From: 02/14/2016
To: 02/20/2016
Type of Water: Freshwater
Species: Chinook salmon
WEEK REPORT Nº1 – GLACIER KING
The beginning of our new destination located at the heart of the well known Glaciers National Park was indeed a great adventure. 3rd timers joined us plus two new guests at this location in search of huge kings with fly rods.
Before starting the fishing, a gourmet lunch was waiting for the guests. Guests have a variety of dishes changing from lunch to dinner, plus an “only for fishermen suggestion of the chef” that was quite appreciated.
Pollo “the radar” and Tomas set up the rotation to begin the hunt. Water level was normal, with a weather forecast showing rain for half of the week. Expectations really high!
A good beginning broke the ice and 3 good kings were landed the first afternoon. Between 7 and 12 kilos, strong as hell. Some g View more...WEEK REPORT Nº1 – GLACIER KING
The beginning of our new destination located at the heart of the well known Glaciers National Park was indeed a great adventure. 3rd timers joined us plus two new guests at this location in search of huge kings with fly rods.
Before starting the fishing, a gourmet lunch was waiting for the guests. Guests have a variety of dishes changing from lunch to dinner, plus an “only for fishermen suggestion of the chef” that was quite appreciated.
Pollo “the radar” and Tomas set up the rotation to begin the hunt. Water level was normal, with a weather forecast showing rain for half of the week. Expectations really high!
A good beginning broke the ice and 3 good kings were landed the first afternoon. Between 7 and 12 kilos, strong as hell. Some gin tonic and beer to celebrate were waiting at the bar of The Octogon, the place were all the meals are served.
The visit of Alberto, one of the CEOs of Estancia Cristina was much appreciated. He was in every detail for making the fishermen feel like home. The fishing kept being very active with more than 4 fishes landed on day 2, and a huge monster lost by Rene.
Day 3 was quite, not much activity on the surface. Looked like the kings were just staying at the pools in “alert mode”. Trying all kinds of sinking lines, scagits and different patterns to wake them up but luck was not there. For lunch Mr. Christer Sjoberg and wife (record woman – Annakarin) visited the estancia along with the guide Juanma from Tres Amigos Outfitters to join the team and change with Pollo who had to return to Las Buitreras lodge. The afternoon was still quite, so new plans were set for the following morning.
Day 4 was exploring day. Pearson Lake is the place were the kings are holding till the spawning period begins. It’s a rather medium size lake surrounded by huge walls eroded by the glacier activity. Bays can be hard with the wind but we looked for some of the sheltered ones. As we arrived to MAMMOTH BAY (named after this day) Alberto, Rene, Patrik set up the tackle, took a breath after the walk and looked on the water. Fishes were holding in big numbers, looking like stones at the bottom. All three fishermen jumped into the bay and in a minute Alberto hooked a beautiful female, first time with a spey rod. As soon as he was landing the fish Patrik shouted “its going, its going”… a huge train swimming like crazy was emptying the LAGERLOF home made reel. It took around 25 minutes and without net Alberto with both hands landed this big mama from the tail. We measured the fish and put it back safe. No words… just huge! But the day was not over, another big male was landed at the river while this was taking place, Anders was doing it again for the Spors team.
Day 5 and 6 were slower than the first ones, but landing a few fishes more. Meta was changing strategy and using non weighed flies and surprising everyone with a good 9 kilo male, landing it very well. The activity was affected by the cold, rain and wind that were putting the fish down. Also a lack of new fishes in the pools was making the ones in more alert and extremely selective.
Last morning, the Spors team were relaxing a bit and doing one of many excursions you can do on the estancia and were stunned by the amazing view of the glacier Upsala and the river valley from high ground. In the meantime, Patrik and both guides were chasing some kings at the Walle Stone. You could count the fish but making them bite was another story.
Number of fish landed: 14
Top Rod: Patrik Lagerlof 4 kings
Biggest fish caught: aprox. 25 kilos
Top fly: black leech
By Guide Juan Manuel Biott
