Patagonia Fly Fishing

Join us on our new Patagonia Fly Fishing adventure!

Trip Details

Highlights

Join us on our Fly Fishing adventure in Northern Patagonia!

We combine the best of two properties – Caballadas and Tres Ríos – for some of the best fly fishing experiences in all of Argentina! You’ll enjoy the Quillen River – one of the most exclusive fly fishing rivers in Patagonia, plus the Alumine, Chimehuin and Collon Cura Rivers – three of the most important rivers in Patagonia!

Read on for more information!

Other Fishing Areas in Neuquen 

If you want more diversity, or a longer adventure, we offer fishing with private access to 15 world-famous rivers in the region, including the Malleo, Chimehuin and Quilquihue, Collon Cura, Filo Hua Hum, and Traful.  The Rio Malleo is not only the most famous for dry fly fishing in South America, but one of the best in the world. The Chimehuin and the Quilquihue, two of Argentina 's most famous rivers, and run 25 miles due east of San Martin de los Andes. A trip on the Collon Cura River consists of floating an average distance of six miles, during which you will experience the most versatile fishing in the area, while the Filo Hua Hum is a classic freestone river that runs between two lakes, and also offers extremely versatile fishing. And finally, the Rio Traful is known all over the world for the size of the fish and its technical difficulty. Depending on the river, the average measure for seasonal trout is 15 to 18 inches, although fish over 22-25 inches are not uncommon.

Some of these rivers are available as day trips from the lodge, while others are accessible from the six additional private lodges that we have available. If you would like more information on fishing these additional rivers or lodges, please contact us.


EXTEND YOUR ADVENTURE

You've come all this way, why not stay a little longer? Caballadas offers fantastic ways to extend your time at the ranch. Whether it be a rest day, day hiking, fishing other areas in the region, or more days fishing at Caballadas, we’ve got you covered! Just let us know your interests, and we’ll make it happen!

Day by Day

Day 1 ~ Arrival

In the morning, transfer to the Jorge Newbery Airport (AEP – the local airport in Buenos Aires), fly to San Martin de los Andes Chapelco Airport (CPC). Private transfer to Tres Ríos (73km / 45 miles, ~1 hour). The road trip from the airport to the ranch is simply magnificent, following the Alumine River Basin. Throughout the drive, you will be able to appreciate the spectacular natural changes, ranging from the arid plateau, to the subtropical woods of the northern Andes.

You’ll begin your stay at Tres Ríos Casa de Campo, located in the center of one of the most scenic and prolific trout fisheries in Northern Patagonia, North East of San Martin de los Andes. Tres Ríos takes its name from its location: the junction of three of the most important rivers in northern Patagonia – the Alumine, Chimehuin and Collon Cura Rivers – which come together right at the ranch.

The lodge is located on 130 hectares (1.3 square kilometers or 0.5 square mile) in a completely private area of the Patagonia steppe (grassy plains), overlooking the Alumine and CollonCura Rivers, with vistas framed by the surrounding peaks. It features characteristic Patagonian style construction common in this region, natural stone walls with a red roof.

Option to spend the late afternoon at the Alumine River or one of the spring-fed creeks on the property.

Tonight you will enjoy a nice dinner and go over plans for the days ahead.

(Please note: You will need to schedule your departure from Buenos Aires on mid morning flight the first day of the trip, so you will likely need to arrive in Buenos Aires the day before. Please let us know if you would like help arranging accommodation in Buenos Aires on arrival.)

D... Tres Ríos Casa de Campo


Day 2 ~ Alumine & Collon Cura Rivers 

Start your day with a nice breakfast at the lodge, and drive up the Alumine River with your guide. The Alumine River (Shining Button in Mapudungun, the native Mapuche tongue) is of considerable size, and provides perfect conditions for fly fishing: free stone slow fluent with over hanging willows, pocket water, back eddies, drop off, high banks and beautiful rock formations that go straight down to the water. You’ll drift four (4) miles down to the house, with a stop for lunch.

