Before the trout and salmon were introduced to Chile and Argentina the predominant fish in the mountain lakes and rivers was the percatrucha (Percichtys trucha) which looks like an olive-colored bass. They are sometimes caught by trout fishermen. The one in the foto weighed 3.5 lbs and I caught it at dusk when fishing a Red Setter feathered lure at the boca of the Rio Correntoso, which flows into the huge Lago Nahuel Haupi in Argentina.
The percatrucha when hooked stays deep and has a short burst of activity then gives up to be wound ashore, a behaviour quite different from trout. My neighbours at the camping ground were pleased to add this fish to a stew they were making. If you are going to return a percatrucha to the water watch out for its dangerous dorsal spines. I have caught smaller ones when spin fishing on the Rio Maullin at Puerto Varas, Chile.
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