Located in the province of Neuquén, in Argentina, its name comes from Tomás Falkner, an English Jesuit missionary priest and explorer of the XVIII century.

It was a hot day with a flat surface lake. A sot warm wind rose on the last hour and wrinkled the surface. Just some hours of light left. We started cruising the coast slowly with an electric and silent motor. The typical smell of humidity came from the woods as we casted our floating lines trying to tempt trout.

We came to a bay with less wind and suddenly there were caddis all around, rainbow trout were rising all around us. “Ploch, ploch” all the time, all across the shoreline and in the distance. Our imitations tempted the first ones immediately, with unforgettable takes. Small ones, less than a kilo except for some, but with #4 and 5 rods and lots of strikes, were really fun.

Meanwhile, we say “a brown trout on a dry fly would be the cherry on top”. As soon as we said that, Nicky spotted a good one cruising two meters away from the shore. Casts precisely a meter before the fish -and we stood frozen for a minute watching until it took the fly- hook was set and we all celebrated! A good fight in the deep water, some photos and back to the water.

Then we saw that the rainbows almost vanished, the browns attracted by the sounds of the other trout, come to the scene! The afternoon becomes more magical and we see browns sipping trapped caddis everywhere. They patrol close to the shore and we cast watching them. Isaías leaves his camera and joins the anglers to catch his share too. 

The strikes are spectacular and don’t stop until the last lights go down. Shortly before leaving we see another fine brown, eating smoothly close to the shore some 15 meters from us, I cast 3 meters before her, leave the fly still, it comes and takes it slowly, then I lift the rod and a good combat begins.

Already by night, behind the mountain comes the new moon, illuminating our way back. It couldn’t have been more perfect. There’s some whisky left in the flask, we gather round it and go back screaming joyful for the experience… “Some people choose basket, when there is fly fishing!” cries Nicky as we all laugh.

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Thank you Isaías Miciú and Nicky Cetra Estrada, two excellent fishing buddies!