A great group of long-time Villa Maria Lodge guests, hosted by Jim Curry, joined us for another week of technical fishing on the Rio Grande. The water is as clear as I’ve ever seen it, and choosing the appropriate lines, sinking tips, flies and, very often, tippet diameter all make for careful considerations.
Winds have remained strong, but dropping air temperatures have made for pleasant evenings. Depending on light, temperature, and time of the day, Green Machines and small weighted Prince Nymphs have been the best flies during daylight. Intruder type streamers, on the other hand, continue to catch some big fish in the last casts of the day.
Even in these low-water conditions, skagit lines remain the most versatile option for delivering heavy tips into strong winds—with effortless accuracy. They can be a little “splashy” in still conditions but the advantages outweigh the shortcomings.
Session of the Week went to Richard W., who landed a 19-pounder and two 20-pound sea trout in the same afternoon! Phil W. also did an impressive job landing 25- and 23-pound fish on separate occasions. Overall, we had a ton of fun and went through some red wine this week. Hope to see you guys again next year!
Largest fish of the week: 25 pounds
Fish over 20 pounds: 5
Fish over 15 pounds: 25
Alejandro Martello
Villa Maria Lodge Fishing Manager
