Patagonia River Guides North Fishing Options and Seasons
Spring (November and January):
The fishing season officially opens in Argentine Patagonia on November 1st; and unlike some parts of Argentine Patagonia, Patagonia River Guides North (PRGN) has good options right from the start on all but the wettest of springs. Spring is a special time to visit Patagonia as the Andes Mountains still hold a large amount of snow and valleys are covered with spring flowers. Precipitation decreases throughout the month of December and average temperatures rise along with the length of day until the summer solstice on December 21st.
Area fisheries are full of water but almost every stream is fishable after December 1st due to the many river-lake systems in our area. Since the water is higher this time of the year, the largest fish tend to be more aggressive and accessible. Fishing is generally spectacular but flexibility is a must as streamers, dry flies, and nymphs are all used depending on the river levels and daily weather conditions.
Large flies concocted with rubber legs, long hackles, bunny fur, foam…you name it (Chubby Chernobyl’s, Fat Alberts, etc.), can be thrown and are very effective this time of the year due to the aggressive nature of the fish and the lack of pressure. You can leave your 5X at home but be sure to bring some 0X-3X and even a sink tip to go down and dirty. Your guide will be as anxious as you are as they have been waiting for the season as long as you have.
Normal tourism season begins after Christmas and the New Year so our area is much more relaxed and the fish are very willing. Imagine a Christmas where it is light until 10:30 pm and you can sit on the deck of your cabin enjoying a glass of Malbec instead of watching snowflakes and “The Sound of Music”. PRGN normally offers a pre-season rate to attract clients during this time, not because it’s slow fishing, but rather because the holiday season tends to keep most anglers at home. If you’re looking for a great place to spend the holidays, imagine long days, great fishing, energetic guides, and a very relaxed atmosphere with few people.
Summer (January through March):
Summer is the most popular month for fishing and tourism in Patagonia. The kids are on vacation and tourists abound. The weather is the best this time of the year with decreasing precipitation and the warmest temperatures. Some snow remains on the highest Andes peaks but almost all the spring flowers are already gone. The grass is getting long, and with warmer temperatures - you guessed it - hoppers and terrestrial insects are prolific and you will enjoy dry fly fishing almost exclusively. There are uncountable species of beetles, ants, hoppers, crickets, wasps, and other unidentified flying objects this time of the year and the trout are looking for them. A South American phenomenon: the hottest, brightest, and clearest days are the best dry fly and fishing days! Yes, it’s true, a bluebird-fisherman’s dream! All the above being said about fish looking to slam dry flies is true, but presentation is key on some streams as fish have seen a few Gypsy Kings, Fat Albert’s, Chernobyl Ants, hoppers, etc., by this time. You might have to drop down to 3X, 4X, and occasionally even 5X and use a dropper to attract fish in the crystal clear water. You will have lots of sight fishing opportunities daily and wet wading is possible a majority of the time.
This time of the year offers the most predictable weather and fishing conditions. Water levels continue to drop and water temperatures rise this time of the year. Every fishery is open and in perfect shape giving you the most options for the “fish a different river every day” philosophy that PRGN often follows throughout the season. Guests often divide their stay between two or more different estancia lodges, most of which are right on amazing rivers, with other stream options within an hour’s drive. This is prime time and getting a spot with PRGN is not easy. Repeat customers reserve most spots year after year. If you can get a spot, you won’t be disappointed!
Fall (April):
Fall is the favorite of many anglers, and it is a great time to visit Patagonia. Summer tourist traffic drops off completely and PRGN once again has a vast array of lodges and rivers to themselves. Temperature decreases and precipitation rises this time of the year, which normally brings on the fall feeding frenzy of area trout with cooling and rising rivers. Brown trout are getting ready to spawn and many of these larger fish are aggressive, and incredibly beautiful in their pre-spawn colors. Fall colors in Patagonia are spectacular and if you are lucky enough to be able to come and enjoy the fall, you will probably become addicted to the beauty, the tranquility and the fishing.
Although, the days are not as long as the spring and the summer, you still get plenty of time on the water, and in fact you might actually get more fishing as the guides are excited this time of the year. PRGN has a lodge and fishing experience for everyone, whether you prefer to float and cast large foam dries, wade to selective spring creek trout, or strip streamers for a few monster grabs a day (if the latter is you, you’ve got to tack a few days of luxury camping on the Limay to your itinerary – there are some huge browns to be had here in the fall months. You will enjoy the coziness of the lodges, the fall foods, and the fireside conversations with some of the most passionate fishermen in the world. Don’t worry, you can get a spot and you’ll be thrilled to wake up to foggy mornings, fall colors, and snow-capped peaks while getting ready for the ultimate fly fishing adventure that PRGN offers!
