Expedition/Lodge Combo -Trout fishing in Argentina

Caleufu River

The Caleufu River starts in Lanín National Park and run roughly 50 miles until it reaches the Alicura Reservoir. With most of the river surrounded by private ranches, our 2-3 night expeditions offer the only way to fish the entire river. In the higher elevation the river cuts through beautiful low canyons and pine forests while the lower portions meanders through the Patagonian steppe along grassy, willow lined banks. The Caleufu hosts a healthy population of Rainbow and Brown Trout averaging 15-18 inches. Large Brown Trout of 9-12 pounds lurk in the deepest pools and demand a streamer. Dry flies and nymphs all work incredibly well in this medium sized, freestone river where insects and Pancora Crabs thrive. This river is best from November to mid-January when there is enough water to float. The intimate Caleufu River offers seclusion, superior fishing and spectacular scenery and is not to be missed.

Collon Cura River

The large Collon Cura is a prolific trout river running through a wide valley flanked by smaller mountains that precede the larger Andes. It is known for 40+ fish days with strong 16-20 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 Collon also has slow slide channels and several back waters where it’s common to see multiple heads sipping insects. The diversity of water allows anglers to employ a variety of tactics.

Mid-summer offers exciting fishing due to the great minnow migration up river from the Pierda de Aguila 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 5-15 pound Brown Trout migrate from the reservoir to the river to spawn.

Limay Medio

The Limay Medio or Middle Limay River is a large tailwater draining the Pierda del Aguila Reservoir and runs to the Atlantic. It has long been the local anglers’ “big fish river” and offers notably larger than average Rainbow and Brown Trout that do not offer themselves easily. On our Limay Medio River Expeditions, we launch boats up river each day and fish down to the same comfortable base camp each night. Every day we fish new water, floating the countless narrow channels that break up the river’s wide girth. Wading these channels provides technical stalking opportunities for large fish in pockets under willow branches. Fish are found in almost every fishable piece of water, lying against the banks, in riffles, runs, eddies and back waters.

Outside these channels, the wide valley exposes both the vastness of the river and sky. Large trees and willows dot the river corridor while the hillsides are reduced to low lying vegetation and rocks, both wind and sun burnt like much of Patagonia’s rugged steppe. High, red rock cliffs offer a spectacular deep red glow during sunsets and sunrises.

Aluminé River

Our longest Patagonia wilderness fishing trips are on the Aluminé River which flows 160 miles from the Aluminé Lake to the Collon Cura River. Along its journey it is supplemented by tributaries big and small. The lengthy Aluminé allows us to run trips of 4-5 nights for anglers wishing to maximize their time on the water.

The Aluminé runs through the Patagonia steppe along ranches, rock walls and willow lined shores. In November, anglers are better suited with a 6 or 7 weight rod casting streamers on heavy tippet and the occasional dry fly. December brings spring insect activity and the hatches continue into April. Rainbows are more numerous than Browns and the average size increases as you move down stream. Bigger Rainbows are often found sipping in glassy water or in small pockets along the shore.

Limay River

The Limay is one of the largest rivers in Patagonia and drains the Nahuel Huapi Lake in Bariloche. It flows northeast toward the city of Neuquén and creates a natural border between the provinces of Rio Negro and Neuquén. With its crystal clear waters, picturesque views and large quantity of huge fish, the Limay is one of the most renowned rivers in Patagonia. The ratio of rainbows to browns is about 3:1 and multiple trophy fish are released every year. Throughout November the river is high, clear and filled with voracious rainbows averaging 21 inches. December brings fast dry fly action with mostly caddis flies and January through March offers more technical fishing with dries, nymphs and streamers.

The Limay River can easily produce trophy fish any month of the season, however, April and May are the best times to target 5 to 15 pound Brown Trout which enter the river from the lake to spawn. During this time the fishing is very much like steelheading with Spey or Switch rods, sink tips and long, slow drifts.

The Malleo River

The Malleo River runs from Tromen Lake to the Aluminé River. In its upper sections, the Malleo flows through ravines and over boulders, thus creating beautiful pocket water. The middle section offers easy wading with a soft, even river bottom and slow, meandering currents that resemble a classic spring creek.

The Malleo offers deep clear pools for dredging streamers, cut banks and willows for skating hoppers and glassy runs for drifting nymphs. Browns and Rainbows average 16-17 inches, but anglers should expect to land some in the 20-inch category as well. The Malleo River has prolific insect hatches and is perfect for anglers wishing to cast dry flies to rising fish. Since floating is not permitted, Fly Fishing Patagonia guides travel up and down the river in trucks, stopping to wade the best sections.

Chimehuín River

Chimehuín River runs from Huechulafquen Lake, through the town of Junín de los Andes and empties into the Collón Curá River. Its crystal-clear waters are lined with willows, tall grasses and rocky ledges and cut through some of Patagonia’s most beautiful scenery. Anglers stalk 15- to 20-inch Rainbow and Brown Trout on foot using a variety of techniques.

The Chime is one of the many famed fly fishing rivers in Argentina and is considered the first river that gave Northern Patagonia its renowned trout fishing reputation. Years before Joe Brooks’ arrival, legendary Argentine angler, Bebe, was pulling huge trout from the Chimehuín. It has produced the largest landlocked Brown Trout in all of Patagonia. During the fall spawning run, anglers gather at the boca of the Huechulafquen Lake, looking to hook into one of the prized Brown Trout that migrate from the lake to the river.

The Manso River

Manso River originates from the Alerces Glacier on Tronador mountain and meanders through dense, old-growth forests and over ancient lava flows, connecting several lakes on its journey. It is the most visually stunning river in Nahuel Huapi National Park; the emerald water is extraordinarily clear, providing a rare angling experience. While 5- to 6-pound fish are caught regularly, some of the strongest, most beautiful trout in northern Patagonia are the 16- to 18-inch Rainbow and Brown Trout of the Manso River.

Hess Lake

Manso River flows in and out of Hess Lake within the Nahuel Huapi National Park. Fishing large terrestrial patterns up against the reeds usually induces explosive strikes from both Rainbow and Brown Trout. Hess Lake is known for its December dragonfly hatches and the predictable evening caddis hatch. Technical match the hatch fishing is found on its coastal, spring creek-like channels, which come alive in the evening with large heads sipping caddis, mayflies, stoneflies and other aquatic insects. It takes patience, skill, and concentration to land these large, highly selective fish in challenging  but memorable conditions.

Fonck Lake

Surrounded by steep, lush mountains and offering a rare opportunity for incredible Brook Trout fishing, Fonck is a narrow, visually arresting lake. Brook Trout in the Fonck Lake average 16 inches but frequently reach 18-19 inches. Since these are cold water-loving creatures, nymphs and streamers account for most of the Brookie catch. Sight fishing with dry flies is popular for cruising Rainbows and Browns, which average 18 inches. Brown Trout are less common, and usually coerced from the depths by the ugliest streamer in the fly box. Some find, however, that the patience required to fish deep with streamers is well worth a 28-inch Brown Trout.