Las Buitreras Lodge
Travel & Tackle Guide

Welcome to your Fly Water Travel trip guide. We’re excited to help you prepare for your upcoming adventure! Inside, you’ll find everything you need: your to-do list, travel logistics, destination notes, and a curated tackle guide tailored to your trip.

Getting Ready

We’ve created a quick checklist of essential tasks to make sure you’re fully prepared for the journey ahead. If questions come up or you need anything at all, just give us a call, we’re here to help every step of the way.

Your To-Do List:

✓ Arrange hotel in Buenos Aires, as needed

✓ Arrange transfers in Buenos Aires

✓ Arrange flights to/from El Calafate, Argentina

✓ Purchase medical and evacuation insurance

✓ Get travel cash

Las Buitreras Lodge
Travel Guide

From how to get there and what documents you’ll need to tipping guidelines and destination details, this section covers the practical information to ensure smooth travels.

Getting to the Lodge:
To reach Las Buitreras Lodge, you will need to arrange travel to and from El Calafate, Argentina (FTE). All flights connect through Buenos Aires (EZE).Most international flights arrive in the early morning and require an overnight stay in Buenos Aires before flying to El Calafate. Flights from Buenos Aries to El Calafate depart mostly from the domestic airport AEP but can sometimes be available through the international airport EZE.

Important Flight Information:
Due to a recent adjustment to the domestic flight schedules through the Rio Gallegos airport (RGL), it is recommended that guests fly through El Calafate (FTE) on the way in and out of the lodge. If you arrive and depart according to the lodge schedule outlined in your itinerary, the shuttle is included. Outside of this scheduled pick up and drop off, separate transfers can be arranged and will cost approximately $300 USD per car and direction.

Arrival Day:
You will need to arrive in El Calafate (FTE) before 4:00 PM.  Upon arrival at El Calafate Airport, you will be met by a representative of Las Buitreras Lodge who will transfer you by ground (approx. 3-4 hours) to the lodge. Snacks and drinks will be provided during the journey. Upon arrival, you will get a tour and prepare your fishing gear for the upcoming days of fishing. Dinner will be served at the lodge.

Departure Day:
Please schedule departure flights after 11:30 AM. You will depart from the lodge around 6:00 AM, arriving at the El Calafate airport by approximately 9:30 AM. There are plenty of flights from 11:30 AM onward, so if the 11:30 AM flight is full, please book a flight after this time.

Documentation Requirements:
To enter Argentina, all guests are required to have the following: 

  • Passport: Valid for the duration of your trip. 
  • Medical and Evacuation Coverage: Valid for the duration of your trip.

Recommended Travel Agent:
The domestic airline carrier in Argentina is notorious for changing and canceling flights, so to make things easier on our guests, we highly recommend using a travel agent when booking domestic flights within Argentina.  

Alicia Regueiro, Holdy Tours 
800-446-1111 or 925-927-6617 
alicia@holdytours.com  

Domestic Flight Note:
Domestic flights within Argentina fly through either the Ezeiza international airport (EZE) or domestic airport, Aeroparque Jorge Newbery (AEP).  

All domestic flights within Argentina prohibit carry-on baggage of fishing equipment (rods, reels, lines, flies, etc.) and must be checked. 

Buenos Aires Transfers:
After arriving at the international airport (EZE) in Buenos Aires, clearing customs and immigrations (45 min – 1 ½ hour process), in most cases guests will need to transfer to the domestic airport (AEP), to make the connecting flights within Argentina. The transfer between airports or to downtown hotels takes approximately 45 minutes, depending on traffic, however we recommend allowing four hours between flights. The following are transfer options:  

  • Tienda Leon – Located just outside of customs through sliding glass doors. Transfers can be pre-arranged online or arranged after arrival for approximately USD $40-$60 per person.  
  • Private Transfer – A private driver and/or driver and guide can be arranged through our recommended travel agent.   

Buenos Aires Hotels (Recoleta District):
Intersur Recoleta 
Av. Callao 1764 
https://www.intersurrecoleta.com.ar/en/ 

Four Seasons Hotel Buenos Aires 
Posadas 1086/88 
https://www.fourseasons.com/buenosaires/  

Loi Suites Recoleta Hotel 
Vincente Lopez 1955 
http://www.loi-suites-recoleta-hotel.com/  

Arc Recoleta Boutique Hotel & Spa 
Peña 2155 
https://www.arcrecoleta.com.ar/en/ 

Buenos Aires Restaurants:
La Cabrera  
José A. Cabrera 5127 
https://www.lacabrera.com.ar/  

Las Violetas 
Av. Rivadavia 3899 
https://www.lasvioletas.com/  

Cabaña Las Lilas 
Av. Alicia Moreau de Justo 516 
https://www.restaurantlaslilas.com.ar/  

Don Julio Parrilla 
Guatemala 4699 
https://www.parrilladonjulio.com/  

Parrilla La Brigada 
Estados Unidos 465 
https://labrigada.com.ar/

Currency:
The official Argentine currency is the peso (ARG) however US dollars (USD) are accepted throughout the country and for gratuities. We recommend exchanging no more than $100 (USD) into pesos (ARG) for small tipping, such as baggage handlers, taxis or tips at restaurants, throughout your travels in Argentina.  

