Episode 2
19 May 2011 - Patagonia
Robson’s journey continues in Patagonia, a region spanning the southern parts of Chile and Argentina. He is on a mission to fish at the southernmost city in the world, Ushuaia. This place really is the end of the Earth – if Robson went much further south, he would end up in Antarctica. But before Robson gets there, he is after an extra-special prize.
Ushuaia is in Argentinean Patagonia. But on the Chilean side of the border, in Torres del Paine, there could be waiting one of the catches of Robson’s life. Robson was raised on salmon fishing, and in the waters here swim Chinook salmon, the largest on the planet. The biggest Robson has ever caught was round 18lb. In these waters, he hopes to get one double that size.
When he gets one on the end of his line, he can barely believe the fight this mighty fish puts up.
With its runs and leaps, this is one of the most spectacular sights ever seen on the water. But with a fish like this, there are no guarantees – and just because Robson has it on the line, it doesn’t mean he is going to get it to the shore.
However, fishing at the ends of the Earth holds still bigger worries in store for Robson. Just as he
arrives, a fuel protest sees locals blocking the roads. Suddenly, Robson and his crew are trapped and his whole journey to Ushuaia and the ends of the Earth is in jeopardy. Still, it gives him the chance for more fishing. In a deserted spot, he celebrates a big catch as nature intended – shouting at the top of his voice, whilst running for the hills… naked. But, Robson cannot stay in Chile forever. He may have only come here to fish, but soon he finds himself making a thrilling break for the border.
In Patagonia, commercial fishermen go after another prize catch, and it gives Robson a chance to
bag the biggest crab of his life, the centolla. These things get to well over 3 feet across and look like the stuff of nightmares. As Robson tries to get his hands on one, he quickly realises that these guys do not take any take prisoners. Soon, the Geordie actor is a working Patagonian crab fisherman,
dealing with some of the most foul- smelling bait of his life – and some of the scariest-looking creatures he has ever plucked from the water.
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