What is it? The idea behind fly fishing is utilizing a fishing rod and reel and launching it into the water with the use of artificial bait called ‘flies’. The name comes from the fact that they mimic an insect in water (or fish, shrimp, etc.). The water should be transparent enough for the fish to see the bait. Fly fishing is the method utilized for fishing trout and salmon, but has now spread to other species in both freshwater and saltwater. This is considered a sport and all fish caught is released.

What type of equipment is needed?

 

Fishing rod, reel, fly line and flies

a) Fishing rod: generally they are made of graphite and have a number that identifies what type of fly line should be used: lower numbers, 1, 2, 3, 4, correspond to light poles and therefore are highly sensitive. The most commonly used in smaller rivers are numbers 5 and 6 and in larger rivers numbers 7 and 8 are designed to use with heavier casting elements that reach a greater distance.

b) Reel: specially designed for flies and have a number corresponding to the rod they should be used with.

c) Fly line: designed to cast flies. They have a number corresponding to the rod they should be used with. They can be floating (the line remains on the surface) or sinking (the line sinks in the water according to its weight, whether faster or slower).

d) Flies: artificial bait is thrown into the water and can be either very small or large depending on what you want to imitate (flies, frogs, small fish, shrimp and other things that fish eat) and are classified into three major categories:

•    Dry flies: flies that imitate insects and float on water.

Dry fly

•    Nymph flies: designed to resemble fly larvae during their period of aquatic life. They are used both underwater and on the surface.

Nymph fly

•    Streamer flies: flies that imitate fish, shrimp, etc. They are larger in size and are used underwater.

Streamer fly

e) Waders – gortex or neoprene suits for use in water typically too cold to wade in, and wading boots used to walk in rivers.

Why choose Patagonia? The special climate and environmental conditions of northern Patagonia, found in the province of Neuquén, permit the use of 3 types of flies. This offers a much wider range of possibilities.

When is the best time to fish in Patagonia? For those who prefer to fish with dry bait, the best time of year is from the middle of December until the end of March. For those who prefer streamer bait and are looking to catch bigger trout, the ideal months are November, December, April and May.

What species can be found? Rainbow trout, brown trout, brook trout and landlocked salmon. The order is not random – the most abundant species are rainbow and brown trout.

What access points are available? There are many locations, both public and private, for wade fishing which are accessible by foot. However, for the best results it is best to float on the river with a raft in order to reach more distant and difficult to access places.

Who can participate in this sport? Absolutely everyone regardless of their previous experience.

Offer: Sport fishing in Patagonia

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The Chimehuín River, located next to the Lanín Volcano in Patagonia, is a true paradise for fly fishing. The location is extremely valued not just for its spectacular scenery, but  above all for the size, stamina and fighting spirit of its fish. Successful fishing is practically guaranteed if one has the necessary skills.

Expert fishermen come together each season to fish species such as rainbow trout, brown trout, brook trout and landlocked salmon. Fishing season begins in November and lasts until April of the next year. A fishing permit is required and fishing is strictly catch and release.
In the Chimehuín River fly fishing is practiced in one of three ways: rod spinning (with spoon-bait from the shore), fly casting (fly) or boat fly fishing. Junín is the ideal location to find lodging as it provides easy access to the river. From there, you simply need to take provincial route 61 and national route 23, both of which have many entry points.

Offer: Fly fishing in Patagonia (Chimehuín River)

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Fishing season in Patagonia begins in November and lasts until April. Below we provide you with a list of the best places for practicing this thrilling sport.

At the foot of the Lanín Volcano
Within the Lanín National Park, near Junín de los Andes, lies the Chimehuín River. It is a true paradise for fly fishing. The site is highly valued for its spectacular scenery and the size and characteristic of its fish which includes rainbow trout, brown trout, brook trout and landlocked salmon.


Among the glaciers
In the Glaciers National Park, on the shores of Lake Roca and at the foot of the Cristal Mountain, there are large specimens of rainbow trout, Canadian trout and lake trout. Accommodations are available in El Calafate. Tours leave the city in 4×4 vehicles and travel approximately 31 miles to the desired location. Initial stops are made in small shelters near the Perito Moreno Glacier.

Near the Fitz Roy Mountain
In the town of El Chaltén, Lake Desierto and the Vueltas River are the two most recommended fishing locations. Further north and within the same province of Santa Cruz is Lake Buenos Aires. Here you can fish brown and rainbow trout weighing up to 13 pounds. Spinning is the most common type of fishing.

Photo courtesy of: Argentina late con vos
 

At the end of the earth
The province of Tierra del Fuego has an amazing treasure; the Rio Grande, home to sea trout weighing up to 22 pounds.

