Arroyo Claro Lodge News; September, 2007: Jorge Graziosi, owner of Arroyo Claro Lodge in Cholila, Argentina has taken on a new partner: his 38 year old son, Sebastian Graziosi. Both Graziosi's are well known anglers and lodge operators. Jorge has been guiding in Patagonia Argentina since 1969 and operated his outfitting company Safaris Acuaticos for 30 years before building and opening Arroyo Claro Lodge in 1999. Sebastian attended University of Illinois for one year before transferring to Escuela Superior de Hoteleria (EAS), where he earned a degree in Hotel Management.

During the summer, Sebastian worked as a guide/trainee and eventually a full time guide for Safaris Acuaticos from 1993-1996. In 1997 he was hired by Fernando de las Carreras to open and manage Toon Ken Lodge in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina. Sebastian guided and managed Toon Ken Lodge with his wife, Uchi, for 7 years. In 2004 he was hired by Roberto Pondolfi to open and manage Rio Manso Lodge, near Bariloche, Argentina, where he worked until the end of the 2007 season. Both Toon Ken Lodge and Rio Manso Lodge enjoyed rapid growth in clientele and a high level of customer satisfaction

during his tenure. Sebastian will take over the management responsibilities at Arroyo Claro Lodge to allow his father, Jorge, to concentrate on guiding, organizing the fishing programs, developing new fisheries and hosting and interacting with clients. Arroyo Claro Lodge, located in the beautiful Cholila valley three hours south of Bariloche, is built on a hillside with dramatic views of the valley and the Carrileufu river. Lodge guests fish the Carrileufu, the Rivadavia, Arrayanes and Chubut rivers, as well as Arroyo Pescado, Nanty Falls and the Rio Grande. Anyone interested in contacting Jorge or Sebastian or making a reservation at Arroyo Claro Lodge should contact Chip Bates at Angler Adventures: P.O. Box 872, Old Lyme, CT 06371; telephone: 800-628-1447 / 860-434-9624; email: chip@angleradventures.com.

Arroyo Claro Lodge, located 3 hours South of Bariloche, offers an incredible variety of trout fishing water. Experienced fishing guides introduce anglers to a wild, unspoiled country, well populated with Brown and Rainbow Trout as well as Brook Trout and landlocked Atlantic Salmon.

The new Arroyo Claro Lodge, built in 2006, is located in the beautiful Carrileufu Valley, ten miles south of the small village of Cholila, in the heart of this wonderful trout fishing country. The Carrileufu River is within easy walking distance of the lodge. The Rio Rivadavia and El Canal spring creek are also nearby. The Andes Mountains make the perfect backdrop to this idyllic setting. Your host at Arroyo Claro Lodge is Jorge Graziosi, who began his Argentine fishing services in 1968. He is now one of the region's most experience outfitters. Jorge designs each fishing itinerary to suit the season, angler preference, and the size of each

individual group. On extended stays, Jorge may dedicate a portion of each guest's trip to fishing the Esquel area, a one-hour drive south of Cholila, fishing the Rio Grande, Arroyo Pescado, or Nant Y Falls. Another option is a 3-night / 4-day float trip on the Chubut River, known to deliver non-stop dry fly action for Browns and Rainbows up to 4 pounds

Jorge is not only an expert fly fisherman, but also an accomplished horseman and the lodge's furnishings include his riding paraphernalia, including some exquisite saddles and bridles. He owns several horses that are available for guests' enjoyment; you will see them grazing in front of the lodge. A small garden provides fresh flowers for the dining tables.

Arroyo Claro Lodge has a main lodge with four spacious guest rooms, each with a private, full bathroom. There is a large dinning room and living area with a large stone fireplace burning all day long. Arroyo Claro also offers a cabin, only 30 yards away from the main lodge, with two guest rooms, each with their own private bathroom, a spacious living area, and an antique wood burning stove. Arroyo Claro's main lodge and cabin sit on top of a stone bluff, overlooking the Carrileufu Valley and facing the mountains. The view of the bend in the Carrileufu River under the mountain's jagged peaks is breath taking.

