Neuquén & Rio Negro Provinces of Argentina, Patagonia: Seasons

Trout of Patagonia Argentina

Trout were planted in Patagonia in the late 1900’s and have flourished in almost all lakes and streams that they entered. The primary species of trout in the waters accessed by Chimehuin Safaris are: brown trout, rainbow trout, landlocked Atlantic salmon and brook trout. Other species of fish in the rivers and lake include: trucha criolla or perca, perjerrey patagonico and puyen.

Spring in Argentina begins in December. Trees have dropped their blossoms and warm summer weather lands in Patagonia before Christmas presents have been opened.
Trout season swings into high gear by the New Year and continues until the leaves drop and winter arrives in late April. The summers in Patagonia are abbreviated, much like those of Montana, Idaho, Wyoming or Calgary, Alberta. Warm days often begin with cool mornings and can be punctuated by sudden thunderstorms. But for the most part, the best time to visit this fantastic part of the world is from mid November through mid April.

Opening day in Argentina is in November, traditionally a time when North American fishermen are preoccupied with family and the holidays. Schools in Patagonia 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 respected guides in Argentina, insists that the best trout fishing in Patagonia happens in December. “There are never crowds here,” he says. “I am often alone with the trout and by myself on my rivers between your Thanksgiving and our Christmas.

Their January is our June. Spring snow melt is gone, the weather is reliable, temperatures are pleasant and hatches are predictable. Any remnants of spring run-off are gone by mid January and most of the trout are looking upwards, feasting on mayflies, stoneflies, caddis and the first terrestrials of the summer. A dry/dropper rig can be a absolutely deadly. It’s not uncommon to get day-long hatches in January – a dry fly fishermen’s dream come true.

February and March are like our July and August. Trout continue to key-in on heavy hatches of caddis and evening mayflies, but also feed heavily on terrestrials like hoppers, ants, inchworms and beetles. On bright, hot days nymphing deep or stripping streamers on a sink-tip through the deep runs or in and around structure often produce the biggest fish of the season – especially in low light conditions.

Late March and April is the beginning of fall in the Southern Hemisphere. Kids go back to school and the traffic is light on the streams and rivers of Argentina, Patagonia. Trout are on the feed anticipating winter, aggressive and heavy after a summer of feasting. Like in the Rockies the weather is less predictable in the fall, days are shorter and temperatures are cooler. Dress for a full range of possibilities and plan on some of the best trout fishing of the season. Overcast days spark tremendous BWO hatches and when the mayflies are not hatching, chucking big ‘n ugly buggers to the shore and erratically stripping them back produces incredible action.