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Our Team

PRG is American owned and operated by Rance Rathie and Travis Smith. Rance and Travis are born and bred flyfishermen who have been guiding anglers in Montana since their teens. Their passion for fishing and guiding ultimately led them to Argentina where they saw a unique opportunity to apply their extensive knowledge and expertise to build the most comprehensive and professional flyfishing operation in Patagonia. For over ten years, they’ve cultivated a staff of Argentine employees, guides and managers that is unmatched in terms of experience, professionalism and passion. Alex Knüll, partner and director of PRG North, brings three generations of experience and over ten years of personal knowledge of the San Martin area. Esteban Oszust, head guide of PRG, is a second-generation flyfishing guide who grew up exploring Argentina’s National Park system as his backyard. Esteban, along with John Roberts, PRG’s most senior guide with over twenty years of management/guide experience in flyfishing and hunting lodges throughout Argentina, help to shape, refine and execute the ultimate flyfishing adventure for PRG on a daily basis.

As long-time professional guides, Rance and Travis understand that a good guide can often be the difference between an average trip and the trip of a lifetime, which is why they take great care in maintaining the best guide staff in the region. Without exception, PRG’s guides are talented professionals, excellent and enthusiastic teachers, passionate fishermen and expert oarsmen. Apart from their extensive fishing skills, they also enjoy sharing their local knowledge of flora, fauna, culture and history.

PRG South
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Owner

Rance Rathie
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Owner

Travis Smith
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Head Guide

Esteban Oszust
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Guide

John Roberts
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Guide

Adolfo Aloso
Juany
Guide

Juany Pereyra
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Alex Roberts
Owner

Rance Rathie

Rance’s fishing, guiding, and angling experience is second to none. He is one of a handful of third-generation guides from Montana and was brought up with a rod in his hand. Rance spent his younger guide years traveling the planet and guiding in numerous countries like Mongolia, the Bahamas, Argentina, and Chile. When on the water, Rance is a predator who mostly enjoys fishing through his client’s rod and sharing Patagonia summer days with them. He is a member of the Simms, Winston Rod, Hatch Reel, and RO Drift Boats pro staff and has always enjoyed sharing his casting skills with guests, guides, and friends. He loves Patagonia and sharing his knowledge of flora, fauna, and history with anyone that will listen – including his four children, who he is also anxious to share the “if you can’t row, you can’t go” policy set by his father so his kids, in turn, will have a great love and appreciation of flyfishing.

Owner

Travis Smith

Travis Smith has enjoyed nearly twenty years guiding trout fishing in Montana, Idaho, Argentina, and Chile. He is one of the most well-known and most respected guides in all of the American West.  If you drop his name in a fly shop or a fishing bar, most will know him or his reputation, which is larger than life. He is a member of the Simms, Winston Rod, Hatch Reels, and RO Drift Boats 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 the Ruby, Big Hole, Beaverhead, and Jefferson Rivers in Montana.  His laid back demeanor, sense of humor, work ethic, and endurance are second to none.  Travis is one of the most personable and patient guides you will ever meet and a day spent with him is filled with great stories, many laughs, and screaming reels.  He is an expert on stalking and catching selective trout thanks to over fifteen years of experience on the Henry’s Fork River.  Apart from fishing, he is a gracious host and will make you feel like part of our family when you visit.  Travis splits his seasons in Argentina and Montana with his beautiful wife Caitlin and adorable daughters Tallula and Delila.

Head Guide

Esteban Oszust

Esteban is an incredible naturalist and has unparalleled knowledge of the flora, fauna, hatches, insects, fish, weather, and just about everything else that has to do with Patagonia. 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 in any situation. 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 just about anyone and is considered to be one of the most knowledgeable guides in the region. He has been guiding and outfitting for almost twenty years, speaks perfect English, is a fantastic angler, a great teacher, and expert oarsman. Esteban has two beautiful children: Abril and Simon

Guide

John Roberts

Rance and Travis have known John since their first day in Argentina, and have been working together for over fifteen 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 and hunting 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.

Guide

Adolfo Aloso

Adolfo has been working with the Patagonia River Guides crew since he was fifteen years old and was PRG’s first employee. 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, hunting guiding, and assists guides. 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 better than most 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 partner with Rance in Argentina Doves Unlimited and manages that program in Tucuman province.

Guide

Juany Pereyra

Juany grew up in Esquel and has been working for PRG since day one along with his cousin Adolfo. Juany is a very hard working guide and his gentle and laid back attitude makes him a great person to fish with. 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! 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 captains license and assists guides in the Los Alerces National Park to shuttle them to area hot spots. In addition, Juany has a professional chauffeurs license, is trained as a police officer, and loves photography. Juany is a great person and a great companion to spend a day stalking Patagonia trout.

Alex Roberts

Alex is the son of John Roberts and was taught to fly fish by his father. He grew up in Esquel and has been working for PRG as an assistant since he was in high school. Alex speaks great English, always has a smile on his face and is a fun guy to spend the day with. He is one of the top basketball players in the Chubut Province and stands at about 6’5”. His height helps him spot fish that most guys would never see at a lower vantage point. He spends his off-season in Cordoba studying economics.

