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Argentina Fly Fishing  Path: Home > Fly Fishing - Destinations > Patagonia Fly Fishing Welcome to "Trout Heaven" Location Surrounded by snow capped mountains La Patagonia Lodge overlooks the quaint and historically fascinating village of Trevelin, settled by early Welsh pioneers a century ago. The environs of Trevelin are a persistent reminder of Montana, Colorado or Wyoming of fifty years ago without the crowds. However, Patagonia is a unique experience when you see our Gauchos (Argentine cowboys), our emerald waters, Pink Flamingos, Nandu (small ostriches), Guanacos, or listen to Ibis’s sounding overhead alongside our soaring Condors. Fly Fishing For those aspects of fly fishing that have grown to be what most anglers love about our sport, variety of species, incredible scenery, solitude, and mild weather, our area offers more of them, in lovelier environs than any other place on the globe. Beware however, because you may fall in love with this remarkable part of the world and not want to leave, just as we did. This extremely picturesque area offers one of the most idyllic settings for a fly fishing retreat. You will be within easy access to a wide selection of lakes and streams with every imaginable variation of desirable fishing. Fish small spring creeks to huge rivers that are 200 yards across. From La Patagonia Lodge anglers can access 26 different waters doing day trips. Rivers Rio Grande, Rio Chubut, Rio Corcovado, Arroyo Pescado, Rio Corinto and others are classic waters. Rio Rivadavia ranks with some of the most beautiful rivers in the world. Its banks cluttered with native rain forest highlighting waters as gin clear as any stream in the world. It offers a perfect opportunity to spot fish. A four-hour drive to the south gives you a choice of other, equally beautiful streams, Rio Pico and its tributaries. Nearby Lagos (lakes) Futalaufquen and Rosario enjoy high eputations, and there are many less discovered smaller lakes and streams, some still to be explored. And what does "WORLD CLASS TROUT FISHING" mean? Lots of wild, strong fish from 14 to 18 inches, in an infinite variety of classic water situations, with dry fly action all season. The occasional 20 inch and over 'surprise' keeps it fun, and a fair number of heart thumping trophy size lunkers can show up when you least expect them. One surprise you will have here is the Rio Grande is also a salmon river. It’s not the Ponoi or Bristol Bay, but we do have three of their prime species, Chinook, Cohos and Atlantics. While trout fishing we catch a salmon now and then, as well as occasionally hooking a 'USO' (Unidentified Swimming Object). They grab like angry bulldogs, run like brush jumped whitetails, and break off before we get a look at them. Most anglers’ fish wet and dry, and do well with both. The salmon can be taken on a large dark Wooly Bugger, and the Chinook on a large dark Futa Bugger. As in any week's fishing, your angling skills will play the major part in your final results, though please bear in mind no matter your abilities or past experiences, if you want to improve your catch, numbers and sizes, listen to and try to carry out your guide's instructions. While his first concern will be your safety, and second your comfort, very close behind will be his devotion to helping you catch the largest fish, and as many fish as possible. It's not that he's smarter, or more skilled than you, and he really doesn't feel he is, but he probably fishes a good deal more than you, and he's on the same water week after week. It's hard to 'know more' than a guy who's playing on his own field. In the end however, you will call your own angling shots. We recognize that not all of us fish the same way or even for the same reasons, and we will respect your wishes as best we can determine them. If you like fly angling for trout and salmon in a wide choice of classic fishing situations, where you can take fish with floating lines and dry flies, as well as wets, you'll be happy here. Our close proximity to Esquel and Trevelin allows us the opportunity to select from best of the local guides and chefs. Guides here are English speaking licensed professionals, one for each two anglers. They are professionals in every sense. Our guides love and live our rivers and are not just kids looking for a summer vacation on the water. We are sure you will appreciate their knowledge and talent. They are always available for casting, tying, or fishing instructions. Your safety is a primary concern for us. Our guides are equipped with radios and are trained in boat and river safety. PLEASE NOTE!! Guests here fly fish only. All fishing is CATCH AND RELEASE. Without exception your guides will insist all hooks be fished barbless. If you have difficulty with this, they will gladly mash your barbs and release your fish for you. No matter what damage fish may suffer, they must all be returned to the water, as gently as possible. If you find good fishing in Patagonia it's because of light pressure, and not due to any unique phenomenon of high nutrition, or lack of predation. On the contrary, large fish here are old fish. Fish are our golden geese. Your thrills catching them are the golden eggs. Nothing is more senseless than killing the eese. The Lodge Surrounded by snow capped mountains La Patagonia Lodge overlooks the quaint and historically fascinating village of Trevelin, settled by early Welsh pioneers a century ago. The environs of Trevelin are a persistent reminder of Montana, Colorado or Wyoming of fifty years ago without the crowds. However, Patagonia is a unique experience when you see our Gauchos (Argentine cowboys), our emerald waters, Pink Flamingos, Nandu (small striches), Guanacos, or listen to Ibis’s sounding overhead alongside our soaring Condors. Our lodge is a modern, well-appointed 5 star facility. It is American owned and operated. The first floor contains two warm and cozy lounge areas with spectacular vistas of the mountains, an inviting fireplace, bar, spacious dining room, and kitchen. On our second floor, you can either sit outside on our balcony and enjoy the fresh mountain air or relax inside the bright two-story family room, where we keep our fly tying table. We have six comfortable and very cozy bedrooms on the second floor, each accommodating two guests with private toilet and shower and bath facilities with abundant hot water. Our beds are Queen size and American length (an issue, when traveling in Argentina, Argentine beds are 20cm shorter!). Staff quarters are in another house nearby. We serve authentic Argentine cuisine, a rich collection of culinary traditions