Fly Fishing For Steelhead - Sandy River Lodge - Alaska

Our needs/wants are simple, hook a fish and hopefully land it 

 Then we want a fish with size 

 Chromer, yeah we want a hot chrome rocket of a fish 

 A wild fish would be very cool as well 

 Not to be greedy, but more action could be fun…

Low angling pressure where the fish move to the fly, finally! 

 Fishing on a wild river with no dams, logging, mining or roads. 

 How about all of the above and maybe a fish fresh out of the ocean with sea lice? 

 I fished that place the last week of September this year, the Sandy River on the Aleutian Peninsula in Alaska. It was the best fishing I had since the Dean and the 80’s in Oregon. It was so fun and special. Yes, we got lucky with the weather. 

There is a wide range of water types to swing. These range from the head of the run the break, bouncy glides, cut banks, the rare rocky patches, slots, the ends of gravel bars and a variety of tailouts. 

The wading is typical Alaskan, easy with mostly gravel to small coble bottom. The Rio MOW tips used ranged for 5/5 T-11 to 10’ of T-14. I fished a floater with a skater but could not tease one up. A reason to return. 

Fishing is accessed by jet boat and is all wading. The guides are very experienced and each fishy in a different way. * Do you want me to name? 

 Accommodations are cabins and the main lodge. They are comfortable and warm. Fresh food is flown in each week. The meals were special, way more than fuel for fishing. 

The logistics of a weekly charter flight direct to the lodge on a Pilatus from Anchorage make this trip possible and safe. 

The Sandy River Lodge takes 6 anglers per week for the 5 week steelhead season which is the last week of September through October. There is also a King season that runs June into the first week of July, fishing 10 anglers per week. The rate is $7600 per angler, with the first week $6900 per angler. This price includes the RT charter from Anchorage. 

You can email or call me for additional information, to talk gear or to reserve a spot. Go wild! 

Jerry Swanson

Fish Head Expeditions, LLC
jerry@fishheadexpeditions.com
503-539-1451

"Fly Fish the World with Us"

Wilderness Steelhead - Sandy River, Alaska

Live your dream!

There are very few Summer / Fall Steelhead Rivers where the fish come in on fire straight out of the sea and take over the river. The Sandy River, Alaska on the Aleutian Peninsula is that place.

Available Dates: September 23-30, 2016
Rate: $6900 per angler and includes Charter Flight from Anchorage to Lodge

We wade and fish for Steelhead from the mouth on upstream. Fishing is accessed by jet boat and very experienced guides. The fishing is typically done by swinging flies with 2 handed rods. This particular week there is a shot to skate a fish up with a floating line.

 Accommodations are in comfortable cabins an the food is great. They take only 6 anglers this week. If you go you should bring an extra outfit as the first one may get ripped out of your hands by a chrome wild animal, headed back to sea.




My week on the Aleutian Peninsula 3 years ago was memorable and outstanding. That is why I am going back this year. The rate is $6900 per angler and includes the charter flight from Anchorage to the lodge in a Pilatus.









Jerry Swanson
Fish Head Expeditions, LLC
jerry@fishheadexpeditions.com
503-539-1451

"Fly Fish the World with Us"

Fly Fishing of your Dreams - Aleutian Peninsula

Wild Aleutian Silvers

The fly fishing of your dreams….

Big Bows

The Aleutian Peninsula is wild, with strong runs of native salmon and steelhead. The fish run straight out of the Bering Sea. There is nothing like it anywhere. As anglers we are fortunate to visit and fish this amazing place. All trips are accessed by a private charter from Anchorage that is included in the price.

For the 2016 season the following space is available –

Sandy River Lodge 

$7695

King Salmon – July 1-8, 2 anglers
Steelhead – September 23-30, 2 anglers

Aleutian Rivers Angling Camp, fishing the Sapsuk River 

$5100
Silver Salmon – August 12-19, 4 anglers

Dream Big! Dream Alaska

Jerry Swanson
Fish Head Expeditions, LLC
jerry@fishheadexpeditions.com
503-539-1451

"Fly Fish the World with Us"

Cinco Rios Lodge and Estancia Del Zorro Lodge, Coyhaique Chile

Chilean Brown

Cinco Rios Lodge and Estancia Del Zorro Lodge
Coyhaique Chile

Save $1400 per angler for a week in Chile!
The peak season double occupancy rate is $ 4375, Reduced to $2975 per angler for the same lodge and guides. 

