Le Fario Lodge

This intimate, artsy, eight-person operation is perfect for folks who want to spend a week hunting large trout in the heart of Patagonia’s most scenic region. Guests will enjoy personalized service, superb meals, and great boat-based fishing. Brown trout are far and away the dominant species but depending on the systems you fish, there are also opportunities to catch big rainbows and brook trout. Much of their mid-summer fishing is done with large dries and sight fishing for large cruising fish is common. While fishing from a variety of watercrafts is the norm there are wade fishing opportunities on small streams, spring creeks and in certain portions of the local lakes. For angler in search of great food, superior service, big fish and the relaxation of hunting fish from boats, this is the place.

Le Fario’s fishing program is centered around fishing a variety of beautiful local lakes and medium sized rivers. The main fisheries include Lago Largo where they are located, the Rio Rivadavia, Rio Futaleufu/Grande, and several nearby lakes and small creeks. Most fishing is done with single hand 5-or 6-wt rods with floating lines. At times sinking lines will be used when streamer fishing. There are two guests per guide and most fishing is from the boat utilizing a variety of water crafts including self-bailing rafts, rafts with small kicker motors, and drift boats with small kicker motors. All guides speak good English and are patient and professional. They can accommodate a wide range of experiences from true novices to experts.

This tasteful waterfront lodge is relaxed and welcoming. The owners, Laura and Gonzalo, are wonderful hosts and both are highly trained chefs. The lodge has scenic views of the mountains and nearby Los Alerces National Park, which borders their property on the lake. There are four spacious double-occupancy rooms with two beds and attached bathrooms. Two rooms are upstairs of the main lodge, and the other two rooms are attached to the lodge accessible from the ground floor. Single rooms are available for extra charge.

A highlight of the lodge is the outstanding cuisine. Both Laura and Gonzalo are trained chefs who have prepared meals around the world. Fresh chef-prepared meals are served in a central dining and communal eating area on the main floor of the lodge.

Friday: Depart home.

Saturday: Arrive Buenos Aires and overnight.

Sunday: Take a mid-day flight from Buenos Aires to Esquel. At the airport you will be met by a representative of Le Fario Lodge, who will ground transfer you one hour to the lodge. Upon arrival, you may be able to fish a half day at Lago Largo, just steps from the lodge.

Monday - Saturday: Six full days of guided fishing in and around Los Alerces National Park.

Sunday: Depart the lodge after brunch or lunch and transfer to the Esquel airport. Fly to Buenos Aires and take an evening home.

Rate: Per person based on double occupancy

• $6,200 per person for a 7 night/6.5 day package

Included: Accommodations, meals and beverages including wine, beer and house alcohol at the lodge, transfers to/from Esquel Airport, guided fishing, fishing licenses (for full week programs).

Not Included: International and domestic airfare, meals/transfers/hotels in Buenos Aires, transfers to/from Bariloche, staff and guide gratuities.  

Species: Brown trout, Rainbow trout, Brook trout, Landlocked Atlantic salmon 

Capacity:  8 anglers 

Location:  The lodge is located on the border of Los Alerces National Park in the Chubut Province of Central Patagonia one hour outside the city of Esquel, Argentina. 

Who is best suited to this destination?   Le Fario Lodge is owned and operated by Argentina Waters, an Argentine based outfitting business owned by Laura and Gonzalo Martinez.  They are warm, kind, and passionate about their local fisheries and work hard to provide guests with a welcoming base from which to explore central Patagonia.  Guests who enjoy trout fishing from boats will really appreciate the quality fishing and scenery of Los Alerces National Park.  There are some walk and wade opportunities, although many of the best waters in the area are accessed from drift boats or rafts.  

Where is the lodge? 1 hour from Esquel and Trevelin in Argentina, on the bank of Lago Largo right on the border of Los Alerces National Park. 

How do I get there?  To get to Le Fario Lodge guests will fly to Buenos Aires, Argentina and then on to Esquel.  You are met in Esquel and ground transferred one hour to the lodge. Most international flights to Buenos Aires arrive early in the morning.  The domestic flight to Esquel is from the domestic airport and there is often only one flight per day so depending on the schedule it will likely require an overnight in Buenos Aires before heading on to Esquel and the lodge.  The lodge is located right on Lago Largo, and depending on flight arrival or departure from Esquel, it is common to get an extra half day of guided fishing on the front or back side of the trip. 

When should I go?  The season runs from November 1 - April 31st.  There are a lot of fisheries available that change as the season progresses.  November is more streamer fishing, December has dragonflies and most fishing is done with large attractor dry flies.  January and February is great hopper fishing, and March and April returns to more of a streamer fishery. 

