Included / Not Included: –
Included: Accommodations and meals at the lodge, round-trip transfers between Esquel airport and the lodge, Argentinean wines, beer, soft drinks, open bar, guided fishing, transportation to/from fishing areas, fishing license, daily spa – sauna, Jacuzzi, scotch shower and one personal massage per person per stay.
Not Included: Airfare, accommodations, meals and transfers in Buenos Aires, airport taxes, departure tax, laundry, personal phone calls, staff and guide gratuities, round-trip transfers between Bariloche and the lodge if applicable. The Bariloche airport transfer is approximately $150 US per person ($500 per van / $300 per car).
Travel Logistics:
Arrival Information: To get to Challhuaquen Lodge you need to make arrangements to Esquel or Bariloche, Argentina. Most guests will fly to Buenos Aires, Argentina and overnight and then fly on to Esquel or Bariloche the next morning.
Getting to the Lodge: You will be met at the airport by a bilingual lodge representative who will transfer you by van to Challhuaquen Lodge (approximately one hour away from Esquel).
Departing the Lodge: The lodge will drive you to the airport (either Esquel or Bariloche) to catch your flight home. For those flying out of Bariloche it is best to make afternoon flight arrangements to allow plenty of time to reach the airport.
Travel Notes: Esquel, Argentina is somewhat limited and only has three flights per week departing on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. Transfers between Esquel and the lodge are included, transfers between Bariloche and the lodge are not included.
Travel Recommendations in Argentina
Documentation Requirements:
You will need a valid passport to enter Argentina and it must be valid for six months after the last day of your trip.
Currency:
The dollar is widely accepted in Argentina, and you can change dollars for pesos at your hotel in Buenos Aires or at any bank. When paid in dollars, most merchants will give change in pesos, a good way to get small bills for cabs, tips to porters, etc (although dollars may be used as well.) It is difficult to exchange traveler’s checks of any kind outside of Buenos Aires. American Express, Visa, and MasterCard are widely accepted and will be accepted at the lodge, where they also accept payment in cash and personal check. Traveler’s checks are nearly impossible to exchange in Esquel; therefore, cash or credit cards should be used. It is recommended that you take enough US Dollars for gratuities and any additional fees.
Travel Cash:
Most of the restaurants and shops take credit cards in Buenos Aires but you will need cash for the lodge and the Bariloche area. We recommend each guest travels with approximately $750.00 - $1000.00 (per week of travel) for gratuities, alcohol, and miscellaneous gifts.
Gratuities:
Guides and staff will always work hard to ensure you have the most memorable fly fishing vacation. A nice gratuity to show your gratitude for their efforts is greatly appreciated. A general guideline is 10% +/- of the cost of your trip contributed to our tip pool. The tip pool is divided between guides, host, chef staff, and housekeeping who assist you throughout your trip. Please bring US dollars to pay for gratuities.
Fishing Licenses:
Fishing licenses are included in your package and prepared prior to your arrival. Fly Water Travel will need your date of birth, name as it reads on your passport, passport number, and passport expiration date to prepare the fishing license.
Climate:
The summer climate of this southernmost region of South America is extremely changeable, and a wide range of temperatures (85 degrees F – 40 degrees F) and weather conditions should be expected. The sun can be very strong during the day, but the wind chill factor makes the use of protective gear necessary all season long.
Medical Facilities:
The closest medical facility is in Esquel, approximately 1 hour from the lodge. Guests have the responsibility to disclose any special medical, physical, or dietary needs to the lodge ahead of time.
Anglers should pack medications for such common complaints as diarrhea, upset stomach, motion sickness, headache and irregularity, along with prescriptions. Most visitors to Argentina don’t experience stomach problems associated with other countries, but it pays to have treatment available just in case.
Power and Communications:
The electrical current in Argentina is 220 volts, 50 cycles, so a standard converter and European adapter for two-pronged plug are necessary for any electric appliance. If you need to plug in electrical devices including laptops, hair dryers, or electric razors, the lodge recommends bringing two power converters in the event one burns out. The lodge has WIFI available in the common areas as well as computer available with internet connection for guest to use during their stay.
