Argentina December 2016 Trip Recap

Big fat brown on a dry,
Peter PRG North guide and me

I recently returned from fishing and exploring around San Martin de Los Andes in the Patagonia Region of Argentina with PRG North and LOL Argentina (travel, city tour and transfer services in Buenos Aires).  We fished a variety of water including the Malleo, Collon Cura, Chimehuin, Quemquemtreu, Filo Hua Hum and a couple lakes.  An equal mix of wade fishing and float fishing.

The rivers had ideal conditions with good flows, clarity, temps, etc which according to the PRG North guides Peter, Santos and Ernon(sp?) is typical of December.  At their recommendation we decided take advantage of these ideal conditions to go after size versus number of trout.  The weather was just about right except the first couple days had some crazy wind but we managed.

The days wading fishing on Malleo, Filo Hua Hum and

Rio Malleo, Mount Lanin in
background.
Photo by Fernando of PRG North.

Quemquemtreu were productive for sight casting to 18-24 inch
browns and rainbows.  A good number of these linebacker sized
 trout were eating a well presented and drifted larger terrestrial
type dry flies.  A few of the big boys and girls would only eat a
nymph or streamer.  All three of these rivers were offered different
water characteristics and scenery.

We float fished the Chemehuin one day.  We floated a couple different stretches of the Collon Cura.  The Chemehuin produced a lot nice fat 16-18 inch rainbows and browns on dry flies and
nymphs.  Floating Collon Cura we soon realized it is one of the
biggest rivers in the area and consistently produced 20-24 inch
browns and rainbows to mostly dry flies.

We stayed at three uniquely different estancias.  Mammal Malal,
a working cattle ranch, where Delores and Bertile are entertaining

D.S. hooked up on Collon Cura!

hosts filled with lots of laughs while providing tasty home style
Patagonia meals.  Beautiful views abound of Lanin, an extinct
volcano that makes up the Argentina/Chile border.  Quemquemtreu
is a large estancia in the lower elevations that has many miles of the
smaller river Quemquemtreu flowing through it.  This estancia is a
classic with nice bedrooms, a traditional aside(bbq) and great wine.
Tres Lagos is a private historic estancia located inside
Lanin National Park.  Here there are nice spacious cabins that
overlook Lago Filo Hua Hum and provides easy access to
Rio Filo Hua Hum. I would stay at any of these estancias again.

The PRG North staff including Alex(manager), Peter(guide),

J.S with a beautiful healthy brown!

Santos(guide), Ernon(sp?, guide),
Nicholas(assistant guide soon to be guide and

Fernando(assistant guide and photographer) provided great service
from the moment we contacted them.  The guides know the water,
work hard, are professional and friendly.  LOL Argentina travel
services in Buenos Aires did a great job handling airport transfers,
a misplaced duffle bag, a tour of Buenos Aires and making
everyone feel comfortable and welcomed.

Will I go back?  Definitely, looking at  December 2017!
If you would like to know more please contact me.