In the afternoon, hop back in a drift boat, this time on the Collon Cura River (Stone Mask in Mapudungun), another sizeable river. You’ll spend the next several hours drifting and casting again for four (4) miles. The CollonCuraRiver has more fish per mile than any other river in the area, the average fish is around 16 to 18 inches, brown over 20 inches are not unlikely!

Despite all the hatches in the area during the season, these rivers are known to have the best terrestrial fishing of the area, hoppers, ants, crickets, worms and others, casting big attractors against the bank will keep everybody entertained with exciting strikes!

B,L,D... Tres Ríos Casa de Campo


Day 3 ~ Chimehuin River 

Of the three rivers, the Chimehuin River (Settlement in Mapudungun) is probably the smallest – and the most beautiful. We’ll drift down nine miles of paradise for dry fly fishing – with perfect pocket water, back eddies, rock structure, over hanging willows and water oaks, combined with great hatches throughout the season. And crystal clear water makes it a great place for sight fishing! Early in the season most fish are found in side channels, where wadding and casting are more manageable making the angler feel more comfortable. Later in the season the water level drops significantly, allowing anglers to wade in most parts of the river, to fish the best waters!

B,L,D... Tres Ríos Casa de Campo


Day 4 ~ Caballadas

This morning, pack your belongings and transfer to Caballadas (140km / 86.5 miles, 2.5-3 hours). The road trip to the ranch is simply magnificent, again following the Alumine River Basin. Throughout the drive, you will be able to appreciate the spectacular natural changes, ranging from the arid plateau where you have been staying, to the subtropical woods of the northern Andes.

The Quillen Valley, where Caballadas is located, is 100 miles North West of San Martin de los Andes (where you arrived at the airport). This area offers the widest variety of fishing options in the Neuquen province throughout the season. The Quillen Valley also offers a unique spring creek system where you can expect to sight fish for 25 plus inch browns on dry flies during the morning hours, and prospect for rising fish in the evenings with hoppers and beetles.

Option to spend the late afternoon at the Quillen River.

Tonight you will enjoy dinner at the lodge and go over plans for your days fishing at Caballadas.

B,L,D... Caballadas Valley Lodge


Day 5 Quillen River

The Quillen River, one of the most exclusive fly fishing rivers in Patagonia, is famous among dry fly fanatics for brown and rainbow trout. The upper section is very wader friendly, while the lower reaches offer pocket water conditions. Both areas hold beautiful resident rainbow and brown trout surface feeding.

B,L,D... Caballadas Valley Lodge


Day 6 Malalco Stream

The Malalco stream, a tributary to the Quillen coming off the Andes mountain range, runs cold and flat at the top, where wading is as easy as walking on a rug.  As it flows into the Quillen on the lower section, it drops fast over huge boulders where you will enjoy some of the most exiting pocket water fishing you have ever experienced! Here you can sight fish for 18 plus inch rainbows and browns with light rods and tackle.

Option to spend a few hours in the afternoon at the Quillen River.

B,L,D... Caballadas Valley Lodge


Day 7 Quillen Lake

Fly fishermen for the most part don't enjoy fishing on lakes, but Quillen is a lake everybody will certainly enjoy. During the early season, December and January when the dragonfly hatch comes off, the fish go on a feeding frenzy, so we row the reed lines at the end of the lake throwing dragonfly imitations at rainbows and browns. This is some of the most exiting fly fishing you will see anywhere: imagine fish coming 3 feet out of the water with your fly in their mouth before you even have a chance to set the hook!

B,L,D... Caballadas Valley Lodge


Day 8 Departure

After breakfast, pack your things and say goodbye to the ranch. During the journey back to the airport, you’ll have time to reflect on your amazing trip to Northern Patagonia!

B...

Accomodation

Caballadas Valley Lodge

The Valley Lodge is located at the heart of the ranch, set on top of a hill providing panoramic views of the entire valley and surrounding area. It can sleep 12 people in 8  double and single bedrooms, with 5 shared bathrooms. A large communal living room with a fireplace, dining room, and a large playroom for the kids with a ping-pong table are also available throughout your stay.

