TROUT FISHING: Argentina - Junin

The Malleo River
With its prolific insect activity throughout the season, the Malleo River is regarded to have the finest dry fly fishing in all of Patagonia. Anglers frequently achieve 30-40 fish days and 25-28 inch trout, especially in the upper, more protected sections. This river’s best trout fishing occurs on a 20 mile private section only accessible to guests of Estancia San Huberto.

The Malleo starts in the Lanín National Park where it drains Tromen Lake and then runs fast through ravines, along high banks and over boulders. This section is best suited for adventurers. In the middle section the waters are slow and meandering, providing a challenging and equally rewarding experience. The beautiful pools and cut banks beg for a hopper.  We’ll travel up and down the river via truck stopping to wade the best sections. There is no floating the Malleo. High water in November and December allows great rainbow fishing on the tributary, Huaca Mamuil. Tromen Lake also offers incredible dry fly fishing for 18-28 inch browns, rainbows and brook trout.

Chimehuín River
Of all the famed Patagonia trout fishing waters in Junín the Chimehuín River could be the most celebrated and is recognized as the first river that gave northern Patagonia its renowned trout fishing reputation. Years before Joe Brooks’ arrival, legendary Argentine angler Bebe and Jorge Donovan were pulling huge trout from the river. It has produced the largest landlocked brown trout in all of Patagonia, and still today anglers gather at the boca of the Huechulafquen Lake looking to hook into one of the Chimehuín’s prized brown trout that migrate from the lake to the river during the fall spawning run.

From its source, the “Chime” runs 53 kilometers through several miles of private estancias, public lands and the town of Junín before it empties into the Collon Cura. One of the Chimehuín’s finest tributaries is the Quilquihue River. Both the Chimehuín and the Quilquihue are known for their great dry fly fishing. Nymphs and streamers are also popular to coax the large brown trout out from under submerged rocks or the willow lined bank.

Aluminé River
In the northern part of the province of Neuquén, the Aluminé River flows out of Aluminé and Moquehue Lakes for 160 miles making it one of the longest rivers in the region. On its journey south, the Aluminé is supplemented by the Pulmari, Ruca Chori, Quillen, Malleo and Catan Lil Rivers.   All these waters eventually feed into the Collon Cura River.

The Aluminé cuts through Patagonia steppe with rocky and willow lined shores.  In the beginning of the season, anglers are better suited with a 6 or 7 weight rod, casting streamers on heavy tippet and maybe the occasional dry fly. Rainbow trout are more numerous then the brown trout and the average size increase as you move down stream. As water levels decrease in January, lighter tackle is more favorable. Our longest wilderness fishing expedition float trips of 5-6 nights are on the Aluminé River.

Collon Cura River
The Collon Cura is actually an extension of the Aluminé River and runs along route 40 south of Junin and San Martin de los Andes. Some say the river starts at the confluence of the Catan Lil and Aluminé Rivers, while others say it starts at the confluence of the Chimehuín and Aluminé. Nevertheless, it is a spectacular Patagonia trout fishing river running through a wide valley flanked by low rolling hills of Patagonia steppe. The river is known for its numerous 16-20 inch rainbows which are most abundant in the riffles. Larger brown trout are more frequently found under willow branches and along the rocky banks where they have more cover. Streamer fishing tend to be more effective then dries, however, some of the back waters and slow slide channels give rise to delicate match the hatch dry fly fishing.

The fall is our favorite time on the Collon. The red stags are billowing 24 hours a day and large migrating brown trout are entering the river from the Pierda de Aguila Reservoir. To get these trophies, anglers must fish deep with various streamer patterns.  Brown trout 15 pounds have been caught, but considering the size of the reservoir and the quantity of food available, it’s fair to assume there are bigger trout that migrate up the Collon.

Quemquemtreu Stream
This beautiful, early season stream starts in the Chapelco Mountains and runs through the private Quemquemtreu Ranch. Access is only grated to guests and therefore, the fishing is simply spectacular for those who love dry fly fishing on small creeks. This Patagonia trout fishing stream meanders through pampa grass and Maiten and Willow trees and has slow pools and long riffles. The rainbows and browns are about 10-16 inches, with a larger fish dominating each pool.  In the late season, these pools are about the only fishable waters on the Quemquemtreu stream.