Argentina Trout Fly Fishing: Rio Santa Cruz

Home to the only steelhead trout runs on the whole Atlantic coast

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The River

The Rio Santa Cruz is over 380kms long from its source in the huge glacier fed Lagos Argentinos to the Atlantic Ocean at Santa Cruz. The Santa Cruz is a big river and may be compared in volume to the Skeena or even Columbia River. The water carries a glacial tinge from source to sea and during periods of high temperature can be quite milky in appearance. The overall impression is of a grand and powerful waterway moving blue and inexorable through the sere brown Patagonian landscape of Estancia and semi-desert.

The unique and special thing about Santa Cruz is the fact that between 1906-1909 steelhead rainbow trout from California’s McCloud river (Now barred by the Shasta Dam) were transplanted and forgotten about by unknown and unsung pioneers. The result of this selfless activity is nothing short of a modern phenomenon, a huge and self-sustaining run of Atlantic steelhead trout in a waterway lightly touched by the hand of man.

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Fortunately Argentinean fishery scientists on the Santa Cruz have conducted extensive scientific work and as a result of this work we have knowledge of how fish use and distribute themselves throughout the river.

Until recently this work has never been evaluated within an angling context and therefore what fishing that has been done has been concentrated in the extensive estuary zone and the river itself written off as too large an area to get to grips with. This can be regarded as a significant oversight and over the last two years we have set out to deliberately test fish and explore the river from source to sea.

We knew from radio tracking and test netting that contrary to the belief of many the huge population of steelhead actually spawned and lived in the main river and did not make extensive use of tributary systems. We also learned that the fish began to run in earnest during the Argentinean Fall in March and April and that the bulk of the migratory stock was in the river during this period.

Our explorations have involved floating the river and also evaluating a possible base in the middle river in conjunction with extensive test fishing. Our experimentation conducted by highly experienced BC steelhead pros has left us in no doubt that this river has great potential.

Throughout the huge length of our test area (over 150kms) we found chrome bright steelhead between 6-20lbs ready to strike hard with all traditional fly fishing methods, including surface fly which we found remarkable given the cloudy nature of the water. Our best afternoon was 17 steelhead hook ups and 9 landed between 3 rods, all the fish were tide bright between 9-16lbs and we were over 100km from the sea fishing a sweeping bend chosen at random.

The Fishing

We have always highlighted to our guests that remarkable opportunities existed in our neighbouring glacial river the mighty Santa Cruz. Many of our more adventurous rods have taken the opportunity to make the three hour drive and enjoyed at times spectacular fishing for the Atlantics largest and possibly only run of steelhead.

Until recently the fishing on the Santa Cruz has been confined to the huge estuary area and absolutely no effort directed to exploring the over 380 kms of the river from its source in Lagos Argentinos close to the Chilean border. In April last season a dedicated exploratory team carried out test fishing over an extensive area of the upper river and not only found steelhead in good numbers and sizes but also located a base from which to operate.

During the 2006 season we offered a pioneering steelhead program operating from Estancia San Ramon in the Santa Cruz valley. This proved to be cutting edge fishing and it was an utterly unique opportunity to open up a completely untapped steelheading resource.

The Santa Cruz can be presented as nothing less than an awesome glacial river running at a rapid pace through a high desert environment. This is emphatically not a river for the beginner or inexperienced fly fisher and whilst wading and bank fishing are less intimidating than they first appear nobody should underestimate the power and challenge of fishing for large sea-run rainbows in this environment. If you feel you are up to it then please give us a call for a more detailed run down on Santa Cruz 2007 however be aware that the "hardcore" of the steelheading circuit are already staking their claim to be the first to tame the Santa Cruz!

The Lodge

Located in the midst of Estancia San Ramon the lodge is part of a working sheep station and as such was designed with practicality and simplicity in mind to serve the needs of the Gauchos. Whilst not offering the luxury of a purpose built fishing lodge it provides all the practical comforts required after a day on the river.

The lodge itself consists of four twin bed rooms and a dining/sitting room. Our chef will provide a hearty breakfast to send you off to the river along with a packed lunch, snacks and drinks to keep you going throughout the day. On return a typical Argentinean meal will await you, which you can help wash down with a selection of good house wines and beer from the cellar. As usual we look forward to laying our special Asado (Argentinean Barbecue) and other treats.

The lodge is under the day to day control of our Camp manager who will co-ordinate all fishing activity and ensure that our guests enjoy the best experience we can provide.

In our first test season the lodge will operate with six to eight rods per week. There will be one guide per two anglers and three inflatable craft with outboard motors will be used to transport fishermen up and down the river. The boats will operate at San Ramon and also be used for exploring other sections of the river. All the fishing is wade fishing and the river has an even bottom of small stones that makes for straightforward wading. The current of the river is quite powerful but well within the capabilities of anglers of normal wading abilities.

Best Times to Go

The season is from the mid March, Saturday to Saturday for 9 weeks.

If you would prefer to speak to us directly regarding a trip to the Santa Cruz 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.

Additional Photos