Argentina Trout Fishing: Las Buitreras Lodge

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The River

The Fishing

Recommended flies

The Lodge

Best Times to Go 

Pricing

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Sea Trout - Tips observations and advice

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Download the Las Buitreras Lodge 2008 Brochure to view on your computer screen or print out.
CLICK HERE to Download Brochure PDF

The River

The Rio Gallegos river is nearly 300 kilometers in length and has its origin in the southern Andes with two pristine and very beautiful streams, the Penitente and the Ruebens. The Buitreras section of the Rio Gallegos includes nearly 50 named, proven pools, on the 40km private water. The fishing is exciting and varied with pools ranging from deep, stony runs to cut banks and streamy, shingle flats. The river is generally shallow and the wading is extremely easy. This Argentina trout river is wonderful fly water and while nearly all pools can be covered with a one-hand rod, the two-hander is often useful when conditions are windy or dictate the use of larger flies. Two anglers per guide are transported to their assigned section of river in a 4wd vehicle. Beats contain 6-9 pools (depending upon water level) and are rotated each half-day. The Home Pool is situated a short distance from the Lodge and can be fished by guests at anytime. This pool is a tremendous fish producer and many fish have been captured by anglers who chose to forego their siesta!

The wind can be very strong in this section of Patagonia. The southern tip of the South American continent is narrow and but for the southern Cordillera there are no obstructions to break the wind as it sweeps in from the ocean. Believe it or not, this is a good thing! The prevailing wind is westerly and blows straight down the river! Huge casts are possible and the wind nearly always assists and hardly ever hinders the fishing. Normally the wind calms down a bit as the sun drops in the evening. However, the daytime wind also keeps the surface broken enabling anglers to take large, normally wary Seatrout all throughout the bright, sunny days.

 <<< Click here to find out where Las Buitreras Lodge is.

The Gallegos has a slight "brown" tint and heavy rain on local tributaries or in the headwaters can color the main river quickly. However, the Patagonian summer angling season is normally quite dry.

If it does rain, the river normally settles quickly and is even fishable in the interim with a great deal of color. Larger tubes do the trick when the visibility reaches a minimum. The fish are aggressive and respond well to the fly. Smaller flies and nymphs work well in low-water conditions and the river is best approached in lower light during these circumstances. When the water level is normal, the river fishes well all day long and the biggest fish can even be taken in bright midday sun!

The Fishing

La Trucha Plateada is normally not particular. These seatrout are numerous and aggressive. When the water is stirred up by the wind or colored from rain, tubes and larger flies work very well. In turbid water conditions, we like bulky flies that "push" water. Tubes tied in the "Temple Dog" style on plastic and/or brass in all colors and sizes are good to have along.

Conversely, as the water clears, smaller flies are much more effective. Traditional seatrout and salmon patterns are good and the locals also fish with a wide variety of trout patterns such as bitch creek nymphs, yuk bugs, egg-sucking leeches, wooly buggers and muddlers. Small nymphs are also used regularly when the trout won't take anything else. Doubles are fine, but please leave the trebles at home. Most of the fishing requires you to strip the fly.

Our seatrout are very partial to small flies in normal water conditions and great success has been had with small Scottish, Icelandic and Scandinavian salmon flies on double hooks 10-14. additionally they will take dryflies with small steelhead water skaters and Chernobyl Ant type patterns particularly good when stripped slowly across the current. There are a few pools where seatrout can be taken by simply swinging the fly as one would for Atlantic Salmon, but generally speaking, these fish don't favor the same types of lies as salmon do. They lie in quieter seams and tails and the motion imparted by stripping the fly produces some fantastic "induced" takes. We like shooting heads because the maximum effective fishing distance with each cast is much greater than with that of a normal line. It's nice to have a short two-handed rod in heavy wind, but most of the fishing can be accomplished with a one-hander. It's a matter of personal preference.

The unique thing with Gallegos is that we normally fish with lightweight tackle and floating or intermediate lines. The river is quite shallow and technically rewarding. Flyfishing at its best. Line weights #6-8 Float or Loop WF Multi Clear Intermediate (a line built up like a shooting head with running line in one color and the clear head, all in one) are the most popular. Bring a smaller trout rod too.

Recommended flies

Click on the picture below to see recommended flies for sea trout fishing.

A Typical Day

We serve breakfast at about 07.00 and we depart in 4 x 4 vehicles for the river at about 08.30. At 13.30 we return and lunch is served normally at 14.00. After a large lunch, we retire for a siesta until we return for tea at 16.30. Between 17.00 and 17.30 we depart for the river with sandwiches, soup and fruit and we return when the fishing is finished! Upon your return to the lodge there will be a mixed buffet waiting for you. During siesta you may go fishing in the home pool (5 minute walk), horse riding, fine tune your tackle and casting technique in the garden or just relax with a drink.

The Lodge

The lodge is a recently renovated old house furnished with traditional "campo" style antiques. The living is comfortable and clean. Their lodge has five double bed rooms and two single bed rooms. In addition to the structural renovation, the entire heating, water, electrical and gas systems have been replaced.

There is a wine cellar with a fantastic selection from the Mendoza and San Juan regions. It is also stocked with cerveza Isenbeck, an outstanding local beer. Outside, there is a huge veranda, a spacious courtyard that is protected from the wind, and a large, fixed stone grill and terrace for barbeques. House wine and beer is included in the lodge rate but we do keep a wide selection of local wines not often available elsewhere and guests are welcome to purchase these at a very reasonable rate. Smoking is not permited inside the lodge.

Best Times to Go

The season is from the 27th December to mid April. Typically fresh fish run the river all year round and can do so regardless of water height. There will be the opportunity to do a few split weeks with 3 days at Jurassic Lake and 3 days at Las Buitreras during the period Oct-Nov and during Feb.

WiseMenTip - Jurassic Lake Add On Trips

If you want to make yourself truly memorable combine a trip to Las Buitreras for Sea Trout with a 3 day trip to Jurassic Lake, either before or after. We guarantee that there are very few places on the earth where you will catch more fish or have a wilder time!

If you would prefer to speak to us directly regarding a trip to the Las Buitreras Lodge, please contact us at the following:

United Kingdom Office:
Justin Maxwell-Stuart
Mobile: +44 (0)7711 519 857
Fax: +44 (0)20 7352 0942
justin@wherewisemenfish.com

United States Office:

US Country Code: +1
Telephone: 646 797 2945
info@wherewisemenfish.com

Or alternatively email us via our Booking Enquiries Form to request more information.

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