Patagonia Outfitters was founded in 1978 by local Argentine fly fishing legend Jorge Trucco. Over the past 40+ years, Jorge and the Patagonia Outfitters team not only discovered many of the now-famous fisheries in northern Patagonia, they have continued to develop and perfect the trout fishing experience in Argentina.

Patagonia Outfitters is a full service outfitter, offering custom, à la carte fly fishing packages throughout the many fish-filled rivers, streams, and lakes within striking distance of both San Martin de los Andes and Bariloche. They work with a handful of the finest lodges and private estancias and guides in the region, and work closely with every guest to custom-tailor a unique Patagonia holiday, whether it’s 4 days or 2 weeks, whether you are a hard core angler or if you are traveling with your family and want to combine exciting trout fishing with great non fishing activities, Patagonia Outfitters and The Fly Shop can custom tailor a unique and diverse holiday for you.

From floating large and productive tailwaters, to wading small intimate spring creeks; sight-casting for rising rainbows with dry flies, or chucking streamers for trophy trout; enjoying a local Malbec at a high end estancia lodge, or camping out under the Southern Cross; or a combination of all this and more…it is all possible when exploring Argentina with Patagonia Outfitters!

The idea behind the à la carte fishing itineraries is to combine two, three or four estancias to create a varied fly fishing holiday. For example, for a one week trip you can arrange four nights lodging at Estancia Pilolil and then transfer to Collon Cura Lodge and fish another three days. Or four nights at Estancia San Huberto and  three nights at Tres Rios. Give us a call and we will help you custom tailor a trip that fits your wants and needs…

The Fly Shop Travel Image

Estancia Pilolil

Estancia Pilolil is the premier destination for fishing adventures in the heart of northern Patagonia. The 23,000 acre private estancia is perfectly situated in the heart of this fish-filled region, conveniently located a short drive from the regional airport at San Martin de Los Andes. The lodge is perched on the west bank of the scenic Aluminé River, with ten miles of the most productive stretches of this famous river, and dozens of other excellent fisheries within easy striking distance. The Aluminé River is famous for its incredible hatches and dry fly fishing, while nymphs and streamer fishing can also produce very large rainbow and brown trout. There are daily options for either floating or wading.

This beautiful Pilolil Lodge accommodates up to 12 guests in deluxe comfort, including incredible cuisine and fine Argentine wines. Non-angling guests will enjoy daily options for horseback rides, hiking, sightseeing and shopping in the nearby towns, or simply relaxing with a good book.

Learn more...

The Fly Shop Travel Image

Collon Cura Lodge

Collon Cura Lodge is centrally located on the banks of the Collon Cura River, on a 70,000 acre estancia owned by Ted Turner. The estancia provides exclusive access to the best spots for floating this prolific river, flowing through a landscape of huge open vistas and expansive panoramas reminiscent of the American West.

Willow lined banks, sand cliffs and rolling hills shape the Collon Cura River’s unique and attractive landscape, and create ideal conditions for

incredible populations of very large rainbows, browns, and Patagonian perch. This vibrant river ecosystem features consistent hatches and constant fishing action using dry flies, nymphs, or streamers, both drifting and wading.

The quaint, cozy lodge accommodates up to eight guests in four double rooms, each with its own private, en suite bathroom. There is a wonderful “great room”, popular for guests gathering after a fish-filled day on the water to share a drink, some hors d’oeuvres, and plenty of stories. A beautiful, separate dining room is a mere minute’s walk away, allowing for serene evening after-dinner strolls beneath the star-filled Patagonian sky. The dining at Collon Cura Lodge is an experience all its own, with classic Argentine cuisine complemented by fine local wines.

Learn more...

The Fly Shop Travel Image

Tipiliuke Lodge

Tipiliuke Lodge is conveniently located a mere 15 minutes from the town of San Martin de los Andes, on the 50,000 acre Estancia Cerro de los Pinos. The Larminat family founded the estancia in 1909, and continue to operate the historic working cattle ranch today. Gauchos – many of them the same families that helped start the estancia over a hundred years ago – still round up the cattle on horseback. The entire experience is a step back in time.

Fishing from Tipiliuke incorporates more than 17 miles of incredible trout streams, including private access to 9 miles of the famous Chimehuin River and 4 miles of the Quilquihue River. The Chimehuin was the first “famous” river in Patagonia, written about by Joe Brooks in the 1950s/60s. Clear waters and consistent hatches make for reliable dry fly fishing throughout the season. Both rainbow and brown trout here average 14-20 inches, with monster browns nearing 30 inches landed each season.

