The Fly Fishing Program

Patagonia River Guides uses the straightforward philosophy to fish a different river daily with the best guides at the best times. We offer multi-day fishing packages in three regions:  Esquel and Rio Pico in the Central Patagonia and San Martin de los Andes in the Northern Patagonia (PRG North).  Information about each region can be found throught the website.  Guests can expect the same level of service, lodging, guides, equipment, gear, and management at each destination and trips can be designed to enjoy fishing at one, two or all three areas in the same trip.  Each destination offers different rivers, scenery, lodging, and of coarse fishing.  Because we offer fishing on so many rivers, we can match anglers with particular tastes to the rivers they will like the most.  The same goes for lodging.  Let us know what you like and what you're looking for and most likely, we will be able to set up the perfect trip for you!  

Two anglers fish together with a professional guide, and when wade fishing, an assistant guide to give each angler a one-on-one experience.  Every guide has all of the equipment necessary (new truck, boats, fishing equipment, safety equipment, etc.) to execute incredible trips and PRG provides them with thousands of flies for every hatch and for every situation so guests don't have to carry or buy flies that might not work.  In addition to providing every fly, PRG also has uncountable numbers of Winston Rods, Hatch Reels (with new lines on each one), Simms waders, Simms wading boots, and dry bags free for our guests to use if they choose not to bring their own.   

PRG's fishing programs are always set around guest's preferences, but normally departing the lodge around 8:30 a.m. after a healthy breakfast and assignment of guide and fishing destination.  A delicious picnic lunch is provided for each trip and lunch is enjoyed streamside unless anglers choose to return to the lodge for lunch (possible in the San Martin area).  Most fishing days end around 6:00 to 7:00 pm at which time, guests meet back at the lodge for a hot shower and a cool drink followed by a dinner complimented by a great bottle of Argentine wine.  Anglers are treated to a blend of floating, walk wading, and a combination of both on area waters.  And PRG can always arrange for more wading or floating depending on anglers' preference.  Fishing techniques vary daily and the most successful anglers are flexible and able to adapt to each river and fishing conditions.  We try to fish dry flies as much as possible but also use hopper-dropper combos, streamers, and sometimes even nymphs.  It is not uncommon to sight fish because the waters are, more often than not, crystal clear. 

Trout of Patagonia Argentina

Trout were planted in Patagonia in the early 1900's, and they have flourished!  Patagonia's waters contain primarily rainbows and brown but landlocked salmon and Brook trout can also be found in some rivers and lakes.  Other species of fish include perca, perjerrey patagonico, puyen.  Trout populations and size depend on watershed, and most rivers have more rainbows than browns.  Brook trout and landlocked salmon exist in several watersheds but the rarely in large numbers.  Trout in our area range from 10 to 30+ inches and the average size in most streams is between 16 and 20 inches.  Most anglers land fish over 20-inches and it is not uncommon for fish to exceed 25-inches.  Fish size and numbers depend on the stream and angling ability to catch them. 

Patagonia River Guides Equipment

PRG is well equipped to handle your fly fishing adventure.  Your comfort and your safety are our highest priority and we take both very seriously.  All guides have a new well-maintained truck--with new tires-to negotiate the endless empty roads of Patagonia and to get to the best waters.  PRG uses Northwest River Supply self-bailing rafts and RO Drift Boats when floating.  Both types of boats are designed with the fly fisherman in mind and have padded swivel seats and ample room for storage.  Drift boats are used exclusively by PRG North because the majority of our access points in the Esquel and Rio Pico areas won't allow for the use of a boat on a trailer.  Apart from self bailing rafts and drift boats, we also have motor boats to access remote lakes and river systems.  These boats all have new 4-stroke motors that produce low emissions and low noise levels.  Our motor boats are also of high quality and set up for fly fishing.  Each team of guides maintains contact throughout the day with hand-held radios.  We continuously update our equipment and feel that it is a crucial part of our operation, and we have adapted our equipment to each area and river we fish.  Our clients can rest assured that they are fishing with the best equipped and most experienced outfitter in Argentina.