Patagonia Fly Fishing

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...