Challhuaquen Lodge 

Argentina

Challhuaquen Lodge is located in the Trevelin valley on the banks of the Futaleufú river in close proximately to Los Alerces National Park. Fly anglers enjoy a combination of floating and wading throughout the week on rivers and spring creeks such as the Futaleufu, Corintos, Rivadavia, Arrayanes, Nant Y Fall Spring Creek, Desaguadero, and Corcovado rivers. Anglers also have the opportunity to fly fish for selective trout on the famous private waters of Arroyo Pescado Spring Creek.

Challhuaquen Lodge or the "fishing place", in the local Mapuche Indian language, is a well-appointed Patagonia fly fishing destination for serious anglers, non-anglers, and families. Within the proximity of Los Alerces National Park, guests can enjoy birding, hiking, horseback riding, visits to waterfalls, and local Mapuche Indian reservations.

Offering the region’s finest accommodations, warm hospitality and a true taste of Argentine’s fresh traditional cuisine, Challhuaquen Lodge is a must see for anglers and non-anglers alike visiting the wonderful region of Patagonia.

Location:
The lodge is located 15 minutes south of the Patagonian town of Trevelin on the Rio Grande/Futaleufu River.

Fishing Program:
Challhuaquen Lodge, which in the local Mapuche language means "fishing place", is located in the Trevelin valley on the banks of the Futaleufú river in Argentinean Patagonia. Anglers enjoy a combination of floating and wading throughout the week. Guests at Challhuaquen Lodge fly fish the Futaleufu, Corrientes, Rivadavia, Arrayanes, Nant Y Fall and Arroyo Pescado Spring Creek, Desaguadero, and Corcovado rivers. Guillermo Sagui, the lodge’s head guide has over 20 years fly fishing experience in Patagonia. He and his local Argentine guide staff are professionals, great teachers, and enjoy being on the water.

The Rio Grande, sometimes called the Futaleufu River, is one of Argentina’s most beautiful and prolific trout streams and has been compared to Montana’s Missouri river. The Rio Grande (not to be confused with Tierra del Fuego’s sea run river) is a large river containing flat water, riffles and deep pools well suited to catching fish on dry flies. This tailwater fly fishery is one of the best terrestrial rivers in the region where fish average 6 - 17 inches. The Rio Grande River is only footsteps away from the lodge.

The Arroyo Pescado spring creek is known as one of the best spring creeks in the world. The fishery is strictly managed on the private estancia and only opened from January 1-May 1st. The ‘fishing creek’ offers prolific hatches, with numerous rising fish on most days. The water is gin clear and the trout can be very selective and wary. Anglers spend the majority of their time sight casting to fish in the 16-21 + inch range. Each day can bring opportunities to view pink Chilean flamingos, magellan and ashy head geese, a variety of ducks, black neck swans, ibis, parrots, greater rheas and condors. Arroyo Pescado is roughly 1 ½ hours from the Challhuaquen lodge.

The Corcovado River stretches more than sixty miles in Argentina before crossing the border into Chile, where it is renamed the Palena. The Corcovado offers some classic trout water and contains some very large browns and nice rainbows. A typical day can offer anglers a combination of streamer, dry fly and nymph fly fishing along with a little white water action. Wade fishing in the many riffles is also a nice option. The Corcovado River is roughly 2 hours from the lodge.

The Nant Y Fall creek is a lake fed stream reminiscent of a spring creek. This private fishery has rainbow trout with an impressive average size of 17 inches and an incredible backdrop of the Andes Mountains, as well as perfect Patagonia bird habitat. Nant Y Fall is about 45 minutes from the lodge.

The Rio Corrientes is a small stream that flows into the Rio Grande. With over 30 miles of river to wade, the dry fly fishing for smaller fish on a light rod is a wonderful addition to your week. The Corrientes is approximately 30 minutes from the lodge.

The Rivadavia River is considered to be one of the most beautiful rivers in the world flowing into Lago Verde within Los Alerces National Park. The river has some spectacular sight fishing. With very limited wading, adventurous anglers may choose to jump out of the boat and fish a small spring creek flowing into the main river. The Rivadavia is home to rainbows, browns, brook trout, and landlocked salmon. The Rivadavia is about 1 ½ hours from the lodge.

The Arrayanes River is a short, slow deep stretch of river that offers some exciting early seaseon fly fishing. The most exciting method is to sight cast dry flies to cruising rainbows suspended just under the surface or pull streamers on sink tip lines for large browns. The Arrayanes River is roughly 1 ½ hours from the lodge.

There are a number of lakes and other rivers in the area anglers can enjoy as well. Be sure to speak with your guide to discuss your fly fishing preferences.

Non-Angling Activities:
There are a number of recreational activities for the enjoyment of non-angling guests including horseback riding, mountain biking, rafting, hiking, sightseeing in Los Alerces Park, boat trip (to view the Glaciers and Millenarian Alerces forest), visit to the Welsh Tea House, visit to the Nant Y Fall, ride to the museum on the Patagonia Express (La Trochita), and trip to Rosario Lake.

Accommodations and Meals:
Challhauquen Lodge offers six spacious, comfortable double guestrooms, each with private bath. All rooms face the Futaleufú River and feature views of the National Park and the Andeans on the horizon. The lodge offers comfortable common areas, a fully stocked bar, spa with sauna, Jacuzzi, Scottish shower, and personal massages with a view of the river and Andes Mountains. All rooms have direct access to the Futaleufú River and to the “dry-room” to change into and out of waders.

To complete the perfect fly fishing day, the chef of Challhuaquen Lodge has the skills to please international preferences or choose typical Patagonian dishes. Each meal is served in the dining room with impeccable presentation, and accompanied by the finest Argentinean wines.

Guests will also enjoy a Tango Show on the last night with stays of 5 nights or more.

Sample Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive Esquel and drive to the lodge.
Days 2-6: Fly Fish the local waters.
Day 7: Depart lodge.

“I can’t remember any lodge that exceeded the facilities and hospitality of this beautiful place.
I hated to leave”. Mel Krieger

Complete Trip Details