Argentina

Rio Grande - Tierra Del Fuego

This one of the best runs of sea-run brown trout in the world, characterized for the remarkable consistency of conditions, and the reliable quality of its fishing. At one lodge the amount of catches has risen from 285 to over 4,000 sea-run brown trout in each of the last two seasons, with trophy trout averaging 7-11 pounds. Fish of 20 pounds and over are caught every week, while each year several 30 pounders are caught, and occasionally a 40-pound fish! These fish are aggressive, and in typical conditions they are fished deep, but can be tempted to the surface. Once hooked, like the Atlantic salmon or steelhead, some loom deep and slow, while most jump on the surface and fight hard.

The increasing number of fish combined with the influence of skated fly and floating line techniques used in Iceland, Russia and Canada and experimented in these latitudes by international fishermen and guides, invites for testing the different techniques.

There are four different lodges:

The traditional Kau-Tapen, situated on the middle part of the river, very comfortable and cozy, with capacity for 12 persons.

Villa María based on the lower part in the Estancia José Menendez, directly downstream from Kau-Tapen, with a capacity for 6 persons.

San Julio, an estancia upstream from Kau-Tapen and on the other side of the river, with capacity for 6 rods.

La Posada del Sauce, a comfortable and attractive small hotel in the town of Rio Grande using different stretches of the lower river.

The season is from November 1 until early April, best from Christmas onwards.

The lodges all require minimum stay of one week, Saturday to Saturday.

Other excellent lodges in the area are Toon Ken and the new Aurelia Lodge. One should note that all are heavily booked very far in advance.