Why Go?
- Sight fish for brown, brook, and rainbow trout in the 16-to 23-inch class in remote Northern Patagonia
- Walk and wade spring creeks and small freestone rivers, selectively hunting for active fish
- Enjoy a two-or three-day overnight float trip with deluxe riverside camps
- Experience a simple, warm, and welcoming, old-school lodge that is ideal for private parties
Where is the lodge and how do I get there? The lodge is located in Alumine River valley, next to the town of Alumine in northern Patagonia. Guests fly from Buenos Aires, Argentina to the Chapelco Airport (CPC) outside of San Martin de los Andes and drive about 2.5 hours to the lodge.
When should I go? The season runs from November through May. November can be quite cold, but as the season warms up in January - April the fishing picks up substantially. There are quality hatches throughout the season, with inch worms in January, great mayfly hatches in mid-March, and hoppers in the Austral fall.
Where do they fish? The program’s core centers around a dozen different beats on five different smaller freestone rivers and spring creeks. They also float multiple different reaches of the Alumine River and other nearby rivers. Depending on the time of year, there are also some great stillwater fisheries available that have rainbow, brown, and brook trout.
While they have access to a diversity of fishing opportunities, the sight fishing on the small freestones and spring creeks is the highlight for most anglers who go to hunt trophy trout on foot.
Where do guests stay? Guests stay in a simple hosteria located on a small estancia just outside of the town of Alumine. They can accommodate up to eight guests and it is a great option for private parties of four to six, enabling each guest a private room. During the week you will also have a multi-day float and overnight camping trip in their deluxe riverside camp, with all the necessary camping gear included.
What are the accommodations and meals like? The accommodations are homey and welcoming, where you feel like you are stepping back to a simpler time. If you didn’t know better, you might think you were transported back to 1950. Guests enjoy quality homemade meals that feature local Argentine cuisine. The hosteria features four rooms in two duplex cabins with attached bathrooms and three other rooms with shared baths in the main house. The main house serves as the gathering space for guests to enjoy breakfast and dinner. During the week, guests also stay overnight at a deluxe riverside camp, floating and fishing their way down the river to arrive at a pre-set-up camp with all the amenities necessary for a comfortable and enjoyable stay on the river.
How would you describe the general vibe and atmosphere of the lodge? The lodge is simple and casual, with a welcoming atmosphere and friendly hosts.
Is there an onsite manager, owner or point person at the lodge? Yes, Marisa and Daniel are the owners, and they live on site. They are wonderful people and very hospitable but they speak very little English, so your guides are there to host and help translate.
Is there internet and cell service? There is wireless internet available at the lodge, but not cell coverage.
How do they fish? This program combines walk and wade fishing on spring creeks and small freestone rivers, with overnight float trips that have guests fishing from rafts as they make their way down river to a deluxe riverside camp. In the spring creeks, pairs of anglers will focus on hunting individual fish, and take turns fishing one at a time to sighted fish.
How many fish will I catch? This area offers healthy trout populations, but this is not a fishery for numbers. Anglers can expect 10 - 20 encounters per day. Anglers who appreciate the thrill of observing, stalking, and targeting active fish on foot in a scenic and remote fishery will enjoy this experience the most.
Will we see other anglers? There are a mix of public and private waters, and the public waters are lightly fished so it is uncommon to see other anglers not from your party.
Do the guides speak English? Yes, all the guides speak good fishing English.
What are the guides like? The guides are all hardworking and service-oriented professionals. Many of the guides have been with the same outfitter, SET Fly Fishing, for more than a decade and they enjoy working with guests to hunt fish.
Is there wade fishing? The first part of the week is all walk and wade fishing, and the second part is a multi-day float trip where guests fish two people per raft with a guide.
How far is it to the fishing grounds? The fishing grounds are anywhere from 20 minutes to one hour depending on the different beats. On float days, you will be on the water right after breakfast.
Does the lodge provide equipment? Yes, the lodge can supply all the necessary equipment if needed at no extra cost.
Are there other activities? No, this destination is best suited for anglers.
What is your favorite rod for the trip? A fast action 9-foot, 6-weight with a weight forward floating line.
What are the physical demands? The wading is fairly easy, but guests can expect to walk three to five miles per day.
Are there any dangers or annoyances? None. As with all of Patagonia, the wind can be a factor.
Are there health concerns? None. We recommend that guests always consult with the U.S. Department of State and the Center for Disease Control websites for general travel information and guidelines.