The food is wonderful. Breakfast and most of the dinners will be served at the lodge, preceded by a cocktail hour either on the patio or by the fireplace, depending on the weather. At least one of the dinners will be at the lodge's parrilla, or barbeque.

Here guests enjoy "asado," which is a traditional and very popular meal in Argentina, consisting of beef, lamb and sausage, all cooked together on a grill over hot coals. There will also be home baked bread, salad, dessert and plenty of vino tinto. Part of the fun is relaxing and taking in the scenery while your hosts tend an oversized, smoking grill. Most other meals are taken in the dining room of the main lodge or on the stream. The lodge specializes in local produce and creative national dishes, paired with a selection from an extensive wine list.

Days, of course, are typically spent exploring the expansive trout waters in the surrounding country under the expert direction of Jorge and his team of guides. Jorge has been a fishing outfitter for over twenty years. In his early years, most of his guiding was on the rivers of the Junin de Los Andes area. He moved to the less crowded Cholila area in the 1980's. The beautiful Carrileufu flows within sight of the lodge. The best way to access to the Carrileufu is by floating the river and getting out to wade fishy looking water. However, some stretches are best fished from the raft, casting to the riverbank. Half-day trips on the Carrileufu are easily arranged, which leaves time for other activities such as horseback riding, hiking and visiting the "Patagonia Express" railway and Estancia Leleque Museum. The driving time to and from the river is quite short, which is not the norm for many South American fishing lodges. The Rivadavia is a little further from the lodge; about twenty minutes by car. The Rio Chubut is also close by, where adventurous guests can enjoy a 3-day float trip. Catch and release regulations imposed on the Carrileufu several years ago have greatly enhanced the size and population of trout in this river. Rainbows and browns up to 27 inches have been taken by Arroyo Claro guests on dry flies. These incredibly strong trout run and jump like steelhead and have been described by clients as "trout on steroids". The Carrileufu is also one of the best rivers in Argentina for landlocked Atlantic salmon, particularly in November and March.

The Rio Rivadavia is one of the prettiest rivers in Argentina with good average sized fish that can be caught on dry flies, nymphs and streamers all in the same day. There is so much fishable water it generally takes two full days to cover the best five miles of this river. Not to be missed is the more technical spring creek tributary of the Rivadavia with rainbows and browns that can exceed five pounds. The 3-night / 4-day float trip on the Rio Chubut is spectacular. Why 4 days? That's how long it takes to get to the next road. Much of the Chubut is so remote, its fish have never seen a fly and the catch results show it. You will loose count. Most guests fish exclusively with dry flies. The fish range from 12-22 inches, with a few larger fish to be had. It is necessary to have the proper water level, so plan for this trip in the early season (November through February). Otherwise the upper Chubut can be accessed on one-day floats.

Also nearby are the Rio Arrayanes, Menendez and the Canal Spring Creeks, as well as Rio Futaleufu (also known as the Rio Grande), one of Argentina's premier tail water fisheries. Arroyo Pescado is a small spring creek, typical of spring creeks throughout the western U.S., having a high density of trout and some very large trout. Arroyo Pescado is closed to fishing until January 1st each year, but has excellent fishing right from the opening bell and offers some outstanding hopper fishing. The Nant Y Falls, 30 minutes from Esquel, is located on a private estancia and is unquestionably one of the most beautiful rivers in the region. Nant Y Falls is a small stream (40-60 feet wide), very similar to a spring creek, choked with weed beds and teaming with fish. We have hooked "bows" in excess of 6 pounds and have tallied 50 fish days, all on small dries. Fishing is from the bank and you will be casting to fish cruising the edges of the weed beds.

