FAQ's

What kind of fly fishing gear and tackle do you provide anglers?

It is recommended that you bring all of your own gear while fishing in Patagonia with us. The Fishing in Patagonia Co. will give some flies and replacement equipment if things break, but all anglers should try to be self sufficient as possible. For people learning to fly fish we do provide some gear (rod, reel, flies) but this equipment will probably not be satisfactory to expert anglers. We do ask that everyone signed up for our fly fishing Argentina trips bring chest waders. An inexpensive pair will do just as well as the expensive kind.

Can a beginner fly fisher come go fly fishing in Argentina?

Yes. Our Patagonia fly fishing vacation packages are fully guided and for those needing lessons or instruction, a guide will be more than happy to assist you. Learning to fly fish is easier than you think!

Do I need a fishing license to fish in Argentina ?

Yes. Usually all the fly shops in San Martin de los Andes Town are licenses for sale, also if your arrival is at the Bariloche airport, there is a small sales office license. However, sometimes the Argentina governments do not have fishing licenses available to issue in the remote regions we fly fish. When the National Park Office or municipalities have licenses on-hand we do purchase them for our anglers.

What kind of fish and size of them, can we expect to catch?

Resident native Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Brook Trout, and Salmon - depending on the time of year and waters we fish. See our page on the Fly Fishing for more information.

Resident browns and rainbows can reach 8 - 12 pounds. While fish this size are caught with some frequency, it is the 3 - 6 pound trout that are consistently landed. In Lanín National Park the fish tend to be somewhat larger.

What will the weather be like?

The weather in Patagonia can be unpredictable, even in the high summer, storms can roll-in and stick around for few days. Not panic, it is best to be prepared for all types of weather conditions - please follow the recommendations provided in our packing lists. To read more about the weather and seasons in Patagonia, see our Fishing Season  and What to Bring pages.

What flies and rods do we bring for fly fishing ?

Please see our fly fishing packing list in our web page on What to Bring.

Are spin fishers welcome on your fly fishing trips?

Yes, but hosting spin fishers is a rarity for us. Occasional spin fishers usually come along with a group of fly fishers. Spin fishers must adhere to the same catch and release policy as our fly fishermen. Please be sure to let us know if there will be spin fishers in your group. We also would be happy to teach spin fishers how to fly fish if they so desire.

Why do you only do catch and release fishing – I want to eat my trout?

At Fishing in Patagonia we practice catch and release to preserve the sustainability of our wild population and ensure there will be brown and rainbow trout on Patagonia for future generations to enjoy. It is important to note that the fisheries of these back country rivers are based upon large relatively old aged fish and that even a small harvest can significantly alter the population structure. In San Martin de los Andes there are some restaurants that specialize in the preparation of trout, which come from farms in northern Patagonia, which are bred and fed in natural, bearing a strong resemblance to those caught by you.

What types of Fishing do you do?

Wet & dry fly fishing. We use rafts, drift boats and catamarans for the Collon Cura, Alumine, Chimehuin and other river sections along with traditional wading. At National Park Lakes there are float tubes, Hyde drift boats (MacKenzie River boats) and motor boats, so that the angler's fishing preferences can always be accommodated.

What can I do if I don't want to go fly fishing in Patagonia but want to join others on this trip?

Fishing in Patagonia has a wide variety of activities for non fly fishers. Whitewater rafting & kayaking, horseback riding, trekking, mountain biking, photography workshop, hotsprings & SPA and our Food & Wine Program are all options. If you want to learn how to fly fish that is also an option. Please check our website for further details.

Do you cater for special food /dietary requirements?

We cater for all dietary requirements and food preferences. Please advise us prior to arrival.