The discount that they are offering has to do with trying to fill a few more spots in a less attractive travel period. It HAS NOTHING to do with reduced quality of fishing. In fact for the wading enthusiast it's as prime as it gets. Please inquire as to reduced single angler rates. This is like fishing in June in the US, long days with hungry trout!

Aqua Blue Waters

There are 2 types of specials available:

Option 1 :
A dedicated week at either of the two lodges above or a combination of the two. The weeks available for option 1 are : Dec 12-19, Dec 19-26 and Dec 26-Jan 2.
Price is $ 2975 double occ.
They can also provide very attractive private room/shared guide rates as well but this will be based on availability.

Option 2 :
The same discount is available anytime Nov 14-21, Nov 21-28 and Nov 28-Dec 5 and Dec 5-12 for a dedicated week at Estancia del Zorro program. This is truly world class wade fishing for mostly browns up to 27 inches. The variety of rivers make it a good combination of size and Numbers. 50 and 60 fish days will happen on some rivers.

All photo credits to Mr. Brian O'Keefe

The private rivers they wade fish are:
Rio Zorro
Rio Nirehuao
Rio Norte
Rio Pedragoso
Rio Mayo ( Argentina ).



These rivers are totally open and are made for wade fishing. Uncluttered banks, small gravel river beds and totally unobstructed casting. This is the best wade fishing available in all of Chilean Patagonia. They provide comfortable 4 wheel drive vehicles taking you right to the waters edge on
private ranches. There is even fishing on the local spring creek, a 10 minute drive from the lodge, right on the estancia. This also can be an after dinner option. They access the most private waters in the region. 

Jerry Swanson
Fish Head Expeditions, LLC
jerry@fishheadexpeditions.com
503-539-1451

"Fly Fish the World with Us"

Fishing Big Alaska Bows with Sage ONE Trout Speys

LEFT: Scott O donnell - the "O" in MOW...mccune odonnell ward = MOW4
RIGHT: Ted Larsen - AZ Cards

A week at Royal Wolf Lodge
All spring I looked forward to a return to Royal Wolf Lodge in Alaska—fly fishing for rainbows, char and grayling with dries, streamers and mice. With a lower snow pack this year and the weather gods smiling, June 26 to July 3 was shaping up to be epic. Flying out to a different river each day and fishing like a rock star would be fun and engaging.

Sage has two new “Baby Speys” a 2 and 3 weight. Both are in the Sage ONE series of Switch rods at 10’6” and 11’. They relate to singlehanded rods in the 4-6 line weight range. It was my good fortune to fish with the 3 wt prototype this week, along with my ONE 4116-4 and 5116-4. Fishing with “live ammo” like cone headed leeches, sculpins, and mice for wild trout is the best way to learn what these three rods were about.

All three rods were fished with the Rio Skagit Short heads with sinking and floating tips. The running line was the OPST Lazer line, which is made in smaller diameters that match up well with the lighter heads. (I did not have access to the new Rio Skagit Trout Max 11’ heads.) Guidelines for head weights are #3, 275-300; #4, 325-350; and #5, 375-400 grains.

Fun, Fun Fun!

Reward

These are not toys or rods for kids. They are very efficient fly rods that make effortless, precise casts. One afternoon we floated and fished mice mostly from the boat. I fished the 4 wt with ridiculous ease. With a larger trout on, like the size of summer steelhead, it was BENT, but not overpowered. To cast any of these rods, you do not need to change your casting stroke, but just listen to that little voice that says “sloooow the %&#! down”. The sheer number of fishing casts made in a broad range of water, various flies, wind, along with near constant action made for relaxed fishing with no conscious thoughts about the mechanics or the tools. After awhile I forgot what rod I was fishing. You look at a spot and it goes there.

The typical single-handed line up for Alaska trout fishing is 5, 6 and 7 weights, fished with a floater and a sink tip or two. The two types of rods complemented each other well. The Sage Circa 589-4 was by far the best and most fun dry fly rod.


Royal Wolf is one of the top fly-out lodges in Alaska. Their staff of very experienced guides, pilots and chefs make for an extraordinary week.

Jerry Swanson

Fish Head Expeditions

"Fly Fish the World with Us"

Aleutian Adventures - Sandy and Hoodoo River, AK

Summer 2015 open dates

Sandy River Steelhead - Photo Courtesy of Trevor Covich

Aleutian Adventures – Sandy River Lodge

A small intimate lodge with legendary fishing. The fish are direct from the Bering Sea. The remaining space is for steelhead, with the King season sold out. The price is
$7600 and includes the charter from Anchorage.

