Malleo River Masterclass - by: Jorge Trucco

The Malleo is practically a big spring creek. It starts out as a very small free-stone mountain stream. Once it hits the beautiful Malleo Valley the river starts receiving spring water from numerous tributary spring-creeks including the Huaca Mamuil, the Mamuil Malal, the Tres Picos, and several others. Virtually almost 70% of the Malleo River water is spring water. This unique feature makes for a river with consistent water temperature and conditions; hence underwater life is rich and varied, from profuse insect life (nymphs, larva, pupa, mayflies, caddis, stoneflies) to countless terrestrials and “pancora” crabs; all this makes for a unique population of healthy browns and rainbows.

The river features diverse conformations: from its scenic meadow section, with Lanín Volcano dominating the background, to the canyon section, or the lower boulder-bottomed section which offers pocket water and willow-lined banks. It is just the “right size” river to fish and wade and you are likely to see hatches of different types: caddis and mayflies of various kinds, as well as stoneflies and midges. This Malleo offers dry-fly and sight-fishing opportunities along its 40 miles.

In this chapter I’ll be telling you about the Malleo River; how to fish it during early, mid and late seasons; and which flies and tackle to fish in each season.