Spey
New Year's Eve with Simon Gawesworth at the Stunning Villa Maria Lodge, Tierra del Fuego
Jake Crawford March 14, 2025
Join Simon for 8 days of chasing chrome-bright sea-run brown trout on the mighty lower Rio Grande river. You'll kick off 2026 in style at the world-renowned Villa Maria Lodge where great fishing, expert guidance, fine dining and breathtaking landscapes all come together.
Simon spent his early years guiding at Villa Maria Lodge and cannot wait to return to the Rio Grande’s most traditional Spey fishing lodge and fish waters perfectly suited for two-handed rod enthusiasts. Villa Maria is a Nervous Waters property and offers best-in-class accommodations. It is a small, exclusive lodge catering to no more than six anglers per week. For this event, Nervous Waters has made a special offer to open early for Simon’s guests to celebrate New Year’s Eve with a special dinner and 8 days of fishing at Villa Maria. Simon will be there to help guests fine tune their casting, deep dive into Spey casting for anadromous fish, and share a dram or two in celebration of bringing in the New Year at this incredible operation at the end of the world!
Dates: December 31, 2025 - January 9, 2026 - 3 spots available
Itinerary:
December 29: Depart home
December 30: Arrive Buenos Aires, relax, unwind and overnight at a hotel in BA.
December 31: Take an early flight down to Ushuaia, arriving mid-day and transfer directly to the lodge. Special NYE celebration at Villa Maria Lodge.
January 1 - 8: 8 full days fishing the lower Rio Grande and overnight at Villa Maria Lodge.
January 9: Depart Lodge for Ushuaia or Rio Grande airports.
Rate: $18,550 per person for a 9 night/8 day package based on single room/shared guide
Included: Accommodations and meals at the lodge, wine/beer/alcohol, transfers to/from Rio Grande airport and the lodge, loaner fishing equipment (rods, reels & lines), guided fishing, and Spey casting instruction from Simon Gawesworth
Not Included: International and domestic airfare, accommodations/meals/transfers in Buenos Aires, transfers to/from Ushuaia and the lodge, fishing license (additional collected with rate), flies, and gratuities
*Travel Notes: Guests will either fly into Ushuaia (USH) or Rio Grande airport (RGA) based on Aerolineas flight schedule (to be determined).
Simon Gawesworth
Simon Gawesworth’s impact and contribution to the world of fly fishing is legendary. His prolific career spans some 35 years. For those who have had a chance to learn from and fish with Simon, they will tell you that his humble, charming, and naturally delivered expertise is unmatched in the world of fly fishing.
Get to know more about Simon Gawesworth.
Villa Maria Lodge, Argentina
Villa Maria has offered small private groups exciting fishing on over 10 miles of prime sea trout water on the lower Rio Grande since 1994. Villa Maria is a double handed fishermen’s dream, where its guests enjoy private access on both banks of the river and first crack of the whip at newly arrived chrome-bright sea trout.
Jake Crawford
Jake specializes in Fly Water Travel’s Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego, and Pacific Northwest steelhead destinations. Originally from Colorado, he moved west with the single goal of chasing steelhead with a fly rod around the Pacific Northwest. He is a big fan of anadromous fish and looks forward to helping anglers find the right destination for their fishing goals.