Let´s begin by heading to the southern extremity of Argentina – a region that perhaps is not as widely known by the vacation traveler, but is high on the list of ´must fish´ destinations for the worldly angler - Tierra del Fuego.

The Tierra del Fuego region, a land designed of fire & ice, is an island some 3000kms south from Buenos Aires & a mere 600kms across the Beagle Channel to the Antarctic Continent. This indeed is the very southern tip of South America.

Here you will find a mixture of mountains, valleys , rolling country & flat, tundra grassed plains all but devoid of trees & certainly, covered spartanly by scrubby vegetation.

Despite Tierra del Fuego´s relative isolation & indeed, desolation, the Rio Grande has earned a reputation as being one of this planet’s most prolific sea trout rivers, producing record numbers of fighting trophy fish annually.

In the 1930´s the rivers of Tierra del Fuego were stocked with fish, mainly brown trout but also brook & rainbows. By virtue of the relative lack of feed, these fish made their way south, migrating towards the more plentiful feeding grounds in the South Atlantic Ocean & over some 70 years evolution, these sea going brown trout have thrived, multiplied & return year upon year to the Rio Grande, continuing the legend of their fore-bearers.

It was not really until the 1990´s by which time a few favoured European & North American fishermen had sampled these southern angling havens that the outside world knew much at all about the Rio Grande´s potential. Today however, fishermen the world over clamour to return year after year as they recognize the superb quality of the fishing experience to be found here.

Statistically speaking the best fishing is to be found in the lower & middle sections of the river – termed the Maria Behety beats. This is s stretch of some 35kms long along the north bank. Based on one weeks guided fishing, it is impossible but to scratch the surface of all of the nooks & crannies & pools but by working a rotation policy & with a limit of six rods operating out of the Posado de Sources Hotel with one professional guide between each two rods, it allows for all guests to have the fishing of their dreams.

Average fish weight runs anywhere from 10 – 12lbs but that does not limit the catch as fish in excess of 30lbs are caught every season here. The size also becomes irrelevant when one considers that in 2001, catches of 30 fish per rod per week were being made so this is indeed, unrivalled sea trout yielding territory. And as an enticement, not only are the fish plentiful & solid, but to see the antics of leaping & tail walking across the pools makes up for any of the initial hesitations one may have had coming this far in the first instance - it really doesn’t get any better than this in a river where men stake their reputations against a skilled foe who isn’t keen one iota on being landed.

A few hundred kilometers north from the Rio Grande & Tierra del Fuego is yet another of Argentina’s famed sea trout waterways – the Rio Gallegos. Do not for one second however, view this as a poor cousin of the Rio Grande – we see it as an alternative as again, there are excellent stocks of trophy sea trout awaiting the skilled angler’s rod & fly.

Many of the Estancias – ranches – in the region provide quality fishing lodging as a part of their portfolio & none more-so than Estancia Rincon de Los Morros, the home of the Barnard family. This beautifully located enchanting lodge is family owned & operated. The professional fishing guides here have all been brought up on this river & share an intimate knowledge of the best of its phenomenal fishing spots.

The lodge itself accommodates only 6 guests per week in three twin bedded rooms, each with private bathroom facilities. The atmosphere is brilliant, the food to die for, the hospitality unbeatable & the outlook of this gorgeous comfortable residence overlooking the river is a tough act to equal anywhere.

Estancia Rincon de Los Morros has rightfully earned its place as the perfect base for those discerning fishermen who are seeking superb fishing with all of the little luxuries that come as a part of this experience to return to each evening.

North & following the spine of the Andes Mountains we head into Patagonia’s heartland. Close to the small township of San Martin de Los Andes & the Andean border crossing to Chile, sits San Huberto. This was originally designed as a hunting lodge but has steadily since earned a reputation as a stellar unrivalled private fishing retreat with access to the most famous of Patagonia’s dry fly rivers – the Rio Malleo.

Rio Malleo is a small river by Patagonia river standards but it has a reputation of being the most densely, most frequent and predictable hatches in Argentina. We classify it as the ´perfect trout stream´ as it provides for easy wading, diversity of waters, excellent variety of terrain & just the right mount of riparian vegetation. Most importantly, the trout quality is second to none.

The lodge prides itself on the reputation of its owners Carlos & Carmen Olsen for exceptional hospitality & cuisine. Set on a 38000 hectare Estancia with the boutique exclusivity of having only 6 double rooms, each with private en-suite bathroom facilities, it is regularly fully booked for the coming season by July. So if you are keen to sample this ´nirvana´ of fishing destinations, you would be wise to make plans & commit early to avoid disappointment.