• Oct. 4-11, 1 space, 
• Oct. 11-18, 1 space

Aleutian Adventures – Hoodoo River

Hoodoo River King

The is a 6 person very comfortable riverside camp, located right in the fishing. These fish are also direct from the Bering Sea. The price is $5100 and includes the charter from Anchorage.

• Kings June 21-28, 1 space
• Silvers August 15-22, 22-29 and Aug. 29-Sept. 5 - (each week has one space) 

Aleutian Peninsula, Alaska

Hoodoo River Silver

In September 2013 I was fortunate to fish with Aleutian Adventures on the Hoodoo River and a couple of coastal creeks. We fished for silver salmon aka Coho, using a variety of gear and techniques. The Hoodoo is a decent sized river that has easy wading with sandy or gravel bottom. The coastal creeks were smaller in scale and dumped directly into the Bering Sea. We fished where you could see and hear the ocean as well as explored upstream. The tidewater fishing on the lower reaches was very special. I fished a floating line with a 12’ leader, while others fished with a sink tip. The floater had the advantage of the fly not stalling out in soft water.

If you have fished for Coho, you know that the bite goes on and off. Sometimes changing your fly pattern, depth or speed will elicit more action. When the bite was on fishing the swing with a slow or sometimes fast retrieve were very effective. Fishing the shallow water that was 3’ or less we would have bow wakes coming at the fly, followed by a big grab. No nibbling!

The rods I used were Sage Switchers in 6 and 7 weight with Skagit short lines and sink tips ranging from T-14 to MOW medium 7 ½ foot sinking. Also used were Sage 10’ 8 wt with floating line and 9’ 7wt with floating line.

Jerry Swanson: Fish Head Expeditions

The season is mid June into July for Kings. The Coho fishing begins in August and goes into October.
The Steelhead fishing starts in mid September and goes into mid October or when the weather closes it out. They take 6 anglers per week. This is not a steelhead destination, but more of a bonus. Quite the bonus though.

Please email or call for more information. The program is evolving for next season with a charter flight from Anchorage in the works and some additions to the fishing program.

Jerry Swanson
Fish Head Expeditions, LLC
jerry@fishheadexpeditions.com
503-539-1451

"Fly Fish the World with Us"

Monster Arapaima in the Deep Jungle of Guyana

Some anglers like to fish the same water for many years. Each time you fish there it becomes like visiting an old friend, reflecting on special days and fish from the past. Other anglers look beyond what they know and where they have been for new angling challenges and adventure. That is exactly what clients Dave Farley and Tim Youngkin had in mind when they heard about fishing for Arapaima in Guyana from my article in the Gorge Fly Shop Newsletter in the spring of 2013.

It is a very limited fishing season in Guyana, for 3 weeks in the spring and 3 weeks in the fall, with only 4 anglers per week. Outside of that the fishing for this species is illegal in these protected waters. The next available week was in November 2014. They said we are in and put their money down. There was a lot of preparation on their part with fly tying and buying as well as a lot of new heavy duty 65lb core Rio Leviathan lines. The rest of them break like trout tippet. As there is a weight limit on the charter flight into the jungle, strategic packing and planning was essential. This part was unrealistic but the reality of the situation. This is not a full service fishing lodge but the remote jungle Rewa Eco lodge reached by charter flight and a boat trip.  The money they get from this tourism helps the tribe be self sustaining without selling of logging and mining rights that would destroy this rare place.

After fishing the water nearby the lodge the guides determined there were more fish up river and further into the jungle. So they left the comforts of the lodge for a hammock in the jungle under an open shelter. They spent days up there without creature comforts. It was extremely rustic but in the middle of huge Arapaima that would eat the fly. There was also a scientist along that had been studying those ancient fish for years. They both had some ass kicking action as well as landing fish. The two photos included show a fish landed by Dave and one by Tim. The largest was well over 200 lbs.

So get out of bed….put down the remote….get off the computer and make a plan to get on the water!

Jerry Swanson
Fish Head Expeditions, LLC
jerry@fishheadexpeditions.com
503-539-1451

"Fly Fish the World with Us"

Christmas Island, Ikari House

Update 3/11/2015...
Gorge Fly Shop Christmas Island Dates DATES ARE SET!!!

Christmas Island trips dates are January 12th-19th 2016. Jerry Swanson has secured us some prime dates at the Ikari House.  This is a Tuesday to Tuesday trip, as many of you know the only day flights go to and from Christmas Island. 

