Set along the legendary Río Gallegos, Estancia Las Buitreras has been on my filming go to list for years. There in Argentina’s southern Patagonia, I worked with Felix Hansvencl, Rickard Sjöberg, and Christer Sjöberg of Solid Adventures, alongside guide Genaro Mendez Casariego- all who have spent their lifetime chasing fish around the world.

February is Argentina’s mid-summer, and I arrived for extremely low water.  The fish were spooky and holding in shallow pools. It demanded a shift: spring-creek style tactics on a much bigger river, all accomplished with a spey rod in hand.

The wind rarely let up, and my job with a camera was complicated. Holding a steady frame in a constant 40 mph wind isn’t just difficult, it’s exhausting. It’s one of the reasons you don’t see many films from the area, and probably why I wanted to tackle it. The conditions don’t care if you’re ready. You either adapt or you miss everything!

For this film, I concentrated on capturing the casting and the hook-ups. And the fish, “Zeppelins” according to Genaro, were broad-shouldered sea trout with a kind of weight and presence you don’t forget.

Off the water, the experience never let up. The lodge was incredible, the food exceptional, and the setting was pure Patagonia. For me, as a videographer, the group of new friends made an impression I’ll keep for a long time.  I appreciated the hard work on both sides of the camera that made this film possible.

I always say there’s more to the story than just the fish.  The story is beyond the casting and hookups, beyond the river and wild scenery. Deep thanks to the fine crew of anglers and generous support from Estancia Las Buitreras, Skwala Fishing, Korkers, R.L Winston Rod Company and Scientific Anglers.