see well with my polarisers when the light drops or when I find myself fishing in shadows.
I have tried various brands and even invested in some photo-chromatic glasses (the ones that go lighter and darker). These did help, but I sacrificed a great deal of polarising power.
I had a chance meeting with Steve Chance ( I bet I’m not the first one to make that pun) of Costa del Mar and I began bemoaning the plight of my eyesight. Without batting an eye he suggested a pair of their new LightWave 580 lenses. Amid claims of outstanding clarity and maximum polarising power, he slipped in the fact that they were awesome in low light. He clearly can sell snow to Eskimos. I ordered a pair of LightWaves for fishing and a pair of prescription glasses for driving.
Prescriptions are not at present available in the 580 lens, so those were their standard amber lenses.
Finally I received my glasses and thankfully only a few days before I went fishing. I took the precaution of taking both pairs of Costa del Mar’s as well as two pairs of my old glasses, both from leading manufacturers.
I will start by saying that even the standard amber lenses of the prescription Costas totally out -performed my other glasses in terms of polarising and spotting fish. In fact the difference was quite baffling: amazing clarity in the water with excellent contrast and colour enhancement. Agreed these are prescription, so that obviously is a factor.
I can honestly say that I was sceptical to see if the 580 lenses could out-perform them. Well, guess what? They did! The qualities I mentioned above of contrast and clarity, went just that bit further than the standard lenses. In fact, the winning aspect of these lenses, which are the 580 Silver finish Copper , truly comes to light (yet another weak pun) as light begins to fade. I put my old glasses back on in order to contrast and they were simply useless. I couldn’t see properly into the water anymore. Back on with the 580s and there were the fish again.
I can sincerely say that these fishing glasses fall into the category of “How the hell did I manage before?” category.
I personally opted for the Wheelhouse retro design illustrated above, but some might prefer the more wrap-around, keep the light out models.
Top marks and very highly recommended.

BBC South Pacific again. Episode 5

Only of interest to UK residents reading this. Apologies to those further afield.

I just wanted to alert those who may have missed it, that the latest screened episode of South Pacific contained the most extraordinary footage I have seen in a long time.
A native Solomon Islander gathered Tarantula silk on a stick to use, believe it or not, as bait.
After boarding his boat, he attached the spool of spider silk to the line of a kite which he then floated up into the sky. The kite, dragged the silk across the surface like a dapping fly, up to 40 meters away from the boat.
When the kite dropped, the fisherman knew he had a bite and hand lined the fish in. This technique is used to catch large needlefish. Their small teeth get caught in the silk and there is no need for a hook at all.
Quite amazing and very beautiful to watch.
Here is a link to the BBC iPlayer episode. This section comes in approx 12 minutes in, but the whole program is very well worth watching. Amazing footage of New Zealand as well.


Apologies for anyone reading this outside the UK as I believe you will not be able to view it due to copyright rules. However, I am sure the series will be screen internationally very soon.