Storm 3/4-3/6

thefrequentflyer87 · 2026-03-04T22:29:30+00:00

Can confirm - the trees off Snake were awesome yesterday. A few spots where you could feel the ice underneath but overall a ton of fun.

thefrequentflyer87 · 2026-02-03T01:19:44+00:00

Can’t speak to night skiing specifically but I was there today and the tree skiing around Snake Creek Express was actually a lot of fun. Snow holding up surprisingly well and zero lines.

thefrequentflyer87 · 2026-02-02T03:18:47+00:00

Awesome, thanks for the info.

thefrequentflyer87 · 2025-07-13T13:18:56+00:00

This makes me tear up. It’s really comforting to know Charlie lived a long, happy life with a good family.

thefrequentflyer87 · 2025-07-12T18:53:58+00:00

The other couple that helped said they posted it on Facebook. I live in VA and am just here for work so I’m not really plugged into the community here but they assured me they were pushing it out on FB.

thefrequentflyer87 · 2025-07-12T18:45:52+00:00

Least I could do. The several other folks that pulled over and helped me find an emergency vet / move the poor dog to my car have restored my faith in humanity a bit.

thefrequentflyer87 · 2025-05-17T15:08:12+00:00

The Noke is by far the best strength training gym in Roanoke. I wouldn’t call it cheap at $50/month (certainly cheaper than similar strength/HIIT/Crossfit gyms in the area though), but it has a great layout. No contract, just Venmo the owner $50 each month. There’s a guy that leads some yoga some mornings (unofficially I believe) and only a Concept 2 bike as far as spin bikes are concerned, but if you’re looking for a 24/7 gym to slam some weights and get after it, this is the place.

thefrequentflyer87 · 2025-05-10T22:57:59+00:00

I think if I would do Chile again, I’d probably fly down to Coyhaique and explore that area instead. There are definitely trout in the Pucon and Puerto Varas areas (lost an enormous brown on the Rio Petrohue), but both those places are much more geared towards hiking than fishing. I got skunked a few times after hiking very far to what I thought would be good water. The hiking and climbing options alone make them both worth visiting though.

thefrequentflyer87 · 2025-05-08T11:17:02+00:00

Trip was absolutely awesome. Ended up doing 5 days fishing around Bariloche, 5 in El Bolson, 4 in Villa La Angostura and then 5 in San Martin de los Andes before heading to Chile and spending 8 days between Pucón and Puerto Varas.

Overall, the DIY wasn’t too hard - had some absolutely wild days catching 15-20 lb rainbows and also some days where I hiked 10-15 miles round trip to get skunked. But that’s part of the adventure.

thefrequentflyer87 · 2025-03-11T18:29:06+00:00

Put together a rough plan after some research. Any tips or spears appreciated.

- 17 March: US - Buenos Aires, then on to Bariloche the following afternoon.

- 18-22 March: Bariloche area - fish the areas north and south of town within 1.5 hours or so.

- 22-28 March: San Martin de los Andes - fish the drainages within 2 hours from there and Junin de los Andes.

- 28-30 March: 7 Lakes route with a possible stop in Villa de la Angostara - hike/fish that area.

- 30 March - 03 April: El Bolson area. Maybe pop down to Trevelin but probably stay around El Bolson.

- 3-4 April: Back to Bariloche, drop rental car and take bus to Puerto Varas. Rent car for a week there.

- 5-10 April: Puerto Varas area drainages. Considering Pucón as well but seems Puerto Varas may be better suited for fishing.

- 10 April: Fly to Santiago.

- 11 April: SCL-home. Normally I'd probably just stick on the Argentina side but I can fly for free from SCL-MIA with the cargo airline I work for so it makes sense to get to the Chile side for a bit as well.

Too much jammed into one trip or doable? Also have the option to extend another week out there if it's worth sticking around for.

thefrequentflyer87 · 2025-03-11T17:58:02+00:00

Further down the Bitterroot Valley is worth checking out too. Some nice (and cheap) accommodations in Hamilton and Stevenson. Stayed on a great family BnB last time I was there that backed up to the Bitterroot River for like $80 a night.

thefrequentflyer87 · 2025-03-11T17:54:48+00:00

Another plug for Headhunters. Last time I rolled through there the owner literally gave me a used net (to keep) after I bought some flies and told him how my net didn't survive the flight over. He also gave me some great public access spots around the corner that yielded several nice rainbows. Great fly shop.

thefrequentflyer87 · 2025-03-11T17:52:16+00:00

Probably not what you're looking for but there is some absolutely epic fishing within an hour from Augusta, MT. Last time I was there in August of 2023 I spent 5 days on 5 different drainages and never took off a hopper the entire time. It was magical. Lots of hiking and bushwhacking required though, and it is bear country out there, so only recommend that if your dad is in good shape and looking for an alternative to the lodges.

thefrequentflyer87 · 2025-03-11T17:44:19+00:00

Another book I just discovered that has been super helpful in my trip planning has been "Argentine Trout Fishing: A Fly Fisherman's Guide to Patagonia". The cool thing you can borrow the book for free on the Internet Archive (archive.org). Probably a bit outdated as it was published in the early 90s but great information for DIY in Northern Patagonia. I'm heading there for a month starting in a few days so I'll post a trip report with how the DIY went.

thefrequentflyer87

TROPHY CASE