GPS Coordinates: 48°30’1.32″S 71°13’58.57″W
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Getting to Estancia Laguna Verde
Depart home for Buenos Aires, Argentina:
Most international flights from the United States or Europe to Buenos Aires, Argentina, depart mid-morning or early afternoon from a major airport, arriving the following morning (one day later) in the morning. Major carriers that service Buenos Aires include: American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Airlines, LAN, Aerolineas Argentina, Air France, British Airways, Canadian Airlines, and Lufthansa.
Call Alicia Reguerio or Fabio Rodriguez @ Holdy Tours (800) 446-1111 for assistance with international and in-county airline accommodations – she does a great job…
Arrive Buenos Aires, Argentina, transfer to hotel of your choice:
All International flights into Argentina arrive into Ezeiza International Airport. You will first clear Immigrations (Passport Control) then you will retrieve your luggage, and clear Customs. The entire arrival process in Buenos Aires should take between 45 minutes and 1 ½ half hours.
For your transfer from the Ezeiza International Airport to your hotel we suggest one of the following:
1.) Just outside of customs, through sliding glass doors, you will enter into an area where there will be some tour operators and transfer companies. There will be a transfer company kiosk named Manuel Tienda Leone. You can contract with this company (they speak perfect English) for group or individual auto transfer to your hotel. The auto transfer takes about 45-minutes, depending on traffic and costs between $30 and $50 USD. http://www.tiendaleon.com.ar/home/home.asp
2.) Another alternative would be to contact Alicia Regueiro or Fabio Rodriguez of Holdy Tours before your trip and pre-arrange for a private meet/greet at the airport and hotel transfer utilizing the ground services of LOL Argentina. You can contact Holdy tours via email alicia@holdytours.com or fabio@holdytours.com / Phone: 800.446.1111 / 925.927.6617 or FAX 925.927.6640.
Arrival El Calafate:
You will want to catch a morning flight via Aerolinas Argentinas from the Domestic Airport Jorge Newberry (AEP) to Calafate (FTE). Flight time is approximately 3 hours. Upon arrival to Calafate, you will be met by an Estancia Laguna Verde Representative and driven the 5 hours across an austere landscape – truly big sky country – eventually arriving to the comfortable lodge nestled on the edge of little Laguna Verde. Time should allow for fishing in the afternoon and early evening, after getting settled into your room and having a quick snack.
Optional overnight in Calafate before your scheduled arrival at the Laguna Verde:
You do have the option to travel to Calafate on your day of arrival to Argentina, spending the night here instead of Buenos Aires. Contact Alicia to make hotel reservations, when you book your flights. She can recommend a few good options, based on what you prefer.
Pick-up at the hotel the next morning (your day of arrival at Laguna Verde) is usually between 7:00 – 7:30 a.m. We will verify this time with the lodge, before your departure.
Full Days of fishing at Estancia Laguna Verde:
A typical day at Laguna Verde Lodge will begin with guests enjoying a lovely breakfast of multiple entrée choices, including fresh fruit and juices.
Following breakfast everyone convenes to the mudroom to “wader up”, grab their gear, and pile into their appointed vehicles. Most days, some anglers will drive to Jurassic Lake for the day (to access the lake requires about 20-30 minutes), and some will go to the Barrancoso River (about 20 minutes of driving in a truck to access the upper reaches).
Those fishing the lake will access one of several large protected coves which they can fish from shore, wading the lake edge. Catching a number of fish, the guides will load the clients back into the vehicles and proceed to the next protected bay and repeat the process. Depending on the group’s schedule, anglers can choose to move to new water, or visit one of the seasonal streams (the Barrancoso, Moro, or the Monster’s Bay spring creek), or even one of the many other smaller lake options. Floating lines are the de rigueur choice here, allowing for quick changes between streamers, and oversized dries (yes, when the wind is down these monster trout sometimes cruise the surface, and can be sight-fished with large dry flies!); full slow-sinking lines can also be effective, particularly fishing streamers or nymphs on heavy wind days. Lunches are taken in the field.