from Spain, France, Germany, and Italy with some native influence added. Most guests are pleased to find the highly seasoned (hot)dishes of other Latin countries are not popular here. All the components, meats, vegetables, fruits, and seasonings, even the soy sauce are Argentine. We hope this adds to the pleasure and value of your time here with us. You will marvel at our parrilla (Argentine grill), large enough to roast an entire lamb and you will enjoy watching while our Parrillador (grill chef) prepares you a world famed Argentine steak or a cordero patagonico (roasted lamb). The meats we serve at La Patagonia Lodge are range fed in the area and offer tastes that you will not soon forget. Our idea at the lodge is to provide 'Old World' comfort and service, while retaining a true Argentine ambiance. Food and wine are of the highest quality, using as much as possible, meat, produce, and fruit grown locally. Your palate will delightfully savor the flavors that somehow seem to have been lost in our modern world. Your week will come to a grand climax on the evening before you depart. The staff and I will present to you a traditional farewell Fiesta/Asado featuring a roasted lamb. I can assure you that if you like your meat, an Argentine asado is as good as it gets! Argentine malbecs and cabernets are often awarded high honors in world competition. We serve the best of them, as well as top vintages of many others, Chablis, Chardonnays, Pinots, etc. Many of these fine wines are exported to the States, and Europe, but we'll share some 'Argentine only' selections as well. Patagonia also has a respectable variety of micro brews for you to sample here as well. However, if it is an Argentine Pisco Sour or other mixed drink that strikes your fancy, our open bar awaits you. YOU HAVE NOT BECAUSE YOU ASK NOT! We look forward to the visits of both new and returning anglers. We take pride in providing you with personal attenion and good service. We find great satisfaction when our guests have a wonderful fishing experience, mesmerized by the beauty of the surrounding landscapes. Don't be shy! In Patagonia we say "This home is your home” and it certainly applies here. While our staff members are specifically assigned to their jobs, guides, housekeepers, chefs, etc., please note all of us are dedicated first to our guests and their wishes. If there is anything you need or want, ask anyone here, and if at all possible, they will make it happen. We employ a highly caring staff to provide a wide variety of caring services for our guests. There are no 'other' charges here for anything. Laundry, for one, is daily. If you leave dirty clothes where the housekeepers can see them, you will find them later washed, ironed, and in your drawers. Our Maitre Di is always anxious to serve you from the bar, the kitchen, or the table. Travel There are two options to arrive to Argentinian Patagonia. One is direct to Buenos Aires, Argentina continuing your flight with a transfer to Esquel. The other option is to fly direct to Santiago, Chile and fly with a transfer to Bariloche, Argentina. An overnight or two in Buenos Aires is recommended, either on your way in or on your way out. Buenos Aires is often referred to as the Paris of South America because of its incredible architecture and its vibrant nightlife and culture. It’s about a two-hour flight from Buenos Aires to Esquel, where you’ll find us eagerly awaiting your arrival, then another 30-40 minute drive to the lodge. Adventure Travel After a day well spent fishing, our most popular option is to relax under the hands of a professional masseuse. Our guests truly enjoy this delight either before or after dinner, and frequently, so much so that they repeat every night of their stay! For those who don't want to just fish or perhaps not fish at all, there are many other activities. Guided hiking opportunities are endless as are horseback rides. Our guests often enjoy walking/shopping tours in Trevelin or in the larger town of Esquel. Trevelin Village is a friendly, fascinating small community with gift shops, some quite unique, a museum, and a look at how folks in this part of the world get along. Here we recommend that you enjoy a local Welch tea at one of Trevelin’s famed teahouses. A 20-minute drive takes you to Esquel, a lovely Patagonian town of 40,000 with a wide variety of shopping and sight seeing. The scenic drive there and back is well worth the trip. Many guests love to tour the high Andean splendor of Alerces (a South American relative to the redwood tree) National Park. It’s nearby with well-marked nature trails, a tour boat expeditions to see a 2700-year Alerces tree, spectacular natural scenery and endless photo opportunities. In Esquel you can take a ride on the “Old Patagonian Express” narrow gauge railway, which gained much international fame from the book of the same name by travel writer Paul Theraux. Other opportunities include rafting some of the local white water, or for the more adventurous, travel across the border to Futaleufu, Chile and experience one of the top five wild rivers of the world. We are located only 45 minutes from the Chilean border. Other options include a visit to a Chilean hot springs or to visit Pumalin National Park in Chaiten. Being in the rain shadow of the Andes provides us with a much more hospitable climate than the other side in Chile. It also provides an incredible varity in vegetation and landscapes in a very short distance as you travel away from the mountains. A good way to get a glimpse of these landscapes is an excursion to Piedra Parada (standing rock) and the canyon of the banditos on the Rio Chubut. Patagonia was home to Butch Cassidy and Sundance Kid in the early 1900’s. These bank robbers left the American west and ended up living in nearby Cholila, until they were eventually forced to leave. We offer a trip to their Argentine homestead combined with visit to one of the local towns weekly arts and crafts festivals. For those of you with an interest for the nightlife, Esquel offers a wide array of interesting watering holes and dance clubs. Beware though, as Argentines party and dance very late into the night. In Argentina family is everything with much attention to education, health, and tradition. Argentines are proud of their country, and their history, and they should be. It's a unique, gorgeous part of the world with some of the warmest friendliest people you will ever meet; we invite you to discover it with us. To learn more about La Patagonia Lodge or call about availability. 1-800-638-7405. Or feel free to drop us an email at: Contact Us |
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