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Most of our guides have at least ten years guiding experience, and much like a sports team, they have worked hard and trained to be the best. They are the foundation of PRG and we are very proud of the service they provide for our guests. All of PRG's 100% Argentine guide staff are professionals, excellent teachers, bi-lingual, enthusiastic, and expert oarsmen. Apart from their extensive fishing skills, our guides also pride themselves on knowledge of local flora, fauna, culture, and history. A good guide is normally the difference between a decent trip and the trip of a lifetime. Our concept is simple: treat every customer like they are the most important of the season because they are! PRG is also very proud to have a complete staff of assistant guides (one per professional) to assist guests with any need they might have. They carefully prepare gear and equipment each morning for the guide and help guests get their thing ready, and they also assist the guide on walk wade days. Yes, that's right, each guest gets their own person guide on walk wade trips. Some might not want or need the one on one attention, but it is comforting to know that you have a friend in the background to show a smile at a bad joke, snap a picture, or even untangle a knot or two. For those that need more help, it's available and our guides and assistants are there to teach them more about fishing and to share their knowledge about their beautiful country. |
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Rance Rathie
rrrathie@hotmail.com
Rance’s fishing, guiding, and angling experience is second to none. He is one of a handful of third generation guides from Montana and has been catching fish on a fly rod since he was old enough to walk. Rance has guided in numerous countries including: USA, Mongolia, The Bahamas, Argentina, and Chile. When on the water, Rance is a predator who enjoys catching and seeing big fish caught. He is a member of the R.L. Winston Rod and Hatch Reel pro staff, and enjoys helping guests hone their casting and presentation. He also enjoys sharing his knowledge of flora, fauna, and history of Patagonia.
The day Rance finished his last final in college, he threw his textbooks in the trash and flew to Patagonia to begin his career as an international fishing guide. He fell in love; not only with the beauty of Patagonia, but also with his lovely Argentine wife Ellie. Shortly there after, with the help of Ellie and best buddy Travis, Rance founded Patagonia River Guides. For the past eleven years, Rance and Ellie have split their time living in the U.S. and Argentina. They are the proud parents of Julia Loren, Ryan Alexander and Emmie Lou Rathie.
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Travis Smith
tcoltersmith@hotmail.com
Travis Smith has enjoyed over fifteen years of experience of guiding trout fishing in Montana, Idaho, Argentina, and Chile. He is one of the best known and most respected guides the American West. If you drop his name in a fly shop or a fishing bar, someone will know him or of his reputation that is larger than life.
He is a member of the Winston Rod and Hatch Reels pro staff and is not only, an excellent caster and fisherman, but also an incredible teacher. Travis learned to cast and row before most learned to read and grew up fishing with his Dad and his buddy Rance on his parents ranch on The Ruby River in Montana. His work ethic and endurance is second to none , and he is one of the most personable and patient guides you will ever meet. A day spent with Travis will be a day filled with great stories, many laughs, and screaming reels. His way with people makes him an excellent teacher, and his fifteen years of experience guiding on the Henry's Fork have made him an expert on hatches and selective trout. If Travis can’t put you on fish on a tough day, no one will! Apart from fishing, he is a gracious host and will make you feel like part of our family when you visit. Three years ago, he fell in love with Caitlin, and they are looking forward to getting married during the summer of 2010. Travis and Caitlin are now splitting time between Colorado, Idaho, and Patagonia.
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John Roberts
john@patagoniariverguides.com
Rance and Travis have known John since their first day in Argentina, and have been working together for the past eleven years. John is one of the most experienced guides in all of Patagonia, and for more than twenty years, he has been working as a guide, outfitter and manager of local fishing lodges. John’s laid-back demeanor, knowledge, fishing expertise, and teaching ability have won him unsurpassed praise from our guests. John knows most of the trout in Patagonia by name and is an expert on local history, flora, and fauna. Prior to becoming one with the fish, John worked in the beef industry. His knowledge of Argentine beef, cuts of meat, and ability to barbecue it can't be outdone. He keeps the PRG quincho (barbecue house) in his back yard and hosts frequent barbecues for the PRG "think tank".
Although born and raised in Argentina, John reminds most of an Australian rugby player for the use of his perfect queen's english and his intimidating size. John is married to his beautiful wife Valerie, who just so happens to be PRG's masseuse and non-fishing guide. John and Valerie have two great college age kids, Melanie and Alex, who also work for PRG.
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Esteban Oszust
Esteban@patagoniariverguides.com
Esteban is an incredible naturalist and has unparalleled knowledge of the flora, fauna, hatches, insects, fish, weather, and just about everything else. His knowledge and creativity don't stop there! He also has a very ingenious mind and can fix just about everything, come up with a solution to just about every problem, or invent something that will work. He was born and raised in Los Alerces National Park where his father was the first fly fishing guide and his grandfather was the first National Park Ranger. Because of his upbringing, Esteban knows more “secret spots” in Los Alerces than anyone and is one of the most knowledgeable guides in the region. He has been guiding and outfitting for over fifteen years, speaks perfect English, is a fantastic angler, a great teacher, an expert oarsman, and fish catching machine. In the off-season, Esteban travels throughout South America and Europe as an off-road driver for Jeep. You know you are in good hands, when you spend a day with Esteban! Esteban is married to his soul mate, Romina, and has two beautiful children, Abril and Simon.