There are two basic choices for those wishing to spend the day on the Rio Barrancoso, both beginning with a short drive to either an upstream or downstream section. If when you are there the water has been low for some time, odds are good there will be few monster trout high up on the creek, but the entire river is absolutely infested with 10-14 inch rainbows (with the occasional 20-inch “surprise”), which attack dries flies with reckless abandon; one can spend an entire day slowly plying the runs and pools of this upper valley, catching more fish than can be imagined, then walking back up to the truck for the short drive back to the lodge. If the water has been higher – meaning more large fish in the upper river – and the guides instruct it, you’ll probably tie on a streamer immediately and fish it the rest of the day, prospecting in the colored water for giants.
The second option – downstream – begins the exact same way, but is for physically fit anglers that don’t mind a strenuous day of hiking and clambering around big rocks. Earlier and later in the season the water is higher and colored, and fishermen will spend the day blind-casting streamers into all the deeper runs and holes (or sight-casting to monsters in shallow water at the stream’s edge), covering the water quickly and as efficiently as possible. At the end of this day, they will walk or use quad-runners to ride out of the deep canyon to waiting trucks, which they will use to drive back to the lodge. Here, also, lunches are taken in the field.
You will return to the lodge in the evening, after a very full day of fishing, in plenty of time to take a shower and freshen up. Appetizers and cocktails will be served in the lodge followed by a fine sit-down meal, complimented with some great Argentine Varietals. It’s a full day – sleep fast!
Departure El Calafate:
Guests will depart the lodge early this day, with the lodge driving them back to the airport at Calafate. We ask that clients make connecting flights no earlier than 1 pm, to accommodate a comfortable transfer; however, the lodge will make every effort to accommodate earlier flights, if necessary (but remember it is a 5-hour drive, so no early morning flights, please).
Contact Numbers
The Fly Shop®
PH: 800-669-3474 | 530-222-3555
(Open 7 days a week, 7:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.) E-mail: travel@theflyshop.com
Estancia Laguna Verde – Luciano “Lucho” Alba – Owner)
Cell: +54 9 2954 1896
Tel:/Fax: 54 2954 454216 | 54 2954 426757
E-mail: lucianoalba1975@gmail.com
María Silvia de Vega – Logistics Coordinator
E-mail: booking@estancialagunaverde.com
E-mail: info@estancialagunaverde.com
Holdy Tours (Alicia Rodriguez)
PH: 800-446-1111 or 925-927-6617
E-mail: alicia@holdytours.com
LOL Argentina – Marina Macchiavello
011-54911-5046-2536
011-54911-5226-2537
marina@lolargentina.com
U.S. Embassy Buenos Aires, Argentina
American Citizen Services
Av. Colombia 4300
C1425GMN Buenos Aires
The American Citizens Services (ACS) Unit of the Consular Section provides a wide range of services to American citizens visiting or residing in Argentina. So, we can better serve you, we encourage you to register with the Embassy through the State Department website if you will be travelling or living in Argentina. In case of emergency, call (54-11) 5777-4354 from 8am to 5pm or (54-11) 5777-4873 after hours.
Tackle
Rods: For Lake Strobel and the smaller lakes, the lodge has access to, we suggest powerful rods capable of handling strong winds and with enough backbone to land hard-fighting, double-digit fish that could go over 20 pounds! We recommend fast action 9 ft. rods, for 7 or 8 weight lines.
Spey rods can perform well on the big lake, delivering the fly into the teeth of high winds, so if you prefer double-handed rods, this is a great place for you to bring that kind of tackle. Remember, though, it is a “cast-and-strip” type fishing on the lakes, which can be a bit cumbersome with a double-handed rod. And honestly, the lodge owns miles of lakeshore, so they can often find protected bays where you don’t have to fight the worst of the winds as you fish.
When fishing at Barrancoso or Moro rivers, we suggest 9 ft. rods for #6-7 weight lines. A 6 weight is typically ideal in the stream. The Barrancoso tends to offer a mix of streamer, nymph and mouse action, while the Moro is primarily all about fishing dry flies.
Reels: We strongly suggest large arbor reels for Jurassic Lake, with extra backing supply (100 yards minimum and with good breaking strength) 20 lb. because even though it’s a lake you’re fishing, these trout often make long and explosive runs.
