Few things define Patagonia as well as a crystal-clear river and an angler with a fly rod. A fly is an artificial lure tied by hand by the angler himself, with feathers, hairs and threads, to imitate the insects fish feed on. But that is just the beginning: every season, lakes, rivers and streams on both sides of the Andes welcome fly-fishers from all over the world who come looking for wild trout and, almost always, release them back into the water.
Why Patagonia is a fly-fishing paradise
In the early 20th century, at the suggestion of Perito Moreno, the first rainbow and brown trout fry arrived from the United States and Europe. They adapted so well that today they breed in the wild in almost every watercourse in the region.
The Chimehuín, Malleo, Aluminé and Limay in Neuquén, or the Calcurrupe and Trancura in Chile, are names every fly-fisher knows, each with its own anecdotes, legends and characters.
Rainbow trout, brown trout, brook trout and landlocked salmon, all introduced, and the perch, the only native species among those fished in the region.
The idea of catch and release was born among fly-fishers and is now the rule in many waters: you fish, enjoy the fight and the trout goes back into the water so the fishery stays what it is.
Where to fish
The province with the greatest reputation among fly-fishers: the Chimehuín and Malleo near Junín de los Andes, the lakes and rivers of Aluminé and Villa Pehuenia, the Limay and Lake Espejo in Villa La Angostura.
In the Andes, Lago Tres and the surroundings of Esquel and the Puelo River area; on the Atlantic, shore and boat fishing in Puerto Madryn and the National Salmon Festival in Camarones.
Large, windy lakes with big trout: Lake Roca and the Rico River near El Calafate, Lake Buenos Aires in Los Antiguos and Lake Cardiel.
From Araucanía to Aysén: the Trancura in Pucón, Panguipulli, the Calcurrupe in Futrono, the rivers of Osorno, Puerto Varas and Chiloé, the source of the Baker in Puerto Bertrand and lakes Rosselot and Riesco.
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Before you go fishing
It generally runs from November to April or May, depending on the province or region, and some rivers and lakes have their own dates and rules. Before travelling, check the current fishing regulations for the area.
You need a licence to fish: in Argentina each province issues its own (and national parks also have their own rules); in Chile you need a recreational fishing licence.
Wet your hands before touching the fish, keep it out of the water as little as possible, use barbless hooks and let it go only when it swims away on its own. That way, the release really works.
When wading, walk with the current, wear proper boots or waders and use a wading staff. If it is your first time somewhere, a fishing guide knows the river and will save you days of searching.
Learn more
Beginners, Gear: rod and reel, Fishing lines and Wading a river.
The world of flies, The trout and the Fly-fishing dictionary.
Fly-fishing ethics: catch and release and Reflections on fly-fishing.
Experienced fly-fishers, the interviews with Mel Krieger, Carlos Villaggi and Diego Flores, and a float trip down the Chimehuín.
If you are just starting out, begin with Beginners and Gear; if you already know what you are after, The trout describes the species you will find in the rivers and lakes of Patagonia.
