Villa Maria Lodge 

Argentina

Under the same ownership as Kau Tapen, Villa Maria is the ultimate hub from which to access the riches of the lower Rio Grande. With elegant historic, overnight accommodations at the main estancia and a fabulous little riverfront facility for lunches and the mid-day siesta, this represents yet another outstanding Argentine fly fishing option on a river that knows no equal.

Location:
Villa Maria Lodge sits on the lower Rio Grande in the Tierra del Fuego region of Argentina.

Fishing Program:
Guests will leave the lodge around 9 AM after breakfast each day, fly fishing until around 1 PM. Following lunch at the streamside mini-lodge, anglers will enjoy a traditional siesta (the hours of which will depend on the season) with guests returning to the river between 4 and 6 PM to fly fish until dark. Please be sure to bring your headlamp!

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.

Fisheries:
The Rio Grande flows from West to East, from the Andes to the Atlantic Ocean, through 70 KM of Argentine territory. Located in the province of Tierra del Fuego and the nearest town is Rio Grande. The landscape of Tierra del Fuego is reminiscent of Wyoming or the Scottish low 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.

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.

Sample Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive in Buenos Aires and overnight
Day 2: Travel by air to Rio Grande. Transfer to lodge.
Days 3-8: Full days of guided fishing
Day 9: Depart lodge.

Complete Trip Details