The Patagonia area of Argentina is the place I have headed when I wanted November – January fly fishing.  Just as most of America is moving into winter time, Patagonia is moving out of it into spring time.  The area is beautiful.  Some snow still left at high elevations, but the fly fishing, hatches, etc. are perfect as the season changes.  November – January is the fly season for most of the area.  Chimehuin River - Collon Cura River - Malleo River - Caleufu River - Alumine River - Quillen River - Traful River - Escondido Lake - Filo Hua Hum Lake -

Queñi Lake are just some of the names that will become memories when you make your trip into this “fly fisherman’s paradise.” 

The famed Chimehuin River became know to the American fly fishing public much through the trips of men such as Joe Brooks, Ted Williams, Billy Pate, Mel Krieger, and others.  Joe Brooks most usually stayed in Junin at the Hosteria Chimehuin, which I have chosen to stay at in my trips, just to sit at the same tables, be warmed by the same fire place, and enjoy the same atmosphere  that Joe Brooks did. 

His black and white pictures are still on the tobacco-smoke stained walls, and the fishermen’s tales of the decades still linger in the air. The place is old, in need of repairs, but the history makes up for the depreciation– at least to me.

I stood at the boca of the Chimehuin and saw the large rock down in the water where Joe Brooks wrote of some of his largest catches, in these -  at that time, virgin fly fishing waters.  Most of the old timers are now dead that Joe Books gave casting lessons to in the center of town. He was teaching the side cast, which allows one to fish in the 40 mph winds that haunt the Patagonia regions. Junín de los Andes is considered the "Trout Capital" of Argentina, and rightfully so!

My flights are into Buenos Aries. and then over to Bariloche  where I pick up a rental car.  http://www.nyn-patagonia.com.ar/

Not far from Bariloche is the famed and beautiful Hotel Correntoso.  Ancient, but nice.  It has been remodeled through the years.  Since 1917, when the only access to these remote corners of Patagonia was by boat or seaplane, the visionary pioneer Primo Capraro, enchanted by the magnificent scenery, built a small wooden cabin which was overrun by friends, visitors and fly-fishermen. Thereafter it grew by stages into this excellent and modern hotel.  In 1943 his son Francisco built the main central structure with blocks of volcanic sand, granite, and cypress woodwork that for years was a landmark of the area. Nearly 80 years of history are reflected in each corner of Correntoso. 

I have caught great trout in this boca (where the river joins the lake) and Bennie DeMerchant, my fly fishing friend, and famed jungle pilot in the Amazon,  has caught over a dozen double digits trout in one day (chef preparing one of our catches)!  It is my choice of lodging if fishing this area of Patagonia.  The dining is usually a delightful experience, and the views from the room will stay in your memory long after the fishing trip is over.  These are pictures of the hotel (some of the areas have been changed since my last trip), our fish, and surrounding areas.  There is a 12 lb. Rainbow trout over my desk even as I write this article – taken from the boca at the hotel. 

Some of my favorite Argentina Rivers in the Patagonia area

that are in traveling distance of one another.

Just a few of the "more famous" rivers  I have fly fished in  my trips to Argentina.

http://www.correntoso.com/correntoso/english/hotelcorrentoso.htm

Contact in USA

2475 Brickell Avenue # 2010
Miami, FL 33129
Phone: (305) 859-8948
Mobile: (305)303-0861
hotelcorrentoso@bellsouth.net

These links will provide you with fly information, lodging information, as well as guides, etc.

http://www.argentinachileflyfishing.com/

http://www.argentinachileflyfishing.com/patterns.html

http://www.worldwidefishing.com/argentina/fly.htm

Happy Traveling.