The Fishing
The northern Patagonia region around the towns of Junín and San Martin de los Andes has the largest variety of trout streams in Argentina. You can fish 15 rivers and 20 lakes within a two-hour radius of San Martin de los Andes.
Our custom-tailored fishing packages will allow you to fish the very best waters in ways that match your preferences perfectly. From long days fishing to evenings enjoying splendid dinners and relaxation at the lodge, you’ll experience the very best of Patagonia with us. When we talk about Patagonia Norte it is very important to know about the different options you can have to fly fish, so knowing the rivers and their fishing options is critical.
MALLEO RIVER
Being well known internationally because of its dry fly fishing is such a unique river that presents great variety of waters. The stream starts from Tromen Lake, being a freestone natural river, next to the base of the Lanin Volcano. After flowing for over 30 miles it reaches the junction with the Alumine River. Over the entire flow the river runs through meadows, canyons, and great willow galleries and presents great hatches thru the entire season.
A main road goes most the trajectory along the river with some pretty easy access to many areas and some other that requires good walks. This medium size river is fish only wading. Even when there is easy public access for good parts of the river, the extended length of this stream makes you find only few people around.
To properly describe this river we have to divide it in three complete different sections: Upper, Middle and Lower sections.
Upper Malleo, is the first section of this stream from its inlet draining water from Lake Tromen until the junction with the Huaca-Mamuil Creek. This section could be described as a mountain creek where you will be fishing pocket waters. This section is ideal to fish small gear such a 3 or 4 weight rods. You can target rainbows, browns and brook trout in a range 12 to 15 inches. There are millions of this small size trout but each pool hold trout up to 24/26 inches that can be a memorable fish in such a small stream and light gear
The Middle Section runs form Huaca-Mamuil Creek until the Indian Reservation. This section still present fast flows and large boulders but from here downstream start appearing willow trees covering most banks and providing a lot of hide and great structure for the trout habitat. This section holds a large mid size trout population (15 to 19 inches) with many fish over 20 inches on each pool.
The Lower Section runs among a Mapuche Indian Reservation until the junction with Alumine River and the landscape becomes a unique canyon with wear rocky formations on a really dessert environment. The river flows a bit slower and while still willow trees are presence; are fewer than the ones on the middle part of the river what makes easier fishing. Wading is gentle and easier than the other 2 sections as well. Here we will target rainbows and brown in a range 15 to 20 inches, again larger fish are possible on every run/pool.
ALUMINE RIVER
This river is one on the longest river in North Patagonia, with the peculiarity than most of its 80 miles of length are suitable to be floated. You can imagine the countless opportunities of fishing venues we have on this stream. The Alumine is a freestone natural river that starts on the Lake with same name (Alumine Lake) and flows until the junction with the Catan-Lil River where becomes Collon Cura River.
Many sections of this stream have very difficult or limited access creating very little fishing pressure and few people around. We combine daily floats and multiple days float trip camping on island to take the best advantage out of this great stream.
One of the most attractive fishing situations on this river is the famous Willow Inch Worm hatch. A lot of big size fish becomes easier to catch and most of the time is sight fishing conditions. If you hit the right time fun will be assured.
LAKE TROMEN
Located at the base of Lanin Volcano this beautiful lake is source of water for Malleo River and home of large rainbow, brown and brook trout. We normally fish this lake from motor boats where we target trout on sight fishing situations against shore structure such as fallen logs, large rocky cliff and Lake Shoal rich in food where trout patrol in search of their meal.
We will be targeting rainbow and brown in a range 19 to 24 inches and brook trout in a range 16 to 20 inches. We will enjoy of a unique fishing experience in stunning scenery.
LIMAY RIVER
Why not the most enigmatic fishery of all Patagonia. The major river of Northern Patagonia is the natural drain of the Nahuel Huapi Lake and runs for over 200 miles until the junction with the Neuquén River where the Rio Negro starts and flow all the way to the Atlantic Ocean. The original flow was interrupted by 5 dams creating some large reservoirs on its way.
As a natural freestone river the Limay runs from the Nahuel Huapi Lake for over 30 miles to the first Reservoir.
After the first Reservoir there are another two Reservoirs placed consecutively without giving room to the river shows. After all of this starts the Middle Limay. Right down bellow from Pichi Picun Leufu Dam and now as a tail waters the Limay river keep flowing knowing on this section as “Middle Limay”.
This unique stretch of river flows for over 50 miles until reach the 4th reservoir/dam system; this is called Ezequiel Ramos Mejia Lake and is the largest of the reservoir over the Limay River system. The two closest populations are the small towns of Piedra del Aguila, placed near the Pichi Picun Dam where the river starts; and the town of Picun Leufu which is located few miles from the outlet of the middle Limay into the large reservoir.
THE LIMAY MEDIO
This is one of the most remarkable pieces of water on Argentina trout fishing. Present unique features and the most strong healthy and good size quality population of trout around this region of the world.
Being this section of the Limay a tailwater assure a perfect stable water temperature conditions. This creates a very prolific and productive environment for insect’s populations. Not only assuring the food for trout also gives a lot of food source for several species of minnows that it becomes in the most important source of food for these trout. This last feature is what gives Limay river trout such a great conditions and allow these fish to reach exceptional sizes.
The accessibility of the river is fluid and easy over the first 15 miles of this stretch, becoming more secluded from there down. This last section is where we focus our trips. The limited access gives this piece of river a very peaceful environment and over the term of an entire week you will probably see no more than another couple of fishermen.
Out trips to Limay are based on adventure float trip of six days and five night of camping on different islands while we cover over 40 miles of unique waters. We have a well trained crew that set up a deluxe camp for every night. You will find details as warms water for washing yourself every morning, hot shower every other night, Dinning tent, sleeping tents with cots, mattress, pillows and great sleeping bags that will keep you warm in any conditions. You should add to all of this a great outdoor cook menu that will greatly surprise you every night.
