The 2024 season on the Rio Grande and Rio Gallegos is almost full but there are still some great last minute weeks available. If you are thinking about visiting these wonderful sea trout rivers now is the time to book at the remaining space before it goes.
No matter how you look at it, the Rio Grande and Rio Gallegos are two of the finest sea trout rivers in the world. No rivers come close to having the numbers or size of fish. The British record stands at around 27 lbs, but sea trout of 20 lbs or more are caught each week on both rivers. Both, are genuinely great rivers as most of these large fish are not caught while clambering around in the dark but in the daylight hours.
Travelling to far south to this part of Patagonia is about more than giving yourself the opportunity to land the sea trout of a lifetime. It is also about the great food and wine, fantastic lodges and some of the most experienced guide teams anywhere in the world. It is not surprising that rods rarely travel to this great river only once.
Estancia Maria Behety Lodge
While there are numerous excellent lodges spread throughout the length of the Rio Grande, Estancia Maria Behety remains one of the best options. The fact that over half the rods on most weeks are returning is a testament to this. Estancia Maria Behety Lodge sits on a promontory overlooking the Rio Grande. It has spectacular panoramic views of vast pampas and the remnants of the Andean cordillera framing the background. Located upstream from La Villa EMB is part of the same estancia owned by the Menedez family. It is the larger of the two lodges with eight double occupancy rooms that take twelve rods and a maximum of sixteen guests.
Anglers at EMB Lodge rotate through the same water as La Villa, so they have access to over 100 wonderful pools, some of which are the most productive on the river. EMB Lodge offers the complete Rio Grande experience as during your stay there, you will cover a wide range of water types and fishing situations.
The main room is timber-framed and features 20 foot plus high ceilings with banks of tall windows that allow light to flood the room. A roaring fireplace and several sitting areas provide the perfect place to relive the fishing of the day and relax with delicious appetizers and a cocktail. A full bar is well stocked with all the proper libations, including the finest Argentine wines and plenty of cold beer.
Availability (Saturday to Saturday)
February 3 – 10 US$8,500 – 2 rods (prime week)
March 16 – 23 US$7,500 – 2 rods
A single room upgrade is available at US$500
Prices do not include international or domestic flights, hotels in Buenos Aires or fishing licences which cost US$300
Please contact Olly Thompson or phone 01980 847 389 for dates.
EL Rincon Lodge
If the idea of being able to catch both sea trout on the Rio Gallegos then huge resident brown trout on the lesser known Rio Penitente from one lodge appeals, then El Rincon is the one for you. It represents fantastic value for money and has great variety in the 30 kms of private and exclusive fishing it has access to.
The Rio Gallegos
The privately owned 20km double bank section of the Rio Gallegos is a short drive from the lodge. Many classic looking pools are found along this length, each holding good numbers of migrating sea trout. Brown trout are also present but efforts are usually concentrated on the sea trout.
The Rio Penitente
The 35 kilometres of the Rio Penitente owned by El Rincon is just a short distance from the lodge. As such, guests have the opportunity to pick up a rod and walk the few steps across the garden to try a few casts during their stay and at their leisure. At its normal level the Penitente is best fished with a single handed rod or a light switch rod.
The Penitente clears and returns to its normal height quickly after a spate. In normal conditions most of the Argentinian sea trout style rubber leg patterns work well as do more traditional nymphs. Dry flies can be used effectively in settled and lower water conditions, with streamer patterns often preferred in high water or in the numerous deep holes spread along river system.
Availability (Saturday to Saturday)
March 16 – 23 US$7,500 – 2 rods
January 13 – 20 – 6 rods
January 20 – 27 – 2 rods
January 27 – 3 February – 4 rods
February 10 – 17 – 3 rods
February 17 – 24 – 4 rods
March 2 – 9 – 2 rods
March 9 – 16 – 2 rods
2024 Cost: US$4,800
Includes: 7 nights, 6 days fishing on a shared guide basis at El Rincon Lodge, single occupancy accommodation, and all alcoholic beverages (open bar)
Excludes: international or domestic flights, hotels in Buenos Aires or fishing licences which cost: US$50 and transfers to the lodge which cost US$50 each way.
Kau Tapen
Kau Tapen is one of the oldest and most comfortable lodges on the river. It is a superb property that has balanced character and comfort exceptionally well. Kau Tapen has ten en-suite rooms; some offer a king bed, while some have one queen, and others are furnished with two doubles. A large living room opens to views of the Menendez and Río Grande valleys and includes a roaring fire and a well-stocked bar.
Kau Tapen has access to 16km of the Río Grande and much of the Río Menedez. As it is in the middle reaches of the Río Grande, Kau Tapen is ideally suited to anglers who enjoy technical fishing and smaller water. Although this part of the river can fish well all season long, it can be especially productive towards the latter half of the season when many of the fish have shifted upstream. More tracks have been created to allow for better access to the Menendez River in recent years. This is a wonderful river, and although smaller than the main Río Grande, the average size of the fish is very large.
Availability (Saturday to Saturday)
January 6 – 13 US$11,950 – 6 rods
January 13 – 20 US$13,950 – 6 rods
January 20 – 27 US$13,950 – 6 rods
February 3 – 10 US$13,950 – 3 rods
March 23 – 30 US$11,950 – 4 rods
Prices do not include international or domestic flights, hotels in Buenos Aires or fishing licences which cost US$550
Villa María
Villa María is the second of the Nervous Waters’ lodges to open on the Río Grande after Kau Tapen. Taking six rods, it offers small groups the opportunity to fish some of the productive pools in the lower river. The lodge is a renovated farmhouse within the working Jose Menendez estancia.
The lodge features six en-suite rooms, smart furnishings, and spacious living areas. Each evening a roaring fire and well-stocked bar welcome you back from your day on the river. To maximise time on the water and allow for a proper rest after eating, guests have lunch and a siesta at the very comfortable riverside house rather than returning to the lodge.
Villa María focuses on 15km of prime sea trout fishing on the lower Río Grande, allowing anglers to have the first crack at newly arrived sea trout entering the system. The lodge is ideal for anglers who enjoy the challenges of using two-handed rods. Villa María can offer superb fishing during the first half of the season when the fish are chrome silver and fight exceptionally well.
Availability (Friday to Friday)
December 29 – 5 January US$11,950 – 5 rods
January 5 – 12 US$13,950 – 3 rods
February 16 – 23 US$13,950 – 2 rods
February 23 – 1 March US$13,950 – 2 rods
Prices do not include international or domestic flights, hotels in Buenos Aires or fishing licences which cost: US$550