Dave and Christine Decker’s Complete Fly Fisher is one of Montana’s finest fishing lodges and is ideally situated directly on the legendary Big Hole River.
CFF specializes in dry fly fishing, which is best when the water levels drop sometime after the fourth of July.
The record fish at the Complete Fly Fisher is a 30-inch, 8-pound brown trout taken on a dry fly. That fish was the exception, but fish over three pounds are landed every year.
Brown trout, rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, brook trout
Expert Guides – Professional local guides ensure a top-tier fishing experience for all skill levels.
The Big Hole, Wise and Beaverhead Rivers were traditionally the Complete Fly Fishers main area of expertise. However, in recent years the lodge has expanded its repertorie of waters to include Rock Creek, the Ruby, Red Rock, Bitterroot, Clarks Fork, Jefferson, Madison, Missouri and Yellowsone Rivers, as well as Spring Creek Fishing. The Big Hole remains a main staple of the lodge’s angling diet.
CFF has selectively guided anglers down Rock Creek for many seasons. Several years ago, through new partnerships with the U.S. and Lolo Forests Services, CFF has obtained the necessary permits to make this special creek available to all of its clients. For steady action and scenery, many anglers feel that Rock Creek is unequaled.
CFF has also obtained permission from the U.S. Forest Serivice to maintain a seasonal camp along the banks of Rock Creek, allowing guests to overnight in this wild and beautiful river corridor. Guests will enjoy comfortable accommodations and fresh cuisine excellently prepared by Complete Fly Fisher staff. This wilderness adventure should be booked well in advance of your trip.
Throughout Montana and the American west, the Jefferson River is known for its trout of immense size and unyielding character. The harsh environmental conditions of the Jefferson and natural selection have left only the strongest and most aggressive survivors. These fish are opportunistic feeders, attacking high-protien whitefish, sculpins and crayfish. Complete Fly Fisher’s biggest and strongest trout are routinely pulled from the Jefferson.
The Big Hole has over 100 miles of fishable water. While there is very good fishing near the lodge, most guests choose to float the river, stopping to wade the productive pools. The scenery is magnificent as you drift through cattle ranches and canyons. It is one of the very few western rivers that, in addition to brown, rainbow, and brook trout, holds cutthroat trout and grayling.
In addition to the Big Hole and it’s tributary, the Wise River (pictured below), is also a freestone river. Big boulders and willowed banks make for great pocket water fishing.
The Complete Fly Fisher is an ideal place for couples, families, or groups composed of expert and novice fly fishermen. Experts will be challenged by the Big Hole’s browns. Novices will return from a week’s outing with a feeling of accomplishment, having been taught casting skills by competent instructors. The CFF staff teaches people to fish while they’re fishing.
There is a tackle shop that carries Sage, Loomis, and Winston rods and accessories. Even if you arrive without a rod or reel, the CFF will outfit you with their brand name equipment, a service, which is included in the cost. To help you decide on when to schedule your angling adventure, a month-by-month description follows:
JUNE: From around June 10th, the giant Salmon flies begin to emerge in the Lower Big Hole River. This emergence steadily moves upstream until early July. Huge dry flies and nymphs that imitate the naturals will bring the big boys out. As large trout protect prime feeding stations, streamer patterns can bring thrilling strikes. High, fast water makes this a truly exciting time to be on the Big Hole River.
JULY: Golden stone and tremendous Caddis fly hatches replace the Salmon flies. As water drops and clears, comfortable wading is now possible and trout will spread out making for more diversified angling. July offers steady fishing from about dawn til dusk; and we do fish until dark! Weather can be particularly nice during July, with dry flies and sunshine the daily fare.
AUGUST: The hoppers are out! Caddis and small Mayflies are hatching early and late in the day. Excellent streamer fishing can be yours, along with the fish of a lifetime. Terrestrials are abundant and trout are looking for them. Flat-water angling is available for the spring creek devotee; small flies, picky fish, great challenge and usually superb weather!
SEPTEMBER: Fall is beautiful on the Big Hole and can generate some spectacular angling. Brown trout moving to spawn are very aggressive and smash big streamers. Steady dry-fly fishing and the season’s lowest water bring anglers from all over the world to fish the Big Hole. While floating is still effective, wading can be tremendous sport and is recommended. Weather can range from hot and dry, to cool and wet, so come prepared for everything.
At the Complete Fly Fisher a maximum of 14 guests are accommodated in six spacious cottages and a master suite located in the main lodge.
The Complete Fly Fisher has traditionally been known for its excellence in the dining room as well. They take great pride in finding the most creative and enthusiastic chefs to prepare culinary adventures to accompany the world class fishing. Typically each week’s menu is tailored to meet guests’ preferences and pallet.
Fly Fishing EQUIPMENT & ACCESSORIES TO BRING
Rods: DRY FLY and NYMPH: 8’ to 9’ for #4 to #6 lines.
STREAMERS: 8½ to 9½ for #6 to #8 lines.
Lines: All dry lines, weight-forward or double-taper.
Clothing: Fly fishing garb such as vests, waders, boots and the like are quite handy, but not absolutely necessary. We have at our disposal many items that you may need in this regard. Please inquire ahead. A good set of rainwear is essential because weather can range from hot and dry, to cold and wet. We highly recommend a hat with sun visor, polarized sunglasses, sunscreen and insect repellent.
In case you forget something, any or all of these items are available from Complete Fly Fisher’s well-stocked Fly Shop at fair prices. If you have any equipment questions, please contact us.
NOTE: For those of you who do not have rods or reels, etc., Complete Fly Fisher has top quality equipment available for guests use at no additional charge.
The Complete Fly Fisher 2026 Rates & Packages
Length of Stay
Rate per Person (USD)
7 Nights / 6 Days Fishing
$6,825
6 Nights / 5 Days Fishing
$6,195
5 Nights / 4 Days Fishing
$5,460
4 Nights / 3 Days Fishing
$4,620
3 Nights / 2 Days Fishing
$3,465
Rates are in US$ and subject to change
Book Your Montana Fly-Fishing Adventure
Tap a button below to start the conversation. Our services are free.
Contact us for current availability and pricing, seasonal discounts, special offers
Single occupancy room – $200/night additional charge.
If only one person is fishing with a guide, there is a $300/day additional charge.
This rate includes:
Lodging
Guided Fishing in Sotar Rafts
All meals each day
Breakfast in the lodge
Streamside lunches
Cocktail hour with appetizers and Dinner in the River Room
All alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages at the lodge
Fully stocked refrigerators in your rooms
All fishing equipment (if you don’t want to bring your own)
All flies, leaders, etc. used by the guides
Waders and/or wading shoes
Butte airport transfer
Airport transfers from Missoula or Bozeman are $600 for 1-4 people, round-trip. For larger groups, please contact us for more options.
This rate does not include: Airfare to Montana; 10% Gratuities for lodge staff (added at checkout); Gratuities for fishing guides; Green fees and shuttles if you choose to golf; Horseback riding; Guided nature/photography hikes; Fishing licenses; Special drink requests.
Depending upon availability, anglers may extend a stay beyond 6 nights/5 days. Trips can be extended at a cost of $960 per day (subject to change). This rate also applies for stays of less than 6 nights.
A 50% deposit per person is necessary to secure a reservation. The balance is payable upon departure from the Complete Fly Fisher in cash, travelers checks or by personal check.
We also represent guides throughout Montana and can design individual itineraries should you want to extend your trip. The Complete Fly Fisher is in great demand, so it is a good idea to plan well ahead.
(From L to R) Jefferson River, Bitteroot River and Beaverhead River
La Posada de los Farios offers spectacular guided fishing for brown trout and rainbow trout in the heart of Chilean Patagonia. Professional guides and deluxe accommodations make La Posada de los Farios on of the area’s premier fishing lodges.
La Posada de los Farios is situated on the Rio Cisnes (Swan River) with easy access to its tributaries and miles of nearby trout fishing water. The area is famous for its dry fly, streamer and nymph fishing for huge brown trout.
brown trout, rainbow trout
Professional guides and deluxe accomodations
Dry fly, streamer and nymph fishing for huge brown trout
Book now, get a quote, or chat with us about Patagonia, Chile fly fishing!
La Posada de Los Farios first opened in 1994 on a bank overlooking the picturesque Cisnes and has been a great success ever since. The lodge name, La Posada de los Farios, translates literally to The Inn of the Brown Trout.
The fishing lodge itself can accommodate a maximum of only 6 guests in 3 comfortable guests suites, each with private bath. The lodge’s small size ensures plenty of privacy and just the right amount of personal attention. The lodge is extremely well appointed, though we would not describe it as luxurious. However, the serious fishermen will certainly not find anything lacking.
Daily life at La Posada de los Farios is designed around daily guided trout fishing, though no personal comfort is spared on lodge guests. The resident chef, Fernando, serves delicious meals. His dishes are served family style and prepared with a focus on traditional Chilean fare, especially fish, chicken and beef. Fresh vegetables from the lodge’s garden compliment Fernando’s cooking, as does the lodge’s expert selection of Chilean wines. Breakfasts and dinners at La Posada de los Farios generally served according to the daily fishing schedule; lunches are served streamside.
A few short steps from the fishing lodge are several miles of direct river frontage on the Cisnes. This part of the river is relatively large and slow moving, making it easily wadeable and great for after-hours wading. Several tributaries enter the Cisnes within walking distance of the lodge. Several small lakes, loaded with trout, are also easily accessed.
The majority of the daily guided trout fishing out of La Posada de los Farios is done wading or floating the Cisnes or exploring its countless tributaries and nearby lagoons. The Parque Nacional Quelat is also a favored resource of Posada’s professional fishing guides because of its diversity of unpressured trout fishing waters. Most of these areas are only a short car ride away. The scenery that surrounds the lodge and extends throughout this trout fishing paradise turns these drives into inspiring, sight seeing tours.
The best of the river fishing is less than 45 kilos from the lodge’s front door. Here guests drift miles of dry fly water, teaming with mayfly activity and, at certain times during the Chilean summer, enormous hoppers. The native browns here feed on these morsels with splashy abandon. An incredible diversity of insect life and proliferation of hatches will challenge and delight even the most experienced angler.
Trout fishing conditions at La Posada de los Farios range from beginner to expert. Because of their thorough understanding of this fishery, Rex and his guides can ensure that the novice fisherman as well as the seasoned veteran will find challenges and success at La Posada de los Farios. Guests have many options for daily fishing. One might choose to fill his creel with the smaller brown trout which choke the shallower creeks, or to float the deeper stretches of the Cisnes for one of the many trophies that lurk there. The fishery also offers rainbow trout and the occasional king salmon.
La Posada de los Farios uses two new boats to drift the Cisnes. Guests usually leave the lodge right after breakfast to enjoy these floats and often return after dark. Guides will anchor the drift boats intermittently to wade the more productive stretches. A packed lunch will be brought aboard to eat beside the stream. Most of the fish in the Cisnes will be caught using streamers and nymphs. There is some very good dry fly fishing during the warmer parts of the summer, though. Rex calls floating the Cisnes, especially its lower stretches, “one of the most scenic fishing floats to be found anywhere in the world.” Rex has recently begun to explore these lower stretches, which flow through high granite canyons, and has already spotted some 30+ inch browns lurking there.
Trout fishing conditions at La Posada de los Farios range from beginner to expert. Because of their thorough understanding of this fishery, Rex and his guides can ensure that the novice fisherman as well as the seasoned veteran will find challenges and success at La Posada de los Farios. Guests have many options for daily fishing. One might choose to fill his creel with the smaller brown trout which choke the shallower creeks, or to float the deeper stretches of the Cisnes for one of the many trophies that lurk there. The fishery also offers rainbow trout and the occasional king salmon.
La Posada de los Farios uses two new boats to drift the Cisnes. Guests usually leave the lodge right after breakfast to enjoy these floats and often return after dark. Guides will anchor the drift boats intermittently to wade the more productive stretches. A packed lunch will be brought aboard to eat beside the stream. Most of the fish in the Cisnes will be caught using streamers and nymphs. There is some very good dry fly fishing during the warmer parts of the summer, though. Rex calls floating the Cisnes, especially its lower stretches, “one of the most scenic fishing floats to be found anywhere in the world.” Rex has recently begun to explore these lower stretches, which flow through high granite canyons, and has already spotted some 30+ inch browns lurking there.
La Posada de los Farios is the only lodge in Chile that fishes this part of the Cisnes, and its guests have been rewarded with some enormous and very aggressive trout. An overnight trip can be arranged that offers a chance at fishing the famous Cisnes evening hatch.
