On Wednesday, March 13, we drove through the day from Las Lenas to the 30,000 acre “El Halcon” estancia, owned by Georges and Nicole Andrieu, and situated in the Neuquen region of Patagonia. The estancia controls over 25 miles of the Rio Corihue, including its headwater lakes. On the way, we dropped Polo off in Malargüe; he was to return home via bus, and then on to Buenos Aires to drive in a nationally sanctioned auto race. Last year he was 6^th in the nation; this year he is shooting for number one.

We were treated to a great, fun filled dinner at Georges and Nicole’s home. There was plenty of talk of fishing, including mention of a 5 kg fish in the past. We will be excited about 2 kg fish. In our discussions, Georges noted that we could ride horses one day, if we wished, and Exequiel and I nodded in the affirmative. I grew up with horses, and the chance to ride on the estancia was most gratifying.

After dinner, we headed to our cabins to unpack and prepare for the morrow’s fishing. There are two guest cottages and one large bunk house; all are heated by wood fire, and they had a good supply of extra-dry wood laid in for us.

On Thursday, March 14, after breakfast at 9 am, Georges arrived to take us upriver about four kilometers. The water there was swift, with some pools and many pockets. We fished nymph and indicator and took many fish. I decided to try for 50 fish today—50 to hand that is, and made 48. Many more were hooked and jumped of or shook off the barbless hook.

Later, after lunch, Pablo and Exequiel fished hoppers with great success on the larger trout. I switched to a little black leech, and then a little brown one. The hook seemed a bit small on those flies, and I did miss, or rather lose, a fair number of bigger fish that simply twisted off. I switched to a dark gray, Hen Saddle Matuka, and cast it into a deep, swift slot between two large boulders. The take was hard and instantaneous. Turned out to be a 21 inch rainbow (54 cm) of 2 kg (4 ½ pounds). It was fish 48 to hand for the day. The 21 incher jumped several times and in the process caught the leader under its left gill plate. The bleeding was instantaneous and heavy. I landed the fish ASAP, but it continued to bleed and eventually bled out. We cleaned it and discovered it contained 7 pancora—3 of them still alive. They were about 1 to 1 ½ inches across the carapace. I quit fishing and carried the fish the mile or more back to camp; it will be a part of the Asado (Bar-B-Que) being planned for tomorrow.

The confluence of the Tordillo and Cobre form the Rio Grande. Though a huge river, it is pinched into a slot in places that is only 30 feet wide as it cuts through an ancient lava flow.

On the way to Patagonia we encountered shepherds watering their flock. Sheep and goats, and cattle are the principle farm animals of the Patagonia.

Raising our glasses in salute to the river, friends, and the upcoming fishing days.

The cottage Codihue, where I stayed during our fishing on the estancia.

The bunkhouse had capacity for 8-10 people and served as our kitchen, fly tying area, and general meeting location.

The dining room/living room area of the bunkhouse with blazing wood fire; very cozy and relaxing.

A section on the upper Codihue, showing its swift, rugged nature.

Pablo Perez with a very fine rainbow taken on a hopper in the afternoon of the first day.

Exequiel as The Angler as Predator, stalking the big rainbows of the Codihue with a nymph and indicator rigged on the 10 foot, 3 weight Hardy Zenith.

The big rainbow was right where it was supposed to be, and Exequiel did a masterful job of bringing it quickly to hand.

The only fish that we kept was this big rainbow that got the leader under its gill plate and bled to death. We saved it for the Asado on the following day.

The pandora is a true crab, not a crayfish, and inhabits the rivers of South America and South Africa. It is the principle food of the bigger fish.

The Hen Saddle Matuka was a great imitation for the pandora.