Fly Fishing and Travel: Part III with Alyssa Adcock

Editor's note: here is Part III of Alyssa Adcock's destination travel fly fishing photo essay.  You can still check out Part I and Part II if you missed out.  

My trip ended somewhat abruptly when we received word that due to an airport worker’s strike in Buenos Aires, most flights were being canceled or pushed back by several days. Thanks to some quick thinking and well connected friends, I was able to run from the river to the airport for the last flight out of Junín that same day. While sitting in the airport for three hours, I happened to meet another angler who had been in the area for a family reunion and was returning to Buenos Aires. After chatting for a while and finding out that I had a 24 hour layover, he offered to give me a “local’s tour” of the city. While this deviation from the original plan was incredibly stressful, it turned into one of the most fun days exploring and soaking up another side of Argentinian culture. We drank fernet and coke, indulged in pistachio gelato, toured massive graveyards and window shopped boutiques, finishing the night with an exquisite truffle pasta at Il Quotidiano. I say this often, but I'm always thankful for the people the river brings into my life. My advice to anyone diving into international travel: keep yourself open to possibilities -  you never know when they might show up.

Fishing Gear Recommendation: 

• A 5wt and 7wt rod: I prefer a 5wt Scott Radian with a spool of SA Anador Indicator line for nymphing and spool of SA Amplitude Smooth for dry dropper / single dry setups. I typically run a 7wt TFO with a light sink tip, usually the SA Sonar Titan in a full intermediate. There are also plenty of opportunities to euro/spanish nymph and a tightline setup could also be a beneficial tool for deep cuts. 
• Depending on the time of year you are visiting, during summer months waders can be stifling. I would invest in a good wet wading setup (boots/ neoprene booties) for those more technical wading streams and rock the chacos for everything else. 
• Leaders / Tippet: Most of my rigs were typically 9-11ft long leaders (mono and fluoro depending on which setup I was using) tapered down to 4x. Most days did not require ultra light tippets (5x, 5.5x,6x) and were often able to convince fish using only 4x fluoro. 
• Bring a variety of dry flies that range from large chubbie/ cicada like presentations down to simplistic parachute adams in various olive/ brown bodies with brighter presenting parachutes. Perdigons work well for lighter dry dropper setups as well as a variety of slim, natural mayfly patterns. Check with your hosts for specialty hatches, as certain times of year boast inch worm or minnow “hatches” that can be especially fun to target if the angler is well prepared with the right imitations. Our most successful streamer patterns were slimmer in profile and material but varied in color often relying on soft materials like marabou tails and capes to do the heavy lifting. 
• Dry bags: There seem to be mixed beliefs on this subject, but I fall into the group that heavily advocates you not fly with your dry bags stuffed. I prefer to pack everything, including the empty dry bag, into a suitcase and then repack once I have arrived at my destination. Remote destination locations often do not have the resources to repair or replace damaged gear and going into an overnight float trip with a hole in your dry bag seems like a bad time. 
• Sunglasses: I typically like to take two working pairs and one backup in case of disastrous events. I generally like one low light lens and one bright light/blue lens.

Alyssa's Travel Must-Haves:

• TENS unit: This was the first time I had brought one on the plane with me; it was a lifesaver for the longer flight. I tend to get a tight lower back, and being able to hook myself up on hour eight was a game changer. You can purchase cheaper/ portable units that are handheld size. I didn’t have any problem getting through security in either country.
• Sea to Summit Aeros Pillow: This inflatable travel neck pillow is my favorite one that I’ve tried so far; it packs down into a small soft shell, so it's not taking up unnecessary space on the rest of your trip (Bonus: you can also use it camping as a knee / back pillow).
• Electrolyte packets: Seems elementary, but i’ve found that i’m pretty sensitive to environmental changes (Cold/ plane/ hot/ plane/ new country/state) and can go downhill pretty fast if I don't take care of myself. If you are uncomfortable, sick, cold, hurting- rather than sitting in the shit like that, you have got to take action and help yourself. Again, seems elementary, but a good river guide doesn’t allow themselves to get to that point by/with foresight and planning. 
• Purchase an electrical outlet converter before you leave the country - I waited until I touched down in B.A. and while it was doable, it would have been significantly easier not having another item on my to-do list.

Here is where you can check out the guide service I used: Flotadas Chimehuin

If you would like to book this trip with me, check out the guide service: High Country Guide Service