2023-10-28 08:00:00
The high water levels in the rivers and lakes of the mountain range generate “promising” conditions for the new sport fishing season that begins next Wednesday, November 1 in Patagonia and begins to turn the wheel of a tourist segment that mobilizes an average of 7 million dollars in Bariloche.
Every year, local fishermen, from all over the country and foreigners wait on the calendar for the date to schedule fishing trips in which the attractive Patagonian landscapes, the quality of the water courses and the services, are a fundamental incentive to choose the region. .
To graph the volume of activity, only in Northern Patagonia, In the 2022-2023 season, 28,000 fishing permits were sold, of which 1,400 were acquired by foreigners, according to data from the Honorary Board of Directors of Sport Fishing of the Andean Zone. The figure is on the rise following the stoppage of the pandemic.
But the socio-economic impact is multiplied because the Fisherman travels with family or a group of friends and has an average stay of 8 dayswhich generates a chain of reactivation of the entire associated tourism segment, from hotels, businesses specialized in fishing, gastronomy, transportation, hiring of guides, among others (see separate).
Different organizations and institutions of Río Negro, Neuquén and Chubut, next to the National Parks of the mountain zone, work together each season to establish the rules for each environment, define the values of the permits (which are mandatory) and evaluate the care measures to protect the ecosystems, which are opened to the public with this activity from November 1, 2023 to May 1, 2024with the exceptions of lakes and rivers that continue to be enabled for fishing in May.
“The season is promising, especially in relation to the water level that there are in the rivers, they have good volume, the fish have had the opportunity to complete their reproductive cycle normally“said Pablo Benedetti, president of the Association of Professional Fishing Guides of the Nahuel Huapi National Park.
Martín Freedman, manager of the Sports Fishing Board, stressed that this season “everything is within the parameters” and clarified: “The high water level is normal for the time, the issue is that we show it more because the last 10 years were of drought”.
Good water flow in rivers and lakes favors fish. “What water does is regulate the temperature of the environments, the smaller the amount of water, the faster it heats up and trout need a certain temperature range to be active“said Benedetti, who has been in the profession for 20 years.
Freedman noted that, in addition, with these flows “Spawning is favored in winter and trout have better shelter and food in summer”.
For fishermen, it is a requirement to have a fishing permit (which in Río Negro is acquired physically or online) which can be for the entire season for 7,000 pesos; weekly for 3,500 pesos; or daily 1,750 pesos. For those who troll (on board) the value doubles and for foreigners the permit costs 10,500 pesos per day and 56,000 pesos per season.
“Most people prefer boat fishing. Beyond fishing, a float is an enjoyment and also generates more chance“, highlighted Benedetti, president of the Association, which currently has 80 qualified guides in the Nahuel Huapi park and is an institution that trains new professionals.
Freedman said there is growth in fly fishing, but still spinnig (spoon) modality continues to be superior among fishermen that arrive in the region. The greatest influx of fishermen is recorded from the beginning of the season until February and then towards the end of the season, “when people come to look for the highly prized migration of spawners that is in the Limay River,” Benedetti pointed out.
The institutions that work on the subject focus so that fishermen have knowledge of the fishing regulations that has the characteristics and conditions of each environment and that can add variations year to year. A novelty of This season the ban on using felt boots comes into effect – in some environments – and rubber soles or similar are required, a measure adopted following the appearance of the didymo algae (Didymosphenia geminata) and the transmission of diseases. In the region, some of the places where this restriction applies are in the Azul, Foyel, Ñirihuau, Pichi Leufu (from the source to the railway bridge), Quemquemtreu, Villegas, Llum and Los Césares rivers, among others.
“We recommend reading the regulations, that the fisherman comes to enjoy the sport, beyond the size and the photo, that he comes to connect and enjoy the place“This implies respect for the environment, for other users and above all respect for the fish,” Benedetti emphasized.
High economic impact in the region
A study carried out by the Honorary Board of Directors of Sport Fishing of the Andean Zone -prior to the pandemic- determined that only in Bariloche and surrounding areas the economic movement generated by sport fishing is 7 million dollars per seasonwith an average expenditure of the national fisherman of 95 dollars per day and 340 dollars per day for foreigners.
40% of the fishermen are tourists and of that public a 27% are foreigners, mainly from the United States, the main country of origin for lovers of this sport in Patagonia. Among the Argentine public, 27% come from CABA and the province of Buenos Aires; 23% from Northern Patagonia and the remaining 50% from the center and north of the country.
The incidence of the practice of sport fishing implies a higher expense than other tourist segments, with an average of 95 dollars per day between nationals and 340 dollars per day for foreigners.
Furthermore, it is highlighted that a 15% of the occupancy of the higher category hotels are fishermen and in family businesses linked to fishing, a movement of 1.8 million dollars is generated, of which 10% is due to the issuance of fishing permits.
Recommendations to take into account before going fishing
Read the regulation since each environment has its particularity.
Take care of the space. Take away trash, be especially careful with cans and glass that can cause fires; Do not leave nylon in which birds and mammals can become entangled.
Prudence when browsing. Check security elements and authorizations. Consult the Prefecture.
Careful return. Do not keep the fish out of the water for too long, take the photo as quickly as possible and release the fish in the best condition and with the least damage. There are environments where the use of barbless hooks is recommended.
Do not wade or walk on spawning beds.
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