Paul Pezza

Trout Bum Rio Pico, Estancia Tres Valles, Estancia Laguna Verde

5 Trips between 2009 and 2016

 

IN THE 1970s AUTHOR BRUCE CHATWIN FALLS FROM A HORSE IN CHUBUT PROVINCE AND IS DELIVERED BY A GUACHO TO THE HEALTH STATION IN RIO PICO.  THERE CHATWIN IS ATTENDED TO BY AN ÉMIGRÉ FROM RUSSIA, A WOMAN DISTINCTIVE AS SHE IS MISSING BOTH HER LEGS.  IN 2011 I FIND MYSELF IN THE MOST CONGENIAL COMPANY OF RIO PICO FISHING GUIDE MARIO R. AND DISCOVER THAT HE IS, IMPROBABLY, THE ADOPTED SON OF THE GOOD DOCTOR.  A YEAR LATER JUSTIN WITT HAS ME SIPPING MATE WITH A NINETY YEAR OLD MAN, BORN, AS WAS HIS FATHER, ON THE LAND THAT HE WORKS ALONG WITH HIS WIFE AND CERTAIN OF HIS NINETEEN CHILDREN.  THIS AS A PRELUDE TO FISHING WATER THERE SO ISOLATED THAT IT SEEMS, IMPROBABLY, TO HAVE NO NAME.  LATER WE ARE CAMPING ON THE SHORE OF THE IMMENSE LAGO VINTTER AND, IMPROBABLY, ENTERTAINED FOR DINNER BY AN ELDERLY COUPLE LIVING OFF THE GRID IN WHAT HAD BEEN A GAUCHO HUT.  WE TOAST ALL MANNER OF THINGS WITH HOMEMADE VODKA.  I’VE NOW VISITED PATAGONIA TEN TIMES, THE LAST FIVE TRIPS ARRANGED BY JUSTIN.  BROWN TROUT, RAINBOWS AND BROOK TROUT IN THE RANGE OF 25”-30” ARE NOT IMPROBABLE HERE.   THE ARGENTINE OUTBACK IS A SPECIAL PLACE IN SO MANY WAYS.

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