Argentina

Villa Maria Lodge

Rio Grande

Species: Sea-Run Brown Trout

Destination Type: Lodge

Fishing Style: Private Waters, Spey, Wading

Season: January - April

Fishing Days: 6

Rate: $$$

Why We Go

Fish the middle and lower sections of the Rio Grande, the world’s most productive sea trout river.
Take first crack at the world’s largest sea-run brown trout and the opportunity to show the river’s brightest fish their first fly.
Enjoy the river’s most traditional spey venue and fish waters perfectly suited to spey fishing.
Experience best in class accommodations at a small and exclusive lodge for six anglers, where all guests get single accommodations.
Relax at a special secondary riverside lodge near their beats where guests enjoy lunch and their afternoon siesta.

Overview

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. Their prime location combined with elegant historic accommodations, a fabulous little riverfront facility for lunches and the mid-day siesta and a team of friendly and dedicated staff and professional guides, the Villa Maria program is in a class of its own.

Fishing Program

The lodge employs a team of talented local and international guides that rotate each day to assure their guests receive a balanced fishing experience that combines the best local knowledge with world class technique. Anglers depart the lodge each morning, spend the entire day on the river and return after dark. In order to maximize time on the water, guests fish until mid-day and have lunch and siesta in a very well-appointed "river house" which overlooks the Rio Grande valley. This system allows anglers to fish more and drive less!

Accommodations

Villa Maria Lodge was designed to offer anglers maximum comfort during their fishing trip. The lodge accommodates up to 6 guests in single occupancy rooms and is equipped with a dining room, lounge with fireplace, bar, tackle shop, and wader room.

Villa Maria offers wonderful gourmet cuisine and fine dining based on local meats, fresh vegetables and delicious deserts paired with a wonderful selection of Argentine wines. A traditional Argentine Asado (BBQ) is held once a week where guests can sample different cuts of meat and wonderful salads.

Itinerary

Wednesday: Depart home.

Thursday: Arrive to Buenos Aires and continue on to Ushuaia to overnight.

Friday: AM transfer to the lodge for lunch, an afternoon siesta and warm up fishing session.

Saturday-Thursday: Six full days of guided fishing on the Rio Grande.

Friday: Depart the lodge. Fly from Ushuaia or Rio Grande to Buenos Aires.

Saturday: Arrive home.

Rates & Details

2027 Rates: Per person based on single occupancy and shared guiding

January 7 - March 6: 

7 night/6 day package: $14,950

March 6-27: 

7 night/6 day package: $12,950

Included: Accommodations, meals and beverages including wine, beer and alcohol at the lodge, transfers to/from Rio Grande airport and the lodge, loaner fishing equipment (rods, reels & lines) and guided fishing

Not Included: International and domestic airfare, accommodations/meals/transfers in Buenos Aires, transfers to/from Ushuaia and the lodge, flies, fishing license (collected with rate), and gratuities

Species: sea-run brown trout

Season: January - April

Capacity: 6 anglers

Pre-trip Information

Click below to visit our Villa Maria Lodge Travel & Tackle Guide where you'll find a comprehensive page with all the details you'll need to get ready for your trip:

Villa Maria Lodge Travel & Tackle Guide

Featured Content

FLY WATER TRAVEL

A Guide to Argentina's Greatest Sea-Run Brown Trout Rivers

By Jake Crawford May 28, 2026

"In today's world of anadromous angling, the sea-run brown trout rivers of Argentina are true standouts with healthy returns, trophy fish, and relatively stable summer water conditions. The Argentine sea trout experience is a high-quality one across the board, with exceptional guides, fine accommodations and three very distinct rivers to choose from."

Our mission is to help you find the river and lodge that will best suit your needs and in turn, allow you to experience some of the world’s finest anadromous fishing. Below is a contrast and comparison of Argentina's best sea-run brown trout fisheries

WHEN TO FISH THE RIO GRANDE

Rio Grande Seasonal Breakdown

By Jake Crawford May 8, 2023

"While there are many quality sea trout rivers in southern Argentina, the Rio Grande's popularity is due to the strong returns, straightforward and approachable fishing, easy wading, and consistent catch rates throughout the season."

Sea-run brown trout, also referred to as “sea trout,” are among the most sought-after anadromous species. They are smart, strong, acrobatic, and sometimes very moody and mysterious. They are great fun to fish for and can be targeted through various approaches, from floating lines with dry flies to sink tips with nymphs and streamers. Sea trout are native to much...

FLY WATER TRAVEL

Sea Trout Tactics

By Ken Morrish May 9, 2023

"This is a fishery where the angle of delivery is key and where a fly-first presentation pays off. It is a fishery in which wading selectively and carefully and casting quietly can be the difference between success and failure."

For anglers who have cut their teeth on steelhead and Pacific salmon, it is important to know that sea trout are warry, more sensitive creatures. Slapping down a four-inch intruder on a short leader followed by a few yards of T14 will scare them straight back to the sea unless the river is darn near blown out. This is a...