Toon Ken lodge is located in the Province of Tierra del Fuego, Argentina. It is the newest of the Río Grande lodges, it caters to only seven anglers on the middle and upper reaches of the Río Grande, where traditional gear and floating lines are the rule. Ideally sited on a south bluff over the Río Grande, broad windows allow anglers, a fine Argentine red wine in hand, to see sea trout roll and show as they make their way upriver. Modern conveniences assure comfort and a fine staff see to every detail.
When not watching fish, drift a dry fly over sea-run trout that average better than 12 pounds, or find the Southern Cross in a sea of stars each night.
Toon Ken fishes for mainly for Sea-Run Brown trout but also fished a resident brown and rainbow tiny stream. Sea-run brown trout on 20 km of the Rio Grande, averaging 10 lbs in size and running up to 30 lbs. The lodge has private access to both banks of the Rio Grande. The rivers offers easy wading on fine gravel bottom.
Although most of their lives are spent in the ocean, the sea run brown seem to retain more of the eccentricities of resident browns than, for instance, steelhead do of resident rainbows. Moody fish, they must be shown flies the way they want to see them at the precise time, that they're ready to take. The Rio Grande isn't a big river. Thus, it's compatible with a wide range of techniques, critical since a large sea trout may demand that a fly be fed to it on the bottom one hour but rise to the Portland Hitch the next. Water levels can change from week to week and the water generally drops as the season progresses. Vary your presentation markedly in each pool fished until you find the right formula of fly, line, (see Tackle and flies below) drift or swing, and retrieve. Pay close attention to the advice of your guide, whose primary aim is to recommend the methods that will help you hook and bring your fish to the net.
Generally, the Rio Grande's sea trout seem to lie near cut banks during the middle of the day, though in low water they will also lie in the faster necks of pools. Naturally, they move up primarily during early morning, evening and nighttime hours. Generally, "tails in the morning and heads at night" is a good rule. Also look for fish distributed throughout pools on calm, overcast days. Therefore, try to begin each fly drift or swing as close to a cut bank as possible, whether the presentation is upstream and across, straight across, or downstream and across. On sunny days, one theory holds that sea trout will take best if they don't have the sun in their eyes, although this theory, like others, is often affected by the number of fish in a particular pool and the number of "takers."
Toon Ken is a strictly CATCH AND RELEASE fishery. Guides are equipped with nets ad will assist guests in weighing and releasing fish without damaging them. Note: Larger streamers should be weighted and all should be tied on heavy hooks with good gapes. Treble & Double hooks are not allowed on the Rio Grande.
There is daily 2 and ½ hour flights from Buenos Aries to Rio Gallegos. For those who want to stay 2 weeks seatrout fishing in Argentina it´s ideal to take one week at Rio Grande and one week at Rio Gallegos.
Toon Ken lodge is the newest of the Río Grande lodges. It caters to only seven anglers on the middle and upper reaches of the world famous and highly sought after Río Grande.
Useful information for avid anglers!
Rods
We've tested many rods on the Rio Grande. For a single-handed rod, we've found a 9, 91/2 or 10 footer for a No. 8 line to be about ideal for covering the water and for optimal sport. A rod of this size makes casting easy with the normal downstream southwest wind, while an 8 or 9- weight helps you to drive your line into a contrary wind when necessary. Given the Rio Grande's moderate flow and generally even gravel bottom, you'll find an 8 or 9 capable of doing battle with even the river's largest sea trout (15 to 25 plus lbs.), while it insures the most action with smaller sea trout (4 9 lbs.). Light two handed rods are increasingly popular and allow anglers to cast a comfortable line with less effort, particularly on windy days. Mending and controlling line is also easier with a 2-hander. We encourage you to bring one of 13 to 15 feet for a 9-11 weight line. If you are new to 2-handers, our guides are expert instructors andwill help you learn quickly. It makes sense to bring a back-up rod as well.
Lax-á line - fishing rods designed in Iceland
Lax-á is now starting a new line of rods that suit most of our fishing destinations. The rods reflect a good craftsmanship and high quality.
The rods have been tested on the icelandic rivers by experienced anglers, who give them their best recommendation. For Argentina we have two sizes of double handed rods:
Lax-á 14´0" line 9/10 in 4 sections
Lax-á 12´6 line 9/10 in 4 sections
For lthose who prefer lighter tackle Lax-á line offers:
Single hand rod Lax-á 9´6" line 7/8 in 5 sections
For furhter information about the Lax-á rods - please see Lax-á Boutique or contact Ásta Ólafsdóttir at Lax-á office direct.
Reels
A quality reel is crucial for playing big sea trout. A strong, smooth drag is a must. Reels (and spare spools) should have capacity for the fly line and 100 yards of 20 pound backing.
Lines
To be well prepared for Tierra del Fuego, anglers should include at least three lines to accommodate variance in water levels and wind conditions. Weight forward fly lines are generally used on the Rio Grande. Floating lines are typically most useful in low water conditions and during early morning and evening hours, when sea trout are inclined to be nearer the surface. Also a sinking shooting taper is very important. The Teeny T-200 and T-300 lines have proven to be excellent, and at least one or both of these lines should be considered as must-bring items. Sinking tips, and sinking poly-leaders are also used a lot. Intermediate lines are also effective in some conditions.
Even experienced anglers often find their running line snarls when buffeted by wind. Prevailing southwest winds can be "harnessed" by roll casting or spey-casting, which eliminates the need to backcast - difficult with a trailing wind. We found that a simple roll cast carries even large streamers 35 to 50 feet across and downstream, or far enough to cover the holding lies.
Weight forward lines can be roll casted effectively by stripping and shooting line during the cast.