It should be noted that while other areas of Chile have seen increased fishing pressure in recent years, the areas on which the La Posada de los Farios guides focus have remained relatively quiet. In fact, it is extremely rare to see any other anglers for your entire stay at the lodge.
Chilean Fjords
After several years of extensive research and exploration, Rex Bryngelson is now outfitting organized fishing excursions in the coastal fjords of Chile’s Aysen Region. The coastal fishing program is a unique opportunity to fish seldom-fished (let alone seen) rivers and estuaries for trout and salmon. Healthy populations of rainbow trout and salmon can be found cruising in the salt and up the mouths of the coastal streams accessed by Rex and his team of highly skilled an professional guides.
During the 1998 and 1999 seasons, Rex developed a coastal angling program that was fantastically successful. Anglers accessed pristine coastal rivers and bays, often taking dozens of 3 – 10 pound fish per day, both in fresh water and in the salt. Generally, subsurface fly patterns were used but, when conditions were suitable, it was not uncommon to take truly large rainbow trout on dry flies.
Anglers will have the option of going to the coast as part of their package at La Posada de los Farios during their stay if the fishing reports from the Fjordlands are good. With all the diversity and different destinations available near La Posada, guests will revel in the choices. Fishermen may also choose to over- night at the coast in a local “hosteria” ( for an additional $150 per night).
Another highlight of many trips to La Posada de los Farios is an optional horseback ride to a remote, privately owned lake. Accessing this private fishery involves a spectacular ride through arid country. The lake is full of unsophisticated brown trout that rise eagerly to dry flies. Here, anglers often have the rare opportunity to sight-cast to 20+ inch trout.
Posada de los Farios uses well maintained 4WD vehicles for transportation. The float fishing is done from a 14-foot self-bailing river raft that is very stable, safe and comfortable to fish from. Zodiacs and float tubes are used to access and fish the diversity of lakes. For fishing the fjords, Rex has a well outfitted 22 foot Panga with cabin that comfortably handles 4 anglers and 2 guides. La Posada de los Farios guides are all experienced oarsmen and expert boat handlers.
Non-angling companions are welcome; La Posada de los Farios offers a variety of non-fishing activities: Condors, parrots, kingfishers, ibis, woodpeckers, and more offer world class bird watching; a visit to some of the neighboring farms and villages is a fascinating day trip. It is often the most memorable part of a guest’s trip to Chile. The local rural people live a lifestyle like one would imagine it to have been like in the western U.S. a century ago; The Cisnes also offers some scenic rafting sections and even some class III and IV rapids; The country around La Posada de los Farios is laced with miles of horse trails which wind through forests and mountain vistas. La Posada de los Farios has a collection of docile animals on hand for guests use.
Our Services are Free! Contact us for Seasonal Discounts, Special Offers or Promotional Pricing
La Posada de los Farios 2025 – 2026 Rates
Length of Stay
Double Occupancy (Shared Room and Guide)
Single Occupancy (Private Room and Guide)
3 Nights/2 Days
$2,700
$3,300
4 Nights/3 Days
$3,400
$4,100
5 Nights/4 Days
$4,100
$4,950
6 Nights/5 Days
$4,850
$5,900
7 Nights/6 Days
$5,600
$6,850
Add 1 Night and 1 full day of angling
$600
$750
(Rates are in US dollars per person and subject to change.)
Take the guess-work out.
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Includes: guided fishing; ground transportation; lodge accommodations; all meals; beer; wine; Pisco Sours (Chilean national cocktail); and soft drinks.
Not included: hard liquor; items of a personal nature. Fishing licenses can be purchased at the lodge for $25.00 per week.
La Posada de los Farios also offers a special 10% discount for groups of 4 or more. Call or email us for details.
Anglers will be picked up and returned to Coyhaique, Balmaceda or any of the other regional destinations. The schedule at Posada de Los Farios can be custom-tailored to dovetail with packages or any of the other regional lodges, guide services, or South American angling destinations.
Scheduled Turn-Around Days: Any combination of Saturdays, Sundays & Wednesdays
Note: Guests who opt to explore the fishing in the coastal fjords with Rex have the option of returning to La Posada de los Farios each evening, for which there is no additional cost and is part of the standard package rate. Anglers can also opt to stay at a hosteria in one of the coastal villages at a rate of $150 per night / per person charge, to cover lodging and meals. The charge will be paid directly to Rex Bryngleson. Again, staying on the coast is optional but highly recommended.
A Peale’s dolphin takes flight in the Queulat Fjord. Quelat National Park, Chilean Patagonia.
Rio Manso Lodge is located on the Eastern bank of Lake Hess and the Manso River in the Nahuel Huapi National Park (the first national park in Argentina), deep in the beautiful Patagonia region of Argentina. Rio Manso is only 90-minutes South West of the city of San Carlos de Bariloche. Despite being close to Bariloche, the Manso River gets little fishing pressure due to its inaccessibility.
Rio Manso guests can expect good fishing for wild rainbow, brown and brook trout in the un-pressured and diverse water that surrounds the lodge. The remarkable quality and size of the trout is a result of the low pressure, conservation efforts, and Rio Manso Lodge’s strict catch-and-release policy.
Wild rainbow trout, brown trout, brook trout—all on dry flies, streamers, and nymphs
Season: Early November through end of April (peak dry fly: December-January, big browns: April)
Location: Nahuel Huapi National Park, 90 minutes SW of Bariloche—low pressure, diverse water
Strict catch-and-release policy ensures remarkable trout quality and size
Book now, get a quote, or chat with us about Argentina fly fishing and a stay at Rio Manso Lodge!
The Manso River runs for 20 miles around the lodge from its origin at Moscos Lake (20 minutes up-river) and contains a variety of water. Rio Manso Lodge’s experienced guides all speak English. A typical week of fishing at Rio Manso includes fishing from a drift boat, wading the Manso River, floating sections of the Manso or the Quieto, and excellent sight fishing on Lago Hess, Lago Fonk and Lago Roca from the skiff or raft, casting big dries or streams to the banks, as well as a few places where anglers can get out the boat and fish from shore. This variety of water allows fly fisherman the opportunity to fish streamers, nymphs, and dries.
Seasonal Patterns
The fishing season in Argentina runs from early November until the end of April. November – December typically have higher water, with the dry-fly fishing increasing in productivity in December. By the middle of December, the dragonflies are hatching in the rivers and lakes and the big fish that come out to eat makes December – January an exciting time for fishing dries at Rio Manso.
The summer season (January – February) sees the mayflies and caddis hatches wane, but the terrestrials (grasshoppers, ants, and inchworms) become an important staple in the trout’s diet. In March and April, the water temperatures begin to cool and the fish become more active. Most fishing is done with streamers or large attractor dry flies (big rubber legged dries work well in the lakes) with a brief flurry of dry fly activity right before dark. April is also when the big browns become aggressive, as they get ready to spawn.
Accommodations
Rio Manso can accommodate 8 anglers in spacious, comfortable rooms, each with private bathroom and some rooms have Jacuzzi tubs. All the rooms at Rio Manso face northwest, overlooking the Manso River, Lake Hess, and enjoy a spectacular view of Mount Tronador on the Argentina – Chile border towering over the Andes. The rest of the lodge is comprised of a warm common area with beautiful wooden posts and beams and a river stone fireplace, where you can enjoy a welcoming fire after fishing, a fly-tying bench, wader room by the Lodge’s entrance, a bar, and a main dining area. Rio Manso also has a sauna and a massage room for guests who want to relax.
Since anglers usually end their fishing day between 7:00 – 8:00 PM, hour d’oevres are served in front of the fireplace before dinner, typically between 9:00 – 10:00 PM. Rio Manso’s international menu is accented by local dishes and homemade delicacies, which are enhanced by the lodge’s own garden and excellent collection of fine Argentine wines. There is also a weekly “asado” or traditional Argentine barbeque.
Non-Angler Activities
Rio Manso Lodge primarily caters to fly fishers, however, there are a variety of activities for the non-angler, such as guided hiking and/or bird watching through the virgin areas surrounding the lodge, climbing to the nearby mounts, and horseback riding.
Rio Manso 2024 – 2025 Rates
The cost for a 7-night / 6-day fishing package is $7,000 per person based on double occupancy accommodations and two anglers per guide daily. Different length packages are available upon request.
Non-fishermen: $5,400 per person for 7 nights/6 days, based on double occupancy accommodations, or $800 per person per night. Single supplement is $400 per day. Best value is a 7 night / 6 day package.
Contact us for Seasonal Discounts, Special Offers or Promotional Pricing
Included & Not Included
Rates include: transportation between Bariloche to Rio Manso on arrival and departure days, lodging (double bedrooms), all meals, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, fishing guides (one guide for every two anglers), any extra activities (rafting, horseback riding, hiking), boats, belly boats, fishing permits, Internet access, laundry.
Not Included: airfare to and from Bariloche, fishing tackle, gratuities, phone calls, purchases from the fly shop.
A 50% deposit is required to secure a reservation.
Fly Shop & Equipment
Telephone and Internet are available as well. A fully equipped Fly Shop provides anything else you might need: Fly gear: nine foot single handed 3 to 6 weight rods, floating and fast sinking tip lines, 7 to 11 foot tapered leaders ranging from 2X to 6X. Flies: streamers, nymphs, dries (all available at the Lodge).
Getting There
The lodge is near the city of S. C. de Bariloche, which makes access extremely easy. There are several flights a day connecting this city with Buenos Aires or Santiago (Chile). Upon arrival at the local airport, a Rio Manso representative will be waiting for you and take you to the lodge (4WD commuting takes approximately 90 minutes).
Travel Documents
US Citizens visiting Argentina are required to carry a passport. Please be sure your passport will be valid 6 months after your departure from Argentina. When using a passport for proof of citizenship, we recommend carrying a photocopy of your passport picture page and two spare passport photos in a separate piece of luggage. This will greatly expedite matters should you lose your passport during your travels.
Booking at Rio Manso Lodge is easy:
Tap a button below to start the conversation. Our services are free.
Rio Manso Lodge is located on the Eastern bank of Lake Hess and the Manso River in the Nahuel Huapi National Park (the first national park in Argentina), deep in the beautiful Patagonia region of Argentina. Rio Manso is only 90-minutes South West of the city of San Carlos de Bariloche. Despite being close to Bariloche, the Manso River gets little fishing pressure due to its inaccessibility.
Rio Manso guests can expect good fishing for wild rainbow, brown and brook trout in the un-pressured and diverse water that surrounds the lodge. The remarkable quality and size of the trout is a result of the low pressure, conservation efforts, and Rio Manso Lodge’s strict catch-and-release policy. The Manso River, runs for 20 miles around the lodge from its origin at Moscos Lake (20 minutes up-river) and contains a variety of water. Rio Manso Lodge’s experienced guides all speak English. A typical week of fishing at Rio Manso includes fishing from a drift boat, wading the Manso River, floating sections of the Manso or the Quieto, and excellent sight fishing on Lago Hess, Lago Fonk and Lago Roca from the skiff or raft, casting big dries or streams to the banks, as well as a few places where anglers can get out the boat and fish from shore. This variety of water allows fly fisherman the opportunity to fish steamers, nymphs, and dries.
The fishing season in Argentina runs from early November until the end of April. November – December typically have higher water, with the dry-fly fishing increasing in productivity in December. By the middle of December, the dragonflies are hatching in the rivers and lakes and the big fish that come out to eat makes December – January an exciting time for fishing dries at Rio Manso. The summer season (January – February) sees the mayflies and caddis hatches wane, but the terrestrials (grasshoppers, ants, and inchworms) become an important staple in the trout’s diet. In March and April, the water temperatures begin to cool and the fish become more active. Most fishing is done with streamers or large attractor dry flies (big rubber legged dries work well in the lakes) with a brief flurry of dry fly activity right before dark. April is also when the big browns become aggressive, as they get ready to spawn.
Rio Manso can accommodate 8 anglers in spacious, comfortable, rooms, each with private bathroom and some rooms have Jacuzzi tubs. All the rooms at Rio Manso face northwest, overlooking the Manso River, Lake Hess, and enjoy a spectacular view of Mount Tronador on the Argentina – Chile border towering over the Andes. The rest of the lodge is comprised of a warm common area with beautiful wooden posts and beams and a river stone fireplace, where you can enjoy a welcoming fire after fishing, a fly-tying bench, wader room by the Lodge’s entrance, a bar, and a main dining area. Rio Manso also has a sauna and a massage room for guests who want to relax. Since anglers usually end their fishing day between 7:00 – 8:00 PM, hour d’oevres are served in front of the fireplace before dinner, typically between 9:00 – 10:00 PM. Rio Manso’s international menu is accented by local dishes and homemade delicacies, which are enhanced by the lodge’s own garden and excellent collection of fine Argentine wines. There is also a weekly “asado” or traditional Argentine barbeque.
