Fly Fishing in Patagonia
Join us for a fly fishing trip to Patagonia, Argentina. We are leading a small, intimate group of anglers on a 9-night, 8-day fly fishing adventure. Just 8 anglers in total, bring your fly rods, bring your smile; we’re going to have a great time!
This is the same trip Tim took – if you have not seen the photos of his trip on Facebook, just scroll down.
Fly Fishing, Argentine Food, and Malbec Wine
During this 10 day trip, we sample some of the best of Patagonia’s fly fishing waters, enjoy a variety of accommodations that includes a river camping trip (!!), and are treated to Argentine cuisine. If you are a red wine lover, our host and outfitter Daniel Johansen, is skilled at choosing the perfect wines to accompany dinner at restaurants and riverside.
2023 Trip Dates
December 1-10, 2023
‘Dirty’ Mike Elliott with a Big Brown Trout
Here’s The Itinerary
November 30-December 1, 2023
If you are not flying from Montana, we will all meet up in Dallas (DFW) in the late afternoon of November 30th. We will take American Airlines flight 997 to Buenos Aires, Argentine (EZE), leaving Dallas at 6:57 pm and arriving in Buenos Aires at 8:20 am. This 10-hour and 30-minute overnight flight put us in BA with ample time to grab some food and relax before hopping the flight from Buenos Aires to Bariloche at 1 pm. We arrive in Bariloche at 3:25 pm where Daniel greets us and the adventure begins!
We settle into the Edelweiss Hotel in downtown Bariloche. Next, dinner will be at El Boliche de Alberto, a local steakhouse known for exceptional beef and an extensive wine selection.
Tomorrow the fishing begins.
December 2
Early morning to depart from the hotel at 8:30 am, we will make our way to Manso River. Lunch is served on the riverside. For dinner, we can choose as a group from multiple options in downtown Bariloche.
December 3
We fish the legendary Limay River, having lunch on the river shore. Dinner and night in Bariloche downtown.
December 4
We depart for Hess Lake. Here we have great opportunities for dry fly fishing; damsel and dragonflies fishing for brooks, rainbow, and brown trout. If fish aren´t rising, the lake offers exceptional subsurface fishing with leeches or nymphs.
December 5-7
Travel to Caleufu River, where we spend 3 days and 2 nights. We’ll float 30 miles through the Andean and dry forest of Patagonia. We’ll have some of the best fly fishing opportunities in the area, where the fishing is only matched by the magnificent scenery and abundant wildlife.
This was Tim’s favorite part of the trip. One evening, the clouds parted and the Southern Cross was visible.
In the afternoon of the third day, we leave to Piedra del Aguila, for dinner and overnight.
December 8-9
We fish on the Medium Limay River, lodging in Ruca Rayen Inn, dinner in the best restaurant of Piedra del Aguila.
December 10
After breakfast, we´ll transfer to Bariloche’s airport for your flights back home. We’ll depart Bariloche at 1:30 pm and arrive in Buenos Aires at 3:30 pm. Next, we will catch the 996 flight on American Airlines at 9:15 pm to Dallas and arrive at 5:30 in the morning of December 11.
Tim and Dany on Fronk Lake
Another Big Patagonia Brown Trout
Tim fighting a brown trout
The Details
What’s Included
After arriving in Bariloche, all transfers, guided fishing, lodging, meals, and drinks are included in the trip price. Further, all camping gear for the Calefu River trip such as sleeping bags and cots, along with meals and guides with boats, is included in the price.
Daniel Johansen is a skilled and seasoned outfitter who hosts anglers from around the world and is our host for this trip.
What’s Not Included
Not included in the trip price is airfare – all legs from your home destination to Bariloche, fishing permits, tips, personal fishing tackle, and drinks in bars.
TRIP COST
$5800
Trip Timelines
For this trip, I need a verbal commitment by August. To lock in your trip, I need a non-refundable deposit of $1,500 by September 1, 2023.
I’m sure by now you’ve realized what a great value this trip is. We hope you’ll join us for this small-group experience. Ideally, there will be four pairs of friends/couples as you will share a room, tent, and boat with your fishing partner.
I’m excited, are you? Keep reading for suggested things to bring and to get ready for December.
Things to Bring
Recommendations courtesy of ‘Dirty’ Mike Elliot. If you don’t know Dirt, look him up here. He’s a friend who also brings anglers to Patagonia to fish with Dany. But more importantly, “Dirt” is an amazing fishing guide and outfitter on the Madison River and is based in Ennis.
FISHING GEAR
- 5 wt fly rod- floating line and a 200-grain sinking line (fast sink intermediate line 1.5 inch per second)
- 6wt- fast action with 250-grain sink tip 20-25ft
- 7wt fly rod – 30ft sinking tip 300-350 grains as fast sinking shooting head as you can sling out there!
- Leader and tippet 1x-4x. Mostly want 1x for streamers and 3x for dries. I like throwing big dry flies with 1x and 2x also.
- Good Rain gear-felt boots are good
- Wading Staff – Bring one to feel more comfortable
- Layers for Madison Valley June weather. There will be wind!!!
- Extra $100 for Argentina fishing license
Flies- common western flies
Dry flies– Chernobyl Ant, PMX, Fat Albert,
Dragonfly and damselfly dries
Black magic is a great fly
Black, red, chartreuse colors
Small Dries – Purple Haze, Royal Wulff, Elk Hair Caddis, Goddard Caddis, Humpy, Black Beetles
(Any favorite flies for covering general mayfly, caddis, and small stone)
Nymphs – Rubber Legs, San Juan, Squirmy Worm, Pheasant Tail, Prince, Copper John, Damsel nymphs for Fonck Lake. I use olive bugger and rubber leg nymph for dragonfly nymph.
Streamers- rubber-legged cone head Wooly Bugger, Sparkle Minnow, Peanut Envy, small leeches in olive, peacock, brown for Fonck Lake
(Some light and some heavy)
*Bring proven flies that cover a large spectrum of hatches, mostly about presentation as Montana sells more fishing licenses in a year than the whole country in Argentina does!!