PRG North
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PRG North Manager + Partner

Alex Knüll
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PRG North Guide & Logistics

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PRG North Guide

Andrés Hermosilla
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PRG North Guide

Fede “Tiburón” Wehncke
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PRG North Guide

Nico Natalucci
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PRG North Guide

Facu Ventura
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Elias Abdala
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Jose Beretta
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PRG North Guide

Sandro Gonzalez
PRG North Manager + Partner

Alex Knüll

Alex was born and raised in San Martin de los Andes and educated in an English boarding school in Buenos Aires. He caught his first fish on a fly rod at age nine 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 realized that guiding was the best way to stay in Patagonia and to live and immerse himself in flyfishing. A decade after working for area outfitters and traveling to fish, Alex partnered with Patagonia River Guides and helped form the incomparable PRG North private estancia program. Alex is an expert angler and a great leader.  He is the only Argentine member of the Winston Rod and Hatch Reel pro staff. Alex offers all the experience and charisma necessary to extend the signature PRG standard of service and unforgettable flyfishing on his home waters. Alex is also a semi-professional photographer and enjoys taking pictures when he doesn’t have his hands on the oars.

PRG North Guide & Logistics

Facundo “Facu” Huarriz

Facu leads the PRG North support team and is a natural for that job being born in the region. Facu has a love of the outdoors much like all the PRG guides and assistants but likes most to be “out there”. The “unplugged” program would not be possible without his logistical and planning support of the program and also his hands on assistance and work at the camps. Facu speaks nearly perfect English and is also a skilled guide when walk wading. Simply put, if you had to be stranded somewhere, you would want to be with Facu to enjoy his sense of humor, kind spirit, and ability to catch dinner! Facu enjoys snowboarding, biking, and spending time with his wife and two children when not working.

PRG North Guide

Andrés Hermosilla

Andres “Andy” Hermosilla is one of the most experienced guides at Patagonia River Guides, bringing a wealth of knowledge to every fishing trip. Not only is he an excellent fly tier, but he also has a toolkit of tricks up his sleeve to help anyone hook a fish. With a cocky attitude that comes with confidence, Andy never fails to keep a smile on his face and make every day on the water a fun experience. His expertise and laid-back charm make him a favorite among anglers looking for an unforgettable experience!

PRG North Guide

Fede “Tiburón” Wehncke

Federico Wehncke is a highly experienced guide with over 20 years in the world of fly fishing. Renowned for his natural leadership, has a unique ability to inspire confidence in his clients, making every outing both not only successful but also highly educational. With his calm demeanor he is an excellent teacher, dedicated to sharing his extensive knowledge and techniques, ensuring that anglers of all skill levels feel comfortable on the water. With Federico, a.k.a El Capitán, you’re not just fishing; you’re learning from one of the best, all while enjoying the beautiful surroundings of Patagonia.

PRG North Guide

Nico Natalucci

Nico Natalucci began his journey at Patagonia River Guides as an assistant guide over 10 years ago, first as an assistant and camp staff, and then as one of the most talented professional guides. Known for his amazing ability to keep everyone smiling and laughing, Nico has a talent for making jokes and playfully teasing his clients throughout the day. A skilled angler with a deep understanding of fish hunting, he’s developed a wealth of tools and techniques to ensure everyone has a great chance of catching fish. Don’t let his carefree look fool you; Nico is a thorough teacher and guide, dedicated to making your fishing experience both fun and rewarding!

PRG North Guide

Facu Ventura

Facu Ventura started his journey at Patagonia River Guides as an assistant guide and has quickly made a name for himself as a great fisherman and skilled fly tier. A true enthusiast, Facu is passionate about hunting down brown trout and finds joy in exploring the waters and walking the landscapes in search of the perfect catch. His love for fishing runs deep, making him a fishing fanatic who is always eager to share his excitement and knowledge with fellow anglers. Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned pro, fishing with Facu promises an adventurous and memorable experience on the water.

PRG North Guide

Elias Abdala

Elias Abdala is the youngest member of the Patagonia River Guides team, and his passion for fishing shines through in everything he does. Having loved fishing since childhood, Elias is a natural on the water and an excellent fly tier. His extensive knowledge and enthusiasm for the sport highlight his great potential as a guide. A true fishing fanatic, he brings energy and excitement to every outing, inspiring those around him. Elias’s deep passion for fly fishing ensures that clients not only enjoy their time on the water but also gain valuable insights from a guide who truly lives for the thrill of the catch.

PRG North Guide

Jose Beretta

Jose Beretta has been hunting fish since his early childhood, and his passion for fishing shines through in everything he does. He started at Patagonia River Guides as an assistant guide about 10 years ago and quickly proved his skills and dedication, earning a promotion to guide in no time. Known as one of the “most passionate fishermen “fishiest” people on the team, Jose is incredibly motivated and 100% focused on catching fish. With an unyielding enthusiasm, he’ll keep you fishing until you beg him to stop, making a day on the water with Jose an unforgettable adventure!

PRG North Guide

Sandro Gonzalez

Sandro Gonzales a.k.a. “Big Sandro”, is a seasoned fishing guide with over 30 years of experience navigating the waters of the region. Known for his gentle demeanor and permanent smile, Sandro has a knack for making every fishing trip a delightful experience filled with laughter. His wealth of stories and anecdotes reflects his deep connection to the sport, making him not just a guide but a storyteller who can bring the local fishing culture to life. As a senior guide, Sandro possesses a treasure trove of knowledge about fishing techniques, local waters, and the best spots for hooking the catch of the day. But most importantly, with Big Sandro you will always feel well taken care of.