Included / Not Included –
Included: Transfer Rio Grande airport to lodge (roundtrip); all meals including a fine selection of wine and beer; hard alcohol, internet access, all fishing services including guiding, transportation, and fishing license where applicable.
Not Included: Buenos Aires hotels or meals, Buenos Aires transfers, personal equipment, and staff and guide gratuities.
Travel Logistics:
Arrival Information: To get to La Aurelia Lodge, you will need to make reservations to and from Rio Grande, Argentina via Buenos Aires. You will likely need to overnight in Buenos Aires before departing on a morning flight to Rio Grande
Getting to the Lodge: A lodge representative will meet you at the Rio Grande airport and transport you to the lodge in a private van or four wheel truck. Transfer from the airport to the lodge takes approximately 1.5 hours.
Departure Information: On your departure day a lodge representative will drive you to the Rio Grande airport after breakfast for the flight to Buenos Aires and beyond.
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 and will be accepted at the lodge where they also accept payment in cash and personal check.
Travel Cash:
As a guideline we recommend that each guest travels with approximately $1,000 - $1,200 for staff & guide gratuities, alcohol, etc.
Gratuities:
Typically there are two separate tips pools at Aurelia. Anglers are encouraged to tip their guide directly at the end of the week in the vicinity of $250-$400. There will likely be an envelope for the lodge staff and $400 is the recommended amount. Any questions can be direct to the manager, Peter Mullins.
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.
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 lodge has reliable electric power and back-up battery lighting. (220 volts, 50 cycles, generator powered) A standard converter and European adapter for two pronged plug should work fine throughout Argentina. They offer a permanent telephone communications in each room (calls to the US are billed at $4 per minute) and free internet access.
Water:
Erring on the cautious side, drinking tap water should be done in moderation when possible. Bottled water is available everywhere in Argentina.
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 polars are ideal for the stream. A reliable windstopper/rain jacket is also recommended. Attire at the lodge is casual.
Laundry:
Laundry is available upon request to guests during their stay. Please be prepared to pay for this service onsite.
Beverages/Alcohol:
The lodge provides a selection of fine Argentine wines, beer and hard alcohol. Guests may bring their own.
Tackle/Equipment List:
Rod: For a single-handed rod – 9, 9 ½ or 10 ft. for an 8 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 9-11 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 or 4 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 or Rio 24 ft Density Compensated Sinking Tips in 200, 300 and 400 grains are excellent, and at least one or both of these lines should be considered as must bring items for single hand rod users. 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.
For two handed rods we find that a Rio Skagit Spey Lines with interchangeable tips, or equivalent is very versatile as they allow one to switch line weights from fast sinking #8 to medium #3 or floating lines easily; Furthermore Rio Big Boy tips in the 150 to 600 grain range or T14 in the appropriate lengths care very useful to the spey angler.
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 OX tippets.
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 or holographic , on #2-4 hooks
Peacock (now a staple on Rio Grande, tied on #2-4 hooks)
Woolly worms in different colors
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)
Traditional Atlantic Salmon flies
Bombers, Green Machine, Tarantula 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, 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. 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.
A quality headlamp!