Exchange Options:
We recommend the following for exchanges.  

  • Airport Convenience Stores – Purchase something small using a $100 (USD) bill and change will be provided in pesos, which should be enough pesos during your travels.   
  • Hotels  
  • ATMs  

Electrical Requirements:
A Type I adapter is needed throughout Argentina 

Communications:
While traveling in Argentina we recommend using WhatsApp as this is the way most lodges and outfitters communicate. Texting through the app will allow you to keep in touch with the outfitter, friends, and family when connected to Wi-Fi.   

Travel Cash:
We recommend each guest travel with 

  • $2,000 (USD) per week of travel
  • Bills should be new and in larger denominations, such as $50s and $100s   

Credit Cards:
The lodge does not accept credit cards   

Gratuities:
The following are guidelines, and all gratuities are up to the discretion of the individual guest. Gratuities can be left with the lodge manager at the end of the week for distribution to guides and lodge staff. 

  • USD $1,000 per person, per week 

Fishing Licenses: 
Included in package 

Cell Coverage and Wi-Fi:  

  • Cell Coverage: There is no cell phone service at the lodge
  • Wi-Fi: The lodge has satellite internet

Laundry:
Limited laundry service is available at no additional charge.

Water:
Drinking tap water at the lodge is clean and safe, and bottled water is available.

Beverages/Alcohol: 

  • Soft Drinks: Included  
  • Beer and Wine: Included 
  • Alcohol: Limited house alcohol included. Guests are also welcome to bring their own preferred selections.  

Climate: 
The Rio Gallegos is a classic windswept Patagonian steppe, and despite the fishing season running through the heart of the summer months of January – early April, wind, rain, and sun can be found every day of the season. Be sure to pack a quality rain jacket, which also doubles as a windbreaker. Most importantly, you will want to dress in layers, so you can change with the conditions. Expect daytime highs to range from the mid-60s to low-70s °F, while nights cool into the low 40s to low 50s °F. Typically, March and April are slightly cooler and bring a higher likelihood of precipitation as the seasons shift. Please note that the weather in southern Patagonia is unpredictable and we can change quickly. We encourage you to come prepared for all types of weather.

Emergency Medical Assistance:
The closest medical facility is in Rio Gallegos city, the capital of the Santa Cruz Province about one hour from the lodge.

Due to the remote location, we strongly recommend that anglers purchase travel insurance and medical evacuation coverage.

Recommended Medical Evacuation Carrier and Insurance Provider:
Global Rescue - https://partner.globalrescue.com/fwtravel/index.html  

Las Buitreras Lodge
Tackle Guide

Here you’ll find everything you need to be ready on the water: our preferred setups, favorite flies, recommended packing list, and notes on tackle available at the lodge.

Las Buitreras Lodge Tackle Overview

When we travel to Las Buitreras Lodge we bring at least two rod set ups to best address the wide range of water and weather conditions. The most versatile set up is a 12’6” 7-weight Spey rod set up with a Scandi-style floating body and an intermediate tip. We always bring a line wallet with a variety of interchangeable tips from floating to fast sinking, and this will cover most fishing situations. It is very rare to fish Skagit lines under most conditions, and the guides do not like the disturbance of the line on the water, so touch and go style casts with Scandi lines are by far the preferred method of two-handed casting.

We also like to bring a single hand rod for calm days and low water conditions. The best single hand rod set up is a 9’6” 7-weight, and it should be paired with at least one floating line and one intermediate line to switch between depending on the conditions.

The most common fly for Argentina sea trout is going to be a black nymph with white rubber legs in size 10 – 12. While these are not the most beautiful flies in your box, they are effective, simple to tie, and take a lot of the guessing work out of the “which fly should I choose” dilemma. Otherwise, the most frequently used flies are rubber leg nymphs such as yuk bugs, and a favorite is the sun ray shadow tied on a tube for surface action, especially during the last magic hour of the day at dusk. Often the leaders are long, between 12 – 15-feet and anglers should be prepared with 12-foot leaders in 15 – 20lb test with spools of 10, 12, and 15-lb tippet that can be used to length the leader.

Las Buitreras Lodge Provided Equipment: 

• Rods/Reels/Lines: The lodge has rental equipment available for guests who would prefer not to travel with their rods, reels, and lines.

• Flies: The lodge has a fly shop on-site with flies for sale and appropriate patterns specific to the Rio Gallegos River. It is important to have flies that are tied on stout hooks suitable for landing fish between 10- to 20-lbs, standard trout hooks will surely bend out.

• Waders/Boots: Waders and boots are not available to rent, guests must bring their own. Felt is permitted in Argentina, but lodge prefers rubber soled boots without studs.

Note: Please let us know if you plan to use the lodges equipment so we can inform the outfitter before your arrival.

