When our good friend and Argentine outfitter, Luciano “Lucho” Alba – owner/operator of Estancia Laguna Verde and Lago Strobel Lodge on Jurassic Lake, as well as the Golden Dorado Cruiser on the Parana River – told us about his new operation, Estancia Chochoy Mallin, we were immediately intrigued. 

“I’ve always had my eyes on Northern Patagonia—that’s where I grew up fishing. A lot of water, a lot of variety, no pressure, not seeing another angler all day. That’s what always pulled me in.

What got me about Chochoy is that it still feels that way. It’s vast, remote, and you’re not repeating the same water—you’re exploring. From the moment we saw it, we knew this was something special—a true hidden gem, and probably one of the last of its kind in Patagonia.

Add to that a real estancia and an amazing lodge, and it becomes a very complete experience”. – Lucho” Alba

Chochoy Mallin is in the Cordillera del Viento region, a remote, seldom-seen corner of Argentine Patagonia, far to the north of the popular fly fishing hubs of San Martin, Junin, and Bariloche. The rivers here have little of the angling pressure of the ones to the south, both because of their off-the-radar location and because they are all located on enormous, private ranches (the two estancias fished measure a combined total of nearly 90,000 acres). Between these two ranches there are over 40 miles of various rivers and streams for guests to choose from! And there is a great mix of both walk/wade and float fishing options, so guests can pick and choose as they prefer. It is worth noting that in a part of the world where float fishing tends to dominate, Chochoy Mallin has endless miles of wade fishing opportunities.

The accommodations are only a few years old, constructed as a fly fishing lodge in 2022. On entering the lodge one immediately recognizes it was designed to reflect the wide-open Patagonia landscape, with high ceilings, large rooms, and a luxury of windows. The guest bedrooms are also large, and well-appointed for comfort and functionality. Importantly, Chochoy Mallin is a working Patagonian estancia with gauchos and horses, yet with the comfort and level of service expected from a high-end fishing lodge. The historic ranch house is near the lodge and is where guests enjoy curated wine experiences and visit the estancia’s extensive wine cellar – adding a strong sense of “place” to the overall program. The cuisine is consistently high-quality – Lucho’s chef delivers an exceptional mix of traditional Patagonian dishes, asados, and regional specialties, always paired with appropriate varietals.

The lodge just finished up its first season of operation, and judging by the responses from our returning anglers, it was an unqualified success. The following are comments that we consistently heard from returning guests, and we feel speak for themselves.

“The fishing was so varied – we fished somewhere new every day.”

“We got to explore new waters that haven’t been fished in years, if at all – that is something tough to find in Argentina, or almost anywhere. And the guides were wonderful – patient and great instructors…you could tell they knew their waters well.”

“Every stream was different. The spring creeks were somewhat technical, with some sight-fishing opportunities and selective trout. The fish in the freestone rivers were aggressive and responded well to dry flies, dry/droppers, and even streamers. The trout in the lagunas ate dries and nymphs and streamers and were pretty large, on average. I would go back just to fish the Rio Reni Leuvu!”

“The staff at the lodge could not have been nicer or more accommodating. They seemed to anticipate our every need.”

“Lucho went out of his way to make sure we all had the best trip possible…not just with the fishing, but also with his wine-tasting events, and personal attention in general.”

“It was like stepping back in time, having those streams to ourselves. And such a beautiful lodge, in the middle of nowhere! We felt as though we got to experience the real Patagonia.”

We could not be more excited as we look forward to the 2026/2027 season. Lucho has now closed up the lodge for the year, and is concentrating on building more road infrastructure on the estancias before the onset of winter, allowing for even better access to all the established rivers as well as to some of the newly-discovered and to-be-discovered waters. And he is also opening up access to establish more float options for those desiring it. 

Estancia Chochoy Mallin is a rarity in the fly fishing world.

• A place where anglers can experience water which has remained largely untouched for generations.
• A fishery where there are more streams than can be experienced in a month, much less a week. 
• A place where trout are found rising in spring creeks, freestone streams, floatable rivers, and shallow lagunas.
•  A place where guests are immersed in an authentic Patagonian culture of gauchos and wide open spaces, while not sacrificing any creature comforts or levels of service. 

If this sounds exciting to you, give us a call or drop an email to ask more questions or to have us check space availability for you. With only eight anglers a week in a compact 16-week season (December through March), at the remarkably affordable rate of $6,200/person/week, space at this new destination is limited.

Inclusions: Accommodations, driving transfers between either San Martin or Neuquen and the lodge, all meals, all drinks, local transportation, professional guide for each two anglers, flies and leaders, laundry twice a week, horseback riding. 

Exclusions: Gratuity, fishing license ($150USD, purchase on arrival to the lodge), fishing gear (loaner wading boots, and rods and reels can often be available on request).