Jurassic Lake Rainbow Trout

“the worlds best lake fishing for monster sized wild rainbow trout”

Jurassic Lake, ie. The River Camp at the bay at the outlet of Barancuso River is the greatest wild Rainbow fishery in the world! After several exploratory trips in 2006, full programs from Nov 2007 to April 2009, we are very confident that a visit to our camp in Jurassic Lake will change anything you thought you knew about rainbow trout and you will leave with memories that will last a lifetime. This is the only place we have heard of where guests have fainted due to catching too many fish! Some visits to the gym before getting
here is recommended.
The lake is nothing else than a biological sensation and contains millions upon millions of fresh water shrimp (krill, scuds). The fish grow to huge sizes eating only the protein-enriched shrimps all year around. This is simply the most Omega-
3 fat fish you have ever seen. Yes, it’s possible to eat and taste during the stay.
We have also seen that the rainbows are making their way into the small stream (the only stream in the lake) to spawn nearly all months of the year, as long as the river has water. All we can gather is that the vast numbers of rainbows has created its own ecological system and its unending food source has pushed these fish to “year-around-spawners”, depending on water level in the small stream that feeds the lake by the Loop River camp.
Arriving at Jurassic Lake you will quickly realize just how far removed you are from the real world, as the shear vastness of this secluded country is beyond belief. The large lake is roughly 20 km by 15km, situated approx. 1000m over sea level, and looks more like a saltwater body of water with its crystal clear blue water and channels, corals and shelves.
Our first exploratory trip had us casting into this huge body of water with little to no expectations. After being broke off a half dozen times we quickly realized there was something strange going on here. These huge fish are much, much more then just abnormally large, as they are pound for pound one of the strongest fish we have ever seen. The blood curdling runs are only interrupted by jumps that often involve leaps far above your head. Do not put your hands anywhere near your reel handle, as you will surely risk loosing some skin or even break a finger.”

The Drive TO JURASSIC LAKE

It takes approximately 10 hours from Las Buitreras and the flight back to Buenos Aires will be from Calafate
which takes approximately 7 hrs from the camp. The drive is through the wildest stretches of Patagonia and offers many chances to see and take photos of all wild animals and beautiful nature, and with a bit of luck you might even see a wild puma. But be warned this is a tough trip and the roads are some of the worst on the planet. While on our trip to explore the area we were all beat up and ready to never get back in a truck again. By the end of our journey the trip out was forgotten among the memories of this amazing place and its Jurassic Rainbow Trouts.

Average size and numbers

The average size has been around 10 lb, with the biggest landed so far at 120cm long. We have seen, and lost, even bigger ones. Is there any other place like Loop Jurassic River Camp in the world? We don´t think so!
We don’t count fish at Jurassic Lake, as it is not important,
but let us at least say there is enough fish to keep you busy the whole day. For those who love a real challenge there is some great shallow water sight fishing to be had along the shorelines. It is not uncommon to see pods of giant fish cruising the edges in search of food that tries to escape. It is also fun to take a smaller rod up the creek, for some dry fly fishing, mainly in Nov-mid Jan.
Flies, Tacklacklackle and Fishing technique We have found streamer patterns (zonkers, buggers, muddlers, etc.) to be the most effective thus far, with black, purple, red, white and yellow all working fine. The real secret is to have several different patterns and a lot of each. Sizes from 2 -8 work fine, with sizes 4-6 being the most common. Use strong hooks only. Bring along some scud patterns for sight fishing and an assortment of dry flies and nymphs as well.
We have also, when weather permits, used 9’ # 5 rods with floating lines, dries and nymphs with big success. Real fun, not easy to land them though. Whatever fly or line used – the key is to fish the fly slow, real slow, since these fish are not used to chase the food. Their eating
behavior is more like swimming with mouth open zipping in the food.
For the lake a single handed 9’ to 10’, 7/8-weight rods are the tools of choice. Loop Opti Coast rod with hi-dense core (handles the wind better) Loop Multi lines is a safe setup. For the small stream a 9’, 5-weight works great. A high quality reel with a good drag system is highly recommended and your reels should have at least 100 yards of backing on them. We recommend, of course, Evotec G4, Multi or Opti Runner reels. If you like the sound of screaming reels Loop Classic is a good choice. All these reels will handle the tough “sand” winds and water since they are properly sealed and have hi-quality bearings and shafts. Floating, intermediate and sinking lines will all work fine on the lake.
The fishing is from shore with easy wading in very cold water and involves casting out to the deeper edges and retrieving the fly back. The takes are nothing less than jolting, with these fish claiming dozens of flies on any given day. Your leaders should be no less than 15 pound and between 9’ and 12’ in length. They have not been leader shy, so some 20-pound tippet should be kept close by.

Loop River Camp – simply an outstanding location

The camp consists of comfortable safari style dome tents with wooden floors, 3 wooden beds with mattresses and new warm sleeping bags per dome. We now also have new wooden cabins with heaters and wooden beds with new warm sleeping bags. A dining tent, one shower cabin and one storage tent makes up the rest of the camp. A small generator makes it possible to load batteries.

Guides, chef AND managers

Our guides are a combination of chefs, camp managers and guides. They will show and give advices on the fishing but fishing will mainly be done without a guide on your side all the time. Fishing is so obvious so it is not needed. They will cook, clean the camp and help out with anything needed. It is hard work in the middle of nowhere so we hope all can accept this.

Seasons