A fishing Outing to Meliquina Lake and Caleufú River.

By Mario Capovía Del Cet
 

It is always a pleasure to visit San Martín de los Andes. Situated next to the valley that faces Lacar Lake, it is one of the main tourist spots in our Patagonia. This beautiful city never rests, as it has two very active tourist seasons – skiing in Winter and outdoor activities in Spring and Summer. Its superb hotels and restaurants, added to a wide range of services, make this city a tourists’ delight.

We were invited by the owners of “Las Cumbres” cabins, a comfortable resort tastefully decorated with wood, many flowers, a warm-water swimming pool and a small sauna.
This time the fishing guide was Juan Carlos “Coco” Fune, who has been devoted to fly fishing for more than two decades and who owns “Blue Smoke Cabin Resort”. After having gone trhough an idyllic landscape, we reached the mouth of Hermoso River in the Meliquina Lake, which in this season has a good level and an incredible strength which  produces a trail that reaches more than 50 metres along the lake, something which makes it an ideal place for fishing,. We came across several fishermen who told us about their good results. What is more, our results were very good indeed because, in spite of  the high pressure, we were able to catch –with the traditional Wooly Worm- three beautiful rainbow fish during the the hour and a half that we were there.

We went on bordering the Meliquina River to go fishing to Caleufu River, more precisely near its origin, made up by the rivers Meliquina and Filo Hua Hum. Given the length of this river, it is ideal for the fisherman to drift along it for three days up to its outlet in the Collon Cura River, enjoying  two camping nights  in between. This can only be possible from November to the beginning of January, as its waters go down then and therefore it is impossible to raft it.

We parked our car near some elm trees, we put on our weaders and fording boots (then most unpleasant side of fishing) and after assembling our fishing rods, we headed for the river. To reach the place that Coco had chosen, it was necessary to go through a small stream which, according to his explanation, is usually dry from January on. Contrary to our expectations, the current was so strong that we had to walk along  about two hundred metres to find a place to cross it. We did this by walking in pairs, holding arms so as not to lose balance and, at the same time, to avoid skids. We finally reached the river, butr we had   difficulties to ford it due to the speed of the water and the irregular size of its stones. To make matters worse, there was a strong wind which meant a nighmare for casting.

Due to the difficult situation we were going through, our guide devoted most of his time to Patricia, being with her during the forging, helping her correct her casting and telling her all  the secrets of  the place.
Despite the complications, this productive river offered us the possibility to catch, with small streamers and nymphs, three nice brown trouts and some rainbow fish in just two hours of fishing.
Really pleased with our results and, considering the beautiful sorroundings, we still felt like wandering a little bit more around the coasts of these beautiful rivers, which we hope to next March.

Services:

“Las Cumbres” Cabins
236 Piren  St. – San Martín de los Andes
Telephone: 011-54- 02972-422660/661
e-mail: lascumbres@smandes.com.ar 
web site:  www.lascumbresapart.com.ar

 “Coco” Funes Fishing Guide
“Blue  Smoke Cabins.” 
344 Rudecindo Roca  – San Martín de los Andes
Telephone: 011-54- 02972-427678  or  011-54-4304-2249
e-mail humoazul@smandes.com.ar 
web site: www.humoazul.com.ar

Augusto Mathus  Fishing Guide
Telephone: 011-54- 02972-429143  02944-1556-3429
e-mail : tiempodepesca@smandes.com.ar 
web site: www.tiempodepesca.com