Included / Not Included –
Included: Accommodations (based on double occupancy) and meals at the lodge, guided fishing based on double occupancy, round-trip auto transfers from Rio Grande to the lodge, all alcoholic beverages (open bar) and fishing license.
Not Included: Airfare, hotel, meals and transfers in Buenos Aires, tackle, transfers to/from Ushuaia, staff and guide gratuities, and items of a personal nature.
Travel Logistics:
Arrival Information: To get to Estancia Maria Behety, you will need to make travel arrangements to/ from either Rio Grande or Ushuaia, Argentina, via Buenos Aires. You will need to overnight in Buenos Aires before departing on a flight to Rio Grande (or Ushuaia). You will be responsible for making arrangements for your international and intra-country flights, as well as for transfers and accommodations in Buenos Aires.
Getting to the Lodge: If you arrive into the Rio Grande airport (recommended) you will be met by a lodge representative and driven to the lodge, roughly 45 minutes. The Rio Grande airport transfer is included in your package. Week long packages run at the lodge run from Saturday to Saturday. If a transfer from Ushuaia is needed, the round trip ground transfer rate is approximately $200US per person and paid directly to the lodge. After arriving at the lodge, you'll be shown to your room, given a brief orientation and tour of the facilities, guides will be assigned, and you'll have a chance to organize your tackle for the fishing day planned to start the next morning. There is no fishing on your arrival day.
Departure Information: Estancia Maria Behety Lodge will arrange the auto transfers to Rio Grande or Ushuaia to start your trip home or continue your travels in South America.
Travel Recommendations in Argentina
Documentation Requirements:
You 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 in Buenos Aires.
Note: The lodge does NOT accept credit cards. For payment of gratuities, souvenirs, etc., US cash is preferred. Traveler’s checks can be used to pay for souvenirs at the lodge but cash is preferred.
Travel Cash:
The lodge only accepts cash and personal checks. We recommend each guest travels with approximately $750.00 - $1000.00 (per week of travel) for gratuities, alcohol, and miscellaneous gifts. Most of the restaurants and shops in Buenos Aires and the larger towns take credit cards.
Gratuities:
Gratuities are a personal preference, based on service rendered. Normally guides and staff are tipped upon departure in accordance to their individual effort and service. We recommend leaving a gratuity with the lodge manager or host. A good rule of thumb for an amount to leave is 7 - 10 percent of the total lodge package cost. Of this total percentage, 30% to 40% should be for the lodge staff and the balance for the guides. Gratuities should be paid in US dollars. If you have any questions concerning gratuities please feel free to call us or ask the lodge/camp manager or host for guidelines.
Fishing Licenses:
Fishing licenses are included and the lodge will issue your license when you arrive.
Climate:
The summer climate of this southernmost region of South America is extremely changeable, and a wide range of temperatures 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. Ice in the guides is not uncommon during the late season.
Medical Facilities:
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 power in Argentina is 220 volts with a European 2-prong plug. Most modern electrical devices like cameras, iPods, laptops, GPS and satellite telephones will accept 110 – 240 volts and output automatically to US standard 110 volts. For these devices, all you will need is a simple plug adaptor. If, however, your device does not convert to 110, it is best to bring an external converter. We suggest a dual-wattage foreign travel AC converter as it lets you use 110 VAC devices on 240 VAC for motorized or heat producing devices up to 50 watts, such as radios, irons, lamps and handheld hair dryers.
The lodge has a computer with internet service for guests to check emails during their stay.
We recommend calling your cell phone provider concerning your international cell phone service. Satellite phones work so feel free to bring your own. Each room has a phone available with DDI (Direct International Communication) but it will be expensive – around $3.00 US per minute. Only one call at a time can be made as the lodge only has one phone line.
Water:
Tap water is OK for brushing teeth, but NOT for drinking. Bottled water is available everywhere in Argentina and at the lodge.
Clothing:
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 and polar fleece are ideal for the river. A reliable windstopper/rain jacket is also recommended. Attire at the lodge is casual and laundry service is available.
Laundry:
Daily laundry service is NOT available. However, there is limited laundry service at Estancia Maria Behety for a minimal fee. Anglers should bring clothes for a week’s worth of fishing.
Beverages/Alcohol:
Along with an extensive list of fine Argentine wines the Maria Behety Lodge typically stocks a variety of spirits which are included in your package.
Tackle/Equipment List:
Rod: For a single-handed rod – 9, 9 ½ or 10 ft. for an 8 – 9 weight is ideal. Light two handed rods are increasingly popular and allow anglers to cast a comfortable line with less effort, particularly on windy days. We encourage you to bring one of 13 to 15 ft. for a 8-11 wt. line.
Reel: A strong, smooth drag is a must. Reels should have capacity for the fly line and 100 yards of 20 lb backing
Lines: Anglers should include at least 3 lines to accommodate variance in water levels and wind conditions. Weight forward fly lines are generally used on the Rio Grande. A sinking shooting taper is very important. The Teeny T-200 and T-300 lines are excellent, and at least one or both of these lines should be considered as must bring items. Sinking tips and sinking poly-leaders are also used at times. Intermediate lines are also effective in some conditions. Floating lines are typically most useful in low water conditions and during early morning and evening hours, when sea trout are inclined to be nearer the surface. There are a number of Versi-tip line systems that give you plenty of interchangeable tips for any water condition.
Leaders/Tippet: You will need four 9’ 16 lb. knotless tapered leaders as well as spools of 10, 12, 15, and 20 lb. Fluorocarbon or equivalent.
Flies:
Bunny leech, Zonkers, Articulated string leech types, with electric blue flash, on #2-8 hooks
Woolly Bugger (black/olive/purple #8-2 with and without white rubber legs
Peacock (now a staple on Rio Grande, tied on #2-4 hooks)
Girdle or Yuk Bug rubber legs (white rubber legs) (#4-12)
Bitch Creek nymphs (orange and black for preference, #4-12)
Bead head nymphs (Prince, Hare’s Ear, etc. #6-14)
Traditional Atlantic Salmon flies
Bombers, Muddler Minnows, Quigley’s Dragon Gurglers or other waking dry flies (natural deer hair, black & green on #4-8 hooks), for use drifted or with a Portland hitch.
Include 1 ½ 2 inch tube flies if you have them, as tubes can be very effective on the Rio Grande. Also note that large tubes and leaches in the 3-5 inch range are very effective for night fishing. (Collie Dogs, Black and Silver ‘Temple Dog’, Editor, Lune Special, and String Leech Intruder)
Also, take any large, dark trout or salmon fly in which you have confidence. Fishing a fly that has worked for you in the past, and in which you have confidence, is half the battle.
Note: Larger streamers should be weighted and all should be tied on heavy hooks with good gapes. Treble & double hooks are not allowed on the Rio Grande.
Other Equipment:
Breathable chest waders and a good pair of wading boots with felt soles or rubber cleats.
Capilene fleece pants are a must, worn under Gore-tex waders, given that water temperatures can be in the 40’s. Be sure and bring a capilene base layer, fleece pants and tops, including wool or fleece socks.
Gravel guards and a wading belt
Gortex windproof rain jacket with hood.
Warm hat and gloves
Sunscreen and lip balm
Polarized sunglasses
A quality headlamp is essential.