Jerry is still waiting for 2016 prices, but for deposits he is figuring on 2015 prices of $2650.00 per angler based on double occupancy, deposits in the amount of $1325.00 will be needed to hold your spot. Once the 2016 prices are available we will let you all know. 

So as you know the demand for dates at the Ikari House have became very high, I am sure it will book fast. For those interested please give me a call or email. I look forward to fishing with everyone.

Thank You,
Travis Duddles
Gorge Fly Shop
info@gorgeflyshop.com
541-386-6977

Here is a direct link to Jerry Swanson’s Fish Head Expeditons website for Ikari House
http://www.fishheadexpeditions.com/content/ikari-house

All bookings will need to be done with Jerry Swanson at Fish Head Expedition His contact information is below:
Fish Head Expeditions
jerry@fishheadexpeditions.com503-539-1451

Zen Master Simon Corrie casting the Sage SALT 12wt, Nautilus Silver King and RIO GT 475gr Line

Christmas Island January 2015

Christmas Island may have introduced more anglers to fly fishing for bonefish and other saltwater species than any other destination. In January I hosted a group of nine anglers from the Northwest, ranging in age from 26 to 82. Seven of the nine were new to bonefishing and saltwater. Everyone had a great time and caught lots of bonefish. Anglers had action with Queenfish, Trigger Fish, Bluefin, Striped and Giant Trevally, Wahoo and Yellow Fin Tuna. What a great week on the flats! We saw more large bonefish than I have seen in 10 years. And they would eat a fly!

Jerry Brown - Christmas Island Bonefish

The food at Ikari House is way better than anywhere else on the island. We had sashimi with drinks every day after fishing. Wow! There are six rooms that are new in the last two years. All have A/C on a thermostat, on-demand hot water and are spotless everyday. This may not sound like much, but on Christmas Island this is the Ritz.

GT action with Mitch Callas

What makes Christmas unique is that it has the most extensive wade-able flats of any atoll in the world. The more you fish other locations you realize this is special. All bonefishing is done by wading. In addition the equatorial location has no seasonality, making it is a go-to saltwater destination.

My first trip to Christmas Island was 29 years ago. Quick drying tropical clothing and flats boots had not been invented yet. We were tying up new flies, drinking Australian beer and getting sun burned through the cotton sport shirts. This time I was fortunate to fish with Simon Corrie, who was one of my guides on that first trip. Moana Kofe is now the head guide at Ikari House. He fished with different anglers during the week as a special guide and that time was memorable. These two guides are Zen masters. You learn fly fishing by doing, and they have done it a lot. Both can cast a whole fly line in the wind, know the habits of fish, the tides and “know the language of fish.” I fished with 5 newer guides and would fish with any of them again or recommend them to clients. The fishery is in very good hands.

Jerry Swanson with Mustache Trigger Fish

The Gorge Fly Shop is planning a hosted trip to Christmas Island in 2016. Please let Travis Duddles, the Gorge owner, or me know if you are interested.

Call Travis

Info@gorgeflyshop.com

541.386.6977

Jerry Swanson
Fish Head Expeditions, LLC
jerry@fishheadexpeditions.com
503-539-1451

"Fly Fish the World with Us"

Jurassic Lake! (Estancia Laguna VerdeEstancia Laguna Verde)

Freakishly huge trout!

flies, nymphs, streamers
and yes even dries!

There is a lake in southern Argentina called Lake Strobel. It has been dubbed "Jurassic Lake", but it is really “slab city”. It has freakishly huge trout as does the river that feeds into it. Imagine catching 5 to 10 lb fish as an average, with the possibility of a trout over 20lbs! These trout got big by eating a lot and often. They do eat flies, nymphs, streamers and yes, even dries.

The lake and the Barrancoso River is located on part of Estancia Laguna Verde. They have very comfortable accommodations for 6 anglers at their lodge. Each two anglers share a room with a private bath. The food and hospitality are first class.

Estancia Laguna Verde - Jurassic Lake!

Access to the lake is by 4 wheelers. The wind can blow but the trout still eat. There are 15 total lakes on the estancia, but they fish 5 of them.

Adventure starts here!

You can fly to Argentina to fish here for a week or work it in with Tierra del Fuego Sea Run Browns, Patagoina trout or the northern Golden Dorado. There is the option of a shorter week to match up with other travel. It is lake and river fishing like none other. Leave your 6x at home.

