Just north of the Straits of Magellan, in southeastern-most Argentina flows the incomparable Rio Gallegos. For many a seasoned rod, this lovely, low-gradient system and the charming Las Buitreras Lodge that serves it represent the pinnacle sea trout experience. The reasons are many, beginning with that fact that the international and eclectic cast of anglers that visit the lodge are essentially the only anglers on the entire system. Add to that huge beats of well-rested water, incredible wildlife, some of Argentina’s most skilled guides, and a chance at some of the largest and best-fighting sea trout in the world, and it is easy to see why Las Buitreras Lodge has so deeply endeared itself to the river’s many followers.

The 290,000-acre Estancia Las Buitreras has private access to nearly 25 miles of the most prolific beats of the Rio Gallegos, consisting of 50 named pools on both sides of the river. The lodge itself is full of rustic charm and modern conveniences. It features seven comfortable rooms, traditional camp styling, a large veranda, a spacious wind-protected courtyard, a fully stocked beer and wine bar, and a beautiful, covered terrace complete with a stone grill where weekly classic Argentine asados are hosted.

The beauty of the Gallegos watershed is otherworldly, and it’s likely for guests to find themselves fishing alongside silver foxes, guanacos, rheas, flamingos, and wild horses. Fishing for the mighty sea-run browns of the Rio Gallegos can be very challenging, and as a result, incredibly rewarding. Here, with highly skilled guides, the warm charm of the Argentinean culture and the extreme beauty of this pristine and unpressured system, guests find themselves having the trip of a lifetime year after year.

Like Atlantic salmon and steelhead, sea-run browns are most active early and late in the day. At Las Buitreras the fishing hours are scheduled accordingly, providing the best angling opportunity. The guides and staff are quite flexible about the timing for fishing sessions and meals, but a typical day at Las Buitreras starts with breakfast at 7:00 AM. Anglers depart for the river around 8:30 AM and fish until shortly after noon. After a robiust in lodge lunch time is allotted for relaxing and a siesta. Starting at 4:30 PM, tea is served, and anglers depart for the river at roughly 5:00 PM with sandwiches, soup, and fresh fruit. When fishing is over for the day and true darkness has fallen, anglers return to the lodge where a buffet-style dinner awaits. This "split-shift" angling schedule is typical of lodges in Tierra del Fuego and southern Argentina, which enables guests to get the most out of their fishing week. It is not unusual to fish through the evening hours into darkness so don’t forget a headlamp!

All the guides speak good English and are talented instructors, casters, and anglers. Guests can use single-handed or two-handed fly rods as most of the time it’s a matter of personal preference. Depending on the particular pool or water conditions, anglers will find themselves swinging flies in a traditional manner or more likely imparting motion to the fly by stripping the line in. In faster water or when the wind picks up, two-handed rods work great, although many times single-handers are preferred as they can provide for a more stealthy approach. Traditional Atlantic salmon and steelhead flies can work well in most cases. Typical trout flies are also good to have on hand including those like the Muddler Minnow, Bitch Creek nymph, Yuk Bug, egg-sucking leech or various Wooly Buggers. When the water is stained from rain and runoff, bigger tube flies and leeches can also be good.

The lodge at Las Buitreras is furnished with traditional “campo” style antiques and was completely renovated and updated with new heating, water, electrical, and gas systems. The wine cellar houses a fantastic selection from the Mendoza and San Juan regions of Argentina. Cerveza Isenbeck is a local beer and is always on hand. A large veranda, a spacious wind protected courtyard, a large fixed stone grill and a beautiful terrace for outdoor barbecues are all hallmarks of Las Buitreras. The lodge can accommodate up to 12 anglers in eight guest rooms.

Meals are represented by an eclectic mix of local cuisine and international fare. The traditional Argentinean asados (BBQ) will show guests what beef is all about!

Thursday: Depart home

Friday: Arrive Buenos Aires and overnight

Saturday: Fly from Buenos Aires to Rio Gallegos and transfer to the lodge

Sunday - Friday: Six full days of guided fishing on the Rio Gallegos

Saturday: Depart the lodge. Fly to Buenos Aires and connect with your return overnight flight to the States.

Sunday: Arrive home

2025 Rate: Per person based on double occupancy

• 7 night/6 day package: $7,990

Included: Meals and accommodations at the lodge, transfers to/from lodge and Rio Gallegos, laundry, wine and beer, and guided fishing

Not Included: International and domestic airfare, fishing tackle, flies, and equipment, alcohol, and gratuities

Species: Sea run brown trout

Season: January – April

Capacity: 12 anglers

Who is best suited to this destination? Experienced anglers who enjoy the challenges and rewards of technical sea trout fishing. This is a place where stealth and good casting skills make a difference.

Where is the lodge? The lodge is in southern Argentina 45 minutes outside the city of Rio Gallegos.

How do I get there? Guests arrive in Buenos Aires on a Friday and overnight. On Saturday, you take a mid-afternoon flight from Buenos Aires to Rio Gallegos. A representative of the lodge will meet you at the airport and transfer you 45 minutes to the lodge.

When should I go? January through mid-April.

