San Martin de los Andes / Argentina
Tailwaters Fly Fishing TravelARGENTINA FLY FISHING
PRG North is the sister program to the Lodge at Trevelin offering an incredible array of lodging and fishing opportunities in the renowned San Martin and Junin de los Andes Region. This region allows for both flexibility with the desired length of your trip and the creativity to mix and match lodges, rivers, and geographies. This allows for a very customizable experience.
This northern Patagonia fishery is home to some of the oldest and most established and celebrated estancias in the country. From the genuine working polo or sheep ranch to the super polished luxury lodge, PRG North guides out of a half dozen estancias in the region. We will assist in matching your group with the best lodges that match your needs and expectations in accommodations, non-angling activities, and fishing style.
The area offers one of the most diverse river systems in all of Patagonia and without a doubt the best dry fly fishing because the waters are rich with bug life. Like all of PRG’s signature programs, PRG North provides the finest equipment, gear, tackle, guides, and service that have set them apart for more than ten years, and PRG North has talented professional guides to host each adventure.
PRG North offers classic stays at area estancias and combining two or more is highly recommended. Every PRG North trip is custom designed based on the guest’s desires for accommodation, fishing choices, non-angling activities, and skill level. Trips as short as three days fishing are possible from November 1st to June 1st, and any estancia stay can be combined with unique wilderness camp trips better known as PRG Unplugged.
Location: San Martin de los Andes, Argentina
Species: Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout
Seasonality: November - May
Rates: from $6,650, $6,650 - $8,750 Per Person for 7 Nights / 6 Days (shorter stays available)
The San Martin area fished by PRG North reminds anglers more of Montana than any other fishing region in Argentina. Every river in the area without exception flows to meet the Limay River and eventually meets the Atlantic Ocean. Each river offers classic riffles and pools over long distances, and provides some of the best dry fly fishing in Patagonia. These Mapuche Indian named rivers are much easier to fish than pronounce, and offer variety depending on the valley they flow through. Some, like the Malleo, Filo, and Traful, are strictly waded, while others, like the Chimihuin, Alumine, Collon Cura, and Limay, are best fished from PRG’s drift boats.
Many of the northern rivers have daily hatches, and consistent dry fly fishing is the norm. Most of the best waters are on private estancias protected by large tracks of land, but just about anywhere you can get to the water will produce beautiful rainbows and brown trout. In addition, the area is beautiful and the town of San Martin de los Andes is one of the most charming towns in all of South America, an ideal location to base a fly fishing adventure.
Episode 11: Fly Fishing Argentina | Tailwaters Podcast on Argentinas best fly fishing destinations
Guests of PRG North are encouraged to visit multiple estancias. This allows you to enjoy access to new water and have a change of scenery. If a week is not enough, combine multiple venues ranging from the Estancias up north to Trevelin as well as Rio Pico.
Every fly fishing trip booked by Tailwaters Travel to PRG is custom designed for the angler based on their desires; and because they have several lodging and fishing choices, we can easily match each guest with exactly what they want. Changes can easily be made to schedules depending on conditions and desires when guests arrive. Some may choose to repeat a river or venue, some may choose to do more floating or wading, and some may choose to take a day to enjoy non-fishing activities.
View brochure for complete descriptions of the primary lodges in the PRG North Region.
Patagonia River Guides has a great deal to offer in addition to world-class fly fishing. Non-fishing guests or those who simply want to take a day off from fishing can enjoy relaxing around the lodge or choose from a variety of guided activities, including: walking, hiking, or biking in or around Patagonia’s national parks, horseback riding on one of the area estancias, bird watching with an ornithologist, massage and holistic healing activities with professional therapist, whitewater rafting or scenic float trips, area cultural tours, shopping for local arts, crafts, and gifts, visits across the border to Chile, and on-site cooking classes.
Non-fishers are just as important as the fishermen, and a complete itinerary will be prepared with as few or as many activities as the non-fisher would like. Please contact us for a complete schedule and options for non-fishing programs.
Before you book
Tailwaters Travel must adhere to the cancellation policies of the guides, outfitters and lodges which it represents. Patagonia River Guides’ policy follows: A non-refundable 50% deposit is required to secure all reservations. Final balance is due 90 days prior to departure. All deposits are non-refundable unless clients can be replaced. Full payment may be transferred to another guest for original dates. PRG reserves the right to charge a handling fee of $500 per person for date changes after initial reservation has been made. No credits or refunds are given for fishing time lost due to inclement weather. Refunds of deposits/payments made on credit cards will be charged a 3.5% service charge to fully compensate Tailwaters Travel for all bank charges incurred. Receipt of deposit and/or final payment is acknowledgement that registrant has read and accepts the cancellation, refund and responsibility clauses.
Given the strict cancellation and refund policies associated with nearly all fishing packages, we cannot stress enough the importance of obtaining travel insurance to protect your investment. Redpoint Travel Protection / Ripcord offers competitive medical/cancellation/interruption coverage to couple with their industry-leading medical evacuation services. Click here to learn more and contact us to generate a quote.
Guests travel to Buenos Aires via direct overnight flight from several U.S. cities including New York, Miami, Houston, and Dallas/Ft. Worth International airports — arriving into Buenos Aires the following morning.
Guests traveling straight through then gather their luggage, clear customs, and are met by a driver who transfers the group across town to the Domestic Airport (AEP) for the flight to Bariloche or San Martin de los Andes (depending on itinerary and fishing program) aboard Aerolineas Argentinas. Most travelers elect to spend the day and evening in Buenos Aires prior to departing for Patagonia the following morning. If you have the time, B.A.’s nightlife, restaurants, museums, culture, and shopping are well worth the effort. This is a great way to break up the two legs of the journey, do some sightseeing, and recharge your batteries.
Tailwaters uses a very reliable local travel agent who lends a hand with domestic air travel as well as customs assistance and chauffeur service that provides ground transfers for all our clients in Buenos Aires. They can also facilitate reservations at all the nicest hotels in Buenos Aires, and can also lend a hand with restaurant reservations, city tours, and other side trips.
PRG North’s season is November 1 - mid May.
There really is no “best time” to go - just nuances with weather to consider. The fishing season officially opens in Argentine Patagonia on November 1st. November has a springtime feel to it with snow still on the mountains and the wildflowers blooming.
December should be considered a prime South American summer month for anglers, and oftentimes the rivers are in the best shape of the season.
Summer (January - mid March) is the most popular season for fishing and tourism in Patagonia. Kids are on vacation and tourists abound. The weather is the best this time of the year with the warmest temperatures.
Fall (March 15 - May) is the favorite of many anglers, and it is a great time to visit Patagonia. Summer tourist traffic drops off completely and anglers once again have a vast wilderness to themselves with autumn leaves changing and cooler temperatures.
Contact Tailwaters
Contact our travel team to discuss dates, availability and a trip to Patagonia River Guides North.
Trip details and availability are confirmed with the travel team.
San Martin de los Andes, Argentina
Our Argentina Trout collection of gear, flies, tackle, clothing and accessories has been thoughtfully curated by our team of professionals that know exactly what is needed for a productive trip below the equator. Whether it is in-store, online, or through a virtual outfitting appointment, we would love to lend a hand getting your gear organized for a trip to Argentina.
Argentina is the perfect destination for trout enthusiasts, but anglers traveling south should understand the seasonality and pack accordingly. The month of your travel will dictate fishing techniques, fly box assortments, and the apparel you should pack to stay comfortable on the water. We are here to help you streamline and maximize your packing list.