Rio Manso Lodge primarily caters to fly fishers, however, there are a variety of activities for the non-angler, such as guided hiking and/or bird watching through the virgin areas surrounding the lodge, climbing to the nearby mounts, and horseback riding.
Our Services are Free! Contact us for Seasonal Discounts, Special Offers or Promotional Pricing
Rio Manso 2024 – 2025 Rates
The cost for a 7-night / 6-day fishing package is $7,000 per person based on double occupancy accommodations and two anglers per guide daily. Different length packages are available upon request.
The cost for non-fishermen is $5,400 per person for 7 nights/6 days, based on double occupancy accommodations, or $800 per person per night. Single supplement is $400 per day. Best value is a 7 night / 6 day package.
Rates include: transportation between Bariloche to Rio Manso on arrival and departure days, lodging (double bedrooms), all meals, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, fishing guides (one guide for every two anglers), any extra activities (rafting, horseback riding, hiking), boats, belly boats, fishing permits, Internet access, laundry.
Not Included: airfare to and from Bariloche, fishing tackle, gratuities, phone calls, purchases from the fly shop.
A 50% deposit is required to secure a reservation.
Telephone and Internet are available as well. A fully equipped Fly Shop provides anything else you might need: Fly gear: nine foot single handed 3 to 6 weight rods, floating and fast sinking tip lines, 7 to 11 foot tapered leaders ranging from 2X to 6X. Flies: streamers, nymphs, dries (all available at the Lodge).
Getting There: The lodge is near the city of S. C. de Bariloche, which makes access extremely easy. There are several flights a day connecting this city with Buenos Aires or Santiago (Chile). Upon arrival at the local airport, a Rio Manso representative will be waiting for you and take you to the lodge (4WD commuting takes approximately 90 minutes).
Documents: US Citizens visiting Argentina are required to carry a passport. Please be sure your passport will be valid 6 months after your departure from Argentina. When using a passport for proof of citizenship, we recommend carrying a photocopy of your passport picture page and two spare passport photos in a separate piece of luggage. This will greatly expedite matters should you lose your passport during your travels.
The Limay River Lodge is the first and only lodge on the incomparable Middle Limay River. The lodge opened in November 2014 and created easy access to a virtually untapped fishery. The Middle Limay River is one of the richest fishing resources in Northern Patagonia (the areas North of Bariloche). The Limay has a reputation for consistently producing large resident brown trout, strong rainbows, and enormous migratory browns.
The Middle Limay River is a large river, with numerous channels, that offers a variety of fishing opportunities: Dry Fly fishing with large attractor patterns or matching the hatch to rising fish, nymphing fishy runs, or stripping streamers to imitate minnows or pancoras. Angler’s searching for the “ultimate” Patagonian fly-fishing experience will find a trip to the Middle Limay unforgettable.
Brown trout (resident 17-22″, migratory measured in pounds), rainbow trout, all on dry flies
Season: Early November through end of May (consistent tailwater fishing year-round)
Location: Middle Limay River, Northern Patagonia—mid-point access to 12 fishing beats
Tailwater fishery—90% dry fly fishing with large attractor patterns
Book now, get a quote, or chat with us about Argentina fly fishing at Limay River Lodge!
There are two structures that create the defining characteristics to the Middle Limay that make it so productive: The Pichi Picun Leufu Dam and El Chocon Reservoir. The Pichi Picun Leufu Dam turns the Middle Limay into a tail-water with consistent flows, clean / clear water, and prime water temperatures for trout and insect life. El Chocon Reservoir is an expansive lake (315 sq. miles of surface area with a max depth of 200 ft) that produces the Brown Trout which are measured in pounds, not inches, that migrate out of the reservoir and up the Limay to spawn. This creates a unique combination of predictable, consistent fishing for large fish, with the ever present possibility of taking massive browns on a dry fly.
The Fishing
The fishing on the Limay is virtually the same throughout the season, which runs from early-November until the end of May, because it’s a tail water. The majority of fishing (up to 90%) can be done with large attractor dries, which are surprisingly effective on Limay River rainbows and browns. Match the Hatch fishing, Attractor / dropper, and Streamer fishing are also effective all season long.
The resident fish are typically between 17″ – 22″, with larger fish being common. It’s almost common place for anglers to a have a day only catching fish 20″, all on dries! The highest concentration of “migratory” fish in the Limay River is early and late in the season, but there are huge browns in the Limay year round. The fishing is a truly unique combination of action and excitement.
Lodge Location & Access
Limay River Lodge is located at approximately the mid-point of the Middle Limay River. With drive times to the 12 access points as little as 5 minutes to just under an hour, depending on which beat you prefer to fish any given day. Anglers can also choose to wade the waters around the lodge for full or half day fishing. The variety of access points allow for full day floats, half day floats, short floats, long floats, strictly wading, and wading/floating combos.
Accommodations
The Limay River Lodge is a U-shaped structure with an open courtyard, conveniently close the river. The lodge can accommodate 14 anglers in 7 double occupancy guest rooms, each with large open closets and private baths, and individual rod racks and wader hangers outside each room under a covered walkway. The dining room / living room are both located in a large open space at the East end of the lodge. There’s a fire pit in the courtyard, surrounded by a seating area, which is an ideal evening gathering spot. Anglers will find the Limay River Lodge comparable to a 5-star hotel in atmosphere, service, and appointments. There is reliable WiFi internet access, but no cell service.
Equipment & Guides
Limay River Lodge has a fleet of Hyde Drift boats, which are ideal for floating the Limay River and new 4×4 trucks with trailers. Limay River Lodge also offers guests use of their Sage / Redington Rods paired with Sage / Redington reels and Rio Lines, as well as Redington Waders and Boots. The Limay River Lodge also has it’s own staff of professional fishing guides that are exclusively fishing the Limay River.
Limay River Lodge 2025 – 2026 Rates
Rates are per person based on 7 nights accommodations and 6 days guided fishing with two people sharing a room and a guide daily. Shorter packages are available. Please contact us for current rates and availability.
$990 per night, per person • Private room request add $200 per night, per angler • Single (private) guide add $200 per day, per angler •Non-angling rates are available, please contact us for details
Round Trip driving transfers between the lodge and Bariloche, San Martin, or Neuquen, $175 per person, per transfer Prices for single guide requested is $200 a day and single room requested is $200 per night.
Rates are in $USD, are per person, and subject to change; confirm current pricing when you inquire.
Contact us for Seasonal Discounts, Special Offers or Promotional Pricing
Included & Not Included
Included: Accommodations at Limay River Lodge; Daily Guided Fishing; All Meals & Beverages, included local beer, excellent wine and open bar at the lodge; ground transfers from Limay River Lodge to the fishing areas; fishing license.
Not Included: Airfare; Reception & Assistance in Buenos Aires; Non-Fishing activities; IN/OUT Private ground transfer from Bariloche, Neuquén or San Martin de los Andes (Chapelco) Airports to Limay River Lodge; Trip Insurance; Guide and Staff Gratuities; Additional travel services in Buenos Aires such as transfers, hotels, or tours.
Booking at Limay River Lodge is easy:
Tap a button below to start the conversation. Our services are free.
The Limay River Lodge is the first and only lodge on the incomparable Middle Limay River. The lodge opened in November 2014 and created easy access to a virtually untapped fishery. The Middle Limay River is one of the richest fishing resources in Northern Patagonia (the areas North of Bariloche). The Limay has a reputation for consistently producing large resident brown trout, strong rainbows, and enormous migratory browns. The Middle Limay River is a large river, with numerous channels, that offers a variety of fishing opportunities: Dry Fly fishing with large attractor patterns or matching the hatch to rising fish, nymphing fishy runs, or stripping streamers to imitate minnows or pancoras. Angler’s searching for the “ultimate” Patagonian fly-fishing experience will find a trip to the Middle Limay unforgettable.
There are two structures that create the defining characteristics to the Middle Limay that make it so productive: The Pichi Picun Leufu Dam and El Chocon Reservoir. The Pichi Picun Leufu Dam turns the Middle Limay into a tail-water with consistent flows, clean / clear water, and prime water temperatures for trout and insect life. El Chocon Reservoir is an expansive lake (315 sq. miles of surface area with a max depth of 200 ft) that produces the Brown Trout which are measured in pounds, not inches, that migrate out of the reservoir and up the Limay to spawn. This creates a unique combination of predictable, consistent fishing for large fish, with the ever present possibility of taking massive browns on a dry fly.
The fishing on the Limay is virtually the same throughout the season, which runs from early-November until the end of May, because it’s a tail water. The majority of fishing (up to 90%) can be done with large attractor dries, which are surprisingly effective on Limay River rainbows and browns. Match the Hatch fishing, Attractor / dropper, and Streamer fishing are also effective all season long. The resident fish are typically between 17″ – 22″, with larger fish being common. It’s almost common place for anglers to a have a day only catching fish 20″, all on dries! The highest concentration of “migratory” fish in the Limay River is early and late in the season, but there are huge browns in the Limay year round. The fishing is a truly unique combination of action and excitement.
Limay River Lodge is located at approximately the mid-point of the Middle Limay River. With drive times to the 12 access points as little as 5 minutes to just under an hour, depending on which beat you prefer to fish any given day. Anglers can also choose to wade the waters around the lodge for full or half day fishing. The variety of access points allow for full day floats, half day floats, short floats, long floats, strictly wading, and wading/floating combos.
The Limay River Lodge is a U-shaped structure with an open courtyard, conveniently close the river. The lodge can accommodate 14 anglers in 7 double occupancy guest rooms, each with large open closets and private baths, and individual rod racks and wader hangers outside each room under a covered walkway. The dining room / living room are both located in a large open space at the East end of the lodge. There’s a fire pit in the courtyard, surrounded by a seating area, which is an ideal evening gathering spot. Anglers will find the Limay River Lodge comparable to a 5-star hotel in atmosphere, service, and appointments. There is reliable WiFi internet access, but no cell service.
Limay River Lodge has a fleet of Hyde Drift boats, which are ideal for floating the Limay River and new 4×4 trucks with trailers. Limay River Lodge also offers guests use of their Sage / Redington Rods paired with Sage / Redington reels and Rio Lines, as well as Redington Waders and Boots. The Limay River Lodge also has it’s own staff of professional fishing guides that are exclusively fishing the Limay River.
Our Services are Free! Contact us for Seasonal Discounts, Special Offers or Promotional Pricing
Limay River Lodge 2018 – 2019 Rates
(subject to change)
The cost for a 7-night / 6-day package is $6,860 per person based on double occupancy accommodations and a shared boat / guide daily. Shorter packages are available.
Included: Accommodations at Limay River Lodge; Daily Guided Fishing; All Meals & Beverages, included local beer, excellent wine and open bar at the lodge; ground transfers from Limay River Lodge to the fishing areas; fishing license.
Not Included: Airfare; Reception & Assistance in Buenos Aires; Non-Fishing activities; IN/OUT Private ground transfer from Bariloche, Neuquén or San Martin de los Andes (Chapelco) Airports to Limay River Lodge; Trip Insurance; Guide and Staff Gratuities; Additional travel services in Buenos Aires such as transfers, hotels, or tours.
Labrador, Canada: The last stronghold for giant native brook trout. The incomparable Minipi watershed is widely acknowledged as the world’s finest fishery for giant Brook Trout, with an astounding average size of right around 5 pounds. The Minipi is situated some 60 miles southeast of Goose Bay in Labrador’s remote wilderness. Accessible only by floatplane, the Minipi was first explored by fly rod legend Lee Wulff in the late 50’s. Lee recognized this as a one of a kind fishery producing a unique strain of thick bodied, beautifully conditioned brook trout.
The fertile, shallow lakes are veritable insect factories with prolific hatches of out-sized mayflies, caddis and stoneflies. This abundance of aquatic hatches means that Minipi brookies are almost always “looking up” and specimens up to 10 pounds have been taken on dry fly. Five of the current seven tippet class world records for Brook Trout have been taken in the Minipi system.