How will I fish?  Most fishing is done with single hand 5-or 6-wt rods with floating lines. At times sinking lines will be used when streamer fishing.  There are two guests per guide and most fishing is from the boat utilizing a variety of water crafts including self-bailing rafts, rafts with small kicker motors, and drift boats with small kicker motors. 

Is there wade fishing? Yes, there is some wade fishing, even in the lakes. At times guests can get out the boats and wade small side-channels to sight fish.  There are also some spring creeks available to add diversity to the program. 

Where will I fish? They have access to numerous waters in central Patagonia.  The main fisheries include Lago Largo where they are located, the Rio Rivadavia, Rio Futaleufu/Grande, and several nearby lakes and small creeks. 

How long does it take to reach the fishing grounds? Anywhere from a short 1-minute walk down to the boats from the lodge to 1.5-hour drive for the furthest beat. Most of the other fisheries are less than 45-minutes from the lodge.  

What type(s) of fish will I catch? The primary fish is brown trout (Le Fario means brown trout in French), as well as rainbow trout and brook trout depending on the fishery visited. 

How many fish will I catch?  Some fisheries have numbers, while others have size.  Guests can expect between 5 to 20+ fish each day.  

Will I see other anglers?  All waters are public so it is possible to see other anglers but very few. The lodge is strategically located close to some of the area’s best fishing and there is plenty of room to get away.  

What are the guides like?  All guides speak good English and are patient and professional.  They can accommodate a wide range of experiences from true novices to experts. 

What are the physical demands?  Not much, being able to get in and out of the boat is the only physical demand. 

Are there any special skills required?  As is true across Patagonia, it is important to be prepared to cast in the wind. 

Does the lodge provide equipment?   The lodge can provide waders, boots, rods and reels with advance notice at no charge. 

What is your favorite setup for the trip?  9’0” 6-wt with floating line and a sink tip line just in case.  A 5-wt and 7-wt can also be good rods to have for calm days and windy days, but if you had one rod it would be a 6-wt.  They also have a small fly shop with a good assortment of appropriate lines, leaders, tippet and flies available for purchase. 

What are the top flies? Most classic Western trout flies will be appropriate, but the specific flies depend on the time of the season. In general, attractor dries, streamers, and sometimes small nymphs are dropped from the large dry fly. 

What are the options if water conditions become challenging?  There are many great fisheries nearby, and it very unlikely that you will lose a day of fishing due to weather conditions. 

What is a typical day like?  Breakfast is served typically around 7:30 - 8:00 AM and guests will head out to the day’s fishing around 9:00 AM.  Lunch is usually served out on the water midday and guests will usually fish until 5 or 6 PM and head back to the lodge for appetizers, dinner and desert. 

What is the general vibe, atmosphere and style of the lodge?  The lodge is relaxed and welcoming and the owners, Laura and Gonzalo, are wonderful hosts.  The lodge has scenic views of the mountains and nearby Los Alerces National Park, which borders their property on the lake.   

Is there an on-site owner, manager or other point-person at the lodge?  Laura and Gonzalo, the owners are always on site at the lodge during the season.  Laura acts as the host of the lodge, while Gonzalo is the head guide and is out on the water each day with guests.   

Where do we eat, and what are the meals like?  A highlight of the lodge is the outstanding cuisine.  Both Laura and Gonzalo are trained chefs who have prepared meals around the world.  Fresh chef-prepared meals are served in a central dining and communal eating area on the main floor of the lodge.   

What is the alcohol policy?  Beer, wine, and house spirits are available and included in the package. 

Where do we stay, and what are the accommodations like? There are four spacious double-occupancy rooms with two beds and attached bathrooms.  Two rooms are upstairs of the main lodge, and the other two rooms are attached to the lodge accessible from the ground floor.  Single rooms are available for extra charge. 

Is there internet and/or cell service? Yes, there is free wireless internet, and limited cell coverage but it will depend on your carrier network.  

Are there other activities? Yes. Guided horseback riding, hiking, whitewater rafting, kayaking in the National Park are all available. All non-angling activities are included in the non-angler rate.  These can be organized on site, but it is best to have advance notice of the activities guests would like to secure the best guides ahead of the trip. 

Are there any other expenses?  Laundry service is available for a small fee, and there is a small shop on site that can take USD cash.  They cannot accept credit cards, so be sure to bring extra cash for any expenses like gratuities or gifts. 

Do I need a visa?  No. Argentina does not require visas for US citizens and there is no reciprocity fee. 

Are there any health concerns, dangers or annoyances?  No.  We recommended to check the U.S. Department of State and CDC websites.