San Martin de los Andes:
This picturesque town sits in a valley surrounded by the Andes mountains and Lanín National Park, which boasts the 12,615-foot Lanín Volcano as its centerpiece. The area is an outdoor enthusiast's paradise, and hiking, rafting and climbing are a few of the possibilities, not to mention some of the best snow skiing in the Southern Hemisphere.
The town was founded in 1898 and the architecture has a definite European feel, with many of the buildings bearing touches of the Swiss, French, Italian and German immigrants who settled the land. The streets are lined with shops offering clothing, arts and crafts. Restaurants offer a sampling of fine cuisine from around the world.
Bariloche is a year-round outdoor paradise. Summer adventures include fly fishing for trout, rafting, hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding adventures. In the winter, skiing is a local pastime that is gaining popularity with skiers the world over. Likewise, lake excursions across the Nahuel Huapi provide access to spots that are unique in the world, such as the myrtle forest on Victoria Island.
The Fishing:
Brown trout, rainbow trout, brook trout, sea brown trout and landlocked Atlantic salmon live in our wonderful rivers and lakes. We fish the Quillén River, Malalco Spring Creek, Malleo River, Huaca Mamuil Creek, The Chimehuín River, Aluminé River, The Collón Cura River, Caleufu River, Traful River, and the Limay River.
Much of the water they fish is regulated fly-fishing only with strict catch and release policies. If you are interested in spin fishing please let us know in advance so that special arrangements can be made.
Catch and Release Policy:
All fish are released with the exception of those taken to eat on float trips. No killing of fish is permitted for take home or as a trophy. We will gladly help take pictures and measurements of any fish for an artificial reproduction.
Accommodations and Meals:
La Cheminée Inn is located on the corner of the main plaza in San Martin de los Andes, within walking distance of numerous shops and restaurants. The inn contains 18 double rooms and one suit. Amenities include cable TV and mini-bar in all units and a fireplace in some, as well as a sauna, outdoor heated pool and jacuzzi.
Estancia Arroyo Verde has been named "the finest fishing lodge in the world, period!" The lodge sits on the banks of the Rio Traful. The Rio Traful has all sorts of great fishing conditions for nymphing, dry fly fishing, and streamer fishing. Rainbows, browns, and landlocked salmon live in this river.
Estancia San Huberto, owned by the Olsen family, is a 25,000 acre estancia with access to over twenty miles of the world-famous dry fly stream, the Rio Malleo. This dry fly river is easily wadable and boasts some of the most frequent hatches in Patagonia. Anglers have sight fishing opportunities for bothi rainbows and browns mostly in the 14" to 20" range, with occasional browns reaching 24". The accommodations are lovely and the service is superb with five-course meals each night.
Estancia Tipiluke is a huge estancia (50,000 acres) that belongs to the Larminat family and is located on both shores of the medium reaches of the Chimehuín River, just below Junin de los Andes. Here we have access by private road to 20 miles of the Chimehuín and 6 miles of the Quilquihue. Anglers stay in a comfortable lodge that boards up to 12 fishermen in double bedrooms with private baths.
San Martin de los Andes 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.
2008 Rates:
$625 per person per day, based on double occupancy.
Included:
Accommodations with private room/bath, meals, wine, soft drinks, ground transfers from San Martin or Bariloche, floating trips, camping gear, and guiding.
Not Included:
Please note that this price does not include airfares, Buenos Aires hotels, Buenos Aires transfers, personal equipment, Hotel / dinner cost at La Cheminee in San Martin, bar drinks, staff and guide gratuities, and fishing licenses.
Argentina