Brook trout (5 lb average, up to 10 lbs), northern pike (up to 30 lbs), landlocked arctic char (up to 12 lbs)
Season: Mid-June through mid-September (peak mayfly hatches in July, biggest fish in August)
Location: 60 miles southeast of Goose Bay, Labrador—accessible only by floatplane
World record brook trout fishery—five of seven tippet class records from Minipi system
Book now, get a quote, or chat with us about Labrador fly fishing!
Northern pike to 30 pounds are abundant and a unique strain landlocked arctic char up to 12 pounds are taken regularly as they stage for spawning in September. Fishing is restricted to fly fishing only for brook trout and char although spin or plug casting (single, barbless hook lures) is allowed on Minipi Lake. Because trophy brook trout are the main attraction, the incredible pike fishing is often overlooked; despite the fact Minipi Lake has also produced a current fly rod world record for pike, 25.5 pounds on 8-pound tippet. Catch and release is encouraged for brook trout, but anglers may take one trophy brook trout (6 pounds or better) per week for mounting.
The Fishing Program
River and lake fishing is available at all of the Minipi camps. The lakes in the Minipi system are relatively shallow in most areas, allowing sunlight penetration to the bottom. This accounts for amazing insect life making this fishery a dry fly angler’s dream! Anglers are transported to fishing areas in aluminum boats and freighter canoes with 9.9 horsepower motors. Minipi Lake, which is a larger body of water (30-miles long), also has deep-vee aluminum hull boats with 30 hp 4 stroke engines to reduce run times up the lake. You fish two anglers per boat with an experienced, licensed guide, either casting from the boat, from shore, or while wading, depending on the area you fish.
Prime Fishing Areas
A network of boats and canoes are stationed at various known hotspots better accessed by walking. Inlets and outlets are often productive areas as are “narrows” in the lake where there is good current movement. July is the peak mayfly emergence, although good dry fly fishing usually starts around the 20th of June and we have witnessed fishable hatches of giant “drakes” (Hexagenia) and caddis well into August.
Seasonal Patterns
The “growing season” is short and these brookies take advantage and feed voraciously from ice-out (usually 1st week in June) until spawning time in the fall. These fish can pack on an additional 15 – 20% in body weight over the summer! As such, August usually produces the biggest fish (4 of the 5 current records). By the second 2 weeks in August, these big brookies begin staging at the inlets and outlets in preparation for their spawning run. The landlocked arctic char are caught early in the season, but during the warmth of summer, they seek refuge in the deeper parts of the lake. However, they begin staging for their spawning at the inlets and outlets in early September, the time that anglers have their best chances for trophy char.
Fly Patterns & Tackle
Most anglers new to Labrador are amazed by the average size of both mayflies and caddis, which are often imitated on hooks as large as size 2. Most of the dry flies you’ll fish are in the 6 – 12 size range. The Wulff patterns are the most frequently fished dry fly patterns with the Grey Wulff being the most popular. But variations such as the Grizzly, Minonipi and the Royal Wulffs have their followers as well. Big, extended body “Drake” imitations, outsized caddis (Elk Hair & Goddard Caddis for example, and large stoneflies (like the Stimulator in orange or yellow), and a few Atlantic salmon Bombers round out a good dry fly selection.
Other large surface patterns, including deer hair mice, Dahlberg diver types and bass bugs (even cork bodied bass poppers!) are effective on big Minipi brookies, as well as pike. During times between hatches, wet flies, nymphs and streamers are deadly as well with favorite patterns including Muddler Minnows (original and marabou versions), Mickey Finns, Clousers, Zonkers, and Wooly Buggers. For nymphs, large Bitch Creek, Prince Nymphs, and Hare’s Ears are essential.
The Camps
Anne Marie Lodge
Anne Marie is the oldest and first opened in 1964. Perhaps because of its history and intimacy, Anne Marie has enjoyed a loyal following of repeat clients year after year. After 7 daunting years of construction in the Labrador bush, in 2011, the Cooper’s hosted their first guests at new luxury Ann Marie Lake Lodge, which replaced the aging Anne Marie cabin that had hosted fisherman for a half a century.
The spectacular new Ann Marie Lodge features full ensuite bedrooms, spacious and comfortable common and dining areas, and large windows affording spectacular views of Ann Marie Lake. The camp accommodates a maximum of 10 anglers.
Minipi Lake Lodge
Minipi Lake Lodge, which first opened in 1988, is a modern multilevel structure featuring a 40 foot high, prow-shaved window wall overlooking Minipi Lake. The lodge is just 1/4 mile from the outlet into the Minipi River. The River stretch in the gorge behind the lodge is a “nursery” during most of the season and offers fast action for smaller brookies averaging 2 pounds. Late in the season when the big spawners enter the system, the average size increases. A short walk down to the gorge after dinner is a popular way to finish a great day on Minipi. The lodge accommodates a maximum of 10 anglers.
Flyout Destinations
Minonipi Lake Lodge is currently used as just a daily flyout destination. Minonipi generally produces larger average sized trout than Ann Marie or Minipi and has 2 of the systems world records including a 10-pound brookie taken June 29, 1987. Minonipi also has better numbers of landlocked char.
Little Minipi Lodge is also used only for daily fly outs. Besides inlet/outlets and vast lake areas, Little Minipi has a 1 ¼ mile section of river that holds very large brookies throughout the summer. Fish of over 9 pounds have been taken from the river. The outlet right in front of the camp is also one of the best staging areas for arctic char for the September run of landlocked arctic char.
Daily Schedule & Experience
The daily schedule includes 4 meals. Typically, anglers head out after breakfast, usually not earlier than 9:00 am (Minipi trout are late risers), and stay out for the day, having a shore lunch at noon. Usually the best mayfly hatches occur around 2:00 in the afternoon. Guests return to the lodge for a 6:00 pm dinner, and head back out for the evening fishing. Summer days are long in Labrador (fishable light until 10:00 pm in late-June/early July), and your guides will stay late if you wish. Catching an evening spinner fall on the Minipi is nothing short of a magical experience! A final late evening meal is available when you return to camp for the night.
In September combination fishing/hunting trips may be arranged on special request. The region offers Canada Geese, ptarmigan, ruffed grouse, ducks, and caribou.
Minipi Camps 2025 – 2026 Rates
Rates are per person based on 7 nights accommodations and 6 1/2 days guided fishing with two people sharing a room and a guide daily. Please contact us for current rates and availability.
Camp
Capacity
Rate (USD)
Anne Marie Lake Lodge
10 Rods
$6,595 + Taxes
Minipi Lake Lodge
10 Rods
$5,595 + Taxes
Rates are per person in USD$ and subject to change. There is at present a 15% Harmonized Services Tax added to fishing packages.
Booking at Minipi Camps is easy:
Tap a button below to start the conversation. Our services are free.
Included: Airport reception and transfers in Goose Bay; chartered helicopter or float plane service from Goose Bay to lodge; accommodations; guided fishing; meals at the lodge; fishing license.
Not Included: Airfare to Goose Bay; accommodations if required in Goose Bay; tackle; liquor; soft drinks and gratuities, tax; optional fly outs for June & July trips.
Getting to Minipi Camps
In most cases, guests will overnight in either Halifax or St. Johns and fly to Goose Bay the following morning, and take the float plane into camp that afternoon. Anne Marie typically transfers on Fridays; Minipi Lake Lodge transfers on Thursdays. Please contact us for detailed travel arrangements and recommendations.
The incomparable Minipi watershed is widely acknowledged as the world’s finest fishery for giant Brook Trout, with an astounding average size of right around 5 pounds. The Minipi is situated some 60 miles southeast of Goose Bay in Labrador’s remote wilderness. Accessible only by floatplane, the Minipi was first explored by fly rod legend Lee Wulff in the late 50’s. Lee recognized this as a one of a kind fishery producing a unique strain of thick bodied, beautifully conditioned brook trout. The fertile, shallow lakes are veritable insect factories with prolific hatches of out-sized mayflies, caddis and stoneflies. This abundance of aquatic hatches means that Minipi brookies are almost always “looking up” and specimens up to 10 pounds have been taken on dry fly.
Five of the current seven tippet class world records for Brook Trout have been taken in the Minipi system. Northern pike to 30 pounds are abundant and a unique strain landlocked arctic char up to 12 pounds are taken regularly as they stage for spawning in September. Fishing is restricted to fly fishing only for brook trout and char although spin or plug casting (single, barbless hook lures) is allowed on Minipi Lake. Because trophy brook trout are the main attraction, the incredible pike fishing is often overlooked; despite the fact Minipi Lake has also produced a current fly rod world record for pike, 25.5 pounds on 8-pound tippet. Catch and release is encouraged for brook trout, but anglers may take one trophy brook trout (6 pounds or better) per week for mounting.
Access to this world-class fishery is via the Minipi Camps, owned and operated by Jack & Lorraine Cooper: Anne Marie Lodge and Minipi Lake Resort. The Minipi Camps operate from mid-June through mid-September. Week long packages are the norm, but custom packages of shorter duration may be arranged on request.
THE FISHING
River and lake fishing is available at all of the Minipi camps. The lakes in the Minipi system are relatively shallow in most areas, allowing sunlight penetration to the bottom. This accounts for amazing insect life making this fishery a dry fly angler’s dream! Anglers are transported to fishing areas in aluminum boats and freighter canoes with 9.9 horsepower motors. Minipi Lake, which is a larger body of water (30-miles long), also has deep-vee aluminum hull boats with 30 hp 4 stroke engines to reduce run times up the lake. You fish two anglers per boat with an experienced, licensed guide, either casting from the boat, from shore, or while wading, depending on the area you fish.
A network of boats and canoes are stationed at various known hotspots better accessed by walking. Inlets and outlets are often productive areas as are “narrows” in the lake where there is good current movement. July is the peak mayfly emergence, although good dry fly fishing usually starts around the 20th of June and we have witnessed fishable hatches of giant “drakes” (Hexagenia) and caddis well into August.
The “growing season” is short and these brookies take advantage and feed voraciously from ice-out (usually 1st week in June) until spawning time in the fall. These fish can pack on an additional 15 – 20% in body weight over the summer! As such, August usually produces the biggest fish (4 of the 5 current records). By the second 2 weeks in August, these big brookies begin staging at the inlets and outlets in preparation for their spawning run. The landlocked arctic char are caught early in the season, but during the warmth of summer, they seek refuge in the deeper parts of the lake. However, they begin staging for their spawning at the inlets and outlets in early September, the time that anglers have their best chances for trophy char.
Most anglers new to Labrador are amazed by the average size of both mayflies and caddis, which are often imitated on hooks as large as size 2. Most of the dry flies you’ll fish are in the 6 – 12 size range. The Wulff patterns are the most frequently fished dry fly patterns with the Grey Wulff being the most popular. But variations such as the Grizzly, Minonipi and the Royal Wulffs have their followers as well. Big, extended body “Drake” imitations, outsized caddis (Elk Hair & Goddard Caddis for example, and large stoneflies (like the Stimulator in orange or yellow), and a few Atlantic salmon Bombers round out a good dry fly selection.
Other large surface patterns, including deer hair mice, Dahlberg diver types and bass bugs (even cork bodied bass poppers!) are effective on big Minipi brookies, as well as pike. During times between hatches, wet flies, nymphs and streamers are deadly as well with favorite patterns including Muddler Minnows (original and marabou versions), Mickey Finns, Clousers, Zonkers, and Wooly Buggers. For nymphs, large Bitch Creek, Prince Nymphs, and Hare’s Ears
THE CAMPS
Anne Marie is the oldest and first opened in 1964. Perhaps because of its history and intimacy, Anne Marie has enjoyed a loyal following of repeat clients year after year. After 7 daunting years of construction in the Labrador bush, in 2011, the Cooper’s hosted their first guests at new luxury Ann Marie Lake Lodge, which replaced the aging Anne Marie cabin that had hosted fisherman for a half a century.
The spectacular new Ann Marie Lodge features full ensuite bedrooms, spacious and comfortable common and dining areas, and large windows affording spectacular views of Ann Marie Lake. The camp accommodates a maximum of 10 anglers.
Minipi Lake Lodge, which first opened in 1988, is a modern multilevel structure featuring a 40 foot high, prow-shaved window wall overlooking Minipi Lake. The lodge is just 1/4 mile from the outlet into the Minipi River. The River stretch in the gorge behind the lodge is a “nursery” during most of the season and offers fast action for smaller brookies averaging 2 pounds. Late in the season when the big spawners enter the system, the average size increases. A short walk down to the gorge after dinner is a popular way to finish a great day on Minipi. The lodge accommodates a maximum of 10 anglers.