Not only does one have access to fishing the crystal clear icy cold waters of the Malleo, but the vistas of the surrounding snow capped volcanic peak – Lanin – & additional on river expeditions to wade or float the Collon Cura & Caleufu rivers, makes this a destination to place a ´must fish´ circle around, on your calendar. For non-fishing partners, a host of outdoor pursuits can & are arranged by the lodge. '

Trevelin Lodge optimizes the hospitality that Southern Patagonia is renowned for. It is owned & operated as a family business, with excellent lodging, cuisine & wines as a benchmark of excellence. There are six double rooms, each with their own en-suite bathroom facilities.

The region’s fishing rivers, volcanic lakes & spring fed creeks provide fishermen the choice of wading, trolling or use a float tube & during the summer months have a reputation for brilliant hopper fishing. Form here, one has access to beats on the spring fed Arroyo Pescado creek, the Futaleufa & Rio Rivadavia. Trevelin Lodge is set in what is termed ´Garden Patagonia´& is a choice destination for expert fishermen & non-fishing partners alike.

Both the Rio Chimehuin & Quilquihue Rivers provide anglers a host of differing challenges to snare free rising rainbows & browns. They both run all but crystal clear making your ´stalk´ as important part of the pursuit as the accuracy of your cast. The Quilquihue flows towards the Chimehuin from Lago de Lolog & there are many opportunities for shallow wading over the stony river bed, sight fishing & casting into the pools surrounded & shaded by crillon willow trees.

The Chimehuin is a meandering stream constantly changing course, size & depth. There are deep green holding pools, shallow riffles, darkened eroded banks, pebbled course river sand beaches all which provide variety & require exploitation with various differing techniques to secure your wild trout quarry.

Lodging here is best to be found at Cerro de los Pinos, which is one of the long established classic Argentine cattle Estancias in the Lakes District. In addition to its access to excellent fishing, the lodge offers a host of additional outdoor pursuits ranging from bird watching, horse trekking, hiking & guided walks & visits to the local Mapuche Indian markets, renowned for hand made leather goods, woollen apparel & crafts.

Seven miles of the world-renowned Rio Chimehuin run right through the centre of the Estancia on which sits Tipiliuke Lodge, making this location pivotal for those seeking the heartland of Patagonia’s famous trout waters. With an amazing variety of fishing terrain & indeed variations in the rivers character it brings out the best of fly fishermen seeking to entice a strike from the resident wild brown & rainbows who make this their home patch. Trophy fish of both species up to 30 ¨ are caught each year & the average fish is 16 – 22 ¨ with frequent catches of 24 ¨ fish taken.

With the location also comes choice as 10kms of the famous Rio Quilquihue also runs through the Estancia – this is an excellent dry fly stream which has a mix of moods quite different from those found on the Chimehuin.

Fishing this private access with professional fishing guides who know most every inch of these stretches of famous trout waters, capped off by the excellence of a top class lodge, is a true draw card on the ´must fish´ destinations in Argentina.

Rio Traful is considered the premier landlocked Atlantic salmon river in Patagonia. Most certainly the quality of fish that are landed here live up to that claim. The river runs for some 16 kms through a valley & offers not only world class fishing, but equally some of the most spectacular vistas. Last seasons record fish are a 20lb salmon, 16lb brown & 23lb rainbow.

Forbes Magazine nominated Arroyo Verde Lodge as ¨ the finest fishing lodge in the world – period ! ¨ . Three or four days here wading this exceptional river will not only challenge the best of fly fishing skills but the hospitality, gourmet cuisine & exceptional Argentine wines will prove to rival any of the finest restaurants one might care to name anywhere.

Without question Quillen Lodge is set in one of the most magnificent spots in the whole of Argentina, let alone in Patagonia & to boost it’s reputation, Rio Quillen ranks as one of the top three dry fly streams in the nation. Located some 160 kms north of San Martin de los Andes airport, it is easily accessible by jet aircraft from Buenos Aires & a scenic road transfer.

The lodge sits high on a hill overlooking the sprawling river valley. The Estancia itself is some 60000 hectares of beef cattle & eight pristine miles of Rio Quillen runs through the estancia. The stretch of private access river is easy wading territory & it regularly yields feisty fighting browns & rainbows averaging four pounds with occasional browns up to 10lbs.

Nearby the spring fed creek-like Rio Malalco provides for excellent sight fishing experiences & the Rio Alumine, some 22kms down the road is ideally suited to a most productive days floating.

Dorado - the Golden Warrior fish – this species is to Argentina, what the Tiger Fish is to Africa – a pent up mass of explosive energy which fights as fiercely if not more-so for its freedom, as any of the world renowned fighting fish.

