Patagonia Flies ~ An Argentina Fly Fishing Resource

Still one of the better kept secrets for pursuing big sea run brown trout is the Gallegos river located in the Santa Cruz province of Argentina. The Gallegos starts it’s journey in the Andes mountain range in southern Chile at the merging of the Rubens and Penitente rivers. From there it flows 112 miles east through wide glacial created canyons and ending up in the Atlantic ocean. On its way it is joined by several tributaries; the Turbio, Condor, Zurdo, and Gallegos Chico. It’s landscape is still extremely desolate with only a handful of sheep ranches and lodges one will feel as if they are in the middle of nowhere until their drag starts screaming with the sound of a fresh chrome sea run ripping off line. The Gallegos then turns into an estuary on the banks of the city Rio Gallegos where the moon and the tide become very important factors. Spey rods are a very effective tool to have on this river due to the incessant winds that come with the climate. Therefore, Patagonia flies highly recommends the use of Loop Tackle with their amazing selection of Spey rods, lines, and reels for this big river. For information on guides, lodging, and Loop Tackle contact Claudio@looptackle.com.ar or www.looptackle.com.ar

The guys from Patagonia Flies recently went to some lakes in Southern Patagonia and caught some monster rainbows. Heres is the photo of the week of one of the many triple ups they had on their last trip. They were all caught using single handed rods, shooting heads, and big nasty streamers and safely released to fight another day. Video to come some time soon on www.fliesandfins.com

With the omnipresent conical volcano Lanín dominating the breathtaking views in all directions it is definitely the centerpiece for this spectacular national park. Located in the province of Neuquén, Argentina with its native patagonian forests and many lakes and rivers it becomes another fly fisherman’s dream playground. Some of the lakes and rivers located in the park are Huechulafquen the parks biggest lake, and the headwaters of the famous Chimehuín river. Also in its borders are the Aluminé, Paimún, Lolog, Lácar, Meliquina, Quillén, Hermoso, Tromen, Escondido, Machónico. It is here that one can have the possibilitiy of connecting with very selective wild rainbows, browns, and brook trout, also the occasional landlocked salmon. Still extremely untouched by development if possible one should really try to camp to take in the whole effect of this magnificent national park. Although, very close by are the three towns; San Martín de los Andes, Junín de los Andes, and Aluminé with wonderful lodges and cabanas. If you have the chance Patagonia Flies highly recommends a float trip down the majestic Aluminé river with Diego Buzzurro’s guide service. www.achalaexperience.com.ar

If you happen to be in the city and don’t have time to travel way up north your in luck with some amazing fly fishing for Dorado just an hour and half away from downtown Buenos Aires. In the small town of San Pedro Patagonia Flies brings clients out to some really unknown waterway canals to fly fish for the noble Dorado. Not known for the huge Dorado like the north, yet the possibility always exists. This is a very visual trip using six weight rods and floating lines with big muddler pattern flies, and you can usually see all of the strikes. The best months tend to be from January to March as the water warms up the Dorado move to the canals in search of food. So if you are in the city and have a day free one can leave early in the morning fly fish all day and return by a reasonable time to be at work the next day. Contact alex@patagoniaflies.com for more information. Photo taken by Noel pollak

The Casa del Habano has two perfectly located smoking lounges in Buenos Aires, and should be on the must do list while in the big city. One is located right in the heart of Downtown on 677 Reconquista, and the other one located in the fashion district of Palermo on 1920 Thames which is also an exceptional restaurant serving only at night. Both are extremely elegant bars and lounges where one can sit back and enjoy a fine Cuban cigar with a nice scotch, port, cafe or wine. Without a doubt the best cigar selection in Argentina with exceptional service. www.lacasadelhabano.com.ar

The photo of the week was sent to us from our friend Cristian Mammi who caught this beast in Tierra del Fuego during the fall run. Cristian is a professional fly tier and Spey casting instructor here in Argentina and also produces a wonderful magazine with Mariano Morán about fly fishing and fly tying. www.0-14.com.ar

Los Alerces National Park located in the beautiful province of Chubut is world famous for its crystal clear rivers and world class dry fly fishing. The park consist of a complex system of many rivers and interconnected lakes, with huge forests of old growth Alerces which can live more than 3,000 years. Some spectacular rivers and lakes in the park are the Rividavia, Menendez, Futalaufquen, Verde, Frey and Kruger to name a few. If you have the chance you should not miss the view of the glacier Torrecillas, which can be seen by taking one of the many scenic boat tours. The salmonoids in the parks watersystem have a very unique genetic purity. They are truly wild, as the original stock has not been contaminated by re-stocking or escapes from fish farms. Fly fishing the summer months on the Rividavia can be just incredible with explosive mayfly hatches and overwelming top water activity. The park is located about 30 kilometers outside of the wonderful little Patagonian town of Esquel. While visiting Esquel we highly recommend Gonzalo Martínez who is a wonderful fly fishing guide and chef. www.argentinawaters.com

Bariloche, Argentina is one of the most beautiful fly fishing destinations in the world with unlimited rivers and lakes. If you are looking for a guide to bring you to where the fish are we highly recommend Miguel Sanchez who was born and raised fly fishing these rivers and lakes. He is highly motivated to catch you a trophy sized trout and to float you down his home rivers. Contact him at miguelflyfishing@gmail.com

The Patagonia Flies photo of the week was sent to us from Alejandro Martello who is an incredible fly fishing photographer. He also guided for four years on the Rio Grande in Tierra del Fuego Argentina. This spectacular shot portrays a real life perspective of a sea run brown trout ripping through the water back to its home.

The National Park Nahuel Huapi with its crystal clear lakes, snow covered mountain peaks, and translucent rivers is an absolute marvel of nature. The name Nahuel Huapi stands for “island of the tiger” in the traditional language Mapuche. It was started by a land donation from Francisco Pascasio Moreno and it is a huge park with 705,000 hectares starting in the southeast province of Neuquén and into the northeast province of Rio Negro. It is famous for its incredible views and six gorgous lakes within the park, Mascardi, Gutiérrez, Traful, Moreno, Guillerlmo, and lake Nahuel Huapi. Fly fishing wise all of them are extremely beautiful; with the possibility to catch rainbows, browns, big brook trout and in some cases landlock salmon. It is a great national park to explore, camp, hike, climb, mountain bike, horseback ride, and of course fly fish. The highest mountain peak in the park is the Tronador being 3554 meters high and marks the border between Argentina and Chile, and can be accessed from the famous route 40. This park truly is a backpackers and campers best friend, with its unlimited places to camp along spectacular lake fronts, and many beautiful cabanas and hotels. The two main commercial centers are Bariloche and Villa La Angustura. Saludos, Miguel Sanchez Fly Fishing Guide Bariloche Argentina