Tourism, November 17, 2008
Sport Fishing in Argentina
Argentina stands as one of the best fishing destinations worldwide. The Patagonian lakes and rivers and the provinces lying in the Northern region are increasingly being regarded as a point of attraction by Argentine and foreign fishermen.
Mel Krieger, is a fisherman renowned at a worldwide level as he has been one of the fly fishing pioneers, and develops his passion both in the Patagonian lakes and rivers.
The vast range of rivers, lakes and creeks located in the Patagonian area is considered as one of the best trout fly fishing environments worldwide. Over 20,000 foreign fishermen visit this region on a yearly basis looking to catch brown, rainbow and fontinalis trouts as well as land-locked salmon, which may record unprecedented weights of up to 10 kilograms. The Patagonian sport fishing season begins in November and ends in May.
Patagonia´s fishing settings are countless and suit the required ideal fishing conditions such as peacefullness, a large water flow, pleasant temperatures and the splendor of gegraphic landscape. Fishing may be conducted from the shore or from vessels, both in national parks and in fishing lodges generally located on Patagonian ranches. Some milestone references for Patagoninan fishing are the Strobel lake lying in the Province of Santa Cruz, the Aluminé, Chimehuín and the Correntoso rivers in Neuquén, the Ewans and Grande rivers in Tierra del Fuego, and Lake Nahuel Huapi in Río Negro.
Another destination visited by a considerable number of foreigners coming to Argentina for fishing purposes only is the Argentine Northern region, encompassing the provinces of Entre Ríos, Corrientes, Santa Fe, Misiones, Chaco and Formosa. Struggling dorados weighing up to 25 kilograms and surubís which may - exceptionally- weigh 27 kilograms, may be caught in the outskirts of such wet lands known as the Iberá Marshes– lying in the Province of Corrientes-and in the Paraná river- by using fly fishing, trolling and spinning techniques.
Fishing Settings
Lake Strobel, a true paradise area for people wishing to fish in absolute peace and tranquility, lies 350 kilometers northwards of El Calafate, in the Province of Santa Cruz. Among the many fishing settings available in Patagonia, this lake is regarded as one of the top fishing destinations, as you can only reach it by hiring a fishing agency.
Lake Buenos Aires, which is also shared with Chile, is grouped within the tourist attractions available in this district of Santa Cruz Province–where fishing may be practised throughout the year, since there are no prohibitions imposed on this activity. Its waters are inhabited by a wide variety of fish such as brown, rainbow and fontinalis trout, Patagonian silverside, percas and land-locked salm
This city, located in the Province of Tierra del Fuego, is regarded as the "International Capital of the Trout”, and as such it is visited by fishermen from all over the World. Its namesake river is suitable for fishing the sea-migrating brown trout type, which generally weighs more than 10 kg.
The Alerces National Park, lying in Chubut Province, houses the Rivadavia river, one of the fishing lovers´ favourite destinations. Its abundant waters are inhabited by fish species like rainbow, brown and fontinalis trout, land-locked salmon, and perca. Surrounded by majestic mountains, the Rivadavia river is suitable for sport fishing from fishing boats.
Amidst the Nahuel Huapi Park National lying between the Provinces of Neuquén and Río Negro, the Manso River Basin is regarded as another of the Patagonian destinations most frequently chosen by fishermen. Rainbow and brown trout, as well as small and large-sized puyen species may be caught in its waters.
In the Province of Corrientes, there stand the Iberá Marshes, an enormous wet land area featuring islands, lagoons and marches -as denoted by its name-. Apart from being the habitat for numerous animal and plant species, are suitable for dorado and surubi fishing, and as such they have become one of the destinations that fishermen from all around the world visit the most.
The Argentine Southern region rivers and lakes host a wide variety of fish species. Among the Patagonian fish types fishermen are most attracted by at a worlwide level we may refer to the rainbow, brown, fontinalis and brook trout, the land-locked salmon, and the perca and silverside species.
The rivers flowing along the Northern provinces– namely Entre Ríos, Corrientes, Santa Fe, Chaco, Formosa and Misiones- are endowed with majestic and numerous fish species like the most outstanding fish types dorado, surubí, pacú, “boga”, patí, lisa, sábalo, pike, river salmon, and river croaker.
The fishing industry holds a large number of festivals in Argentina, such as the outstanding National Dorado Festival -which takes place in August, in the city of Paso de la Patria, in Corrientes-, the National Surubi Celebration -held in May in the city of Goya, Corrientes- and the National Trout Festival -taking place in November, in Junín de los Andes, Neuquén-.
Even if the Correntoso River flows along a 240-meter area, it is regarded as one of the shortest rivers worldwide. It lies in the Province of Neuquén and flows into the Lake Nahuel Huapi. Its waters- where the brown and rainbow trout fishing is epitomized by two unprecedented cases of Argentine fly fishing - are ideal for heavy-weighing trout fishing.
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This recreational activity is attracting a big number of tourists, though reservations went down by 50%.