Lines and tippets: The lake guides recommend floating, and full intermediate sinking lines – if the wind is down, a sinking tip line can also be useful (if the wind is howling, the floating section of sinking tip lines gets blown around, making strike detection difficult).
When fishing at the beautiful Barrancoso River, we suggest weight forward floating lines, with 9 ft. leaders (10-15 lbs); though this stream receives very little fishing pressure, if the water is clear fish can be very spooky and challenging. Spools of tippet 10, 12, 15 & 20 pound are recommended. At the Rio Moro (early season only), we like 9 ft. leaders tapered down to 3X, as the water is quite shallow, the trout are normally looking for dries, and the fish don’t average as large (though are still consistently in the 3-8 pound range!).
Flies: We suggest all kind of wooly buggers, scuds, zonkers, and rabbit strip/marabou streamers (standard and “balance” style), weighted and un-weighted (sizes 4, 6, 8, 10). These should be tied on strong hooks.
Nymphs: EMB Rubber-Legs, Prince Nymph, Copper Johns, Pheasant Tail Nymph, Scuds (sizes 10, 12, 14). It is critical these be tied on heavy shank hooks or you will lose fish to straightened hooks.
Regarding dry flies, mouse patterns are a favorite to skate on both the streams and the lakes (with extremely explosive results), as well as big attractor flies such us Fat Alberts, Chernobyl Ants, Turck’s Tarantulas, Gypsy Kings, and Double Dutch Bugs (sizes 6, 8, 10), among others.
Recommended Clothing & Equipment
Remember, in the southern hemisphere the seasons are opposite those in the northern hemisphere. The air temperature in Patagonia is not particularly cold, but the wind blows constantly and creates a chill factor that can be uncomfortable. Much of the fishing is done in the morning and late evening hours when temperatures are at their daily ebb. And it can rain heavily or lightly at any time throughout the season. So be prepared to dress warmly. Clothing strategies should be based on the “layering system,” the idea being to trap heated air generated by your body between multiple layers of insulation. The layering system also allows you to adapt to air temperature, body temperature according to activity level, and whatever Mother Nature dishes out. Here is the formula preferred by the staff at The Fly Shop®:
1…Base Layer: Start off with a synthetic fabric next to your skin. This often is a pair of thermal underwear (tops and bottoms) and they usually come in three weights: light, mid and expedition. According to your individual metabolism, pick what is best for you. Synthetic (non-cotton) materials retain little moisture and “wick” moisture away from your skin. This is very important when you are walking in waders or when outside temperatures heat up.
2…Thermal Layer: Your second layer of insulation should match the weather and conditions you are going to be fishing in. Lightweight insulation for cool weather, mid-weight for colder conditions and heavy weight for really frigid days. Fleece is an outstanding choice here in tops and bottoms, or overalls. Merino wool is also a good choice as, like fleece, it stays warm when damp.
- 1 set mid weight Simms, Skwala or Patagonia heavy weight or fleece equivalents. Tops and bottoms.
- 1 set fleece pants or bibs – Simms, Skwala or Patagonia
- 1 fleece jacket – Simms, Skwala or Patagonia
3… Outer Shell (Rain Jacket & Waders): Your final layer should be a breathable rain jacket and waders.
Rain Jacket: High quality Gore-Tex® type products are the best. Your rain jacket should be 100% waterproof and breathable. Rain jackets must be seam sealed, multi-layered, of QUALITY construction and from a recognized outdoor clothing company. Jackets specifically designed for fly fishermen are the most comfortable and practical. Simms, Skwala or Patagonia s are excellent choices in fine raingear.
Waders: Stocking foot, breathable chest waders are the way to go. You will experience little or no moisture build-up inside the waders, even after a long hike; they wear like iron, and are comfortable to be in all day: and they take up a fraction of the space in your luggage as compared to the old-style neoprene waders. For safety we strongly recommend wearing a wading belt at all times.
- Simms, Patagonia or Skwala
Wading Boots: The wading, both around the lake and in the river is very easy and straightforward. The new knobby, “sticky” rubber soled wading boots are recommended. They’re also much longer lasting than felt soles, and are more environmentally friendly in reducing unintentional transport of invasive species. Felt soled wading boots are allowed. Metal or carbide studs are rarely necessary but are allowed. Gravel guards are a must.