Food fit for a King

Jerry Swanson
Fish Head Expeditions, LLC
jerry@fishheadexpeditions.com
Most Photo Credits to Brian O'Keefe

Gorgeflyshop.com

"Fly Fish the World with Us"

Alaska Fly fishing Dream Trip

A father and son adventure

Sometimes dreams do come true. Mark Linsky and his son Austin lived their fly fishing dream the first week of September at Bear Trail Lodge in Alaska. They fished 5 rivers in 5 days and caught Rainbows and Coho Salmon. A great staff, pro team of guides along with head guide Kate Taylor made it happen.

Himalayan Monster Masheer

Monster Masheer

The largest fly caught Masheer to date is this 46 pound fish, with Himalayan Outback Adventures this spring. Swinging big flies for big fish may be enough to get you off the sofa and travel half way around the world into another culture in the foothills of the Himalayas.

This is Planes, Trains and Automobiles + Rafts and Fly Rods!

The basic of the trip are - Everything is taken care of once you land in Delhi. Ten nights total, with 6 nights on the river in a deluxe safari style camp. The price is a steal at $3800 per angler based on double occupancy. The prime season is March and April.



Jerry Swanson
Fish Head Expeditions, LLC
jerry@fishheadexpeditions.com
503-539-1351

"Fly Fish the World with Us"

Christmas Island, Republic of Kiribati

Fish On!

Anglers have been fly fishing on Christmas Island for over 30 years. It is the best wade fishing for bonefish in the world. The equatorial location and small tide shifts make this the only year-round tropical saltwater fishery.

Touchdown!!!

*For years anglers have been chasing the “other species” like Giant, Bluefin and Golden Trevally, Triggerfish, Sweet Lips and Milkfish, with each different one presenting its own unique challenge. It can take hours, days, and even weeks to understand a new species—how they feed, where they live and their fickle (psychic!) unpredictability. Fishing for and catching new species is a kick in the ass!

**Tim Pask took these photos earlier this year during a two-week stay at Ikari House. Their guides, boats, food and hospitality are the best on the island.

The Gorge Fly Shop is planning a hosted trip to Christmas Island in 2015. Please let us know if you are interested whether it is your first trip or returning to visit old friends.

A face you could kiss your mother with.

Jerry Swanson
Fish Head Expeditions, LLC
Jerry@fishheadexpeditons.com



*This is not taking for granted the prolific bonefishing, as larger bones are a challenge anywhere.
**Thanks for the photos Tim Pask - The Gorge Fly Shop Team.

"Fly Fish the World with Us"

Bair’s Lodge, Bahamas

Big A$$ Cuda!

April 2014

In April I was fortunate to fish out of Bair’s Lodge again with a group of 9 clients. This was year 9 for the group at Bair’s. They really like the fishing, guides, food, lodge, hospitality and spending time with each other. Like any group of successful people they like to catch more and/or larger fish than the next guy.

Andros has more bonefish habitat than any other place I know. Because of this proliferation of Bonefish there are the predator Barracuda that lunch on the slow and the weak. These are great fish to hunt and the larger they get, the tougher it is to feed them flies. Roy has spent a lot of time and focus over the years on Cuda. He landed this monster on a popper, the day we were fishing together. Later this fish was dinner for the guide and his family.



Jerry Swanson
Fish Head Expeditions, LLC
jerry@fishheadexpeditions.com



Photo by Jerry Swanson

Fly Fish Alaska - On a budget

Carnivore. Meatatarian. Mouse - It's whats for dinner. Take your Pick!

Fly fishing in Alaska can be spendy. For a first class fly-out lodge such as Royal Wolf or No See Um, the cost is $8000 for a prime week of incredible, fly-out fishing on a diversity of waters. Following are two alternatives for non-fly-out lodges, one having the option of a shorter, flexible stay. These two lodges both offer great fishing on aesthetically beautiful water, comfortable accommodations and tasty meals. They both specialize in fly fishing but take conventional anglers too. Whether you want to target Kings, Silvers or have some rainbow action you will find it here.

Riversong Lodge

Fish for Kings via jet boat

Riversong Lodge

Located 70 miles northwest of Anchorage at the confluence of Lake Creek and the Yetna River, Riversong Lodge has all five species of salmon and some fun wild rainbow fishing. It is a charming older main lodge with separate more modern guest cabins. The meals are outstanding with warm hospitality from the owners and staff. 

Fishing is accessed via jet boat. On a visit there a couple of years ago, we had some great mousing and streamer action. The forested Lake Creek is a beautiful stream to fish. Anglers fish two per guide, using a jet boat for access. In mid summer there is even after dinner fishing. There is a morning and a late afternoon flight each day by Rust’s Air in a floatplane direct to the lodge. This allows for arranging a trip that fits your schedule and budget. 