Minonipi Lake Lodge is currently used as just a daily flyout destination. Minonipi generally produces larger average sized trout than Ann Marie or Minipi and has 2 of the systems world records including a 10-pound brookie taken June 29, 1987. Minonipi also has better numbers of landlocked char.
Little Minipi Lodge is also used only for daily fly outs. Besides inlet/outlets and vast lake areas, Little Minipi has a 1 ¼ mile section of river that holds very large brookies throughout the summer. Fish of over 9 pounds have been taken from the river. The outlet right in front of the camp is also one of the best staging areas for arctic char for the September run of landlocked arctic char.
The daily schedule includes 4 meals. Typically, anglers head out after breakfast, usually not earlier than 9:00 am (Minipi trout are late risers), and stay out for the day, having a shore lunch at noon. Usually the best mayfly hatches occur around 2:00 in the afternoon. Guests return to the lodge for a 6:00 pm dinner, and head back out for the evening fishing. Summer days are long in Labrador (fishable light until 10:00 pm in late-June/early July), and your guides will stay late if you wish. Catching an evening spinner fall on the Minipi is nothing short of a magical experience! A final late evening meal is available when you return to camp for the night.
In September combination fishing/hunting trips may be arranged on special request. The region offers Canada Geese, ptarmigan, ruffed grouse, ducks, and caribou.
Our Services are Free! Contact us for Seasonal Discounts, Special Offers or Promotional Pricing
Minipi Camp 2020 Rates
Rates are per person based on 7 nights accommodations and 6 1/2 days guided fishing with two people sharing a room and a guide daily.
Anne Marie Lake
10 Rods
$6,595 USD + Taxes
Minipi Lake Lodge
10 Rods
$5,595 USD + Taxes
Included
Airport reception and transfers in Goose Bay; chartered helicopter or float plane service from Goose Bay to lodge; accommodations; guided fishing; meals at the lodge; fishing license.
Not Included
Airfare to Goose Bay; accommodations if required in Goose Bay; tackle; liquor; soft drinks and gratuities, tax; optional fly outs for June & July trips.
There is at present a 15% Harmonized Services Tax added to fishing packages.
For 2020, Anne Marie will transfer on Fridays; Minipi Lake Lodge will transfer Thursdays. In most cases, guests will overnight in either Halifax or St. Johns and fly to Goose Bay the following morning, and take the float plane into camp that afternoon.
Bristol Bay Lodge has spent nearly 50 seasons overlooking Lake Aleknagik in the heart of Wood-Tikchik State Park. From this hillside the crew can point floatplanes toward the Agulowak, Agulukpak, Kanektok, Goodnews, Togiak, and a dozen other rivers inside Wood-Tikchik and the neighboring Togiak National Wildlife Refuge.
Guests still talk about the mix of polished hospitality and honest Alaska bush life: legendary DeHavilland Beaver floatplanes, veteran guides, jet boats cached on remote rivers, and overnight outpost camps that keep anglers on the water when the midnight sun refuses to set.
Species: rainbows, grayling, Dolly Varden, pike, and all five Pacific salmon.
Season: June through September with peak salmon variety in July and August.
Weather: June warmth, bright July sun, and classic cool August nights around the lake.
Location: Island base in Wood-Tikchik State Park with quick access to Togiak
Three hundred and fifty miles southwest of Anchorage, Bristol Bay Lodge sits in the middle of the finest freshwater fishery in North America. The Kanektok, Goodnews, Togiak, Agulowak, and Agulukpak rivers are as productive as ever, holding Chinook (king), sockeye, chum, pink, coho, Dolly Varden, arctic char, arctic grayling, rainbow trout, and northern pike throughout the season. The crew has guarded access for decades so guests can still fish legendary systems with little pressure.
Bristol Bay offers variety in species and in methods. Dry flies, nymphs, streamers, and mice all get their moments. Guests who want the complete fly-out experience can string together sight-fishing on the Agulowak, a tundra-creek mouse session on the Agulukpak, and a swing day for kings on the Togiak–all in the same week.
How the Program Flows
Each night guests sit with their guides to map the following day. Jet boats are staged on multiple rivers so flights are quick and anglers slide straight into prime water. On un-flyable days the Agulowak, a short boat ride from the dock, keeps rods bent with rainbows, grayling, char, Dolly Varden, and sockeye. Dry-fly days, nymphing setups, and streamer sessions are all on the table depending on weather and the run timing.
Much of the fishing water is reachable only by floatplane, and Bristol Bay Lodge keeps its DeHavilland Beaver fleet in top condition. Three career pilots, many with more than three decades of Alaska airtime, handle the summer schedule and have flown for the lodge for years.
Jet Boats, Guides & Staff
Guides rotate between float trips, lake outlets, coastal rivers, and overnight camps so they always know where fish are staging. Jet boats positioned on different rivers ensure fast access once planes land. The team prides itself on warm hospitality, polished logistics, and a lifetime of stories about these fisheries.
Outpost Camps & Overnight Adventures
The lodge operates two private outpost camps on exclusive water. Only four guests overnight at a time, sleeping in Weatherport tents with real beds, heaters, and fresh linens. A cook’s tent turns out dinners while two guides stay on site to keep fishing rolling well into the midnight sun. Many guests call this overnight the high point of their trip.
Life Around the Lodge
Bristol Bay Lodge hosts up to 26 guests but limits fishing weeks to about 20 anglers to keep things personal. The lodge itself is stocked with a professional kitchen, dining room, expansive living room and bar wrapped around a see-through fireplace, a library, and a fly-tying bench loaded with local favorites. Decks overlooking Lake Aleknagik become gathering spots for appetizers, cocktails, and the weekly barbecue. A hot tub and sauna wait for tired muscles, and four cedar cabins give family groups private space.
Family & Specialty Weeks
The lodge continues to welcome family sessions, small corporate groups, and multi-generation trips. Summer weeks often see three-generation parties learning to fish together, with rainbows and grayling on dry flies, sockeye by the millions, and Dolly Varden in full color. Special pricing is available for youth accompanying adult anglers during those designated family windows.
Weather & Seasonal Highlights
June brings long, bright days with temperatures in the 60s and early pushes of kings, sockeye, and trophy rainbows. Late July and August typically sit in the mid-50s to mid-60s with long twilight, big sockeye numbers, pink salmon on even years, and Dollies in top form. Expect rain at times–this is coastal Alaska–but the operation is built to keep guests fishing through changing fronts.
Seasonal Fishing Calendar
Species
Prime Window
Notes
Rainbow trout
June through September
Sight-fish lake outlets, tundra creeks, and swing runs with mice, dries, and streamers.
Arctic grayling
June through September
Classic dry-fly days on the Agulowak and upper Wood-Tikchik tributaries.
Dolly Varden & char
July through August
Follow salmon runs; prolific bead and leech fishing with kids and first-timers.
King salmon
Mid June to early July
Fly-outs to the Kanektok, Goodnews, and Togiak with two-handed and heavy single-hand rods.
Sockeye salmon
Late June to mid July
Millions of fish through Wood-Tikchik; meat trips and bead drifts light up.
Chum & pink salmon
July through August
High-volume action, ideal for spey practice and fueling trout and char.
Coho (silver) salmon
Mid August through September
Explosive topwater and streamer eats on tidewater systems.
Northern pike
June through August
Warm sloughs near Lake Aleknagik deliver classic weed-line sight fishing.
Bristol Bay Lodge 2025 Rates & Booking
Package
Details
Rate (USD)
6 nights / 6 days guided fly fishing
Daily fly-outs included
$8,980 per angler
5 nights / 5 days fishing home waters
Includes one fly-out day
$7,980 per angler
Contact us for 2026 availability, family-week pricing, or custom itineraries.
Take the guess-work out.
Tap a button below to start the conversation. Our services are free.
All meals, lodging, and nightly appetizers at Bristol Bay Lodge.
Fully guided daily fishing (two anglers per guide) with fly-outs or jet-boat access as scheduled.
Transportation between Iliamna airport and the lodge.
Use of lodge waders, boots, rods, reels, and most terminal gear.
Professional vacuum sealing and boxing for salmon you choose to keep.
Not Included
Commercial airfare to Anchorage, charter arrangements to Iliamna, or Anchorage hotel stays.
Terminal tackle you wish to keep (flies, lures, leaders, specialty lines).
Alaska fishing license and king stamp.
Alcoholic beverages and gratuities for guides, pilots, and staff.
Optional trip insurance (strongly recommended).
Deposits & Balance: A 50% deposit confirms space; reservations made more than a year out can be held with $1,000 per person until the standard deposit is due. Balances are payable on arrival by cash, traveler’s checks, or personal check (no credit cards). Because the operating season is short, deposits are non-refundable, but dates can shift within the same year on a space-available basis. Protect your investment with travel insurance; the lodge recommends Squaremouth Travel (800-240-0369).
Bristol Bay Lodge, for nearly 50 years, has helped define Alaska wilderness fishing. Bristol Bay Lodge overlooks Lake Aleknagik and the surrounding mountains. The lodge is strategically situated in the heart of America’s largest state park: The Wood – TikChik Park, as well as the Togiak National Wildlife Refuge, giving Bristol Bay Lodge the advantage of being utterly surrounded by pristine wilderness. The lodge’s proximity to the watersheds within Wood-TikChik Park and Togiak National Wildlife Refuge means less travel time and more time catching fish.
Bristol Bay Lodge has been in operation since 1972. Over that time the lodge has worked hard to establish and keep access to the best fishing in the parks. Briston Bay offers diversity of species and fishing methods. Bristol Bay Lodge is the best place for anglers looking for the complete Alaska fly-out experience.
Three hundred and fifty miles southwest of Anchorage lies Bristol Bay and its vast watershed, home of the finest freshwater sport fishing in North America. In the heart of the watershed lies Wood-TikChik State Park, containing 14 major lakes and their connecting river systems. Guests at Bristol Bay have access to this entire pristine Alaskan fishery. The Kanektok, Goodnews, and Togiak rivers are among the most productive in Alaska. Chinook (king) salmon, sockeye (red) salmon, chum salmon, pink (humpy) salmon, coho or silver salmon, Dolly Varden, arctic char, arctic grayling, rainbow trout and northern pike are all present in vast numbers at various stages of the Alaskan fishing season.
Each night at Bristol Bay Lodge, guests get together with their guides to schedule the following day’s fishing. Bristol Bay Lodge guests also have the opportunity to fish two of Alaska’s most renowned rivers, the Agulowak and the Agulukpak, inside Wood-TikChik Park. These rivers provide productive fishing for
spotted Alaskan rainbows, grayling, char, and Dolly Varden all summer long. They are also host to the single largest sockeye salmon run anywhere in the world. On average, several million fish return to the Wood-TikChik lakes system and surrounding watershed every year. Bristol Bay Lodge guests generally begin catching the first sockeye around the 4th of July. Dry fly fishing, nymphing, and streamer fishing are all productive techniques at different times during the summer.
Additionally, just a short boat ride from the Bristol Bay Lodge’s front door is the world-famous Agulowak River, celebrated for its productive Alaskan rainbow trout fishing as well as its populations of grayling, char, Dolly Varden and sockeye salmon. Being able to access such productive fishing by boat is also a safeguard against the inevitable days of un-flyable weather, during which many other lodges cannot fish.
Much of Alaska’s best fishing water is accessible only by floatplane. Bristol Bay Lodge flies guests to their fishing destination in legendary DeHavilland Beaver floatplanes. These airplanes are comfortable and reliable, earning the nickname “workhorses of the North.” Each aircraft is in excellent condition and all are well maintained throughout the entire season.
Bristol Bay Lodge employs three pilots through the summer. Each pilot has more than three decades experience flying in Alaska and some have flown for Bristol Bay Lodge for more than 16 years. Jet boats are kept on many different rivers during the season for easy access to the most productive fishing waters. The boats ensure prompt, easy and comfortable access to the prime fishing grounds.
Bristol Bay Lodge’s two outpost camps give it another advantage that no other Alaskan fishing lodges can offer. Bristol Bay is unique in providing the opportunity for guests to enjoy two intimate, comfortable (recently upgraded) outpost camps situated on private water (an extremely rare commodity in Alaska). A maximum of four guests overnight along side these private streams, affording the opportunity to fish all night under the midnight sun or just enjoy sitting around the campfire in the middle of a vast Alaskan wilderness. Nevertheless, a full staff is always on hand. Both camps have fixed beds with fresh linens warm full sized, fleece-lined sleeping bags, heaters, running water, and full service lavatory. Each camp also has three guest tents, accommodating two fishermen per tent, as well as a cook’s tent where breakfasts and dinners are served. The camps are staffed full time by two experienced guides and a camp chef to take care of all of your needs. For many guests, this overnight experience is often the highlight of an otherwise unforgettable Alaskan fishing trip.
