Argentina’s Rio Grande and its Rio Menendez tributary are home to healthy returns of migrating trout that can reach near-mythical proportions. In order to turn dreams into reality, preparation is key. In this short series of articles, we intend to help you do just that by sharing tips and tricks. Below are the top Rio Grande fly patterns for Sea Trout and sea-run Brown Trout we recommend.
Let’s start by looking inside the Rio Grande fly box. Flies, in all their glorious varieties, are designed to deceive fish by imitating a known food source or by provoking a territorial response. Some, of course, work better than others—and this is absolutely true on the Rio Grande, where over the years we’ve fine-tuned our “ammo” to best suit our quarry on our single and double-handed rods. These patterns will also work well at most fishing lodges in Tierra del Fuego, South America like Kau Tapen, Villa Maria or any of the other famous Trout rivers.
Top Rio Grande Fly Patterns
Here are 5 highly effective patterns that will surely turn your fishing guide into your best friend for a day, or a week.
The Intruder
Intruders have become undeniably popular in the Pacific Northwest over the past decade. Designed to be swung across the river, they combine fast-sinking design elements and a great silhouette with the benefits of short-shank stinger hooks. The abbreviated shank doesn’t provide the exuberant leverage of a longer shank, hence more twisting and turning fish will stay on once buttoned-up. Our favourite colour variations for the Rio Grande fly and the Menendez include Black/Chartreuse, Blue/Chartreuse, Black/Silver, or simply chartreuse. They are great flies for when the river blows out, when something that pushes a lot of water is required. Heavier versions are also a good choice for when the fish stack up in deeper pools.
Intruder Presentation
Depending on the water level, all line types apply. Mostly fished on a floating head with a heavy sink-tip. Cast down and across the pool, at a 70° angle. Let the fly sink with an upstream mend, swing it back to the near bank.
The Green Machine
The Green Machine has revolutionised sea trout fishing over the last decade. It’s an unusual looking bug, and it’s extremely effective. There are two variants of the fly; the brown hackled green machine, and the white hackled green machine. I personally like the brown hackle, but I know many accomplished fishers who disagree.
Green Machine Presentation
For your fly line, use a floating line with a medium sink-tip and a long leader. As the fly begins the swing, slowly strip it back. By striping with the sinking lines you create a ‘popping’ motion under the surface. Sea trout love this! Usually better during the early season, but can effective throughout the year.
The EMB
The EMB is a great low-water pattern. I don’t know what it is about the rubber legs, but sea trout go mad for them. It’s also a simple fly to tie, and I personally like to fish it with a full floating line and a very long leader. The fly has bit of weight, so with a long leader it will get down.
EMB Presentation
Cast at a reasonably narrow angle down stream so it doesn’t come around too fast. You can use an upstream mend to slow it down. Short, sharp twitches of the fly can be a very good producer of fish. The sharp twitches animate the rubber legs, which helps attract fish.
The Sunray
The Sunray is a favorite of many veteran guides. Its long slender black style gives off a sand eel-like silhouette. Sea trout feed on sand eels in the ocean. They hammer Sunrays in the river.
Sunray Presentation
Cast the Sunray very square (90 degrees) across the river to allow it to swing with some speed. Long, slow strips can also be deadly. Often the fish will swirl on the fly numerous times before taking it. The eats are incredibly aggressive—a spectacular sight. This is another fly that works magically when nothing else is producing. I’ve even caught sea trout with a Sunray by casting upstream and stripping it back fast. Thus, a good tip with this fly is don’t be afraid to fish it in unorthodox ways. Fast strip. Slow strips. No strip. 90 degrees. 45 degrees… You get the picture.
The Squirmy Worm
Neither for the fainthearted nor the purists amongst us, the squirmy worm is a controversial pattern. It polarizes the sea trout and salmon community because it blurs the lines between modern and classic, artistic and artificial. What it does most of all is regularly catch fish under low-water conditions. And if that’s the only reason to have it, let us a reassure you, it’s a good one. The Squirmy stems from the nymphing competition scene where it has earned its keep as a world championship-winning pattern during high and coloured water conditions. Most commercially tied Squirmy Worms are trout and grayling patterns. That’s why we strongly suggest tying your own version on a proper heavy-nymph or carp-style hook.
Squirmy Worm Presentation
Floating line, upstream with an indicator. Or short-line nymphing on a tight line from the high bank (cutbank pools).
Tight Lines
Peter
Contact us
Thank you to Nervous Waters fishing for this great blog.
Find out more about targeting the trout on the Rio Grande. For more information about our Sea Trout Fly Fishing, you can contact our fly fishing expert, Peter Collinsworth, on 01603 407596 or by emailing him directly at peter@sportquestholidays.com. If you would like to see all of our fantastic Fly fishing holidays, take a closer look here.
