Rual San Martin's Ghia de Pescas
Chubut Providence, Argentina • Patagonia

Seasons

Trout of Patagonia Argentina

Trout were planted in Patagonia around the turn of the 20th Century and have flourished in almost all lakes and streams that they entered. The primary species of trout in the waters accessed by Raul are: brown trout, rainbow trout, landlocked Atlantic salmon and brook trout. Salmon (Coho salmon, Chinook salmon, Atlantic salmon) are escaping from fish hatcheries in Chile and making runs into some of the streams of Argentina, Patagonia. The effects of these fish in the ecosystem are not known quite yet. Other species of fish in the rivers and lake include: trucha criolla or perca, perjerrey patagonico and puyen. The salmon and indigenous species of fish are not frequently caught; however, a few guests land some salmon and more than a few perca each season.

Trout populations and size in our area depends on the watershed. Most rivers have more rainbows than browns (something like 75% - 25%). Brook trout and landlocked salmon exist in several watersheds but rarely in large numbers. Trout range from 10 to 30 inches. The average size in most streams is 16 - 20 inches. Anglers fishing with PRG land fish over 20 inches on a daily basis and it is not uncommon for fish to exceed 25 inches. Most of the larger fish are caught on streamers but some of our largest fish have been caught on dry flies. Some rivers are numbers fisheries while others support a smaller population of larger trout.

Spring (November, December): Opening day

Opening day in Argentina, Patagonia is in November, traditionally a time when North American fishermen are preoccupied with family and holidays. Schools in South America release their students just before Christmas and the rivers of Patagonia don’t see much pressure until after the first of the year. Raul San Martin, one of the most highly respected fly fishing guides in Argentina, all South America insists that the best fishing happens in December. Typically, the landscape is ablaze with a mind-baffling display of wildflowers and although the night-time temperatures can dip into the mid 30’s, day-time temperatures and weather is quite nice. The days are long and the intense shinning Patagonia sun encourages aquatic and terrestrial insects to life. Water in some of the big freestone rivers can run high during spring run-off but by Christmas, on a normal year, the rivers are in near perfect shape. Smaller tributaries to the big free-stoners and of course the spring creeks fish very well in November and December. Consider too, that anglers that fish Patagonia in November and December are first and the fish have been rested for no less than eight months – a big advantage!

Summer (January, February) Their January and February is our June/July.

Spring snow melt is gone and most all of the moving waters have dropped down to normal flows. The weather’s reliable temperatures are pleasant and the days are long, the hatches are predictable and the terrestrial bug life is starting to show signs of life. Mosquitoes aren’t much of a concern in most of Patagonia, but the Lake District can be plagued for a few weeks with Chulihuachos, a pest resembling a horse/deer fly that has all but disappeared by the end of the month. By the first of February trout begin to key on predictable evening caddis hatches while hoppers, beetles and other terrestrials dominate mid-summer fly fishing action. Probably because of the weather, January and February are the most popular months to travel to and fish Patagonia. It should be noted that streamer fishing remains a very important and extremely productive method of taking good numbers of trout from the start of the season right through the end. Fishing streamers on sink-tips to the bank and in and around cover take the biggest fish of the season – big flies, big fish.

Fall (March, April)

Somewhere around the middle March through April and into the first couple weeks of May is when fall begins in the Southern Hemisphere. Kids go back to school and the angler traffic falls off dramatically on the streams and rivers of Argentina, Patagonia, especially on public waters. Similar to the Rockies, fall weather is less reliable; days are shorter and night time temperatures are cooler which start to retard hatches and terrestrials. Anglers fishing Patagonia in the fall should be prepared for a full range of weather possibilities and it’s not uncommon to get a dusting of snow. Coincidently fall time offers some of the best mayfly hatches we will see all season (especially Callibaetis on overcast days). Fall is also a great time to pound the banks and cover with big gaudy steamers and lure those monster browns out of their summer lairs.

Final note: People consistently ask us when is the best time to fish Patagonia. It really depends on the type of fishing you prefer and your personal criteria and expectations of what constitutes a successful trip. If you wants numbers of fish on dries and are not necessarily concerned with size, going during the summer months, when the surface action on caddis and terrestrials can be downright silly. But if your goal is to hook-up with a monster and you are not adverse to heavy fly fishing with a sink-tip and tube-sock-size-streamer, then seriously consider scheduling your trip in the fall. One thing you can count on is that outfitters like Raul San Martin will find the fish and get you into plenty of action regardless of what month you choose. There is no substitute for an experienced and savvy guide – they make all the difference in the world.

Chubut Province

The Chubut Province is where the dry prairie grasslands butts up against the Andes and guachos still heard cattle on estancias that extend hundreds of square miles in all directions. It is also trout country and the area is famous for the best public fly fishing in Argentina and a couple of the finest outfitters and guide services in South America.

The Chubut Province of Argentina Patagonia is located between the 42nd Parallel South (forming the border with the Río Negro Province) and 46th Parallel South (bordering Santa Cruz Province) and roughly 87,000 square miles in size. The Andes Mountains to the west separate Chubut from Chile, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. It’s a vast territory of great contrasts, lush temperate rainforest on the edge of the Andes and dry, flat steppes to the east and south as you near the massive province of Santa Cruz.

The majority of the trout fishing takes place the mountains on its western flank and the steppes to the east. The transition between these two areas is dramatic both in scenery and geography as well as climate. The Andes Mountains reaching upwards of 6,000 feet squeeze most of the moisture out of clouds coming from Chile creating a micro climate of moderate temperatures with potential for substantial rainfall. As you move east of the Andes you enter into its rain shadow with a much more arid and warmer climate. The distance between the two areas can be as little as 10 miles.

During the fishing season (December – April) the weather is relatively mild, although when changes occur they are often very quick and can be dramatic. It would not be uncommon to see a dusting of snow in the Andes fishing region one day while the next day be you would be in short sleeves, covered in sunscreen and sweltering in the heat.