Estancia Quemquemtreu -Trout Fishing Patagonia’s Collon Cura River

Collón Curá River

The large Collón Curá is a prolific trout river running through a wide valley flanked by smaller mountains that precede the larger Andes. It is the featured attraction at Estancia Quemquemtreu and known for 40+ fish days with strong 16- to 18-inch trout which are most abundant in the riffles. Larger Browns are more frequently found in deeper pools, under submerged willow branches and along the rocky cliffs. The Collón also has slow slide channels and several backwaters where it is common to see multiple heads sipping insects. The diversity of water allows anglers to employ a variety of tactics.

Midsummer offers exciting fishing due to the great minnow migration up river from the Piedra de Águila reservoir. Millions of silver-sided minnows fill riffles, creating a feeding frenzy where both trout and prey are seen breaking the water. These are big and powerful fish and demand nothing lighter than a 2x tippet. In the fall, Red Stag bugle 24 hours a day and 5- to 15-pound Brown Trout migrate from the reservoir to the river to spawn.

Quemquemtreu River

The Rio Quemquemtreu is a small stream flowing from the ranch’s western foothills and meandering gradually through the ranch before entering the Collón Curá River. This picturesque trout river fishes well November through mid-January and offers excellent dry fly fishing in pure solitude.  The Quemquemtreu River is easily accessed from the lodge and some guests prefer to spend a majority of their time there, as the wading is easy, the setting is stunning and the dry fly fishing is outstanding.

Caleufu River

Many of our guides cut their angling teeth on the Caleufu River. It is a crown jewel of the region given its remote location, stunning scenery and awesome trout fishing. In the higher elevations, the river cuts through low canyons and pine forests, while in the lower portions the river meanders through the Patagonia steppe and along grassy, willow-lined banks. The north bank of the lower Caleufu flanks Estancia Quemquemtreu and offers private access for anglers who enjoy walk-and-wade fishing.

The Caleufu hosts a healthy population of Rainbow and Brown Trout averaging 15-18 inches. We have landed Browns in the 9- and 12-pound range and almost landed a Brown that we estimated at 15 pounds. Dry flies and nymphs all work incredibly well in this freestone river, which hosts caddis, mayflies and small stoneflies. A large population of Pancora crabs makes the streamer fishing productive on the Caleufu.