Included / Not Included –
Included: Accommodations and meals at Jurassic Lake Camp, wine and beer, semi-guided fishing, licenses, round-trip transfers to/from Calafate and Jurassic Lake Camp. Note that if there are an odd number of anglers an additional shuttle surcharge will apply.
Not Included: Airfare, accommodations, meals and transfer in Buenos Aires, departure tax, staff and guide gratuities.
Travel Logistics:
Arrival Information: To get to Jurassic Lake you will need to make travel arrangements to Buenos Aires, Argentina. Most guests will overnight in Buenos Aires. As there is no easy way to reach Jurassic Lake and there is not a set program for arrival and departure, Fly Water Travel will help coordinate your inter-country travel logistics (airport transfers, hotel, domestic flights) with Loop Adventures (not included in package price). Jurassic Lake is available for full or partial week bookings.
Getting to the Lodge: Most anglers will fly into Calafate and then embark on the aptly named “The Drive from Hell” into Jurassic Lake which takes approximately 7.5 hours. The last four hours of the drive into the lake are very rough 4X4 travel with the last 20KM of the trip taking approximately three hours. Anglers prone to motion sickness or with extremely bad backs may be better off passing on Jurassic Lake!
Departure Information: On your departure day you will fish the morning and drive back to Calafate in the afternoon for the flight to Buenos Aires and points beyond.
Travel Recommendations in Argentina
Documentation Requirements:
US Citizens will need a valid passport to enter Argentina and it must be valid for six months after the last day of your trip.
There is no advance visa application requirement to travel to Argentina. You will automatically be issued a tourist visa upon arrival at the first point of entry.
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. With that said, when traveling into remote locals such as Jurassic Lake, it is a good idea to have at least $50 US changed to pesos so you can purchase drinks or snacks at the local gas stations many of which care little for US dollars or a have a credit card minimum.
Travel Cash:
We recommend that you have about $50 US a day for gratuities and at least $50 peso for small in town tipping and / or on the road snacks/drinks.
Gratuities:
We recommend gratuities in the range of 5-10% of the trip cost, which can be given to the camp manager to be split among the entire staff.
Fishing Licenses:
Fishing lisenses are included and issued on site.
Climate:
The region is very windy so come well prepared! Temperatures can vary widely and the area can be hot especially in February. Later March and April can be cold. Sunscreen should always be packed as should quality wind proof clothing.
Medical Facilities:
Calafate is the closest hospital and 7 ½ hours from the camp. Due to the remote location, we strongly recommend that anglers purchase travel insurance and medical evacuation coverage. We recommend Global Rescue.
Power and Communications:
The camp has reliable electric power during the evening hours and limited back-up battery lighting for the tents after hours (220 volts, 50 cycles, generator powered). A standard converter and European adapter for two pronged plug should work fine throughout Argentina. The camp also has a satellite phone for emergency use. There is no cell phone or internet service.
Water:
Plenty of bottled water is on hand and is considered the only safe drinking water.
Clothing:
It is recommended that anglers layer their clothing, enabling the adding and subtracting of garments throughout the day. Pack Windstopper fleece jackets, thermal underwear, wool socks and a wool cap to be prepared for the extreme wind and weather that the area is rightfully famous for. Layering with wool or synthetics is always recommended and avoid cotton. A reliable windstopper fleece and a high quality rain jacket are mandatory. Several pairs of gloves are also a good idea if traveling to the lake in late March or April. Rugged waterproof camp shoes are also a good idea.
Laundry:
Due to the remote location laundry is not available.
Beverages/Alcohol:
Beer and wine is included in your package price and guests are welcome to bring their own hard alcohol.
Tackle/Equipment List:
Rods: For a single-handed rods we recommend 9 to 10 ft. Rods for an 8 and 9 weight lines. 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 12 to 14 ft. for line weights 7-9. For the tributary creek you may want a single-handed 9ft four to six weight rod. It makes sense to bring a back-up rod as well.
Reel: A strong, smooth drag is a must. Reels should have capacity for the fly line and 200 yards of 30 lb backing. For the inlet stream a direct drive trout reel is adequate for your needs.
Lines: Weight forward floating lines, versi tip lines (with intermediate tips as well as type 3 and 6 tips), and either a full intermediate line or intermediate shooting head type line will be the most effective lines. Keep in mind that this is windy place and any line that you feel will give you an advantage in the wind is worth packing!
Leaders/Tippet: Spools of mono should include 20, 15, 12 and 10 lbs breaking strengths. We recommend straight Maxima for sinking line leaders and for floating, have a knotless tapered leader from 9 to 12 ft with 15 pound breaking stregth. Umpqua’s Big Game florocarbon leaders are good choice here.
Flies:
Collie Dog tube flies (3 ½ - 4 ½ long, both aluminum and copper bodies, with hard plastic tubing and #4 wide-gape hooks)
Bunny leech, Zonker, Woolly Bugger (black/olive), articulated string leech types, with electric blue flash, on #2-4 hooks
Peacock (now a staple on Rio Grande, tied on #2-4 hooks)
Girdle or Yuk Bug rubber legs (#4-12)
Bitch Creek nymphs (orange and black for preference, #4-12)
Bead head nymphs (Prince, Hare’s Ear, etc. #10-14)
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.
For the Inlet: All you need here is to bring here would be some generic dries and nymphs (with stout hooks) as well as a few skaters or mice for fun.
Note: All flies should be tied on heavy hooks, as the hooks are often broken here before the tippet.
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. Long johns and thick wool or capilene fleece socks are also a must.
Gravel guards and a wading belt
Gortex windproof rain jacket with hood.
Gloves and watchcap
Headlamp