Water:
Bottled water is available everywhere in Argentina. The water at the lodge is from a well and safe to drink.
Clothing:
Dress at the lodge is neat but casual. It is recommended that anglers layer their clothing, enabling the adding and subtracting of garments throughout the day. Pack polar fleece jackets, thermal underwear, polar neck, wool socks and a wool cap to be prepared for the extreme. Flannel or chamois cloth shirts are ideal for the stream. A reliable windstopper/rain jacket is also recommended. Attire at the lodge is casual and laundry service is available.
Laundry:
Laundry service is available to guests for a small fee. Please speak with Gustavo, the lodge manager with your requests.
Beverages/Alcohol:
The lodge provides an open bar including whiskeys, hard liquors and Cuban cigars. Some brands of liquor can be difficult to find so feel free to bring your favorite drink for the end of the day.
Tackle/Equipment List:
Trout
Rods: Fast action (3 - 5 piece) 6 weight travel rods are the best choice for an all-around rod in Argentina. Typically you will have 2 rods rigged all of the time (floating and sink-tip). An ideal combination of rods would be a 5 or 6 weight for dry flies and nymphs, and a 6 or 7 weight with a 200- 250grain sink tip (20 plus foot only) for streamer fishing. A 3 or 4 weight rod can be fun on the spring creeks with small flies.
Reels: Match your rods with your favorite freshwater reels. A quality reel with a reliable drag and at least 75 yards of backing is recommended.
Lines: Most experienced anglers believe that the only line necessary is a floating line, though we believe a 200 grain sink tip (20 plus foot heads) for streamer fishing in Argentina is mandatory. 75-100 yards of backing is sufficient.
Leaders/Tippet: Dry fly leaders are typically 9-10 feet with 4X the most common tippet choice, and occasionally using 3X and 5X. The same configuration is used for nymph fishing. For streamer fishing, plan on using short leaders tapered to 1X or 2X.
Flies:
Futaleufú River
Dries: Size #14 to 16
Nov: Adams-Parachute, Adams-March, Brown-Cahill
Dec: Adams-Parachute, Adams-Humpy, Chernobyl Ant, Stimulator
Jan - April: Parachute Adams, Caddis (Elk, Goddard), Chernobyl ant, Tarantula, Madame X, Beetles
All months: Emerger of May Flies, Caddis and Crippled dry flies
Nymphs: Size # 14 to 20
Dragons(Nov-Dec) For All Months: Prince, Pheasant Tail, Brassie, Zug Bug, Hares Ear, Copper John
Streamers: Size: 4 to 8
For all months: Rabbits, Wooly Bugger, Marabou Muddler, Marabou Leeches, Matukas, Rubber legs wooly and rabbits
Rivadavia River
Dries: Size# 12 to 16
Nov - Dec: Royal Wulff, Adams, Humpy, May fly Duns
Jan - Feb: Caddis, Gray Wulff, Stimulator, Chernobyl ant
Mar - Apr: Caddis, Beetles, Humpy Royal
Nymphs Size 14 to 24
Nov - Dec: Montana, Prince, Dragons
Jan - April: Prince, Pheasant tail, Copper John, Brassie (#20-24)
Streamers: Size # 4 to 8
For all months: Rabbits, Wooly Bugger, Marabou Muddler, Marabou Leeches, Matukas, Rubber legs wooly and rabbits
Arroyo Pescado Spring Creek
Dries: Size 12 to18
Jan - Feb: Parachute Adams, March Brown, Cahill, Madame X, ants, flying ants, beetles
Mar - Apr: Gray Wulff, Adams-Parachute, Adams-Caddis (Elk, Goddard), Chernobyl ant, Madame X, Flying Ants, Grass Hoppers
CDC dry flies are very effective (spinners, caddis) May Fly and Caddis Emergers and Crippled dry flies are very effective. Streamers: size 6 and 8.
For all months: Woolly Buggers, Matukas, bunny rubber legs, Marabou leeches