- Rubber or felt soled wading boots – Simms, Patagonia, Korkers
Wading Staff: If you use a wading staff on your home waters, then bring it to Argentina. It will come in handy.
Socks: Anglers should bring enough socks to alternate on a daily basis (3 to 4 pairs of Simms or Patagonia Wading Socks). Do not wear the same socks every day, but alternate, leaving one pair to dry and air while wearing the other set. Wool, polypro or a combination of both are the best choices in sock material. Try on your socks with your waders and wading boots before you leave for your trip to ensure that you have plenty of room to move your toes. Being unable to move your toes and cramping of your feet in your wading boots are the biggest reasons for numb toes and cold feet. We’ve experienced great success with the disposable air-activated heating pads available at many outdoor stores. Removal from the cellophane wrapper activates them and they then simply stick to the outside of socks for hours of cozy warmth.
Wool or Polypropylene Gloves: Fingerless gloves are great for cold, rainy days. Neoprene gloves are fine, but retain a lot of water when wet. We have had the best success with synthetic or wool gloves.
Fishing Vest or Tackle/Vest Pack: For vests, we like a high quality product, in a ‘shorty’ model. Choose one that has room for a rain jacket, or camera in the back. Brands we like are Simms, FishPond and Patagonia.
Packs, Small Day Pack: This can be an important article to include while packing. We like a waterproof, top-loader day pack that can hold extra gear, clothes, flies, camera, snacks, etc.
Fishing Hat: Look for a hat that is comfortable, relatively waterproof, and that has a good size brim to shade your eyes and face.
Line clippers, Pliers, Hemostats, & Hook File: Essential to any fisherman and should not be left behind.
Polaroid Sunglasses: Good quality polarized sunglasses are a must. Polarized sunglasses not only let you spot fish more effectively, but protect your eyes from the intense sunlight experienced in Patagonia, as well as hooks. Smith, Costa del Mar and Oakley make some of the best. It is advised to bring two pair, as sunglasses tend to break, get lost, or fall into the river more often than other items of gear.
Camera: Waterproof digital cameras are handy. SLR cameras with a good zoom lens (28-80) are the best. If you are going to take your expensive camera equipment, make sure you have a waterproof case for it. The best waterproof cases we have found are made by Pelican Products, www.pelican.com. For in-field, on-stream use, waterproof fanny pack or a backpack works great. Don’t forget your flash unit battery charger and extra storage cards.
Flashlight/Headlamp: Our favorite is made by Petzl, LED. It is powerful with long battery life.
Sun Protection: The summer weather in Patagonia is generally pleasant. Average temperatures range between the low 50’s and mid 80’s. Though usually not hot, the ultra-violet rays of the sun in this part of the world are very intense and will burn even the most sun-seasoned anglers. Brimmed hats, long-sleeved shirts, and frequent use of a strong sun block (SPF 30+) are highly recommended.
Buff®: These are terrific for sun protection of your face, neck and head. As well they are perfect when the wind is up and the dust is flying…bring one.
Calafate Restaurant recommendations:
- La Tabalita – Classic Argentine Restaurant, great beef and lamb
- Don Pichon – Where the locals go to eat
- Casimiro Bigua – Highly recommended by guests
Wi-Fi: Estancia Laguna Verde has free unlimited wireless Internet access available for clients who would like to bring their own Wi-Fi-enabled electronic devices.
Gratuities: Gratuities are a personal decision based on service rendered. Normally guides and staff are tipped upon departure in accordance to their individual effort and service. In most cases we like to leave a gratuity with the lodge manager or owner. A good rule of thumb for figuring an amount to leave is about 15 percent of the total lodge package cost. If you have any questions concerning gratuities, please feel free to call or ask the lodge/camp manager or owner for guidelines.
We hope you are excited about your upcoming trip to Estancia Laguna Verde. You have an absolutely wonderful trip to look forward to. The information below should prove to be helpful in your trip preparations. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call us at (800) 669-3474 or email travel@theflyshop.com