When To Go Weather and fishing conditions in Argentina are similar to those in the Western U.S. - Montana, Idaho and Wyoming - during the corresponding seasons, (Argentina's seasons are opposite ours in North America), as described below. The trout-fishing season opens on the second Saturday in November. During November & December, the rivers are at the highest levels of the season, but the flow is moderated by the fact that most rivers flow out of lakes. High water and spring temperatures cause the fish to feed aggressively, making this one of the most productive times of the year. Bring your sinking lines, but expect good dry fly fishing on the Chubut, Rio Grande and Nant Y Fall with the right conditions. December offers some super nymph fishing on the Rivadavia. Good landlocked salmon fishing on the Carrileufu. The period corresponds with the months of May and June in the western U.S. Expect springtime temperatures; with potentially cool to cold mornings and nights. Temp range: 32°-75°.

If you'd rather fish in shirtsleeves on bright, sunny days, you should focus on January and February when water levels stabilize. A good combination of wet and dry fly fishing and generally the most dependable weather of the season. The months of January and February, corresponding with July and August in the Western U.S., usually offer the best hopper fishing of the season. The well-known spring creek Arroyo Pescado opens January 1st. The Rio Grande, because it is a tail water fishery, fishes well even during the hottest weather. The weather can range from hot and dry in the daytime to cool mornings and nights. Temperatures can range into the 80's and during midsummer daylight can last until 10:30 at night. At high elevations the weather will be cooler and more subject to change. High winds are possible anytime. Cholila is apt to be warmer and less windy than other parts of Patagonia due to its lower elevation (1500 feet). Temperature range: 50°-90°. During March and April (the season closes April 15th) the days begin to shorten, the trees turn bright colors, the salmon and big browns move from the lakes into the rivers to spawn and water temperatures begin to reactivate the trout. Good wet and dry fly fishing, particularly landlocked salmon on the Carrileufu. Water levels reach their lowest point, making sight fishing very productive. These months correspond to September and October in the Western U.S. Expect autumn temperatures and potentially cool to cold mornings and nights. Temperature range: 32°-75°.

Non-Fishing Activities: · Horseback riding on the 5,000 acre ranch · Visit to the los Alerces National Park – the lodge is 3 miles from the park’s north entrance. · Big boat ride on Lago Menendez to the Glaciers (very scenic) of “Cerro Torecillas.” · Hiking – just behind the lodge are many private trails. · Butch Cassidy cabin (20 miles away) · Patagonia history museum, “LeLeque Estancia” · Ride to the Museum on the Patagonia Express. · Visits to El Bolson artisans fair (about 1 hour away) · Bird watching for Condors/Flamingos. · Visits to the Welsh Tea House (about a 12 mile drive)

2008 - 2009 Rates For Arroyo Claro Lodge Patagonia, Argentina . The 2008-2009 rates are: $550 (US) per person, per day, based on two people sharing a room and a guide; $650 (US) a day for a single fisherman; $400 (US) a day for non-fishing companion; $400 (US) per person/double and $450 (US) single for an arrival day; and $150 (US) per person/ double; $200 (US) single for a departure day. These rates are quoted in US dollars and are subject to change. Transfers in Buenos Aires, if required, are additional. Example: 7 nights in the Cholila/Esquel area with 6 days fishing would cost $3,850 (US) per person, based on two people sharing a room and guide. Included in the rate are: pick-up and return to Bariloche or Esquel airport, daily guided fishing by vehicle/foot and by inflatable rafts; accommodations, which in addition to Arroyo Claro Lodge can include hotels and country lodges (or tent camps for optional overnights on rivers); all meals with house wine, beer or soft drinks. Not Included in the rate are: airfare to Bariloche or Esquel; departure taxes; laundry; access fees to private waters (US$70 per person at Arroyo Pescado and Nanty Fall); fishing license; tackle; flies; tips to guide or at hotels; bar expenses; hotels and transfers in Buenos Aires and possible meals or sightseeing during layover in Buenos Aires.

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