Northern Patagonia Lodge

an underwater shot of a female freshwater angler releasing a rainbow trout at Northern Patagonia lodge, Argentina

Rainbow Trout – Brown Trout

SEASON: November – May
DURATION: 3-7 NIGHTS OPTIONS
GUESTS: 10

Northern Patagonia Lodge is conveniently located on the banks of the upper Chimehuin River in Argentina’s Northern Patagonia region.

The Lodge boasts fully customizable fishing itineraries to suit your need, skill level, or adventurous desire. Explore new rivers and lakes daily, working with your guides day-to-day to ensure you have the holiday tour you deserve.

Northern Patagonia Lodge offers anglers opportunities at trophy brown and rainbow trout water and seasonal shots at brookies and landlocked salmon. The Lodge is a short 45-minute drive from San Martin de Los Andes airport and the perfect hub to access the best waters in the region.

Fishing at Northern Patagonia Lodge

Overlooking the Chimehuin River, Northern Patagonia Lodge boasts front-door access to the greatest diversity of trout water in northern Patagonia. Brown, rainbow, brook trout, and landlocked salmon all thrive in this magnificent region. Depending on your daily preferences, there are options to wade, float, and fish untouched beats by horseback or by comfortable vehicles.

The picturesque Chimehuin River is a wade and raft-friendly river that flows for 25 miles until it meets the Collon Cura River – another famous Patagonia fly-fishing stream. In the vicinity, you will also find small, technical streams offering dry-fly, streamer, and nymphing opportunities depending on the season… simply ask your guide.

In addition to sprawling rivers and intimate small streams, Northern Patagonia Lodge also has access to multiple lakes. For example,  Trophy Stillwater includes the Tromen, Huechulafquen, Epulafquen, Verde, and Curruhe… to name only a few. Each lake is known for its solid fish & the guides are well-versed in each lake’s specific nuances.

Rods & Reels: We recommend 9-foot 5- and 6-weight rods, reels with a good disc drag to stop trophy fish. Make sure to pack a selection of floating lines and sink-tip sections. (200-grain integrated tips are the guides’ favorite).

Fly Lines: Weight-forward floating fly lines are standard on the rivers in Northern Patagonia. Whatever you fish in Montana or the Rockies will also work great on these waters. We suggest bringing an integrated sinking line for streamer fishing. These lines should have anywhere from 10 to 20 feet of 200- to 300-grain sinking tips. For stillwaters, we love floating lines and dry flies but don’t overlook full-sinking and clear intermediate lines for streamers fishing in deeper water.

Accommodation at Northern Patagonia Lodge

Northern Patagonia Lodge was constructed in 2008 and is located on the upper Chimehuin River. The beautifully appointed Lodge can accommodate 10 guests in five large bedrooms, each with a private bathroom. Each bedroom sleeps two anglers comfortably in single beds. In addition, the Lodge features two common living rooms, a reading/internet room, an open kitchen, and a large dining area where our guests enjoy delicious meals. Laundry service is available.

A joy of Northern Patagonia Lodge is the food. Kitchens come to life through the use of fresh and regionally representative meats and produce. By combining these elements, the chefs at Northern Patagonia Lodge create delicious flavors and varied textures on each plate. A top-notch team of experienced national and international chefs, trained in both classic and avant-garde culinary techniques, execute all meals. Chefs prepare every dish from scratch and are ready to serve at a moment’s notice. Also, each meal menu is paired with some of Argentina’s finest wines; Bodega Catena Zapata.

Getting to Northern Patagonia Lodge

Chapelco Airport (CPC) in San Martin de Los Andes is the closest airport serving Northern Patagonia Lodge. Aerolineas Argentinas (aerolineas.com.ar) runs regular return commercial flights from Aeroparque Airport in Buenos Aires to Chapelco Airport. Buenos Aires to the city of Bariloche (Code BRC) in Patagonia is another option but Bariloche airport is located farther south and requires a longer drive (about 2.5 hours) to and from Northern Patagonia Lodge.

We will arrange that the team from Northern Patagonia Lodge meet you at Chapelco Airport or wherever you plan to land in Patagonia.

