Patagonia Fly Fishing
A few years ago, some buddies and I attended our local CCA banquet, as we typically do. As always, the night was filled with fun, great food, and plenty of prizes to be won. Of course, there were raffles, but the real prizes came from the live auction. While browsing the list of items up for bid, one stood out. It was the very last item—a trip for two to go fly fishing in Patagonia.
That caught my eye immediately, and my buddy noticed it too. We agreed we’d bid when the time came, and sure enough, we won it. Fast-forward two years and we were packed and ready to head south.
If you’ve ever been to one of these banquets, you’re probably familiar with the Argentinian dove hunts. This was the same outfitter, now branching into the fly-fishing world. Fly fishing in Patagonia is no secret, but it’s still a fishery that receives very little pressure compared to what we’re used to here in the States. Knowing this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, we couldn’t pass it up.
We touched down in Buenos Aires after a long flight and stayed the night. We fueled up on homemade empanadas and cheered with the locals while watching their fútbol team. The next day, we arrived in Neuquén and were met by our guide, Nico. He greeted us with a smile and ushered us to the truck for the drive to the lodge. Along the way, we hit a few roadblocks—local farmers moving cattle and goats to their summertime pastures—which only added to the South American experience.
When we arrived, the rest of the crew welcomed us, showed us to our house, and made us feel right at home. That night, we were served massive steaks, excellent wine, and talked through plans for the next day’s fishing.
We woke early, grabbed breakfast, and headed into the mountains to one of the local rivers. We started drifting nymphs, though it was hard to stay focused—the scenery was unbelievable. Snow-covered peaks towered in the background, lush green agricultural fields stretched for miles, and gauchos yelped as they pushed nearly 300 head of cattle across the land. That scene is burned into my memory forever.
On my third cast, I hooked into a solid trout and finally brought one to hand. Not long after, my buddy Jake landed a good fish of his own. We waded upriver to a stretch of rapids where the streamer bite really turned on. We pulled nearly 15 fish out of one hole before stopping for lunch.
Lunch was served at a small shack perched near a lake. There, we met the other anglers sharing the lodge, all of whom had enjoyed good fishing as well. After another incredible steak, we fished the lake and caught several large rainbow trout.
Day one was a success, and day two played out much the same. We started the morning catching fish on dry flies, then switched to a hopper-dropper setup. To our surprise, some fish became greedy and smashed the hopper. On the ride back to the lodge, Nico mentioned that the next day would involve a hike. He explained that he rarely gets clients young enough—or willing enough—to make it, and that it led to the best stretch of river they had access to. He promised it would be worth it.
The next morning, we headed downriver looking for rising trout. Jake and I quickly found willing fish feeding on a size-16 Parachute Adams. We continued downstream to the edge of a large lake, where we caught several fish throwing streamers along a drop-off. About halfway through the hike, we stopped on a high bluff to eat lunch and take in the view. Despite full bellies, our excitement pushed us onward.
The next stretch featured fast-moving water and small potholes that could be picked apart strategically. We caught fish on nearly every fly we tied on. After another half-mile, we crossed the river and fished a deep, picture-perfect pool. We landed a few quality trout there and decided to call it a day. All told, we covered four to five miles. Nico was right—it was a stunning stretch of river and well worth the effort.
On the final day, we woke to perfect conditions: warm temperatures, bluebird skies, and light wind. We fished another slow-moving stretch with trout rising steadily. Sight-casting to trout with small dry flies was incredible. Throughout the week, anglers from Maine had caught several brook trout, but we hadn’t landed one yet—so that became the goal.
Eventually, I spotted one rising. I made a cast, mended the line, and watched as the fish calmly sipped my fly off the surface. I set the hook and immediately knew it was a brook trout. After a quick photo, I released it in great shape. That moment alone made the entire trip.
After lunch, we fished a large lake, slowly working the shoreline. Spotting trout cruising the shallows, we cast big grasshopper patterns, and the fish showed zero hesitation. We ended the week with sight-casting and back-to-back double hookups—one pair consisting of a brook trout and a rainbow, the other two big rainbows. What a way to finish.
I spent three weeks total in Argentina, and it exceeded every expectation. The people, food, wildlife, and scenery were incredible. The crew at Pointer Outfitters made sure we had everything we needed and more. The meals were outstanding, and Nico worked tirelessly to keep us on fish and comfortable throughout the trip. It was, without question, one of the best experiences of my life.
So, if you ever attend a CCA banquet and see anything from Pointer Outfitters, do yourself a favor and bid. Sight-casting trout in the remote rivers of Patagonia is something I’ll never forget.
