argentina ESTANCIA LAGUNA VERDE [Jurassic Lake, Argentina] The internationally renowned Lake Strobel (known to many as the famous “Jurassic Lake”) is a 25-square mile crystal-clear piece of water that is without a doubt one of the best trophy rainbow trout fisheries on the planet. If you want to catch impressive numbers of seriously large trout in one of the most remote areas of Patagonia, then this is the place that you want to fish. The incredibly strong rainbows that reside in the lake average 8 -12 pounds, and fish in excess of 20 pounds are caught on a regular basis. Located on the southern coast of this huge Argentine lake, Estancia Laguna Verde is the finest and most complete lodge and outfitting operation in the area, offering fishermen private access to the majority of the Lake Strobel’s shoreline, with many isolated bays such as Camelot, Finger, Tasmania, Sea, Puesto, Dry Fly, Aquarium, Island and Monster Bay (named for the unbelievable size of fish that are caught within these protected waters). On top of this, the Estancia also has access to the full length of the Barrancoso River, the only river tributary that flows into the big lake. The Barrancoso runs for more than five miles inside the Estancia’s property and is reserved for the exclusive use of E.L.V.’s guests. Estancia Laguna Verde also offers early-season fishing on Moro creek, and fishing throughout the season on several small lakes and lagoons on the estancia property. Accommodations are very comfortable with the main lodge being a classic Argentine estancia-style house that features seven double bedrooms with en suite bathrooms and a large social and dining area. Space is limited to ten anglers per week. Since this operation books up quickly, advanced reservations are highly recommended. In a part of Patagonia that is considered distant and removed, this is far and away the finest option for great guides, huge fish, and very comfortable amenities. 7 night / 6 fishing day packages start at $5,200.00 per person. -A-FIDE” “BON 1. Guide’s Choice of Fishing Hat a. b. c. Always – A ball cap or cowboy hat that is so old you cannot tell the difference between the artificial flies and real ones on the brim. Sometimes – A stained and torn visor (But only if your guide is from Jackson Hole). Never – Plastic batter’s helmet with beer holders and crazy straws. in the world you are fishing – be it the saltwater flats of the Bahamas or the Blue-Ribbon rivers of Montana – finding the perfect guide is always the key to a great trip. To help you screen out the legitimate, honest-to-God fishing professionals from the wanna-be “newbies” and posers, we’ve compiled this checklist that will allow you to easily validate the legitimacy of your guide. With a nod to Esquire magazine’s “Always-Sometimes-Never” rules for life, we give you the following parameters for determining whether or not your guide is the “Reel Deal”. No matter where how to tell if your guide is the “reel deal” 7 Your Guide’s for Off-Season Job . a. b. c. Always – Off-season? Always guiding in a different hemisphere. Sometimes – Sitting in an empty fly shop tying San Juan Worms for beer money. Never – Special project director for PETA. 2. Mode of Transportation a. b. Always – Any pick-up, Suburban or other 4WD with more than 150,000 miles on the odometer. Sometimes – Starsky-and-Hutch windowless abduction van with shag carpet and an airbrushed scene of galloping mustangs painted on the side (unless you’re fishing in Mexico or Venezuela, in which case this would be a “never”). Never – Electric Toyota Prius with “TITE-LNS” on the vanity plate and a mini trailer hitch. 8. Brand of Beer Found in the Cooler a. b. c. Always – Mystery cans so scratched and worn out that you can’t tell the difference between a Diet Coke and a can of PBR. Sometimes – Hand-crafted Wookie beer (but only if your guide lives in Missoula or Jackson Hole and made it himself). Never – Zima Light. c. 9. Bumper Stickers on Back of Vehicle a. b. c. Always – “Yellow Dog Fly Fish The World” Sometimes – “No Pebble Mine” Never – “This Car Protected By Unicorns & Hobbits” 3. Type of Boat a. b. c. Always – Anything wooden that the guide has built himself. Sometimes – Anything fiberglass that the guide has built himself. Never – Anything made of duct tape and Hypalon that the guide has built himself. 10. Post-Fishing Footwear of Choice a. b. c. Always – Cowboy boots or ratty flip-flops. Sometimes – Crocs (But only if your guide is from Jackson Hole or Andros.). Never – Whatever the hell those molded-toe-sandal-things are called. We have no idea what they’re called, but you know the ones. 4. Cooler Situation a. b. c. Always – Either a new Yeti or a seriously old Coleman with a piece of plywood tied on as a replacement lid. Sometimes – Ziplock bags placed directly in the live-well. Never – Happy Meal still in the cardboard box. 11. Type of Fishing Dog Owned by Guide a. b. c. Always – Yellow lab Sometimes – Black lab Never – A fishing cat (Unless you’re fishing for giant Taimen in Mongolia and it’s tied on the end of your line.). 5. Waders or Fishing Pants a. b. c. Always – Heavily stained with fish slime, fish blood and Osprey droppings. Sometimes – Moderately stained with client blood, fingernail polish, McGriddle grease. Never – Stain-free and pressed. 12. Excuses why the Fishing was slow a. b. Always – “Should have been here yesterday. They were eating everything.” Sometimes – Moon phase, barometric pressure, the fish are spawning, the fish just finished spawning, the fish are about to spawn, they just electro-shocked the river, red tide, low tide, slack tide, no tide, etc. Never – “Because you suck.” 6. What’s for Lunch a. b. c. Always – Any type of shore lunch or any meat product cooked on a grill. Sometimes – Sandwiches, hard-boiled eggs and black coffee from a thermos. Never – Crepes, poached quail eggs and latte. c. 52 • phone: 406-585-8667 • toll free: 888-777-5060 email: info@yellowdogflyfishing.com • website: www.yellowdogflyfishing.com • 53