For instance, a five nights/four days fishing package is $3300 per person based on double occupancy, including the flight from Anchorage.

Talkeetna Fishing Lodge

River banks near Talkeetna Fishing Lodge

Cabin fit for two

The lodge is located two miles upstream from the Talkeetna River on Chunilna (Clear) Creek. They get all five species of salmon and, of course, rainbows. Each two anglers share a comfortable cabin, with access to the main lodge for dining, socializing and tying flies. The lodge takes 10-12 anglers per week but can handle up to 18 if they are all part of the same group. The lodge is accessed by van and then jet boat from the Anchorage airport. The food is outstanding here, as well, prepared by an accomplished chef who just happens to like living in the wilds of Alaska.

The guiding is a little more relaxed here, with three guides for the 10-12 anglers. Anglers will have all the assistance and guiding needed. Most anglers fish on their own once they understand the fishery that week, the water, and techniques. Fishing is accessed via jet boat and on foot. There is also the option to do a day fly-out via heli to the upper river for some amazing trout fishing for an additional (approx.) $150 per angler.

The rate is $3450 per person, Saturday–Saturday and includes transport from the anchorage airport.

Trout on the Talkeetna River

Jerry Swanson

Fish Head Expeditions

"Fly Fish the World with Us"

Argentina: From one end to the other!

Golden Dorado

Argentina, January 2014: 

In January, I was fortunate to fish the extreme north and south of Argentina at lodges that are over 2000 miles apart. The weather ranged from lows in the 30’s with winds of 20-50 mph in Tierra Del Fuego to temps in the 90’s at the Ibera Marsh. Packing was crazy. Below is a brief description of each location. If you would like to know more about either trip feel free to email or call.

Tierra del Fuego - Kau Tapen Lodge

Sea Run Brown Trout

The best Sea Run Brown Trout fishing in the world is on the Rio Grande in Tierra Del Fuego. I had the pleasure of fishing there with Kau Tapen Lodge in early January. It was their opening week and the 30th year in operation. They have miles of water and each two anglers are assigned multiple runs each morning and evening session. We never covered all of that water, there was such a bounty—no low-holers, poachers or racing up or down stream to get at the water first. A diversity of types of water keeps you engaged in the fishing and solving the puzzle. This is truly world-class fishing with a lodge and staff to match. The food, wine and hospitality are as good as it gets, without any formality or pretentiousness. The fishing ranged that week from one to six fish a day and in size from 3-4 lb (one salt) to 19 pounds. The record on the river is 33 pounds!

All of the anglers fished with Spey rods during the week, with various tips ranging from intermediate to MOW tips of T-11 and T-14. My favorite rods were the Sage Method 6126 (it’s no 6 wt!) and the ONE 7126. These fish really move to the fly this time of year. Flies range from skaters to swung nymphs to traditional steelhead and salmon flies to leeches at dusk. 

We fished until 11:30 PM each night, ate dinner at 12:30 AM and went to sleep about 2:30 AM.

Ibera Marsh – Pira Lodge

Fly Fish Argentina from one end to the other.

Golden Dorado are bad-ass predators! Their strike is meant to kill, and the softer “steelhead grab” is not too common. This fishing took place in the Ibera Marsh, which is over two times the size of the Everglades, host to over 300 species of birds and various mammals etc. This is a magical tropical place to swing streamers. Pira Lodge is an oasis in the midst of all this. The spacious rooms, generous and warm hospitality, comfortable lodge, delicious food and a pool (yes! a swimming pool) make for the perfect place to experience the Ibera Marsh.

Bad-Ass Golden Dorado!

RODS USED

Sage One's!

Single handed 8 to 10 wt. The Sage 990 ONE was best all around rod, throwing the four- to six inch flies with relative ease. Lines range from floating, intermediate head to sinking 24’ head such as the Rio Leviathan. The leaders have wire tippet as Dorado have teeth. Most all of the fishing is done from the Hells Bay flats skiffs because there is little dry ground, and wading with freshwater stingrays and piranha is not a good idea. Streamside friends are capybara and black cayman. Both have teeth and are faster than us anglers. The larger fish we caught ranged up to 17 pounds. They grow to over 30 lbs!


Jerry Swanson
Fish Head Expeditions, LLC
jerry@fishheadexpeditions.com
503-539-1451