The lodge includes:

  • A host (ranch owner)
  • Personal chef
  • Four meals a day:  breakfast, lunch, tea, & dinner
  • Red and white wine and other alcoholic beverages during meals
  • Housekeeping services

Tres Ríos Casa de Campo

Casa de Campo is located on a completely private area of the Patagonia steppe (grassy plains), overlooking the Alumine and CollonCura Rivers. The house has 3 guest rooms with private bathrooms, kitchen, living room, and dining room. Two of the rooms overlook the Collon Cura valley and river, with access to their own covered porch.

More info

Quillen River
The Quillen River, one of the most exclusive fly fishing rivers in Patagonia, famous among dry fly fanatics for brown and rainbow trout. The upper section is very wader friendly, while the lower reaches offer pocket water conditions. Both areas hold beautiful resident rainbow and brown trout surface feeding.

The Malalco stream, a tributary to the Quillen coming off the Andes mountain range, runs cold and flat at the top, where wading is as easy as walking on a rug.  As it flows into the Quillen on the lower section, it drops fast over huge boulders where you will enjoy some of the most exiting pocket water fishing you have ever experienced! Here you can sight fish for 18 plus inch rainbows and browns with light rods and tackle.

The Quillen Valley also offers a unique spring creek system where you can expect to sight fish for 25 plus inch browns on dry flies during the morning hours, and prospect for rising fish in the evenings with hoppers and beetles.


Quillen Lake

Fly fishermen for the most part don't enjoy fishing on lakes, but Quillen is a lake everybody will certainly enjoy. During the early season, December and January when the dragonfly hatch comes off, the fish go on a feeding frenzy, so we row the reed lines at the end of the lake throwing dragonfly imitations at rainbows and browns. This is some of the most exiting fly fishing you will see anywhere: imagine fish coming 3 feet out of the water with your fly in their mouth before you even have a chance to set the hook!

Other Fishing Areas in Neuquen 
If you want more diversity, or a longer adventure, we offer fishing with private access to 15 world-famous rivers in the region, including the Malleo, Chimehuin and Quilquihue, Collon Cura, Filo Hua Hum, and Traful.  The Rio Malleo is not only the most famous for dry fly fishing in South America, but one of the best in the world. The Chimehuin and the Quilquihue, two of Argentina 's most famous rivers, and run 25 miles due east of San Martin de los Andes. A trip on the Collon Cura River consists of floating an average distance of six miles, during which you will experience the most versatile fishing in the area, while the Filo Hua Hum is a classic freestone river which runs between two lakes, and also offers extremely versatile fishing. And finally, the Rio Traful is known all over the world for the size of the fish and its technical difficulty. Depending on the river, the average measure for seasonal trout is 15 to 18 inches, although fish over 22-25 inches are not uncommon.

Some of these rivers are available as day trips from the lodge, while others are accessible from the six additional private lodges that we have available. If you would like more information on fishing these additional rivers or lodges, please contact us.

Gallery

Details & Costs

Length: 8d / 7n

Start / Finish: San Martin de los Andes, Argentina

Dates:
This trip is available as a custom, private departure on dates of your choosing, from November to mid-December and March to mid-April.

Activity Level:
For everybody in good and active physical health.

Cost: on request

Cost Includes:

  • Trip briefing upon arrival
  • Logistics
  • 4 nights accommodation in Caballadas Valley Lodge
  • 3 nights accommodation in Tres Ríos Casa de Campo Lodge
  • All meals (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner)
  • Wine and non-alcoholic beverages with meals
  • Local English speaking fishing guide
  • Fishing licenses**
  • Light tackle supply
  • Drift boats
  • Motor boats
  • Transportation on the properties (4WD vehicles)
  • In/Out airport transfers
  • Transfer between Caballadas and Tres Ríos
  • VAT tax

GET IN TOUCH

We would be delighted to talk to you about your next holiday. Please contact us whenever is convenient for you – our contact details are below.

Caballadas offers the ultimate horse riding experience in Northern Patagonia and plays host to one of the most exclusive fly fishing rivers, famous among dry fly fanatics…!

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