PREPARE FOR YOUR TRIP
Villa Mariá EQUIPMENT LIST
PREPARE FOR YOUR TRIP TO VILLA MARIÁ LODGE
Known as the "Double-Digit" powerhouse of the lower Rio Grande, Villa Maria Lodge provides an elite, intimate gateway to the world’s most prolific Sea-Run Brown Trout fishery. While the lower river’s sweeping pools offer the perfect canvas for effortless Spey casting and comfortable wading, the raw power of these fresh-from-the-sea giants will catch you off guard. Brace yourself for the strike; this is where the heaviest trout on the planet are truly found.
To help you make the most of it, we’ve put together a curated gear list featuring the rods, flies, and essentials our staff trusts trip after trip. This is the gear that’s proven itself on the water, and it’ll have you ready for whatever swims your way.
FLY RODS
Here are our recommendations on what to bring:
- Larger Two-Handed Rod: 12-14' 7-8 weight rod
- Smaller Two-Handed Rod: 11-12' 5-7 weight rod
- Single Hand Rod: 9-10' 7-8 weight rod (if preferred to two-handed casting)
FLY REELS
Ensure that your reel has a capacity of at least 100 yards of 20 lb. backing and match appropriately to the size of your rod. Here are our recommendations:
Two-Handed FLY Lines
Here are our recommendations on what to bring:
- Scandi: 380-500gr floating head
- Skagit: 320-575gr floating head
- Tips: Floating, intermediate, and sinking in T-8, T-11, T-14, and T-17 (7-15 feet long)
Single Hand FLY Lines
Here are our recommendations on what to bring:
- Skating Flies or Nymphing: 7-8 weight floating fly line
- Subsurface Swing: 7-8 weight versitip or interchangeable tip fly line with various tips including floating, intermediate, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6, and S7 (5-10 feet long)
LEADERS & TIPPET
It's essential to have the appropriate tippet and leaders for the species you are pursuing. It's recommended to have one leader per rod per day that you are fishing to be safe. Here are the recommended leaders and tippet:
- Leaders: 9-12' 10-20 lb. knotless tapered leaders
- Tippet: nylon/monofilament spools in 8, 10, 12, 16, & 20 lbs.
Destination Fly Assortments
These fly assortments have been hand selected over the years and recommended by the Nervous Waters team. Make it easy on yourself and pick up a curated assortment of flies.
Sea Run Brown Trout Flies
- Collie Dog tube flies (3 1/2 – 4 1/2” long, both aluminum and copper bodies, with hardplastic tubing and #4 wide-gape hooks)
- Sunray Shadow in different sizes.
- Bunny Leech, Zonker, Woolly Bugger (black/ olive), articulated string leech types, with electric blue flash, intruders (#2-4, wide gap and short shank hooks). Favorite color variations for the Rio Grande and the Menendez include,Black/Chartreuse, Blue/Chartreuse, Black/Silver, or simply chartreuse
- Peacock (now a staple on Rio Grande, tied on #2-4 hooks)
- Girdle or Yuk Bug rubber legs (#4-12)
- Bitch Creek Nymphs (orange and black, #4-12)
- Bead Head Nymphs, Prince, Hare’s Ear (#6- 12)
- Traditional Atlantic Salmon flies
- Bombers or other waking dry flies (#4-8 natural deer hair, black & green), for use drifted or with a Portland hitch
- Green Machine (both brown hackled & white hackled green machine work fine)
APPAREL
Prepare accordingly for a variety of weather conditions. Warm clothes, rain gear, sunny skies, and blustery windy days are all in the cards.
WADING
Most of your trip will be fishing from a boat, but wading options are available. Reliable waders and sturdy boots are a must.
Fishing & Travel Packs
While you'll need a travel bag to carry your clothes and fishing gear, we recommend having a bag and/or wading pack for use in the boats to organize flies, leaders, tippet, and your essentials like sunscreen, tools, etc.
Tools & Accessories
From pliers to nippers and more. It's good to have a few useful tools on hand.
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HOSTED FLY FISHING TRAVEL
Travel with the Hackle crew and explore pristine fly fishing destinations all over the world. From Bristol Bay to the flats of Espiritu De Santo and so much more. When you travel with our team, we'll take care of the crucial travel details so you can focus on practicing your double haul or unwinding after a long day on the water.
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HAVE A QUESTION?
Need help planning for your destination fishing trip or want to talk shop with the crew at the Hackle? Contact us today and a member of team will be happy to assist you so you can make the most of your time on the water.
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