The main lodge at Bristol Bay accommodates up to 26 guests per week. The well-appointed facility offers casually elegant wilderness living filled with creature comforts and an atmosphere of camaraderie. The lodge is equipped professional kitchen, the dining room, a large living room and bar, a library and a huge fly tying bench laden with everything one needs to tie quality flies suited to the surrounding rivers.
The famous see-through fireplace is fronted by a panoramic view of Lake Aleknagik. In warm weather the lodge’s decks are the favorite gathering places for appetizers, cocktails and weekly barbecues. The hot tub and sauna get heavy use after fishing. Set around the lodge, but private in every regard, are four cedar cabins, often used for small groups or families.
Our Services are Free!
Bristol Bay Lodge 2020 Rates
The 2020weekly rate at Bristol Bay Lodge is $10,850 total, per person per week, including private charter.
Included: The price includes all meals, lodging based on double occupancy, fully guided daily fishing excursions(one guide per two anglers), R/T airfare Anchorage/Dillingham; all fly-outs; round-trip transportation between Dillingham (Alaskan port from which we transport guests to the lodge) and the lodge, fishing license and King Stamp, all waders, boots, rods and reels, all necessary lines and lures, professional vacuum sealing and preparation of salmon for shipping home, airline approved wet-lock fish box, Alaskan visitor’s fishing license.
Not Included: The price does not include transportation to/from Anchorage to/from home city, accommodation in Anchorage, terminal tackle — flies, lures, lines, etc. (these are available for purchase in our tackle shop), alcoholic beverages and gratuities.
*An additional fuel surcharge may apply.
EACH MONDAY THE LODGE TAKES 4 TO 5 GUESTS. THE RATES ARE THE SAME AS THE PREVIOUS SATURDAY.
FAMILY & SPECIAL WEEKS: Family Week – Contact us for dates We used to call this Father/Son Week but had requests for mothers, daughters, son-in-law’s, cousins, nephews and grandchildren too!
WEATHER: June temperatures are usually warm, 60-70 degrees, and Bristol Bay experiences lengthy days . . . almost 20 hours of daylight.
FISHING: The lodge enjoys excellent fishing for all resident species at this time. Some of the lodge’s best catches of arctic char, dolly varden, rainbow trout, lake trout, northern pike and arctic grayling occur in June. You’ll also be fishing for king salmon, chum salmon, and will have a good chance at sockeyes.
Midsummer Family Week – Contact us for dates
Bristol Bay has an increase in demand for family weeks at different times of the season with children so busy with other summer activities. The lodge gets many three-generation parties. Midsummer offers warm weather and lots of fish. Many catch rainbows and grayling on dry flies. The sockeye salmon are in by the millions and the dolly varden run is in high gear — 50 dollies a day is not uncommon. This is a great time to bring the family and introduce them to fly fishing or further their experience.
PRICE: The ‘head/heads of the house’ or adults fish at our regular rate of $10,850 and the “children” for 50% or $5,425. These rates apply for up to 2 parents and 4 children per family group.
WEATHER: Late July and early August temperatures are normally between 55 and 65 degrees, and the days are still lengthy for long fishing hours. While generally sunny, rain is a definite possibility at this time of year.
FISHING: All resident species are available, with excellent dry-fly fishing for rainbow trout and grayling. The sockeye and pink salmon are running, as are the sea-run Dolly Varden. There is also a chance to catch an early silver salmon.
Arroyo Claro Lodge is Jorge Graziosi’s flagship base in northern Patagonia–a hillside perch above the Carrileufu River where veteran guides stage bespoke trout programs that mix classic floats, stealthy spring-creek sessions, and cross-border adventures into Chile. The lodge team has refined this operation for decades, balancing serious fishing with warm hospitality, chef-driven cuisine, and the kind of storytelling that only comes from a lifetime spent on these rivers.
From the home beats on the Carrileufu to the jade waters of the Rio Rivadavia and remote multi-day expeditions on the Chubut, guests can tailor every week. Add horseback rides, national park hikes, and optional Chile road trips, and Arroyo Claro becomes as compelling for non-anglers as it is for serious trout hunters.
Resident browns & rainbows, seasonal landlocked salmon, plus optional king salmon in Chile
Cholila, Chubut Province — easy transfers from Bariloche or Esquel airports
This is a true owner-operated program. Jorge Graziosi and his veteran guides have fished Patagonia’s rivers since the 1960s, refining every float, walk-and-wade, and Chile extension they offer. Days start with custom pairings–maybe a morning sight-casting to sipping browns on the Carrileufu, an afternoon scouting the teal currents of the Rio Rivadavia, or a horseback shuttle to a spring creek that rarely sees pressure. Evenings bring story-filled cocktail hours, wood-fired asados, and the kind of hospitality that keeps guests returning year after year.
Signature Waters
Carrileufu River: Within walking distance of the lodge, this classic freestone features riffles, structure-rich banks, and a healthy mix of rainbows, browns, and seasonal landlocked salmon. Expect a blend of boat fishing and productive wade sessions, with excellent hopper and attractor action in midsummer.
Rio Rivadavia & Arrayanes: Crystal-clear, lake-fed systems ideal for technical dry-fly presentations, sight fishing with small terrestrials, and stealthy nymphing. Guides know every slot and foamy seam, and they’re quick with tips for long leaders, stealth and precise drifts.
Arroyo Pescado & Canal Spring Creeks: Limited-access beats with outsized fish. Think refined presentations, long casts, and big rewards for anglers who love intimate water.
Optional Chile Road Trip: Add a few nights across the border on the Palena or Futaleufu for brawling rainbows, browns, and even Pacific king salmon when the runs are in.
Chubut River Overnight Expedition
The lodge’s multi-day float down the Chubut is a Patagonia classic: a three-night, four-day drift through a 250,000-acre estancia where the river is the only road. Camps await each evening with wall tents, real beds, hearty Argentine meals, and Malbec under the southern stars. Days are spent throwing dries to pods of 12- to 22-inch rainbows and browns, with bigger fish lurking under shady cutbanks.
“Great dry fly fishing to feisty rainbows averaging 18 inches–Chernobyls, hoppers, caddis, you name it. Camps were dialed, meals were insane, and the guides hustled all day. Bring an appetite and be ready for sore arms.” – Bob M.
“When the guides take machetes out to chop through the willows, you know you aren’t going to be fishing ‘the same old, same old.’ Southern kingfishers, wild parakeets, cara caras, and Andean condors fly overhead while you stick fish after fish — many in the 7-9 lb range. Bring a warm layer for the afternoon winds and be ready for more trout than you can count.” – Rick B.
High, lake-moderated flows, aggressive fish, and cool mornings. Great time for streamer junkies and anyone hunting landlocked salmon in the Carrileufu.
January & February
Prime summer hopper fishing with long daylight windows. Expect stable water levels, reliable dry-fly action, and ideal weather for non-anglers.
March & April
Fall colors, low clear water for sight-fishing, and migratory browns and salmon pushing into the rivers. Cooler nights, crisp mornings, and fewer boats.
Beyond the Fishing
Horseback rides on the lodge’s 5,000-acre ranch
Excursions into Parque Nacional Los Alerces and boat trips on Lago Menendez
Visits to the historic Butch Cassidy cabin and Estancia Leleque museum
Local artisan markets in El Bolson and Welsh tea houses in the neighboring valley
Birding for condors, flamingos and an impressive list of Patagonian species
Arroyo Claro Lodge 2023-2024 Rates
Package
Details
Rate (USD)
7 nights / 6 days fishing
Double occupancy & shared guide
$4,550 per angler
7 nights / 6 days fishing
Single room & private guide
$5,700 per angler
Shorter or extended stays are available by request. Rates subject to change; confirm current pricing when you inquire.
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Round-trip ground transfers from Bariloche or Esquel airports
Deluxe lodging at Arroyo Claro Lodge with daily housekeeping
Chef-prepared meals, daily cocktail hour, house wine, beer, and soft drinks
Guided fishing (two anglers per guide) by raft and vehicle access
Use of lodge horses, kayaks, and on-property recreational gear
Not Included
International airfare or in-country flights to Bariloche/Esquel
Fishing licenses, private water fees, and optional Chubut camping surcharge
Chilean lodging/liquor during road-trip extensions
Premium spirits, tackle rentals, flies, and laundry
Guide and staff gratuities, and any hotels or touring in Buenos Aires
“Three things can sum up an Arroyo Claro float down the Chubut River. Great fishing, knowledgeable guides and personalized service. We experienced great dry fly fishing to feisty rainbow trout averaging 18″. Chernobyl patterns, Dave’s hoppers, caddis patterns brought fish to the surface all day long. Whenever there was a slight lull to the dry fly action, I would put on a few nymphs, especially a prince nymph, and the fish were right back on it. But the dry fly fishing was just too spectacular to think of fishing below the surface.
Jorge and his crew were extremely professional and organized. Campsites were set up well in advance every night. It was a pleasure to roll into camp every night and see dinner being prepared, tents placed along the river and the bar open. Meatloaf, steaks, grilled chicken, bacon and eggs, and freshly squeezed orange juice are some samples of the type of meals we ate. Jorge even brought some pies for dessert! I noticed that everyday Jorge or any of his crew would go out of their way to make sure we were comfortable. Expresso anyone?
The Chubut River trip is a treat for a lifetime. Great scenery, great fishing, experienced and knowledgable guides, tasty argentine food and wine but make sure you bring a jacket to keep you warm when the winds of Patagonia start to blow. The only reason I might hesitate from going again is that I do not think it could be any better than the last time.” – Bob M.
“When the guides take machetes out to chop through the willows, you know you aren’t going to be fishing ‘the same old, same old’. The first 1/2 of the trip is filled with bright, shiny, acrobatic rainbows, running 14-18 inches long, jumping, pulling and bouncing around the river with abundant energy.
Southern kingfishers, wild parakeets, cara caras, and Andean condors fly over and around the river, giving bird-oriented folks lots of bucket-list Audubon check-offs. Cool nights make for great sleeping, that and tasty bottles of Argentine Malbec wine and cold Aracauna, Anteres and Quilmes beers speed you off to trout-filled dreams on your cot in your own tent after a routine day of 20-40 wild fish to the net/angler.
Jorge’s team of guides and wranglers are skilled at preparing evening meal like rich bolognese sauces and pasta al dente, steaks, or a piquant chili with fresh baked bread, perfecto! You will not lack for breakfast options, which are served with matte tea served and shared with the guides, as is the custom, or fresh brewed coffee in your own mug. Lunches are often cuts of salami and ham, hard cheeses, fruits, bread for sandwiches, bottles of beer (or more Malbec). Desserts are pies and torts filled with the rich local berries.
The end of the Chubut float finds the river gradient slowing and more opportunities to tangle with big browns and you may linger at the deeper holes for a bit to see if you can coax a big boy to come out and play. There are also rainbows to keep your rod bent between the viscous, green stretches, but this is your chance to tangle with 25+ inch Argentine brownies, not mention their ho-hum “smaller” 16-18 inch brothers and sisters.
There is no fine china, no crystal wine goblets, no maitre d’s to tip, but you will be well-spoiled by the end of your float because the scenery is gorgeous, the fish cooperative and frisky (but well placed casts reap great rewards). The air is fresh, the water cool, the sky is big and the experience most special. This is a great trip to reconnect with friends, enjoy precious moments with family, or simply enjoy a few days under canvas in the Argentine pampas, chasing trout and enjoying life with folks who appreciate really love being out on a trout river with no other agenda than relaxing and savoring the simple pleasures of life well-lived. Did I mention they have lots of good Malbec?” – Rick B.
Jorge Graziosi has been guiding in Patagonia Argentina since 1968, first under the name Safaris Acuaticos and more recently as Arroyo Claro Lodge, which he opened 1999. In 2006, Jorge constructed the new Arroyo Claro Lodge, built on a nearby hillside with dramatic views of the beautiful Carrileufu River, 3-hours south of Bariloche. Lodge guests fish the Carrileufu, the Rivadavia, Arrayanes and Chubut rivers, as well as Arroyo Pescado, and the Palena and Futaleufu Rivers of Chile.
Arroyo Claro Lodge
Arroyo Claro Lodge is located ten miles south of the small village of Cholila, in the heart of this wonderful trout fishing country. The Carrileufu River is within walking distance of the lodge. The Rio Rivadavia and El Canal spring creek are a short drive. The Andes Mountains make the perfect backdrop to this idyllic setting. Your host at Arroyo Claro Lodge is Jorge Graziosi.
