SEASON: Jan-April
TRAVEL: Arrive Rio Grande, drive 25 minutes to the lodge
RECOMMENDED STAY: Saturday-Saturday, 7 nights/6 days only
FISHING: Rivers, wade only
CAPACITY: 6 anglers
RATE: $9,500/angler
INCLUDED: Lodging, meals, open bar, guided fishing, license, single rooms and transportation to/from the Rio Grande Airport
NOT INCLUDED: Flights, gear and services in Buenos Aires
La Villa de Maria Behety Lodge on Estancia Maria Behety sits on Tierra del Fuego’s lower Rio Grande with fast access to some of the best fishing on the river. Only 6 angles per week will enjoy single rooms and private access to over 100 pools. Guests at La Villa de Maria Behety Lodge will have the first crack at fresh, aggressive Sea Run Brown Trout entering the river from the Atlantic. La Villa de EMB is the sister lodge of larger Estancia Maria Behety Lodge and also owned and operated by the Menendez family. Experience old world charm in a classic historical home with exclusive accommodations and world class Sea Run Brown Trout fishing.
Open Peak Weeks- 2024
Mar 2-9 3 rods
La Villa de Maria Behety Lodge lies within the 275,000 acre Estancia Maria Behety just down river from Estancia Maria Behety Lodge. The beautifully restored, historic mansion was built specifically for anglers with luxurious and modern conveniences such as radiant floor heating, a Jacuzzi, Internet, pool table, open bar and a fully stocked 9,000 bottle wine cellar featuring fine Argentine varietals and blends. The lodge is limited to only 6 anglers, each enjoying a single room with private bath and walk-in shower. Guests indulge in professionally prepared cuisine made from produce and meats grown on the Maria Behety Ranch.
The beautifully appointed 5 star La Villa lodge and its high level of service exemplify the Menendez family’s continued commitment to excellence.
The 32 miles of Rio Grande’s Sea Run Brown Trout fishing lie within the expansive Maria Behety Ranch and are shared between La Villa de Maria Behety Lodge’s 6 rods and Estancia Maria Behety Lodge’s 12 rods. Guides and anglers alternate pools and sections to ensure a private experience and equal access for all. Since Sea Run Browns are most active during the morning and evening, 4.5 hour morning and evening fishing sessions are broken up with a 4 course lunch and siesta back at the lodge. Head guide Federico Zimmermann and his 2 fellow guides are veterans of the Rio Grande and La Villa Lodge and are some of the finest and friendliest guides in Tierra del Fuego.
With premium accommodations and prime river miles, rod space at La Villa Lodge is precious. Most anglers utilize their First Right of Refusal, returning each year on their coveted week. Those who do not return leave their valuable space open to eager anglers.
If you are serious about experiencing Rio Grande Sea Run Brown Trout fishing at La Villa de Maria Behety Lodge, contact us as soon as possible. We will find a way to get you in!
Rio Grande
In 1935, John Goodall stocked 60,000 Chilean salmo trutta eggs in 2 tributaries of the 70 km Rio Grande. Today, young Brown Trout spend an average of 2 years in the river before their first migration to the sea where they’ll spend 6 months before returning to the river with an average weight of 6 lbs. Sea Runs that spawn 4 times in the Rio Grande weigh over 20 lbs and some fish have been known to complete the cycle 6 times
Studies show that the Sea Run Browns in Tierra del Fuego’s Rio Grande are about 17% heavier than other sea trout of the same length. Their size and high return rate are factors of low predation, biologically rich salt waters and a strict Catch and Release policy employed by all lodges. Rio Grande’s Sea Run Brown Trout population was estimated at 75,500 adult fish in 2008.
Today, the average daily catch rate on the Rio Grande is an amazing 3-6 fish per rod. The key to success is to adapt your fly fishing technique. Sea Run Browns are rather moody and will strike when the fly is presented well, at the right time and in the right spot. Be flexible with your tactics and listen to your guide. If a fly moving evenly and slowly still does not produce a strike, consider modifying the depth or fly pattern. Fly placement is also a factor. Like other anadromous salmonids, Sea Run Browns generally move up river at night, congregating at the head of the pool in the evening and at tail of the pool in the morning and against cut banks during the middle of the day. On overcast days the fish could be found in the middle of the pools.
Chromed Sea Run Brown Trout begin to enter the Rio Grande lower pools in early December and continue to enter until May. The peak weeks are unpredictable and fall sometime during the busy early January to late March timeframe, but regardless of the month, if conditions are good, the fishing is good. April is often overlooked and can be equally exciting and productive as mid-season. In April, all the fish that are going to return are now in the river with spectacular fall colors and weighting at their peak. Water levels are at their lowest, fish are more concentrated and the strong Tierra del Fuego winds are significantly diminished.
La Villa de Maria Behety Lodge
(7 nights; 6 days fishing)
Day 1: Arrive Buenos Aires (EZE). Transfer to the domestic airport (AEP) and fly to Rio Grande (RGA). Guides will pick you up and transfer you 20 minutes to La Villa Lodge. Cocktails and dinner.
Day 2-7: Six days Sea Run Brown Trout fishing.
Day 8: Check out, transfer back to the Rio Grande Airport for your flight home.
Rate: $9,500/angler
Included: Lodging, meals, open bar, guided fishing, loaner rod, transportation to/from the Rio Grande Airport and services in Buenos Aires.
Not Included: Flights, license, gear and services in Buenos Aires.
Popular Add-Ons:
6 days Sea Run Brown fishing at Las Buitreras Lodge
6 days Golden Dorado fishing and/or dove shooting at Los Laureles Lodge
5 days trout fishing at a lodge in Junín
With our intimate knowledge of Argentina and our specialized travel agent, we take all the guesswork out of travel so that you can concentrate on packing.
While you can catch big brown trout many places in the world, there’s no other place where you’ll have this kind of solitude and opportunity. The wading is easy, the pools all have drive-up access, and the Malbec is the best in the world. Your only obstacle here is the wind.
The accommodation, food and service at the lodge were excellent – faultless in fact. All three guides were very good. We had a cold front come in for 2-3 days, but I had good fishing apart from that.
With our variety of destinations and lodges, we’ll have the skinny on whatever you’re looking for. We often combine multiple destinations and adventures for our guests.
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