Las Buitreras Lodge Primary Setup

If we were to choose only one fly rod to take with us to Las Buitreras it would be a fast action 12’6” 7-weight Spey rod. The guides prefer shorter rods in the 12-foot to 13-foot lengths and 7-weights. 8-weights can be used for high wind conditions, but they do not like rods heavier than 8-weights because guests tend to lose more fish with the heavier rod. Rods longer than 13’0” also get pushed around a lot in the wind, so they prefer shorter spey rods.

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Las Buitreras Lodge Secondary Setup

A 9’6” 7-weight single hand rod is also very useful for specific pools and during low water / no wind conditions. This allows anglers to fish the pools without disturbing the water. We recommend choosing a medium to fast action rod for the best combination of feel, presentation, and control. Rods that are 9’0” – 10’0” will work, and the extra length will help with mending and line control during the retrieve. Reels should be prepared with a floating line with an aggressive front-forward taper, and a clear intermediate line.

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Las Buitreras Optional Trout Set Up

The Rio Gallegos is also home to a robust population of healthy resident brown trout. For anglers that want to take a break from the wind, fishing a single hand trout rod in the back side channels can be especially rewarding. Having a handful of simple attractor patterns such as beetles and hoppers, along with some black and olive streamers will work for the resident fish.

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Las Buitreras Lodge Flies

When we fish for sea-run brown trout fly selection is quite easy and is more about having a range of sizes and profiles to cover a range of water conditions, rather than having that one specific pattern. The primary fly is going to be a simple black bodied fly with white rubber legs that is tied on a stout hook in sizes 10 – 12. Having an assortment of other productive patterns allows you to switch to something different when the fish are particularly picky. Other productive flies include rubber leg nymphs, such as copper johns in bright and dark colors. Similarly, having flies with a larger profile and some weight are good for when the higher water comes up, these include wooly buggers in black and the classic “yellow yummy” for when the water gets dirty. We always make sure to have a small collection of medium-sized string leeches. Surface patterns can also be every effective, with a favorite being the Sunray Shadow in sizes 1-inch to 3-inch in length tied tube flies. Classic Atlantic salmon patterns, such as skunks and blue charms also have a place on the Rio Gallegos and if you have some favorite patterns, be sure to bring them along.

Support Your Local Fly Shop

If you need assistance with assembling your gear for your upcoming travels, we encourage you to support your local fly shop. This curated list of tackle is handpicked for your destination by our experts and can serve as your shopping list to get your ready for your next adventure. Find your local Far Bank dealer.

Top 5 Sea-Run Brown Trout Flies for Las Buitreras Lodge

  • Yuk and Girdle Bug
  • Rubber leg conehead wooly bugger / yellow yummie (black, yellow, olive)
  • Copper John nymph / rubber leg nymphs (copper and black)
  • Miller’s electric leech
  • Sunray Shadow (a night time favorite)

Suggested Packing List

We understand packing for an adventure is not easy. On a trip like this it is very important to have everything you need and nothing you do not. As the climate is extremely changeable and a wide range of temperatures and conditions can be expected, we recommend layering clothes. Anglers should be prepared with thermal underwear, fleece/soft shell jacket, and a rain jacket. Synthetic fabrics are preferred to cotton. Dress at the lodges/camps is neat but casual.

Documents: 
Passport, plane tickets, itinerary, credit card, cash, business cards 

Waders:
Breathable stocking foot waders are recommended. For anglers prone to cold (especially feet), boot foot waders are excellent. 

Boots: 
Felt soles are permitted in Patagonia, but please ensure all gear is clean and completely dry before travel to prevent the spread of invasive species. Rubber soles without cleats are also a great option.

Forceps: 
We like the Dr. Slick scissor pliers for crimping barbs, releasing fish and trimming flies 

Clippers: 
One line clipper 

Wading Staff:
One wading staff and belt 

Socks: 
Four pairs of wool or synthetic socks to wear under your waders. Two pairs of camp socks.

Base layers: 
One to two pairs of synthetic or merino wool long underwear (tops and bottoms) to wear beneath your waders. One mid-weight and one heavyweight. These can be worn alone or together depending on conditions.

Shirts: 
Two or three long sleeve fishing shirts. One or two lodge shirts. 

Warm Layers: 
One or two warm insulating layers. Down, synthetic or fleece mid layers are good options. Avoid cotton. 

Rain Jacket: 
One high quality rain jacket.

Hats: 
Two fishing/baseball hats. One warm cap.

Lodge Shoes:
One pair of shoes for around the lodge.

Buff: 
One “Buff” facial sun protector (good for bugs too).

Sunglasses: 
One pair of polarized sunglasses. It is great to have a lens cleaner and a soft cleaning cloth as well. Always pack clear lenses for the evening light. Cheap hardware store glasses are an easy option to protect your eyes.

Sunscreen: 
One bottle SPF 30+ 

Lip Balm: 
One tube of SPF 30+ lip balm.

Backpack: 
One waterproof backpack or boat bag for day gear.

Headlamp: 
One small LED headlamp with batteries.

Contact Jake Crawford

Jake Crawford is Fly Water Travel's sales manager and specializes in destinations across 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.

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