Photo courtesy of: Argentina late con vos

Offer: Fly fishing in the Chimehuín River

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If you are interested in seeing penguins and learning more about them through contact with nature, then it is well worth visiting one of the penguin colonies located in Atlantic Patagonia. The two main locations are Punta Tombo and Península de Valdés. The best time to visit these areas is between September and April, because once autumn starts, the penguins begin migrating to warmer shores.

Tours can be taken individually or in groups with the assistance of a guide. Each reserve has walkways that help avoid altering the natural environment. They also allow spectators to watch the penguins up close while they nest, court, incubate their eggs and forage at sea.
The chicks are born in November with a thin layer of gray feathers. The little ones quickly develop swimming skills and end up weighing up to 11 pounds. Petrels and orcas are their main enemies. However, fishing nets and oil spills have been the greatest danger posed to them for many years.

The Punta Tombo colony, located a few miles from Puerto Madryn, is the main penguin watching tourist destination. It is the country’s largest colony (more than one million penguins). A tour of the rookery and its vicinity takes an entire day and departs from Puerto Madryn. Access to the reserve is by gravel road. The first stop is at a 1.8 mile wide beach full of Magellanic penguins. In the same reserve you will see gray or southern Dominican gulls, skuas, royal and black-necked cormorants, terns, ducks and oystercatchers.

Another popular destination is Península de Valdés where in addition to seeing Magellanic penguins you will see giant whales. The peninsula has several protected areas: the Gulf of San José Provincial Marine Park which is an excellent location for scuba diving among reefs; the Punta Norte Wildlife Reserve with sea lions, elephant seals, skuas and penguins; the Punta Delgada Wildlife Reserve with penguins and elephant seals; the Lobería Puerto Pirámides; the Golfo Nuevo Provincial Wildlife Reserve; and the Isla Pájaros Reserve.

Puerto Pirámides is the only town with tourist services in Península de Valdés. Most travel agencies offer a visit to the town of Gaiman, a former Welsh village, during the return trip to Península de Valdés (which is usually taken from Puerto Madryn). There you will be able to enjoy delicious teas with homemade cakes and sweets.

Cabo Dos Bahías is the other major coastal reserve in Patagonia, located approximately three hours south of Trelew and 19 miles from Camarones. Here you will find penguin colonies, guanacos, foxes, rheas and sea lions. The town of Camarones integrates the brand new Ruta Azul (Blue Route), and is also the starting point of the bi-oceanic corridor. Fishing and scuba diving are the most popular activities that attract tourism to this area.

OFFER: Eco-tourism in Puerto Madryn

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DAY 1 CALAFATE

  • Arrival at Calafate Airport
  • Transfer to the “ALTO CALAFATE” 4* Hotel
  • 2-night stay in a double-occupancy room. Includes breakfast.
  • 4×4 afternoon excursion to the Balcón del Calafate. This amazing vantage point gives you a view of the source of the Perito Moreno Glacier, the peaks of the Chaltén Mountains which reach a height of 3,375 meters and Torre which reaches 3,128 meters. On the right you can see the Santa Cruz River, which empties into the Atlantic Ocean after traveling more than 186 miles. Below, you can see the city of El Calafate.

Photo: Courtesy of Marcelo Sola

DAY 2 CALAFATE

  • All-day excursion to the Perito Moreno Glacier which includes mini trekking.

The excursion departs from Calafate and lasts all day. The road trip to the glacier is 50 miles long. The first overwhelming feeling you will experience is when you reach the “curve of sighs”, the very moment you see the glacier for the first time. Here you will have an opportunity to stop and take photos before continuing the journey to the port. After embarking and reaching the south side of the glacier, the trek on the Perito Moreno begins. Countless crevasses, drains, small lagoons and fragmented ice blocks create a magical environment. Here you will be mesmerized by bright whites, deep blues, light crystals, small waterfalls down below and yarns of pure water that invite you to take a drink.


DAY 3 CALAFATE -EL CHALTÉN

  • Passengers are picked up at the hotel by a bus which takes them to El Chaltén (3-hour trip).
  • Arrival at El Chaltén
  • Transfer to “LA ALDEA” 4* Hotel
  • 3-night stay in a double-occupancy room. Includes breakfast.
  • Free afternoon ideal for preparing for the next day’s activities.

DAYS 4 and 5 EL CHALTÉN

During these 2 days you will have the option to choose between 4 hiking activities with different levels of difficulty and lengths of duration.