How will I fish? At Las Buitreras, anglers’ fish two per guide on a split day schedule, fishing two 4- to 5-hour sessions, punctuated by an extended mid-day break for lunch and a siesta. The beat rotation schedule is set up where each guide works the same beat all week and guests rotate beats (and guides) each session. This system allows every angler to fish each beat twice, one morning session and one afternoon session, with the same guide each week. Anglers are advised to bring single-handed rods for low water conditions and two-handed rods for high water and windy conditions. Swinging and twitching relatively small nymphs on intermediate lines is a very popular technique. There are also times when larger streamers and dry flies are very effective.

Is there wade fishing? Guests wade fish 100% of the time.

Where will I fish? Las Buitreras has private access to nearly 25-miles of river consisting of 50 named pools on both sides of the Rio Gallegos.

How long does it take to reach the fishing grounds? Travel times to fishing areas are quite short and range from 2-30 minutes.

What type(s) of fish will I catch? Sea run brown trout are the target species, but anglers frequently catch healthy numbers of resident brown trout as well.

How many fish will I catch? Catch rates vary greatly by day, week and by the angler. The lodge keeps good records of catch rates and across the years, anglers have averaged nine fish landed per week.

Will I see other anglers? No. Guests will not see any other anglers outside of Las Butreras guests.

What are the guides like? The guides are friendly and professional and are some of the most experienced sea trout guides in Argentina. They work as a team to ensure each guest gets the most out of their fishing week at Buitreras. The guides and lodge staff speak varying degrees of English. We’ve found that the veteran guides and staff all speak great English, whereas some of the new guides and lodge staff have a more limited English vocabulary, but still do a fine job carrying out basic conversational and fishing English.

What are the physical demands? With short walks from the truck to the river and easy wading there are no physical demands worth noting.

Are there any special skills required? Be prepared to cast in the wind. Although the Rio Gallegos can be fished with single-handed fly rods, it’s good to be proficient in two-handed casting techniques (particularly a snake roll off your left shoulder) so you can efficiently cover lots of water, especially on windy days. Casting quietly with a single-handed rod is also very beneficial.

Does the lodge provide equipment? The lodge has a selection of quality rod and reel outfits available to guests for a daily/weekly fee. There is a small fly shop in the lodge that carries a good selection of productive flies, leaders, tippet, fly lines, and logo apparel for guests.

What is your favorite setup for the trip? A 9- to 10-foot, single-handed 7- or 8-weight and a light, 11- to 13-foot 7- or 8-weight Spey rod with a Scandi style head will cover most of the water and conditions. It’s also a good idea to have a heavier two-handed rod in the 7- to 8-weight class for Skagit and sink tip work during high water conditions or to load heavier Scandi heads when punching long casts on windy days.

What are the top flies? Small nymphs with rubber legs on stout hooks, such as prince nymphs and girdle bugs, and larger black flies for the last light in the evening session.

What are the options if water conditions become challenging? Wind is a constant and should be expected. This is a fishing focused lodge and the guides put you on promising pools that fish well under a wide range of conditions.

What is a typical day like? Fishing days are split sessions. Typical day starts early with breakfast at 7:00AM, then depart for a 5 – 30-minute transfer to the morning's pools. Around mid-day return to the lodge for lunch and siesta. Evening sessions begin around 5:00PM and last through about 10:00PM, fishing into dark. Dinner can be after midnight.

What is the general vibe, atmosphere, and style of the lodge? The lodge maintains a relaxed and fun atmosphere in an upscale and remote setting.

Is there an on-site owner, manager, or other point-person at the lodge? There is always an owner, manager, and/or point person on-site and available to take care of guests’ needs. Additionally, the lodge owner or general lodge manager sits with guests at lunch and dinner and hosts the nightly post-fishing happy hour to assure guests are comfortable and have a good time.

Where do we eat, and what are the meals like? Lunch is the “big” meal of the day and is served at the lodge between fishing sessions, whereas dinner is a lighter and more casual meal consisting of filling and plentiful finger foods served couch-side in the lounge area after guests return from fishing late in the evening.

What is the alcohol policy? Beer and wine are included, and spirits are available at an additional expense.

Where do we stay, and what are the accommodations like? The lodge is spacious, tastefully decorated, and offers a well-balanced blend of modern conveniences with old world Argentine charm. The lodge’s first floor has one large, open room which serves as the guest lounge, a meeting area and dining room, a small fly shop, and a hallway with hooks for drying waders and jackets. Outside the main lodge entry is a large, covered veranda with chairs for donning waders and plenty of racks and hooks for storing waders and rods. Guests stay on the second floor of the lodge in the seven private guest rooms. The lodge is powered by a generator which runs during the day when guests are at the lodge and is shut off while guests are sleeping, from roughly 11:00PM to 7:00AM. Each room has its own battery-powered lantern to use when the power is off, but it is also helpful to bring your own headlamp.

Is there internet and/or cell service? There is no cellular service, but they do have a fast internet connection with Wi-Fi access.

Are there other activities? No.

Are there any other expenses? Fishing licenses, any special transfers, and gratuities.

Do I need a visa? No. Argentina no longer requires a reciprocity fee or visa. Guests must have a valid passport that expires no less than six months prior to the trip date.

Are there any health concerns, dangers, or annoyances? We recommend that guests always consult with the US Department of State and the Center for Disease Control websites for general travel information and guidelines.