Jorge designs each fishing itinerary to suit the season, angler preference, and the size of each group. On extended stays, Jorge may dedicate a portion of each guest’s trip to fishing the Palena and Futaleufu Rivers in Chile, a three-hour drive south of Cholila, stopping to fish Arroyo Pescado on the way. 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 an expert fly fisherman and an accomplished horseman and the lodge is furnished with 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 double guest rooms on the first floor, each with a private, full bathroom and two smaller bedrooms with private baths on the second floor.
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 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.
The beautiful Carrileufu flows within sight of Arroyo Claro. 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 trout 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.
Also nearby are the Rio Arrayanes, Menendez and the Canal Spring Creeks.
Chubut Float Trip
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 (most of the float is inside a 250,000 acre Estancia), its trout 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. The Chubut River is 30 – 50 yards wide, which is filled with fishy looking riffles, runs, deep pools.
The Chubut is the longest of five small rivers that are born in the mountains a few miles south from the Bariloche airport: Two of the River’s go to the Pacific and three to the Atlantic. The Chubut flows for almost six hundred miles to reach the coast. First, flowing south for one hundred miles where the river takes a turn 90 degrees about ten miles south of El Maiten and heads east for the Atlantic. This is known as “Vuelta del Rio” (turn of the river) and where 65 miles Chubut float trip begins. The Chubut float takes anglers through a variety of fishing situations and Argentine landscapes. At the beginning of the float, the banks are lined
with tall willows, some reaching 40 to 50 feet tall that provide cover for the trout, protect the anglers in windy conditions, and keep the water cool. Then, the banks begin to open, cut banks begin to form, and there is great terrestrial and hopper fishing. The float ends on a winding section of the Chubut, framed by the Andes, with less willows, more cut banks, and fabulous riffles where some heavy brown trout take Chernobyls and big stone flies.
All of the camping equipment is provided (wall tents with two cots each, good sleeping, tables, camping chairs, electricity provided by a small generator, portable toilette, and shower facilities) and is set up each night by camp staff, who will float ahead of the anglers, set up camp and prepare dinner. The facilities are simple, however Jorge has perfected the scheduled and equipment, so anglers want for nothing, except for more time on the Chubut.
Client Views of the Chubut Float
“Three things can sum up an Arroyo Claro float down the Chubut River. Great fishing, knowledgeable guides and personalized service. We experienced great dry fly fishing to feisty rainbow trout averaging 18″. Chernobyl patterns, Dave’s hoppers, caddis patterns brought fish to the surface all day long. Whenever there was a slight lull to the dry fly action, I would put on a few nymphs, especially a prince nymph, and the fish were right back on it. But the dry fly fishing was just too spectacular to think of fishing below the surface.
Jorge and his crew were extremely professional and organized. Campsites were set up well in advance every night. It was a pleasure to roll into camp every night and see dinner being prepared, tents placed along the river and the bar open. Meatloaf, steaks, grilled chicken, bacon and eggs, and freshly squeezed orange juice are some samples of the type of meals we ate. Jorge even brought some pies for dessert! I noticed that everyday Jorge or any of his crew would go out of their way to make sure we were comfortable. Expresso anyone?
The Chubut River trip is a treat for a lifetime. Great scenery, great fishing, experienced and knowledgable guides, tasty argentine food and wine but make sure you bring a jacket to keep you warm when the winds of Patagonia start to blow. The only reason I might hesitate from going again is that I do not think it could be any better than the last time.” – Bob M.
“When the guides take machetes out to chop through the willows, you know you aren’t going to be fishing ‘the same old, same old’. The first 1/2 of the trip is filled with bright, shiny, acrobatic rainbows, running 14-18 inches long, jumping, pulling and bouncing around the river with abundant energy.
Southern kingfishers, wild parakeets, cara caras, and Andean condors fly over and around the river, giving bird-oriented folks lots of bucket-list Audubon check-offs. Cool nights make for great sleeping, that and tasty bottles of Argentine Malbec wine and cold Aracauna, Anteres and Quilmes beers speed you off to trout-filled dreams on your cot in your own tent after a routine day of 20-40 wild fish to the net/angler.
Jorge’s team of guides and wranglers are skilled at preparing evening meal like rich bolognese sauces and pasta al dente, steaks, or a piquant chili with fresh baked bread, perfecto! You will not lack for breakfast options, which are served with matte tea served and shared with the guides, as is the custom, or fresh brewed coffee in your own mug. Lunches are often cuts of salami and ham, hard cheeses, fruits, bread for sandwiches, bottles of beer (or more Malbec). Desserts are pies and torts filled with the rich local berries.
The end of the Chubut float finds the river gradient slowing and more opportunities to tangle with big browns and you may linger at the deeper holes for a bit to see if you can coax a big boy to come out and play. There are also rainbows to keep your rod bent between the viscous, green stretches, but this is your chance to tangle with 25+ inch Argentine brownies, not mention their ho-hum “smaller” 16-18 inch brothers and sisters.
There is no fine china, no crystal wine goblets, no maitre d’s to tip, but you will be well-spoiled by the end of your float because the scenery is gorgeous, the fish cooperative and frisky (but well placed casts reap great rewards). The air is fresh, the water cool, the sky is big and the experience most special. This is a great trip to reconnect with friends, enjoy precious moments with family, or simply enjoy a few days under canvas in the Argentine pampas, chasing trout and enjoying life with folks who appreciate really love being out on a trout river with no other agenda than relaxing and savoring the simple pleasures of life well-lived. Did I mention they have lots of good Malbec?” – Rick B.
Chile Road Trip
The Chile Road Trip normally beings with a stop at Arroyo Pescado to break up the 3-hour drive. Aftera full day of fishing Arroyo Pescado, it’s a 90-minute drive to either the Rio Palina or the Futaleufu. Each itinerary is custom designed to meet each clients’ individual preferences. Guests stay at lodges in Chile selected by Jorge Graziosi. The pricing for the Chile Road Trip is the same as a standard stay at Arroyo Claro, except that liquor and wine are not included in Chile.
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 Rio Palena originates from Lago Vintter and flows through Argentina as the Rio Corcovado. Once the river enters Chile and until it empties in the Pacific, it’s known as the Rio Palena. The Palena fishes well with dries, nymphs and streamers for brown and rainbow trout. This river also has the most important run of Pacific King salmon in South America – The Kings spawning in the Palena not only add another species to target, but the browns and rainbows grow big and strong feeding on salmon eggs. The Palena flows through one of the most spectacular mountainous valleys in Chile, with snow-capped peaks hovering over every riffle and run.
The Futaleufu in Chile, or “Big River”; (for this is how Futaleufu translates from the Tehuelche tongue) begins on the Eastern side of the Andes in Argentina, where it’s called the “Rio Grande”. Once over the Chilean border, the Futaleufu creates the Yago Yelcho, which in turn becomes the Rio Yelcho that empties into the Pacific. This fast flowing freestone river has healthy populations of large brown trout and rainbow trout, as well as excellent insect hatches.
When To Visit Arroyo Claro
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, 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. Good 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 Futaleufu River, 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)
Our Services are Free! Contact us for Seasonal Discounts, Special Offers or Promotional Pricing
2020 – 2021 Rates For Arroyo Claro Lodge Patagonia, Argentina
The 2020 – 2021 rates are: $650 (US) per person, per day, based on two people sharing a room and a guide; $850 (US) a day for a single fisherman; $400 (US) a day for non-fishing companion; $450 (US) per person/double and $600 (US) single for an arrival day; and $200 (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 $4,550 (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; fishing license; access fees to private waters (US$100 per person at Arroyo Pescado); Chubut Float (US$100 per person); 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.
Take a trout fishing expedition in Patagonia with Angler Adventures
Argentina is one of the top destinations to fly fish for trout. Angler Adventures represents lodges from Esquel to Junin del los Andes with Bariloche in the middle. This region represents the best trout fishing Argentina has to offer, including extensive wade and float fishing options – much of it on private estancias (ranches).
TOP PICK for trout & fly fishing
Favorable weather conditions year-round
Open November through May
Outstanding dry fly fishing thoughtout the season
Available for booking NOW
Book now, get a quote, or find out more about fly fishing in Argentina!
A hillside perch above the Carrileufu River where veteran guides stage bespoke trout programs that mix classic floats, stealthy spring-creek sessions, and cross-border adventures into Chile. The lodge team has refined this operation for decades, balancing serious fishing with warm hospitality, chef-driven cuisine, and the kind of storytelling that only comes from a lifetime spent on these rivers.
Updated on Fly Fishing Andes offers miles upon miles of private access water on multi-thousand acre estancias (ranches), where you might never see another angler during
Updated on Estancia Laguna Verde — Jurassic Lake, Patagonia Jurassic Lake—locals call it Lago Strobel—is Patagonia’s windswept trophy factory, and Estancia Laguna Verde is the
The Limay River Lodge is the first and only lodge on the incomparable Middle Limay River in Northern Patagonia. This tailwater fishery produces trophy brown trout measured in pounds, not inches, along with strong rainbows—all on dry flies. With 12 access points and 90% dry fly action, the Middle Limay offers consistent fishing November through May. Accommodates 14 anglers.
Rio Manso Lodge is located on Lake Hess and the Manso River in Nahuel Huapi National Park, 90 minutes from Bariloche. This un-pressured Patagonia fishery offers excellent wild rainbow, brown, and brook trout fishing on diverse water—drift boats, wading, and lake sight fishing. Strict catch-and-release ensures remarkable trout quality. Season: November through April. Accommodates 8 anglers.
Tecka Lodge is a unique fishing property, holding more than 90-miles of fishable private water inside of 435,000 acres. It’s hard to imagine a scenario better
Updated on Fly Fishing the Rio Grande Salmon fishermen, steelheaders, or anyone keen to pursue “overstuffed, energized anadramous torpedoes” should head to Southern Argentina this
Are you ready to cast your line in some of the world’s most breathtaking fishing destinations? Angler Adventures is thrilled to share the latest updates for 2025 to Lodge rates and travel info as well as stunning new photos to help you plan the perfect fishing getaway. Whether you’re looking to explore the flats of Belize, the wild waters of Chile, or the bonefish paradise of the Bahamas, we’ve got you covered!
Bahamas – Unparalleled Bonefishing Awaits
If pristine waters and world-class bonefishing are calling your name, check out our recently updated lodges in the Bahamas:
For anglers seeking the ultimate in variety, Belize is teeming with opportunities. Whether you’re after tarpon, bonefish, or permit, these updated lodges are worth exploring:
For an unforgettable fly-fishing experience in some of the world’s most untouched wilderness, these Chilean lodges are updated and ready for your next adventure:
Many years ago we discovered El Saltamontes on the Gorrono Ranch in the Patagonia Region of Southern Chile. El Saltamontes is, arguably, home to one of the finest resident Brown Trout streams anywhere. Testimony to its excellence is the fact that the lodge is completely booked consistently year after year.
El Saltamontes is exclusively a brown trout fishery. Most fishing is done in the Nireguao River and its oxbow lagoons, and some of the best water is only a few feet from the door of the new lodge facility. In addition to the many miles of 4-wheel drive accessible river that flows through the ranch, El Saltamontes also has the fishing rights to all of the best off-property water, including some beautiful canyon stretches accessible only on horseback, as well as oxbow lagoons and lakes for larger brown trout and smaller, remote spring creeks with fish rising eagerly to large dries.
Exclusively brown trout
Book now, get a quote, or chat with us about Patagonia, Chile fly fishing!
Also, at the conclusion of each season, many of the guests are already making plans to return the following year. However, despite the number of guests rebooking each year, excellent dates remain.
Each season, each year, week after week, from January through the end of March, the dry fly fishing on the Nireguao is remarkable and, for the most part, lives up to the outlandish claims made about it. The Chilean government has even designated the Nireguao as the first “catch-and-release”, “artificials only” river in Chile. The browns gorge themselves on grasshoppers, and the grass bordering the stream is loaded with them throughout the season. Even the name of the lodge (El Saltamontes) means the grasshopper.
As in most of Patagonia, breezes range from light to strong and occasionally, a heavy rain spate may briefly cloud the water, making streamers as effective as dries. Even in unseasonably cold or wet weather, or if the wind picks up, the lodge has such a diverse fishing program, there is always some place to go to avoid the heaviest winds.