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Pablo Fuentes
pablo@patagoniariverguides.com
Pablo has been guiding in the region for ten years and with PRG the past five. He cut his teeth working with Esteban and Esteban's father in Los Alerces National Park prior to joining PRG. He will be the first one to tell you that Esteban is his mentor and he has been taught well! He is extremely organized, always has a plan, and can come up with a solution to just about any problem. Pablo is one of the most helpful, hardest working, and patient guides in South America and will do anything to make sure you have a great trip. Pablo is also a great fisherman, excellent caster, expert oarsmen, and can also take you the unknown corners of Los Alerces because of his knowledge of he back country and his motor boating skills. His outgoing, happy demeanor make spending a day with Pablo extremely enjoyable. In his time off Pablo enjoys off road driving and spending time with his wife Marcia.
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Mauricio Techera
mauricio@patagoniariverguides.com
are happy to announce that Mauricio is now a full time PRG guide! Mauricio was born in La Pampa and raised in the Esquel area. He has been fly fishing for his entire life, and has always dreamed of being a fly fishing guide. Six years ago Mauri joined PRG and was an instant hit with our clients and other staff as an assistant guide. Over these six years, Mauri was the star student in the PRG guide training program and we're happy to announce that he graduated with honors! He has mastered not only stalking fish on foot but is now an expert oarsman thanks in part to his year fishing in Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana. He spent the season in a drift boat on some of the most fabled western streams to further hone his skills. Over the past two years Mauri has taken a lot of solo guide trips and has proven, not only to PRG, but also to his clients that love fishing with him, that he is ready to be a Patagonia River Guide. He speaks great English, is an excellent teacher and a great companion. A day with Mauricio is a day you won’t soon forget!
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Julio Perez
julio@hotmail.com
After many years working in northern Argentina, Julio has been re-united with his friends at PRG. Julio has many years working in the fishing and hunting industry. Rance met Julio the first day he was in Argentina and they became fast friends. Since Julio moved from Esquel in the year 2000, he wasn't involved in the beginning of PRG. We are very excited to have Julio on our support staff as he is a great fishermen and a great person to spend time with. He has a lot of experience in both trout and fresh water dorado fishing as well as hinting throughout the country. We expect him to jump right in and become an instant hit with the clients!
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Adolfo Alonso
adolfo@patagoniariverguides.com
Adolfo has been working with the Patagonia River Guides crew since he was fifteen years old. He was born and raised in Esquel, and is very well known in the area since his family homesteaded there. Adolfo is an extremely hard worker and provides PRG with logistic support and assistant guiding. Don't be fooled because he isn't a full time guide, Adolfo is an excellent caster, great fisherman, good oarsman, and great guide. He specializes on walk wading trips with other PRG guides and knows how to put his clients on fish. His English is still a work in progress and the only thing holding him back from being a full time guide. Adolfo is a very fun guy to hang out with and will make you laugh throughout your day. In the winter, Adolfo is a now partners with Rance in Argentina Doves Unlimited and manages that program in Tucuman province.
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Juany Pereyra
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Juany, Adolfo's cousin, grew up in Esquel and has been working for PRG since day one. Juany is a very hard working guide and his gentle and laid back attitude makes him a great assistant fishing guide. His understanding of Patagonia’s flora and fauna is excellent and his knowledge of local waters is endless. Juany is a logistic specialist and helps PRG with any and everything--he is a dream employee! Like Adolfo, don't be fooled, he is one of the best casters in the area, has great eyes, and knows where the big ones live and how to catch them. Juany has a professional chauffeurs license, is trained as a police officer, and is currently training and working with Esteban to master his back country motor boating and guiding skills. Juany is a great person and a great companion to spend a day stalking Patagonia trout.
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Johnny O'Farrell -- Assistant Guide
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Johnny grew up in the flyfishing business and his father was one of the regions first professional guides. Johnny is one of the nicest and funniest young guys you can spend a day with. His english is perfect and he has spent many years working with foreigners in the restaurant business. He has a great pair of eyes and is quickly honing his skills to become a full time Patagonia River Guide.
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Alex Knull -- PRG North Partner and Outfitter
alexknull@gmail.com
Alex was raised in San Martin and educated in an English speaking school in Buenos Aires. He caught his first fish on a fly rod at age 9 and never looked back. In high school Alex would take tourists and friends fishing just for fun and in 2000 became a professional guide. He knew at that point that guiding was the best way to be able to live and immerse himself in flyfishing. Ten years after working for area outfitters, and traveling Alex decided to partner with Patagonia River Guides and run their new and exciting program in San Martin. Alex has all the experience and charisma to extend the signature PRG standard of service and unforgettable flyfishing on his home waters. You will know right away that Alex is a born leader and he and his staff will make you feel at home and show you the quintessential flyfishing adventure of a lifetime.
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Santos Fernandez Madero -- PRG North Guide
santos@patagoniariverguides.com
Santos moved to San Martin de los Andes and straight into flyfishing at the age of twenty-one. In a very short time, Santos has moved up in the sport to become a very respected guide by his clients and colleagues. Having learned from some of the best guides in the region (including Alex) he has all the knowledge and skills to lead you on an amazing flyfishing adventure. Santos is a nice guy with a great personality always eager to go the extra mile to please guests. Even though his nickname is El Chiquito (little guy), you will think he is seven-feet tall with his fish spotting abilities and will understand why being short is a great advantage when stalking fish with him. He thrives on technical dry fly fishing, but don’t worry, he feels right at home twitching hoppers and chernobles when appropriate.
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Peter Treichel -- PRG North Guide
peter@patagoniariverguides.com
Peter was born and raised in the town of San Martin de los Andes. He was raised to enjoy nature and the outdoors by his father, and has enriched himself with non-stop experiences into the wilderness ever since he was old enough to enjoy them. Today flyfishing occupies almost of his time, thoughts, and energy. Peter has spent every available minute over the past years fishing, tying amazing flies, and guiding on the area waters. He now thrives on helping others enjoy what he knows best and loves the most. Peter is a gentle giant and a day spent with him will be filled with laughs and many a bent rod.
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