For those anglers wanting to test their skill levels & grapple with what is widely recognized as the bonefish of the freshwater species, bagging Dorado is indeed, the ultimate rush.

The Esteros del Ibera is a vast 20000 sq km water system located in Provincia Correnties in the far north eastern extreme of Argentina where it meets the international border with Brasil & Paraguay. This giant reservoir & labyrinth of waterways made up of channels, lagoons, bays, fast & slow flow rivers tributaries including the Rio Corrientes, all flow into the mighty Rio Parana. This is the stamping ground of the freshwater goliath so sought after – the Golden Dorado.

Similar in shape to a salmon, it has a massive torpedo like body covered in golden shiny scales. It is characterised by a huge sail-like dorsal fin and equally impressive pectorals. Predator by nature it is armed with a mouthful of quill sharp vicious teeth & is ideally a brutally efficient, well honed fighting machine.

Until recently, few westerners had ever experienced fishing in these remote regions, but increasingly as exponents of light tackle challenges do, the word is that Dorado is ´the´ fish to land. They grow up to 40lbs but the average catch is usually closer to 12 – 15 lbs as anything bigger is all but impossible to land given
their ferocity & awesome power. The best gear to use is light tackle on a fly rod using a feather lure.

Most of the Dorado fishing is done from a boat gliding around the channels in & amongst the reeds & vegetation where these fish lurk in the shadows. A single handed fly rod # 8 – 9 is ideal 6 fine tackle ideal as the fish have excellent eye-sight & shy away from foreign objects they detect. Due to their scissor-like teeth, one needs to employ steel traces & leaders to prevent a quick turn of their head slicing through the line in their mad fight for freedom. Flies tied on strong 20 – 25cm long shanked hooks work exceptionally well but note that Dorado will make light work of the wrong tackle.

Santa Lucia Lodge is the ideal base for fishermen seeking Dorado. Only six rods a week are accommodated at the Lodge & it is both a homely & comfortable base for those venturing to the Esteros. Your host, Mario Battison, is himself an excellent fisherman but that is but a small part of his talents in the outdoors as those who enjoy bird watching will undoubtedly find. The variety of waterfowl & waders in this natural wilderness region, not to mention the colourful varieties of parrots, toucans & wealth of raptors, makes this region one where all manner of nature lovers will find a haven for their pursuits.

The lodge staff include a team of guides all expert in fly fishing so for those venturing to South America, the quest to land a golden Dorado is a perfect add on to a more conventional trip to Argentina. Increasingly, more fishermen are heading this way purely to chance their arm & pit their skills against this awesome & fearless quarry.

Recommended Fishing Gear List

• Polaroid sunglasses
• Quality waders / breathable
• Wading staff – recommended but optional
• Gravel guards & felt soled wading boots (spiked boots are a bonus)
• Fleece lined jacket(s)
• Breathable rain gear
• Mid-weight & Capilene weight fleece for insulation under waders
• Wool wading socks
• Long sleeve fishing shirts
• Wide brimmed sunhat
• Fingerless fishing gloves
• Leaders – 71/2 & 9 feet, 2x, 3x & 4x
• Tippet, 2x through 5x

Dry Flies

• Goddard caddis sizes 10 through 16
• Elk hair caddis sizes 10 through 16
• Parachute Hopper, sizes 6 through 14 & colour tan or olive
• Parachute Ant, sizes 14 through 18
• Parachute Adams, sizes 12 thriough 16
• Chernobyl Ant, sizes 8 through 12 & black/orange , black /tan & black/black
• Black Beetles, sizes 8 through 16
• Cicada, sizes 8 through 12
• Humpy, both standard & royal, sizes 12 through 16, olive , red & yellow
• Royal Wulff, sizes 10 through 16
• Hexagenia mayfly adults & cripples, sizes 6 & 8
• Trudes, royal, black or peacock, sizes 10 through 14

Nymphs

• Bead Headed caddis larvae & pupa, sizes 12 through 16, olive & tan
• Bead Headed Prince; Bead Headed Pheasant Tail; Red Fox Squirrel Nymphs sizes 10 through 16; weighted Bitch Creek nymph, sizes 10 through 14
• Weighted Montana Stone, sizes 8 through 10
• Soft Hackles, Sizes 10 , 12 & 14 in orange, olive & tan

Streamers

• Olive, black, white weighted Wooly Buggers sizes 6 through 10
• Matukas, olive & black, sizes 6 & 10
• Spruce Fly, Natural & Furnace, sizes 8 & 10
• Kiwi muddler, olive & natural , sizes 6 & 8
• Double Bunny, white/olive, sizes 4 & 6
• Muddler Minnow, natural / olive, sizes 8 through 12