This five-star lodge is well-known for its distinguished service, accommodation, and cuisine. It is a perfect destination for non-fishing guests as well, offering horseback riding, hiking, and close to town for shopping and other local sightseeing. Tipiliuke accommodates up to sixteen guests, with a maximum of twelve anglers, in well-appointed rooms with en-suite bath. There are comfortable living room and social areas, a sauna and hot tub, even an outside fire pit for evening stories and tall tales of the “one that got away”.

The estancia also features the “River House”, a secluded private home just steps from the river and a great option for families or groups.

The Fly Shop Travel Image

San Huberto Lodge

Estancia San Huberto is owned by the Olsen family, and operated as a 25,000 acre farm-to-table experience. Their gardens are extensive, and their free-range beef and lamb are absolutely incredible, pairing perfectly with a local Argentine Malbec. Guests here often return just for the food!

Of course, the fishing from San Huberto is also world-class, with 25 miles of private access on the best stretches of the Malleo River. Jorge Trucco helped get catch-and-release legislation on the Malleo in 1985; with

decades of protection the river has some of the highest trout populations in Patagonia. The Malleo is mostly spring-fed, with crystal clear waters perfect for sight fishing, reliable hatches, and dry fly fishing opportunities. It is the perfect-sized river for walk and wade fishing, a great location for novice, intermediate, or advanced anglers.

San Huberto was named after “Saint Hubert”, the patron saint of hunters, and began as a hunting lodge and the mid 20th Century. The lodge was completely renovated in 1999, is updated (and upgraded) annually, and is now exclusively operated for fly fishing. San Huberto features 10 guest rooms, and can accommodate up to 16 guests, with a maximum of 12 anglers. It’s a great destination for non-anglers. Guests here enjoy plenty of room to relax. A favorite “hang-out” is the upstairs fireplace, perfect for evening pisco-sours and stories of rising trout from the day’s fishing.

The Fly Shop Travel Image

Estancia Arroyo Verde

Estancia Arroyo Verde is one of the most unique experiences in all of Patagonia. It is located near the town of Bariloche, where the Traful river runs through a secluded valley of incredible wind-and-water sculpted rock formations, breath-taking views of the crystal clear Lake Traful with the backdrop of the white-capped Andes and lush forests. The estancia has a deep history, family-owned and operated by the Lariviere family for over 35 years.

Guests staying at Estancia Arroyo Verde enjoy exclusive access to the Traful River, first made famous by the pioneers of Patagonia fly fishing: Joe Brooks, Mel Krieger, Ernest Schwiebert, and Jorge Trucco. The Traful is unique, flowing between two lakes and receiving runs of giant brown and rainbow trout as well as landlocked Atlantic salmon. This is perhaps the best place in northern Argentina to catch true trophy-sized trout.

The traditional wood and stone built lodge overlooks the beautiful river valley and gin-clear Traful River. The main lodge is defined by graceful, elegant accommodations and sophisticated service punctuated by 5-star dining experience, featuring a sun-lounge, bar, living-room and dining-room. There are six spacious, comfortable and well-appointed guest rooms, each with private en suite bath.

The Fly Shop Travel Image

Estancia Quemquemtreu

Patagonia Outfitters first started working with Estancia Quemquemtreu in 1993. This historic, working ranch encompasses nearly 200,000 acres, and is one of the largest estancias in northern Patagonia.

Fortunately, the estancia is home to nearly as many trout as cattle. Guests staying at Quemquemtreu have exclusive access to over 30 miles of the very productive Collon Cura River, as well as rare access to

the small, intimate Quemquemtreu Creek. The Collon Cura has some wonderfully scenic float trips, as well as excellent wade-fishing opportunities. All manner of fly fishing techniques work well here, including dry flies, nymphs, and streamers.

The lodge at Estancia Quemquemtreu can accommodate up to 12 anglers at a time. There are 5 comfortable double rooms located in the main lodge, which also features a great sitting room focused around a huge rock fireplace, perfect for sharing fishing yarns at the end of a great day on the stream. The nearby “Hunter’s Lodge” is just a short stroll away and has an additional 4 guest rooms.

