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 Patagonia River Guides 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: December 1st to January 7th

The fishing season officially opens in Argentine Patagonia on November 1st; although, Patagonia River Guides (PRG) normally don’t open their doors until the first of December. Spring is a special time to visit Patagonia as the Andes Mountains still hold a large amount of snow and valleys are covered with spring flowers. Precipitation decreases throughout the month of December and average temperatures rise along with the length of day until the summer solstice on December 21st.

Area fisheries are full of water but almost every stream is fishable after December 1st due to the many river-lake systems in the area. Since the water is higher this time of the year, the largest fish tend to be more aggressive and accessible. Fishing is generally spectacular but flexibility is a must as streamers, dry flies, and nymphs are all used depending on the river levels and daily weather conditions. Large flies normally concocted with rubber legs, long hackles, bunny fur, foam--you name it (Chernobyls, garbage, junk, bichos, mutant’s, big foam, and etcetera.)—can be thrown and are very effective this time of the year due to the aggressive nature of the fish and the lack of pressure. You can leave your 5X at home but be sure to bring some 0X and even a sink tip to go down and dirty. Your guide will be as anxious as you are as they have been waiting for the start of the season as long as you have.

Normal tourism season begins after Christmas and the New Year so our area is much more relaxed and the fish are very willing. Imagine a Christmas where it is light until 10:30 pm and you can sit on the deck of your cabin watching fish rise (if you can stand it) while enjoying a glass of malbec wine instead of watching snowflakes and “The Sound of Music”. PRG normally offers a pre-season rate to attract clients during this time, not because it’s a slow fishing time, but rather because the holiday season tends to keep most anglers at home. If you’re looking for a great place to spend the holidays, imagine long days, great fishing, energetic guides, and a very relaxed atmosphere with few people. If you hear a Christmas carol such as” jingle bells”, PRG also guarantee that you get your money back!

Summer: January 7th to March 15th

Summer is the most popular month for fishing and tourism in Patagonia. The kids are on vacation and tourists abound. The weather is the best this time of the year with decreasing precipitation and the warmest temperatures. Some snow remains on the highest Andes peaks but almost all the spring flowers are already gone. The grass is getting long, and with warmer temperatures--you guessed it—hoppers and terrestrial insects are prolific and you will enjoy dry fly fishing almost exclusively. There are uncountable species of beetles, ants, hoppers, crickets, wasps, and other unidentified flying objects this time of the year and the trout are looking for them. A South American phenomenon: the hottest, brightest, and clearest days are the best dry fly and fishing days! Yes, it’s true, a bluebird-fisherman’s dream! All the above being said about fish looking to slam dry flies is true, but presentation is key on some streams as fish have seen a few gypsy kings, Fat Alberts, Chernobyls ants, hoppers, etc…..and they are as suspicious as they are aggressive this time of the year. You might have to drop down to 3X, 4X, and occasionally even 5X and use a dropper to attract fish in the crystal clear water. You will have lots of sight fishing opportunities daily and wet wading is possible a majority of the time.

Water levels continue to drop and water temperatures rise this time of the year. Every fishery is open and in perfect shape giving you the most options for the “fish a different river every day” philosophy that PRG follows throughout the season. This is Prime Time and getting a spot with PRG is not easy. Repeat customers reserve most spots year after year. If you can get a spot, you won’t be disappointed!

Fall: March 15th to May 1st

Fall is the favorite of many anglers, and it is a great time to visit Patagonia. Summer tourist traffic drops off completely and PRG once again has a vast wilderness to themselves. Temperature decreases and precipitation rises this time of the year, which normally brings on the fall feeding frenzy of area trout with cooling and rising rivers. Browns and brook trout are getting ready to spawn and many of those larger fish, which swam back into the lake during the middle of summer, are migrating back to the river to feed or spawn. Fall colors in Patagonia are spectacular and if you are lucky enough to be able to come and enjoy the fall, you will probably become addicted to the beauty, the tranquility and the fishing.

Although, the days are not as long as the spring and the summer, you still get plenty of time on the water, in fact, you might actually get more fishing as the guides are very excited this time of the year. PRG gets a second wind like no other and scours every last honey hole, secret spot, sure bet, and hog spot to try to catch every last fish before they have to put away their gear for winter. You will enjoy the coziness of the lodges, the fall foods, and the fireside conversations with some of the most passionate fishermen in the world. PRG currently has a group that has to be the last of the season, they don’t care when, but they want to be last for aforementioned reasons and tradition. Don’t worry, you can get a spot and you’ll be thrilled to wake up to foggy mornings, fall colors, and snow capped peaks while getting ready for the ultimate fly fishing adventure that PRG offers!

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.