Leaders
Experience on the Rio Grande indicates that sea trout aren't particularly leader shy. While reasonable stealth should be exercised, your chief concern is to bring monofilament in sizes that will turn over the array of fly sizes and patterns you'll be using. Spools of mono should include 15, 12 and 10 lbs breaking strengths. Whilst fishing sinking lines, made-up leaders aren't necessary since a few feet of mono will do fine. Maxima Ultra-green is a good choice as it has plenty of stretch a factor worth considering when the sea-trout of a lifetime hits your fly! While fishing, be sure to check your mono regularly for casting knots and abrasions, and after each fish caught test your leader knots. For floating lines it's good to have knotless tapered leaders from 9 to 12 feets with 0X tippets.
Flies
Some fly patterns as well as a modest supply of back-up tackle will be available for urchase at the lodge, but plan to take a good selection. Sea run brown trout are mysterious fish. The only constant in their tastes seems to be a penchant for black, and the trout that accepted your small salmon patterns today may demand flies with white rubber legs tomorrow. Historically, most Rio Grande fish were taken on large streamers, perhaps because those were the patterns most used. In low water conditions, however, more large sea trout are taken on smaller wets, nymphs and dry flies. We suggest packing a range of flies in various patterns and sizes, and urge frequent changes when one combination of line and fly isn't working, depending on light conditions, water levels, and especially on your guide's advice. Barbless hooks are strongly encouraged. Double and treble hooks are not permitted.
Basic working fly list:
* Collie Dog tube flies (31/2 -41/2" long, both aluminum and copper bodies, with hard plastic tubing and #4 wide-gape hooks)
* Bunny leech, Zonker, Woolly Bugger (black/olive), articulated string leech types, with electric blue flash, on #2-4 hooks
* Peacock (now a staple on Rio Grande, tied on #2-4 hooks)
* Girdle or Yuk Bug rubber legs (#4-12)
* Bitch Creek nymphs (orange and black for preference, #4-12)
* Bead head nymphs (Prince, Hare's Ear, etc. #10-14)
* Traditional Atlantic Salmon Flies
* Bombers or other waking dry flies (natural deer hair, black&green on #4-8 hooks), for use drifted or with a Portland hitch
* Include 11/2 2 inch tube flies if you have them, as tubes can be very effective on the Rio Grande.
* Also, take any large, dark trout or salmon fly in which you have confidence. Fishing a fly that has worked for you in the past, and in which you have confidence, is half the battle.
Note: Larger streamers should be weighted and all should be tied on heavy hooks with good gapes. Treble & Double hooks are not allowed on the Rio Grande.
Waders
* Wading isn't difficult on the Rio Grande. However, we recommend chest waders for warmth, to get to that occasionally fished cut bank, and to manage deeper water when crossing the river.
Sunray Shadow
* Capilene fleece pants are a must worn under Gore-tex waders, given that water temperatures can be in the 40's (F). Thick wool or capilene fleece socks are also a must, and long johns might also be required.
* The river's gravel bottom isn't mossy but you might find that the security of felt soles aids in concentrating on casting and playing fish by keeping your mind off your feet. So a good pair of wading boots are a must, with felt soles or rubber cleats .
* use gravel guards and be sure to bring a wading belt.
* A wading staff is optional, but can come in handy during very windy days
Clothing
The summer climate of this southernmost region of South America is extremely changeable, and a wide range of temperatures and weather conditions should be expected. We recommend layering clothing, enabling you to add or subtract garments during the day. Pack Polar fleece jackets, thermal underwear, Polar neck, wool socks and a wool cap to be prepared for the extreme. Flannel or chamois cloth shirts and Polars are ideal for the stream, although you'll no doubt change to something lighter while in the lodge. Also take a reliable windstopper/rain jacket. Gore Tex is excellent. Its waterproof yet breathes and so is comfortable on sunny, windy afternoons. Attire in the lodge is casual. Neat but casual is also the dress style in Buenos Aires.
Laundry service is available at the lodge.
Fishing Methods
Although most of their lives are spent in the ocean, the sea run brown seem to retain more of the eccentricities of resident browns than, for instance, steelhead do of resident rainbows. Moody fish, they must be shown flies the way they want to see them at the precise time, that they're ready to take.
The Rio Grande isn't a big river. Thus, it's compatible with a wide range of techniques, critical since a large sea trout may demand that a fly be fed to it on the bottom one hour but rise to the Portland Hitch the next. Water levels can change from week to week and the water generally drops as the season progresses. Vary your presentation markedly in each pool fished until you find the right formula of fly, line, (see Lines) drift or swing, and retrieve. Pay close attention to the advice of your guide, whose primary aim is to recommend the methods that will help you hook and bring your fish to the net.
Generally, the Rio Grande's sea trout seem to lie near cut banks during the middle of the day, though in low water they will also lie in the faster necks of pools. Naturally, they move up primarily during early morning, evening and nighttime hours. Generally, "tails in the morning and heads at night" is a good rule. Also look for fish distributed throughout pools on calm, overcast days. Therefore, try to begin each fly drift or swing as close to a cut bank as possible, whether the presentation is upstream and across, straight across, or downstream and across. On sunny days, one theory holds that sea trout will take best if they don't have the sun in their eyes, although this theory, like others, is often affected by the number of fish in a particular pool and the number of "takers."
The Daily Program
* Guests will leave the lodge around 9 o'clock after breakfast, fishing till around 1 o'clock.
* Following lunch and a siesta,(the hours of which will depend on the season) Guests return to the river between 5 and 6 o'clock and fish through till dusk. Fishing hours will change slightly depending on the time of year.
Guides
* Toon Ken has a team of experienced, professional international guides.
* They are all English speakers, and will be able to offer tips on how to best fish each pool, fly choice and presentation.
How to get there