The Fly Shop Travel Image

Tres Rios Lodge

Set on a scenic bluff, Tres Rios Lodge offers spectacular panoramic views of both the Chimehuin and Collon Cura Rivers, which converge at the base just below the lodge. It is also ecologically sustainable, generating its own electricity through solar panels and windmills.

Tres Rios Lodge boasts private access to 10 miles of what most agree to be the best, most productive waters of the Chimehuin River. These sections can be floated, while there is also plenty of great wade-fishing

opportunities that are only available to guests of Tres Rios Lodge. In addition, the lodge enables access to an additional 20 miles of the Collon Cura River, and several lagunas that hold some seriously large trout.

The lodge accommodates up to 8 guests, in 4 spacious, double-occupancy rooms. There is a comfortable living room and bar area, and the outside fire-pit is famous for its legendary asados.

The Fly Shop Travel Image

Reservations and Rates

Each trip with Patagonia Outfitters is fully customize-able, with rates varying depending on length of stay and which estancias or lodges are incorporated into your reservation.

Pricing is usually from $790 - $1,150 per person, per night.

Included in Package:
- Deluxe Double Occupancy Accommodations (single supplement available upon request)
- Fly fishing license
- Fly fishing gear – waders, wading boots, rods and reels and flies
- All food and drinks at the estancia and on the river with fine wines, beer, and open bar
- Professional fishing guides (1 guide per every two fishermen)
- Most ground transfers from close by regional airports (excluding in Buenos Aires)
- Wi-Fi internet at the lodge

Not included in Package:
- International & Domestic airfares
- Hotels, transfers, tours in Buenos Aires (we have some excellent transfer companies we can refer you to for help with transfers, tours, etc in Buenos Aires)
- Gratuities at the lodge for guides and lodge staff
- Extras at lodge such as “lodge shop” purchases, phone calls, etc.
- Travel Insurance

The Fly Shop Travel Image

Seasons at Patagonia Outfitters

The fishing season in northern Argentina runs from November 1 through May 1. With the great diversity of fisheries in this area, there are always options for great fishing every day of the season.

Here’s a breakdown of the smaller “seasons” within the season:

Spring (November, December):
Spring is a beautiful time of year in this part of Argentina. The Andes Mountains are fully snow-capped. The valley floors are painted with colorful wildflowers. And the trout are hungry!

Many of the fisheries tend to be running high with snowmelt, but because many are spring fed, or filtered out of the many lakes in the region, they remain clear and fishable throughout the season. Many of the trout are coming off their spring spawn, so the largest fish in the river systems tend to be hungry and aggressive. Depending on river levels and daily weather conditions, expect to fish a variety of techniques: streamers, dry flies, and nymphs.

Summer (January through March):
Summer is the most popular time for guests traveling (and fishing) in Patagonia. The weather is generally warm, with very little precipitation. Warm, dry weather is perfect for terrestrials…and this is the peak of the hopper season on area rivers, along with a smorgasbord of beetles, ants, crickets, as well as the usual mayflies, caddis, and stoneflies. This tends to be the most consistent time of year for hatches and dry fly fishing opportunities. Nymphing and streamer fishing can also still be very productive, especially for larger trophy-sized fish.

Fall (April):
Autumn in Argentina is a favorite time of year for experienced South American anglers. Temperatures remain comfortable but start to drop, and the first raindrops of fall can bring about feeding frenzies on all the regional streams, rivers, and lakes. Big brown trout, in particular, are preparing to spawn and can be particularly aggressive towards large streamers. There are still some great hatches as well, so autumn anglers want to be prepared to fish a variety of techniques. Moreover, the fall colors are spectacular!

The Fly Shop Travel Image

Fishing at Patagonia Outfitters

Fly fishing for trout in northern Argentina is an unforgettable experience, a magical place where you will discover giant rainbow trout and brown trout in an incredible landscape. Patagonia Outfitters has been hosting international anglers to this region for over four decades.

This part of Patagonia has an incredible amount of diversity: large rivers, small creeks, tailwaters, spring creeks, isolated lagunas, large

lakes…there is something here for everyone. And it is a place where you can chuck large articulated streamers for trophy trout in the morning, run a small beaded nymph under a grasshopper in the middle of the day, and sight-cast dry flies to rising trout in the afternoon.

The Fly Shop and Patagonia Outfitters will work directly with you to customize your angling holiday to your specific preferences.