Kau Tapen End of Season Report

The Rio Grande of Tierra Del Fuego, Argentina gives anglers the opportunity to catch the largest sea run brown trout in the world. Each year Kau Tapen Lodge is home to the finest team of experienced guides in the industry, hailing from such destinations as northern Patagonia, Sweden, Russia, and Alaska. One of the great advantages of having a team of guides from around the world is the fact that they are able to offer knowledge and experience from far-away places, truly diversifying the “bag of tricks” a guide can employ in providing a quality and unique experience for each angler. 

The 2009 season on the Rio Grande at Kau Tapen Lodge included guides: Max Mamaev, Santiago Bermani, Pelle Tronde, Nicolas Albistur, Martin Pastoriza, Jorge Brighina, and Matt Breuer. These highly dedicated, passionate, and extremely professional guides vigilantly worked with Nervous Water’s clients in order to produce long-lasting memories while angling for the famed sea run brown trout on the finest river of its kind in the entire world. 

The Rio Grande is undeniably a healthy habitat for the sea run brown trout, with prime spawning habitat throughout the majority of the river. Having been introduced only eighty years ago, it is truly amazing that such a productive and healthy population of fish has evolved. The vigorous genetics, plentiful forage, relatively short range of travel, and extremely fast growth rate have given the fish of the Rio Grande an edge over all other sea run brown trout in the world. The health of the fishery combines with a spawning season opposite of that exhibited by all other anadromous species to create a truly unparalleled sportfishing opportunity. 

This year’s migration of trout started strong in the final week of December and continued steadily moving into the system through March. Favourable spring water levels contributed to a successful run of fish well into the middle reaches of the Rio Grande. Kau Tapen anglers landed 1516 fish for the season, 162 fish from 15 to 19 pounds, and 35 fish from 20 to 28 pounds. The most exciting aspect of angling for these fish is the idea that at any moment the largest brown trout of any given angler’s career could be taken. From the perspective of a fishing guide, it is a real pleasure to be involved in the experience that is Kau Tapen Lodge, Tierra Del Fuego, Argentina. 

Many thanks to all who made the 2009 season so memorable. 

Matthew B. Breuer 
Head Guide 
Kau Tapen Lodge Tierra Del Fuego, Argentina