El Encuentro Lodge, Argentina

El Encuentro Lodge enjoys a wonderful riverside location overlooking the Rio Futaleufú and the Andes mountains, right in the heart of some of the world’s finest wild trout fishing. It is a perfect spot for both seasoned anglers and beginners, with tailored itineraries on offer to every visitor. Its proximity to the river means the fishing day can start or end right at the lodge.

Memorable fly fishing experiences

The region encompasses dozens of superb fisheries, with a mix of public and private waters. The Rio Futaleufú fishes well all season and is renowned for large rainbow and brown trout. The lodge’s setting on the banks of the river allows guests to fish the river both upstream and downstream, with each beat offering a productive day’s fishing. El Encuentro guides know all the various side channels and the location of deep pools that hold fish; they know where to encourage guests to wade fish and how to best reach large browns under hidden banks.

In addition to the Rio Futaleufú, visitors can fish a large variety of waters in the immediate area of the lodge. So many in fact that individual fishing itineraries can be tailored to match any angler’s interests, including several great options for wade fishing. El Encuentro guides can also take anglers to the Rio Frey and lower Rio Corcovado to float fish.

Visitors can also combine their time with a stay at siter lodge, Brook Trout Base Camp, which is set on the Rio Corcovado and is ideally suited to access some superb brook trout waters.
A variety of activities can be arranged alongside fishing, among which are birdwatching, horse riding, trekking and cultural tours.

Atmospheric lodge  

El Encuentro Lodge is an original, family-built lodge, designed as a special place to gather with friends and family to enjoy fishing. For the last four decades the lodge has been welcoming anglers from all over the world. With three rooms in the main house (one en-suite and two with bathrooms across the hall) and two rooms in an adjacent cottage (with en-suite bathrooms), El Encuentro can comfortably accommodate up to ten guests.

Delicious food is produced using organic vegetables from the kitchen garden along with lamb, beef, and other products sourced locally from family and local markets. Superb Argentine wines are served at lunch and dinner, even when you have lunch on the river. Bread is baked in-house and guests are treated to a traditional Patagonian “asado” (barbecue) with the El Encuentro family and all the guides during their stay.

Beautiful riverside setting  

The lodge is in the Chubut province of Argentine Patagonia. The main airport is Esquel which is served by twice daily flights from Buenos Aires. Guests can also fly into Bariloche although the transfer time from here is around five and a half hours.