Rio Guanaco

To say that Argentina is a vast country is an understatement.  At 2,400 miles from North-South there are a lot of sporting opportunities.  The King Salmon which run in Southern Argentina, enter the Santa Cruz, a huge and exceptionally powerful glacial river.  From there they make their way into Lago Argentina and onwards to their from their respective rivers where they will find suitable spawning grounds.  

Having discovered the run of Kings at Glacier King, the team set out to see whether they could find a similar enviroment, and having researched a number of locations eventually decided upon Rio Guanaco.  The next step was to establish the duration of the season, extent and viability of the run with the aim of creating an exceptional destination angling location, with the chance of some really exciting fishing in combination with appropriate lodging and logistics.   Over a six year period and extensive periods of test-fishing, all fitted around alternate seasonal commitments, Rio Guanaco proved to be the perfect option, with not just excellent fly-fishing but a lodge and facilities to ensure that it meets all requirements.

Fishing for Kings is not like fishing for other anadromous fish.   Kings are of a size and power that is unmatched.  Forget the argument of ‘pound for pound the hardest fighting fish’.   That line has been used so many times with so many species the terminology is Jurassic!    Fishing for Kings is a chance to catch fish on a fly of 30-45lbs, a weight considered normal!   60-70lb fish are typically present in the river all the time.   Nature does not hand out dividends of this nature without expecting a level of perseverance from the angler, but if you put the time in, you should find yourself engaged in a battle that you could only imagine and all going well, holding a fly caught fish in your hands of a size that is beyond anything you might dream of!   

The Rio Guanaco is ideal for fly-fishing.   It has some really exciting fly-water with lots of variety set amidst excptionally charismatic and striking surroundings.  Substantially longer than the stretch of fishing at Glacier King it offers more opportunities for anglers to spread out, covering different sections of the river each day.  The deepest sections are up to 2M deep which, whilst providing suitable holding spots, at the same time is not so deep to make the Kings inaccessible, and hence as a river for fly-fishing it is ideal and fishable throughout the entire duration of their season..   

The structure in the river, as well as the current, whilst producing interesting lies for the salmon, does however mean any fish hooked will not offer itself up for a photo trophy shot without a degree of skill as well as luck.  Few rivers will test your big fish skills and your kit as comprehensively!

The King Salmon enter the river from mid-November.  Although fewer in number, this is the period when almost all the fish will be a bright silver and equally when they are the hardest to tame.  Although the salmon will have already run approx 400kms before entering the river, they typically arrive silver and it is only once they settle that they start to pick up more colour.  As the season progresses the numbers of King Salmon in increases.  The river is the eventual spawning ground for the salmon so all the Kings that run the Rio Guanaco remain in the river system as opposed to dispiating into a feeder lake and small streams and tributaries.  Mid-Jan to mid-Feb sees the end of the run and invariably a higher proportion of the salmon will be carrying some colour, but it is also when the numbers of fish will be highest.

King Salmon will typically always seek out the deeper holes in a river system.  Despite running the length of the Santa Cruz river before reaching Guanaco their path is essentially unimpeded by anglers, the Santa Cruz being too deep and strong to effectively cover the Kings.

By contrast at Guanaco the river has excellent fly-water which is accessible to fly anglers and is best covered with a 13-14ft double-handed rod.  A Skaggit style line with a variety of sink tips in the T-11 to T14 are the guides go to choice.  Single-handed rods can be used but do not offer the same amount of flexibility and your ability to adapt to the ever-changing fishing conditions, whether that be wind or water level is morev restricted.  Strong backing of 50lbs strength and 200m+ in duration is strongly advised to cope with searing unstopable runs as well as boulders and similar obstructions in the river.

Chartreuse intruder style flies have proved to be the most effective colour too date, although seasons vary as much as week to week conditions, so bring a suitable selection of flies in different colour ranges, weigts and sizes.  As importantly is for all the flies to be tied using the very strongest hooks.

Estancia Sofia is a remote but well appointed lodge where all anglers stay when fishing at Rio Guanaco.  It comfortably accommodates up to six anglers in both double and single bedrooms (singles available on request), all of which have en suite bathrooms.  You can expect high quality traditional Patagonian cuisine througout your stay with both lamb asados and delicious cuts of beef amongst a range of other dishes, all made with locally sourced products.  Argentinean wines and local beers are included in the package.

The dining room is spacious with amazing panoramic views with an internal asado fire pit where you can see the chef in action.  There is electricity 24/7 and internet access.

Although anglers of course primarily come with the hope of some incredible fishing, this location also offers some truly spectacular wilderness and nature.  Circling condor's and eagles, the curious but timid Guanaco's and the ponies of the Gauchos are just some of the regular sights, all set amidst incredible vistas and snow capped peaks.  To round off the experience are the incredible morming and evening sunrise and sets where the entire sky can sometimes appear as if it is on fire but equally bathe the landscape in the softest and most photogenic light.  If you have never travelled to this part of the world it is a suitably unforgetable experience.

Anglers all enter Argentina via Buenos Aires and almost all choose to spend a night in Buenos Aires prior to taking a flight to El Calafate from the domestic airport the following day.  Buenos Aires is a fun and vibrant city with some outstanding restauraunts and very much part of the overall experience.  On arrival into the airport at Calafate you will be met and driven to Estancia Sofia, typically by the guides or lodge staff, a jorney of approx 2 hrs.  On departure the trip is in revrese.  Some anglers may choose to spend a night in El Calafate, although that is not a pre-requisite and the schedule allows for an afternoon flight back to Rio Gallegos and a final evening out before departure the following day.