San Martin de Los Andes Region
Argentina
Founded in 1898, the picturesque town of San Martin de los Andes in Patagonia is perhaps the epicenter of Argentina’s finest wild trout fly fishing. Surrounded by the Andes and Lanin National Park, this area of Patagonia is an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise, and the ultimate hub from which to experience a classic Argentine trout fly fishing adventure. We have relationships with many of the estancias and find custom, multi-destination itineraries to be the preferred method of experiencing all that this Patagonia region has to offer.
Some of our favorite trout fisheries include the Malleo River out of Estancia San Huberto, the Chimehuin out of Estancia Tipiliuke, and the Collon Cura out of Turner’s Estancia Collon Cura. With our vast resources and intimate knowledge of the region, we look forward to creating a custom estancia itinerary for you that takes into account your angling and non-angling preferences, budget, and time constraints.
Location:
The San Martin region in Patagonia is approximately a three hour flight south of Buenos Aires. The estancias are all within a half hour to two hours driving distance from the town of San Martin de los Andes.
San Martin de los Andes is a picturesque town which sits in a valley surrounded by the Andes mountains and Lanín National Park, boasting the 12,615-foot Lanín Volcano as its centerpiece. This area in Patagonia is an outdoor enthusiast's paradise and hiking, rafting and climbing are available, 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 and many of the buildings reflect 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.
Estancia Tipiliuke:
Originally established as a cattle ranch in 1909, Estancia Tipiliuke is surrounded by a wonderfully diverse garden and the grandeur of the mountainous 40,000 acre Cerro de los Pinos Estancia. This classic estancia brings comfort and private fly fishing access to productive stretches of the Chimehuin and Quilquihue rivers.
Fishing Program:
The property stretches nine miles along the Chimehuín river and also along the Quilquihue river. Both are known worldwide for their fish and the magnificence of their waters. The Chimehuin and Quilquihue rivers are fly fished exclusively by wading on the property. Most fish are rainbow trout, however brown trout can also be found in these systems. Fish range in size from 15-20 inches, while 21-24 inch fish are also present. The lodge limits the number of anglers to 14 on the property. The season runs from the beginning of November through the end of May.
Accommodations and Meals:
Estancia Tipiliuke is a traditional stone-constructed house with wood paneled interior surrounded by a beautiful garden.
The classic main house combines the magnificent 90 year old original stone-wood architecture with a modern, warm and cozy setup. Nine fully remodeled bedrooms with private bathrooms, a big dining room with fireplace, living room, sauna and a beautiful wood bar are part of the elegant environment Tipiliuke offers. All of the common areas have WIFI available.
The "Mayal" is another house which can be rented as a single unit. The house has three bedrooms with private bathrooms and two additional bedrooms which share a bathroom. All accommodations have 220 volts electrical current, telephone and WIFI internet.
Excellent country-style meals are thoughtfully paired with fine local wines. The lodge’s bilingual staff and reputation for specialized service makes this classic estancia a favorite for serious anglers and non-anglers alike.
Estancia San Huberto:
The Olsen family owns this pristine cattle-farming ranch that was created in 1890. Estancia San Huberto is 34 miles NW of Chapelco Airport and 18 miles NW of Junín de los Andes. The Olsen family owns and operates the Estancia which overlooks the upper reaches of the famous Malleo River. San Huberto has a very friendly atmosphere which tastefully combines simplicity and sophistication. The lodge is classic yet comfortable for anglers and non-anglers alike.
Fishing Program:
The upper Malleo River offers a rich combination of pocket water, glassy runs, and green fish filled pools. The Malleo River is revered by dry fly anglers and is easily wadable. It also boasts some of the most frequent hatches in Patagonia. Anglers have sight fishing opportunities for both rainbows and browns mostly in the 14" to 20" range, with occasional browns reaching 24". The numbers of anglers are limited to a maximum of 12, to ensure the conservation of the natural resource.
Accommodations and Meals:
The lodge has both single and double rooms and can host up to 16 guests. Each room is equipped with phone and internet WI-FI. The main lodge has a main living room with library, fire place, dining room, hot tub with Jacuzzi, and an open bar. Laundry and massages are also available for guests. Every Sunday night, an asado (Argentinean Barbecue) with empanadas is served by local "Gauchos" at the barn.
Carmen Olsen and her team ensure that their local delicacies and international fare is of the highest quality. All meals are prepared with fresh or organically grown ingredients, most of which are from their property or surrounding region.
Non-anglers can enjoy birding, golf, and hiking on and off of the Estancia.
Estancia Collon Cura:
Fishing Program:
Estancia Collon Cura is located equidistant from both San Martin and Bariloche, roughly 1 hour.
The Collon Cura River is created by the converging of three well known tributaries; Malleo, Alumine and Chimehuin rivers. This willow lined river offers miles of inviting habitat for trout. This large river has deep, slow pools, shallow and flat runs, long cut banks, riffles, countless channels and small lagoons, which support healthy populations of rainbows and browns. Fish run between 14 and 22 inches and most of your fishing is done from the boat or raft. In January and early February some anglers can enjoy the “inch worm fall” as well as wonderful terrestrial and big attractor fishing along the banks. Usually during February, March and April a big migration of minnows floods the river, and big browns and rainbows attack them in schools. Collon Cura Lodge offers more than 25 miles of private access water.
Accommodations and meals:
The lodge is simple yet comfortable, peaceful and pleasant. The guest house has a variety of guest rooms as well as the main lodge complete with living room, bar and dining room. The Lodge offers 4 comfortable double rooms with private bathroom and will accommodate a maximum of 8 anglers.
The meals are a combination of homemade style dinners and wonderful picnic lunches, complemented with fresh vegetables from their own garden and fine Argentine red wines.
Sample Custom Estancia Itinerary:
Day 1: Depart home.
Day 2 arrive Buenos Aires
Day 3 Depart for San Martin de los Andes or Bariloche airport and transfer to Estancia Tipiliuke for half day of fishing.
Day 4 Fish Chimehuin Full day
Day 5 Fish Morning session on Chimehuin and transfer mid day to Estancia San Huberto on Malleo River for another half day of fishing
Day 6: Full day guided fishing on Malleo.
Day 7: Fish AM on Malleo and depart for Estancia Collon Cura for a half day of fishing
Day 8: Fish full day on Collon Cura River
Day 9: Fish half day on Collon Cura and depart for airport.
"The fishing was great, the lodge and people were nice, and scenery was fantastic! I caught between 15 and 20 fish per day, mostly rainbows and a few browns, both wading and floating on a raft. All the fish I caught were between 14" and 20," most were in the 16" to 18" range. I would love to go back again."
R.C., CA
Complete Trip Details