Itinerary

This is a sample itinerary as Northern Patagonia Lodge allows anglers to select their daily itinerary based on condition & need. Custom itineraries are built according to fishing preference,  prevailing weather, temperature, water levels, fish migration and the opinions of the guides.

Arrival

  • Arrival in San Martin de Los Andes at Chapelco Airport (around 2 pm)
  • Drive to Northern Patagonia Lodge
  • After lunch, the fishing manager will assist anglers in preparation of fishing equipment
  • Cocktails, appetizers, and dinner at the Lodge.

Day 2

  • Breakfast at the Lodge
  • After breakfast drive to the Lower Malleo River
  • This section of the river is located in the Mapuche Reservation Amutuy Quime
  • It is wading only. There are hundreds of pools to fish all day long
  • Move throughout the day using vehicles to find the most productive runs
  • Back to the Lodge for appetizers and dinner
  • Recommended rods: 4, 5 or 6 wt with floating lines and 7′ to 12′ leaders

Day 3

  • Breakfast at the Lodge
  • The day starts at the Rinconada Bridge, which spans the Collon Cura River
  • This is big water, like the Madison in Montana, with fish from 12 inches to several pounds
  • There are brown and rainbow trout and Perca, the native fish
  • Percas put up a nice fight, much like a brown trout, and eat whatever you throw at them
  • This is a float day. There will be stop and wade sections to target channels formed around the islands in the river.
  • Back to the Lodge for appetizers and dinner

Day 4

  • Breakfast at the Lodge
  • Drive to Lake Tromen. The lake is found in the shadows of Lanin Volcano and is 3-miles from the Chilean border, where your fish for trophy brown, rainbow and brook trout. Again fishing is done from rafts casting to submerged logs, weed patches, obstacles, and boulders. Guests can fish a tiny spring creek while a BBQ lunch is prepared. The stream holds small brookies, or you may fish the outlet for trophy-sized trout up to 7+ pounds.
  • Back to the Lodge for appetizers and dinner

Day 5

  • Breakfast at the Lodge
  • Float the Chimehuin River, from Piedra del Viento (200 yards upstream from Northern Patagonia Lodge) to the Military Bridge. This is an all-day float with a lunch break at approximately 1 pm. You’ll fish the famous pools that made Junin de Los Andes a world-class destination (Piedras Blancas, Currhue, and Parrot pools).
  • Back to the Lodge for appetizers and dinner.

Day 6

  • Breakfast at the Lodge
  • The day starts at the confluence of the Malleo and Alumine rivers. This is big water again, boasting fish from 12 inches to several pounds. Brown and rainbow trout and some landlocked Atlantic Salmon can be targeted.
  • Back to the Lodge for appetizers and dinner

Day 7

  • Breakfast at the Lodge
  • Fish the middle Malleo River, with a streamside barbeque. This is a very similar day to day 2 fishing the lower Malleo River.
  • Back to the Lodge for appetizers and dinner

Day 8

  • Breakfast at the Lodge
  • Pack & good-byes before heading to San Martin de Los Andes for some shopping and lunch (depending on the time of departure flight) and then transfer to Chapelco Airport.

Rates

7 Nights / 6 Days Fishing POA
6 Nights / 5 Days Fishing POA
5 Nights / 4 Days Fishing POA
4 Nights / 3 Days Fishing POA

3 Nights / 3 Days Fishing POA

Single boat: 60% surcharge

Rates Include

Lodging, meals, all wine, beer, and local spirits. Professional guide services, transfers from/to San Martín de Los Andes airport.

Rates Exclude

Transfers from/to Bariloche, gratuities for guides and house staff, airfares, laundry service, fishing licenses & loaner fishing equipment (Rods, reels, and Lines).

Gallery

Extra Info

Passports and Visa Requirements

Citizens of the United States, Canada, Australia, The United Kingdom, South Africa, New Zealand, and other Western European nations, do not require a visa for tourist trips of up to 90 days to Argentina. They must however travel with a valid passport from their country of residence. Those carrying passports from other nations should check with their local consulates for specific regulations.

On Arrival

You will complete a two-part landing card and be issued a stamp for 30, 60, or 90-day stays. Staple the duplicate of the landing card into your passport, next to your entrance stamp, as you’ll need it to leave the country.

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