QUICK FACTS
SEASON: Nov-April
TRAVEL: Arrive Neuquén, 2-hour drive to the ranch
PROGRAM: 7 nights
FISHING: River
RATE: $850/night/angler
INCLUDED: Lodging, meals, open bar, guided fishing, and transfer to/from Bariloche, San Martin or Neuquén Airports, license, wading boots and rods and flies.
NOT INCLUDED: Flights, gratuities, waders, leaders or tippet, services in Buenos Aires.
About
The Middle Limay River is by far the best fishery in the region to chase Big Patagonia Brown Trout on dry flies throughout the season. This incredibly productive tailwater boasts the highest growth rate for trout of any river in South America that we know of. Three-year-old migratory Browns and Rainbows coming from the Chocon Reservoir average 23 inches. In the 2022 season, two 30” browns were landed by guests of Limay River Ranch. The biggest Brown Trout ever caught by a guest was an amazing 33 inches. Anglers can increase their chances of connecting with these larger allusive Browns by using a switch or spey rod and skating large dries. The Middle Limay River is best suited for intermediate to advanced anglers prepared to be persistent and flexible in their tactics.
The Limay River Ranch is an 80,000-acre property offering 23 miles of exclusive access to the Middle Limay River in north central Patagonia, Argentina. Through an addition long term lease on a neighboring estancia, the lodge boasts a total of 36 miles of private access to this trophy river. Drive times to the river are 5-40 minutes.
Guests of the Limay River Ranch will enjoy contemporary private cabin and meals prepared by a top trained chef along with professional bilingual guides plus all gear if needed.
Photos
Accommodations
Limay River Ranch is located 2 hours southwest of Neuquén city on the north shore of the Limay River between the Piedra de Aguila and Chocon reservoirs. Completed in early 2022, the Limay River Ranch consists of 6 cabins for a total capacity of 12 guest and a central main lodge where the dining room, bar, and living room are located.
Each 360 sq ft cabin has a private full bathroom, AC/Heat, a wood stoves, and an individual porch. The lodge has 24hr 220 power via solar electricity, a bank of smart lithium-ion batteries plus an “on demand” natural gas generator backup. Guests can stay in touch with the lodge’s high speed “Starlink” satellite internet.
Limay River Ranch places particular importance on fine cuisine and employs a professionally trained chef from Buenos Aires who delights anglers at each meal with traditional Argentine and Italian dishes all paired with wines from renowned wineries such as Trumpeter and Salentein.
Fishing
The Limay River tailwater is a dynamic fishery offering a mix of Henrys Fork or Missouri River style dry fly fishing with some pseudo steelhead fishing tactics for Brown Trout. Dam releases fluctuate with power demands and present frequent and new challenges as well as opportunities for both angler and guide. With a year-round active metabolism, trout grow fast feeding on the prolific aquatic insect population. A 3-year-old resident trout average 16-17 inches and a migratory trout of 3 years can reach 23 inches. Resident Rainbows and Browns average 16-18 inches and 19-22 inches respectively. However, the migratory Browns are rarely smaller than 25 inches and a 30 inches trout could grab a fly any day of the season.
Since an angler may use 5x-0x throughout the day, the best rod set up is a 6wt rod rigged with a floating line plus a 7wt 12-foot switch rod rigged with a line using interchangeable tips. Swinging skating flies on a switch rod is a highly productive method in the wide main channel for Rainbows and large Browns and the switch rod makes for easier casting when the winds pick up. Streamers are rarely deployed. Best enjoyed by intermediate to advanced anglers, the giant turquois Limay River has prolific hatches and has, hands down, the greatest potential for trophy Brown Trout fishing in north central Patagonia.
Itinerary
Limay River Ranch offers half week and weekly programs and can be conveniently paired with fishing at lodges around Bariloche and Junin de los Andes.
Limay River Ranch
(7 nights/6 days)
Day 1: Arrive Buenos Aires (EZE). Transfer to the domestic airport (AEP) and fly to San Martin (CPC) or Neuquén (NQN.) The staff will pick you up and transfer you under 2 hours to the ranch. Fish the afternoon if you have time.
Day 2-7: 6 days trout fishing the Middle Limay River. Typically, you’ll leave the lodge at 9am and return by 8:30pm.
Day 8: Check out. The staff will transfer you back to the regional airport for your flight to Buenos Aires and home.
Rate: $850/angler in dbl occ, $1300/angler in sgl occ
Included: Lodging, meals, open bar, guided fishing, and transfer to/from Bariloche, San Martin or Neuquén Airports, license, wading boots, rods and flies.
Not Included: Flights, gratuities, waders, leaders or tippet, services in Buenos Aires.
Popular Add-Ons:
6 days Trout Fishing Rio Manso Lodge
6 days Trout fishing at Spring Creek Lodge
6 days Trout fishing at San Huberto Lodge
Travel Info & Map
With our intimate knowledge of Argentina and our specialized travel agent, we take all the guesswork out of travel so you can concentrate on packing.
- After an easy overnight flight, anglers land at the Buenos Aires Ezeiza International Airport (EZE) and transfer 45 minutes to the Buenos Aires Jorge Newbery Domestic Airport (AEP) for their flight to Neuquén (NQN). Four hours minimum is required between your international and domestic flights in Buenos Aires.
- Upon landing in Neuquén, a staff member will greet you and transfer you under 2 hours to the lodge. Upon check out they will be driven back to the airport for your flight back to Buenos Aires and home.
Testimonials
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