Most experienced anglers hook impressive numbers of fish in the 3 to 6 pound range during their week and nearly everyone finds the river “user friendly” and full of non-stop action with smaller fish. No other resident Brown Trout fishery in North America, South America or New Zealand is as consistently productive and the fishery continues to demonstrate their claim to being the finest resident Brown Trout fishery in the Americas.
While much of the water is on the ranch, the river flows through bordering estancias and there are other nearby regional water anglers might wish to visit. That is not to mention the new “pristine, off-property” angling opportunities that have blossomed as the guides continue explore new fisheries that, in many cases, have never seen a fly. Each two anglers share a guide and transportation; choices to the stream include horses, jeep or on foot.
The superb new lodge, nestled in a beautiful valley, is luxurious by any angling standards. The lodge is constructed completely from local timber and river stones, the furnishings and final touches reflect the Gorrono family commitment to make this the finest fishing lodge in South America. Each of the five guestrooms have private baths and all have magnificent views. El Saltamontes remains a small, intimate experience by continuing to allow only 8 fishermen and two non-anglers each week of its short season.
The guides at the lodge are a combination of talented North Americans and native Chileans. All are excellent instructors, experienced anglers and understand the intricacies of regional fly-fishing. The seasoned staff at El Saltamontes will all be returning, and no other anglers can lay claim to being more knowledgeable or familiar with the Nireguao than these veteran guides.
El Saltamontes’ talented chefs deliver meal after meal of gourmet and regional specialties and, owner, Jose Gorrono stocks the lodge cellar with a fine selection of domestic wines for each season to accent these his chefs’ wonderful meals. This superb facility along with the experienced guides and staff, has to rank among the best angling experiences and fullfill’s Gorrono’s plan: to make El Saltamontes the standard of angling comparison in South America.
El Saltamontes Lodge 2025 Rates
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El Saltamontes’ package price includes: All licenses; Meet and greet at Balmaceda airport; Round-trip ground transportation; Accommodations (dbl occupancy); Meals; Daily guided fishing (2 anglers per guide); fishing permits/license; wine, beer, spirits and mixers.
El Saltamontes’ package price not Included: travel to Balmaceda; gratuities; tackle and equipment; items of a personal nature are not provided.
Non-angling companions are welcome! El Saltamontes has a variety of interesting “non-fishing” options:
Bird Watching: Condors, parrots, kingfishers, ibis, woodpeckers, to name a few.
Cultural Visits: A visit to some of the neighboring farms and villages is a fascinating day trip. It is often the most memorable part of a guest’s trip to Chile. The local rural people live a lifestyle like one would imagine it to have been like in the Western U.S. a century ago.
Horseback Riding: The area around El Saltamontes is horse country and endless trails lead off in all directions through spectacular mountain vistas and virgin forest. The Gorrono family are all expert horse people, and keep a wonderful stable of well-mannered, sure-footed horses appropriate for any skill level of rider.
El Saltamontes Itinerary
DAY 1 (Saturday) -Travelers usually arrive in Santiago, Chile in the morning, however the trip to the lodge from the States can be done in a single day, but much more comfortably by allowing a night en route in Santiago. Most of our guests transfer to the historic and lovely Carrera Hotel, adjacent to the Governor’s Palace in the city center to relax for a day and acclimate. It is authentically Chilean and the accommodations are located near Santiago’s cultural center, best shopping, excellent bars and restaurants, and nightlife. There are other hotel options.
DAY 2 (Sunday) – After a comfortable night in Santiago, guests fly (jet) to the newly constructed Balmaceda Air Terminal, where they are met by hosts Jose and Erica Gorrono and taken to the lodge. The trip to El Saltamontes by van is about a two and half hours and is accented by beautiful roadside streams and waterfalls.
Upon arrival at El Saltamontes, you’ll be introduced to the staff and accommodations. The Gorrono’s impressive, single story lodge and ranch house is in the shadow of the snow-capped Andes. After the brief orientation and a chance to settle in and organize tackle, anglers are free to fish with their guides for the remainder of the day.
The browns actively feed on grasshoppers and other terrestrials throughout the Patagonian summer months of January, February and March making dry flies are very effective and anglers seldom have to resort to subsurface patterns while fishing at El Saltamontes. Anglers often release trophy Browns during the week.
The after angling cocktail reception always includes Pisco Sour, the Chilean version of a Margarita, a complimentary bar and fine domestic wines. Non-alcoholic beverages are available. The first evening’s dinner is a little later than usual to allow for a full afternoon of fishing. Dinners, like all meals at the lodge are informal, superb and accompanied the by finest Chilean and Argentine wines.
DAYS 2-6 (Monday thru Friday) – These are full fishing days and the exact schedule will depend on the guests wishes. Breakfast and dinner will be served in the lodge and fine mid-day meals are served in the field.
An asado, the traditional South American lamb barbecue highlights the last night at the lodge. Neighbors often attend and music and native folk songs provide a memorable accent to the trip.
DAY 7 (Saturday) – Anglers will be transported to the local airport and begin their journey home starting with the flight to Santiago via Puerto Montt.
Fly fishing in Chile has dramatically improved over the past decade and the trout fishing shows no signs of slowing down. The seasoning of quality local guides, exploration of trout waters, commitment to excellence in service, and a variety of fishing options each adds to Chile’s fantastic trout fishing. Currently, the variety of fly fishing options includes luxury fishing lodges, a mother ship, helicopter fly outs, and rustic style accommodations. Today, the selection of trout fishing lodges and locations in Chile are almost as varied as New Zealand.
The best fly fishing lodges in Chile presently exist in approximately a 100-mile radius of Coyhaique, which is serviced by the airport in Balmaceda, a 2-hour flight south of Santiago. We represent a wonderful collection of outfitters in Chilean Patagonia, including El Saltamontes, Spanish for “The Grasshoppers,” an idyllic, private ranch with outstanding dry fly fishing on the Nireguao River; Posada de los Farios, a small, intimate lodge fishing the lower Cisnes River, which offers optional fishing trips to the coastal fjords of Chile for big sea run rainbow trout and salmon.
Experienced, energetic local Chilean fly fishing guides from the Coyhaique area, a strategic location, and a magnificent new lodge gives Cinco Rios Lodge it’s reputation of a top Coyhaique fly fishing lodge. In addition to their superior guides and luxurious accommodations, Cinco Rios has easy access to an amazing amount of potent trout streams, including (but not limited to) the Paloma, Azul, Magote, Blanco, Simpson, Deseques, Pica Fina, Aysen, Nireguao and Manihaules Rivers. There is enough water here to satisfy a lifetime of trout fishing.
Estancia del Zorro, the sister lodge to Cinco Rios, is located on a private ranch near the Chile – Argentina border. In addition to a productive spring creek on the ranch, which holds brown trout to 30 inches, Estancia del Zorro guests enjoy trout fishing Patagonia on a variety of small creeks and streams loaded with smaller brown and rainbow trout, as well as access to larger rivers in the Coyhaique area.
Paloma River Lodge, located in the beautiful Paloma River Valley, offers opportunities for big brown and rainbow trout on the dry fly. The fishing area starts 200 yards from the front door on the Paloma River and extends over a diverse watershed. To access the trout fishing, the lodge uses horses, four-wheel-drive vehicles, jet-powered skiffs, and rafts, allowing each angler to customize his fishing experience. Paloma River Lodge offers private rooms, and accommodates only 6 anglers per week.
Futa Lodge, located on Chile’s Futaleufu River, is a delightful, small, authentic Chilean lodge set in Southern Chile’s countryside. Futa Lodge primarily fishes the Futaleufu River for native brown trout, rainbow trout, and the occasional sea run trout, but also offers excellent trout fishing on some smaller nearby rivers and lakes.
Yan Kee Way Lodge is an exquisite facility in Chile’s lake district, on the banks Lago Llanquihue. Yan Kee Way has transformed into an exclusive retreat to meet the needs of guests who want privacy, exclusivity, and luxurious amenities. Yah Kee Way is perfect for larger groups who aren’t afraid to pay for the price of luxury and want quality trout fishing and eco-tour opportunities close at hand.
Tres Rios, located just outside of Puerto Montt in the town of Puerto Varas, offers a variety of fly fishing opportunities, including fishing around Lago Llanquihui and the Petrohue River, trout fishing road trips to the Chaiten and Coyhaique areas, and helicopter fly out trips. Tres Rios is great for adventurous anglers or groups looking for serious fishing and a family style hospitality.
Nomads of the Seas is an exciting luxury mother ship operation, providing exploratory fishing trips into the wild coastline of Chilean Patagonia. The custom-built mother ship, complete with heli-pad and a fleet of jet boats, allows trout fisherman access to the previously un-fished waters of coastal Chile and non-anglers extreme comfort and wilderness tours. Guests stay in super deluxe accommodations and anglers target brown trout, rainbow trout and landlocked salmon.
Call for details. We’ll be happy to help you decide which lodge and fishery is best for you.
Fly Fishing in Chile is known for big brown trout taking big surface flies. This is especially true in the Coyhaique area of Southern Patagonia. Typically anglers thinking about Chile imagine the splashy rises of trout taking 2” – 3” imitations of Cantaria Beetle, the largest beetle in Chile. This season offers something new, potentially a once in a lifetime opportunity. The Quila Bamboo in the Paloma River Valley is seeding – an event that happens about every 15 years (estimated to take 60 years for the bloom to return to the same area). This “bloom” creates an explosion in the mouse population due to the abundance of food (Quila Seeds). This acute rise in rodent populations is a well-known phenomenon in South America, which has been scientifically documented since 1552.
Cinco Rios Chile is already exploiting the situation and catching large browns on mouse imitations, however owner Sebastian Galilea expects the fishing to peak in late February / early March when the rodent population is at its peak and the supply of Quila seeds has declined. Anyone who has fished the Arolik for Rainbows or Labrador for Brookies can testify to the voracious strikes on mice when skated over fish from an opposing bank or overhanging branch. The Paloma River, the Magote, the Rio Simpson, the Boca de Leon, and the Elizadle all have visible increases in the rodent populations and are proving productive when fished with a mouse imitation.
Cinco Rios – $3,675 US per person based on double occupancy & two anglers per guide
January 1 – 15 – 4 anglers
January 15 – 22 – 2 anglers
January 22 – 29 – 6 anglers
January 29 – February 19 – 2 anglers
February 26 – March 5 – 6 anglers
Paloma River Lodge – $3,250.00 US per person based on double occupancy & two anglers per guide
January 1 – February 12 – 8 anglers
February 12 – March 12 – 4 anglers
Cantaria Beetle of Southern Chile
Estancia del Zorro – $3,675 US per person based on double occupancy & two anglers per guide
While Cinco Rios’ sister lodge may not get to experience the boom in mice, the estancia is home to the famously productive Zorro spring creek. These are the last spots available for the 2010 – 2011 season:
Our friend, Jon Covich posted a great photo essay and recap of his January 2011 trip to one of our favorite Patagonia fishing lodges, Arroyo Claro Lodge, on the Oregon Fly Fishing Blog. Jorge Graziosi, pioneered fly fishing for trout in the Chubut Province of Argentina, and built a handsome lodge overlooking the beautiful Carrilefu River. The Rivadavia, El Canal Spring Creek, and Lago Verde are all within 30-minutes drive. Jorge offers a 4-day float / camping trip on the remote Chubut River. Why 4 days? That’s how long it takes to get to the next road. Still, the trip is comfortable enough to please even the most discerning anglers and the fishing is off the charts.
As we mentioned in our last post, friend / photographer / fly tackle sales rep Jon Covich took a trip to Arroyo Claro Lodge in Argentina in January. However, Jon wasn’t there solely for the great fishing on the Chubut, Carrilefu, and Rivadavia Rivers. He was also in Patagonia to take photos – and boy did he capture some exceptional images while staying at Arroyo Claro. Jon’s photo’s were so good that he was invited to do a photo essay on his trip in Catch Magazine, an online magazine focused on showing the beauty of fly fishing through the finest in fly fishing photography and cinematography. Catch is a truly unique online publication and we love it here at Angler Adventures. Click here to access Catch Magazine’s 17th issue, click on contents (lower left) and then ‘Photo Essay – Patagonia Backroads’ under the ‘Unique Essays’ heading to experience the entire essay. Until then, here’s a small sample:
The Chubut River
“…Rio Chubut, our longest float trip, will be our first excursion and it will take four days to cover sixty miles. The river holds the strongest rainbow trout in the country and we catch them all on dries. The summer weather is very dry, the high desert kind, and at times with a wind that sweeps the barren hills and is, thankfully, partially blocked by the willows that border the river…”
