Chimehuín river, by Jorge Trucco

The Chimehuín was probably the first Patagonian river to become world famous and Joe Brooks played a key part in this. He started fishing and writing about the wonders of the browns and rainbows of the Chimehuín back in the 50s and 60s.

Historically it is the Chimehuín river that gave fishing in Patagonian its fame. Stories of great rainbows and monster browns were told and heard of repeatedly. The Chimehuín became a legend.

I spent great part of my youth wading and fishing the Chimehuín in all its length, and some of the biggest trout I've ever caught have come from it, as also some of my most unforgettable memories.

This is also a magical river where monster dwell, and one never knows when it's one's turn to catch them.

Years went by and overfishing shadowed the fishing quality of the Chimehuín during the 80s. My dream was to be able to extend the "catch and release" regulation already existing in the Malleo on to the Chimehuín as well. After countless meeting with the people in the fish and game department I was finally able to have the provincial government pass "catch and release" regulations for the Chimehuín in 1992.

The river recovered fast and was soon included as a regular part of Patagonia Outfitter's fishing program. It didn't take long to start seeing great results. Today the Chimehuín offers superb dry and wet fly fishing. It is challenging yet rewarding. Big browns are regularly caught as well as big surface feeding rainbows.