STORIES

Brown Trout and Gauchos

Thinking about brown trout and where to catch them sometimes leads to long Google Maps searches in places like Patagonia and New Zealand.
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Patagonia

Photography by Nick Kelley

Thinking about brown trout and where to catch them — something I’d happily admit to as an addiction—often leads to long Google Maps searches in places like Patagonia and New Zealand.

In winter months, these searches stretch longer and longer to the point of revisiting certain bends in a river or small, unidentified shacks that could be used one day for shelter. The only thing more demoralizing than waking up in January from a Google-fueled, southern hemisphere fishing daydream is the realization that it’s summer on the other side of the equator and that theoretically dry fly season never has to end.

So, my girlfriend and I decided to go for it: another summer in some of the best brown trout fisheries on the planet. January in Argentina and February in New Zealand, looking for fish and obviously stopping for any asado and beer offers along the way.

Nick Kelley is an Associate Editor and Photo Editor for Outside magazine’s website, OutsideOnline. Nick grew up and currently lives in Denver, Colorado, where no matter the occasion, he’d rather be fly fishing.

Patagonia
Always useful to fly the drone in morning for the best light and to scout out the water ahead. Here, an aerial view of the Quillen River in northern Patagonia.
Brown Trout
Watching a 20-inch brown eat dry fly is hard to beat, but there is also plenty to see when stripping a black streamer.
Maddie Brenneman
A hot day and long walk with Maddie Brenneman to find a few worthy browns north of San Martin de Los Andes.
Patagonia
Most fishing days start at 9 a.m. with a break from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. for lunch followed by another fishing session until the sun sets near 10 p.m.
Venison
Venison and peppers over the fire on the disco, which is usually made using the inside of an old tractor wheel or farm machine.
Chimehuin River
Long days on the Chimehuin River. An aerial view taken around 9 p.m.
Patagonia
In my experience, the fishing doesn’t turn on until 10 a.m., but the stars are a good excuse to sleep outside and be first on the water.
Mate
The morning ritual of mate, which tastes a bit like drinking the ground with a straw but quickly becomes an addicting ritual and boost of energy.
Polo
Polo is extremely popular among many in northern Patagonia and is played much like pickup basketball or baseball in the U.S.
Chimichurri
A full lamb over the fire is cooked for roughly 3 hours and is typically served with salad, potatoes, chimichurri, and Fernet and Coke.