The Rio Grande flows from East to West, from the Andes to the Atlantic Ocean, through 70 KM of Argentine territory. Located in the province of Tierra del Fuego, the nearest town is Rio Grande. The landscape of Tierra del Fuego is reminiscent of Wyoming or the Scottish Flow country. It is a sparsely populated wilderness. Large sheep farming estancias share this land with herds of wild llama-like guanacos, red foxes, and condors. The success of the fishery on the Rio Grande is a modern-day fisherman’s Cinderella story. In just a decade, through access control and the diligent promotion of catch and release, average catch results have risen remarkably. The second of the de las Carreras family lodges to open on Rio Grande after Kau Tapen, Villa Maria has offered small private groups exiting fishing on some of the most productive pools in the lower river since 1994. A very different fishery to Kau Tapen or Toon Ken on the upper river, Villa Maria is a double handed fishermen’s dream, enjoying the first crack of the whip at newly arrives sea trout. With friendly and dedicated house staff and guides, Villa Maria is very well suited to caring for small groups of friends or family groups.
Villa Maria Travel: To get to the Villa Maria Lodge, you will need to make reservations to and from Rio Grande, Argentina via Buenos Aires. The flight will take 3 hours. You will likely need to overnight in Buenos Aires before departing on a morning flight to Rio Grande. A lodge representative will meet you at the Rio Grande airport and transport you to the lodge in a four wheel drive vehicle. Transfer from the airport to the lodge by four wheel drive takes 20 minutes. The lodge is located in a renovated farm house within the working estancia Jose Menendez. The Main house is situated a short drive from the river.
Villa Maria Documentation:You will need a valid passport to enter Argentina!
Villa Maria Fishing Program:Guests will leave the lodge around 9 AM after breakfast each day, fishing until around 1 PM. Following lunch and the traditional siesta (the hours of which will depend on the season) guests return to the river between 5 and 6 PM and fish through until dusk. The first brown trout were stocked in Tierra del Fuego by John Goodall in 1935. Shipped from Puerto Montt in Chile, 60,000 “Salmo Trutta” eggs survived the arduous journey, to be planted on the Candelaria and McLennan Rivers, both tributaries of the Rio Grande. These fish eventually found their way to the sea, possibly attracted by the rich nourishment of the estuary. These sea-run brown trout now complete the yearly migratory cycle of salmonids, spawning during the summer months in freshwater. Salmo Trutta remain in the river for a period of time which ranges between 1 and 4 years until their first migration to the sea, where they will feed and grow for about 6 months before their first return to freshwater, weighing approximately 6 lbs. Researchers have found trout which had spawned more than 6 times. A trout which as completed 4 cycles of returning to freshwater can weigh over 20 lbs. The frequency with which they return to freshwater is also an indicator that the fish face very few threats. Whilst also providing a very real example of the benefits of Catch and Release. Guided are equipped with nets and will assist guests in weighing and releasing fish without damaging them.
Villa Maria Accommodations and Meals:Villa Maria Lodge was designed to offer anglers maximum comfort during their fishing trip, as well as easy accessibility to the pools. The lodge accommodates up to 6 guests and has a large living room that opens up to vistas of the Menendez Valley and Rio Grande Valley. There is a large fireplace and well stocked bar as well as a tackle shop and four guest rooms. Internet access and telephones are available to use. Villa Maria offers wonderful cuisine and fine dining based on local meats, fresh vegetable and delicious deserts. A traditional Asado (BBQ) will be held once during your stay, and you can sample different cuts of meat and wonderful salads. A full cooked breakfast will be available together with fresh fruits, yogurts, home baked breads and jams and a selection of cereals. Villa Maria’s cellars feature a wonderful selection of fine wines from the Luigi Bosca Bodega, which will be served during lunch and dinner.
Villa Maria Fish Species:Sea-run brown trout
Villa Maria Lodge Capacity:6 anglers
Villa Maria 2009 Rates:$6500 per week / per person.
Included:Lodging and meals, ground transportation from Ushuaia airport to lodge (round trip), cocktails, beer and wine with dinner, all fishing services including guiding, transportation, local licenses and permits where applicable, Buenos Aires transfers and hotel accommodations if elected as part of the package price.
Not Included: Airfare to Buenos Aires and Ushuaia, meals in Buenos Aires, personal equipment, staff and guide gratuities, Buenos Aires hotels and Buenos Aires transfers unless elected as part of the package price.
Argentina