  • PIEDRA DEL FRAILE: Bus transfer to the Electric River located 11 miles from El Chaltén. From there you will take an easy walk on flat terrain. It is a two-hour long and tranquil walk through forests and small streams until reaching Piedra del Fraile, Father Agostini’s base camp for his explorations of the region. From this location you will have a unique view of the northeastern wall of the Fitz Roy Mountain. The area includes the Los Troncos Refuge where you can have a bite to eat and which also offers camping accommodations. It is necessary to purchase a ticket since this is a private camp. Duration: 2 hours. Distance: 3.7 miles. Difficulty: Easy
  • RIO BLANCO: The path begins with a few undulations which take you through a beech forest to the Piedras Blancas Glacier viewpoint, where you will arrive after a 1.5 hour hike. There you will enjoy an incredible frontal view of the glacier and its lagoon, located at the foot of the Fitz Roy Mountain. It is another 30 minutes to the Poicenot Camp and an additional 15 minutes to Rio Blanco. The return trip to the town is taken through the Laguna Capri and descends the last bit of this path. Approximate duration: 7 hours. Total distance: 11 miles. Difficulty: Intermediate
  • PLIEGUE TUMBADO: This path begins at the entrance of the town at the National Park Information Center. This trek provides the best panoramic views of the main peaks, Fitz Roy and Torre, as well as the thickest forests. At the 1.5 hour mark you will reach the first lookout point, called Pampa de las Carretas, where you will have the first view of Torre and Fitz Roy Mountains. The panoramic views continue as you follow the trail. Here you will have perfect view of Lake Viedma, the Huemul Mountain and the Paso del Viento to the Río Túnel Valley, exit door to the Continental Ice sheets. In Pliegue you will have views of the Fitz Roy River, lakes, glacier and Torre Mountain, and from the Madre e Hija Lakes you will have a view of the Fitz Roy Mountain. Duration: 7 hours. Difficulty: Intermediate. Total distance: 9.3 miles.
  • LAGUNA TORRE: This trek is one of the most popular in the region leading to one of the most beautiful and difficult mountains in the world, Torre Mountain. The trail begins in the village and follows the Fitz Roy River upstream with a slight slope at the beginning, which later becomes a tranquil hike reaching the first viewpoint at the 1.5 hour mark. From there you will have a beautiful view of Torre Mountain, the Adelas and part of Fitz Roy massif. The road continues with mild undulations approaching the river to Camp De Agostini, after approximately 45 minutes. After an additional 10 minutes you will arrive at Laguna Torre, after crossing the moraines. From here you will have a spectacular view of the Torre Mountain, flanked by the Egger, Standhard, Bífida and Adelas Mountains with their stunning glaciers spilling into the lagoon. The same path is taken for the return journey. Approximate duration: 6 hours. Total distance: 14 miles. Difficulty: Intermediate.

DAY 6 EL CHALTÉN – EL CALAFATE- USHUAIA

  • Bus transfer to the Calafate airport en route to Ushuaia
  • Arrival at Ushuaia airport
  • Transfer to the “LAS LENGAS” 4* hotel
  • 3-night stay in a double occupancy room. Includes breakfast.


DAY 7 USHUAIA

  • All-day off-road Lake excursion:

This tour allows you to scuttle waves and travel through impossible muddy roads and is great for all ages. On this trip you will cross the Andes, 9 miles on the shores of Lake Fagnano until reaching a beach where a shelter awaits you for a delicious barbecue and wine lunch amidst an ancient forest.

Attractions: Valle Carvajal and Tierra Mayor, Paso Garibaldi, Lake Escondido, Aserradero Bronzovich, Castoreras, Lake Fagnano.

Duration: 8 hours.

Meals: Snacks + Barbecue with salad and dessert. Drinks included (wine, sodas, mineral water). Transportation: Land Rover Defender. 8 passengers + guide and vehicle.

DAY 8 USHUAIA

  • All-day excursion to the Tierra del Fuego National Park

This is the only Argentinian National Park that combines sea, mountains and forests.  Here you will see Lapataia Bay, the shores of the Beagle Channel and the most impressive flora and fauna including red foxes, woodpeckers, steamer ducks, condors, eagles, beavers and peat bogs.

After a .5 mile trek you will have the option of taking a semi-rigid boat to Isla Redonda. You can also paddle through the beautiful internal lakes of the Park using inflatable canoes. These activities give you a different perspective of this majestic place.

Attractions: Ensenada Bay, Beagle Channel, Lapataia Bay, Lake Roca, Isla Redonda or the Ovando and Lapataia Rivers.

Duration: 8 /9 hours

Meals: Snacks + Picnic (Local cuisine appetizers, hamburgers, chorizo sandwiches). Drinks included: mineral water, wine and sodas.

Day 9 USHUAIA

  • Transfer to the Ushuaia airport for travel to the next destination.

PRICE: $1399 USD/per person for double-occupancy during March & April 2013 (Does not include Easter week). Does not include airfare or entrance to the National Parks. Can be combined with trips to Buenos Aires or Iguazú.

See more active experiences in Argentina

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