PATAGONIA ON THE FLY

PATAGONIA ON THE FLY.

The best way to fly fish in San Martin de los Andes.

PATAGONIA ON THE FLY is excited to share with you some of the best rivers to fly fish around Northern Patagonia. With a home base located in San Martin de los Andes, POF offers you access to more than 6 rivers in the area and the privilege to stay in some of the finest Estancias with miles of private access to the best waters and wild trout. Your trip can be organized depending on your needs and the type of fishing you are looking for. Professionalism and flexibility are what we offer when we plan these unique fishing trips. Maximize the fishing with the best access to the rivers while you enjoy the prettiest views, landscape, Argentinian culture, food and wines. You will be fishing with friendly and professional guides who are fluent English speakers, locals from the area, and have been guiding for more than 10 years. They look forward to sharing all of their experience with you.

Stay on the finest estancias with the best waters and wild trout.

STAFF
Patagonia on the Fly Team

Nicolas Schinocca

founder / guide

Born in San Martin de los Andes. At the age of 11, he caught his first fish on a fly rod and since then has spent all of his summers fishing the amazing Patagonian rivers and lakes with his father and brothers. Fishing and skiing became his passion. A full-time fishing guide since 2008, Nico has always looked for new fishing areas to explore. Before joining the Ski Patrol at Chapelco, he used to guide on the Amazon for Golden Dorado during the winter months. A day with him on the river will be a blast and many bent rods.

tomas sordelli

founder / guide

Born in San Martin de los Andes. At the age of 7 he started fishing with his father and became a very passionate and enthusiastic fisherman. At 17, he flew to Tierra del Fuego to guide on the famous Rio Grande for the sea-run Brown Trout and after that he guided on the Ponoi River in Russia for several seasons. He is skillful at spey casting and an excellent fly-tyer. With more than 14 years guiding and many seasons in Russia, Tommy is guaranteed to provide good fishing and has extensive knowledge.

Pablo Schinocca

Logistic Coordinator

Born in San Martin de los Andes. Growing up there gave him the chance to be an outdoorsy person, riding bikes, skiing, hiking and fishing. Pablo was a ski instructor and worked in the US, Europe and New Zealand. He settled back home and managed a Lodge on the Alumine River for three years. Pablo´s work takes place primarily behind the scenes to guarantee that operations will run smoothly. He is flexible and a big help for POF.

Bryn Kelley

Marketing & Sales

A Colorado native, Bryn grew up fly fishing in the beautiful Rockies. After coming to Patagonia on holiday with her family for years, she decided to move here more permanently in November 2017, when she first met Nico. She has worked in various fields, from guiding at a guest ranch in Montana, to marketing for the outdoor industry, to most recently starting and operating a mobile bakery that guests can now enjoy on float days. Now she is excited to be part of the POF team taking care of bookings and guest relations.

LODGES

All the Estancias that we offer in our programs have the following amenities and extra activities:
Wi Fi • Gourmet food • Laundry Services • Massages • Jacuzzi • SPA • Free Bar • Hiking • Bird Watching • Horseback Riding

Lodge
SAN HUBERTO

The best option to fish the incredible Malleo River.

Lodge
ARROYO VERDE

The only way to fish the Traful River is staying at this ranch.

Lodge
ESTANCIA TRES LAGOS

The most spectacular scenery in northern Patagonia.

Lodge
COLLON CURA

Private access to the best section of the lower Collon Cura River.

Lodge
TRES RIOS

Private access to ten miles of the Chimehuin River.

Lodge
LIMAY

World class accommodations and international 5 stars cuisine.

Lodge
TIPILIUKE

Recognized as being one of the finest in the world.

Lodge
THE RIVER HOUSE

A perfect central location to nearly all of the best rivers in Northern Patagonia.

Lodge
ESTANCIA PILO LIL

The most attractive lodge around the Alumine area.

Lodge
ESTANCIA MAMUIL MALAL

One of the most authentic Patagonian experiences.

Lodge
ESTANCIA QUEMQUEMTREU

One of the largest estancias in Northern Patagonia.

RIVERS

Chimehuin
The Chimehuin river begins at the Huechulaufquen Lake with its famous mouth, which is well known for its many trophy fish, near the base of the Lanín Volcano. It runs for more than 40 miles until the confluence with the Collon Cura river. The river divides into the upper and lower sections; the lower Chimehuin is the most productive water to fish with some of the best mayfly and caddis hatches you can get. Willow-banks, riffles, and drop offs create great fishing conditions. The river fishes very well with every technique - dry fly, nymphing and streamers. You can fish this river from Estancia Tipiliuke, a five star fishing lodge, or you can do an overnight as well. PHOTO GALLERY »

Malleo
The Malleo begins at Lago Tromen, a freestone river well known for its dry fly fishing. It flows for approximately 35 miles into the Rio Alumine. The water goes from fast to slow moving, and offers easy wading conditions. Rainbows and browns run from 15 to 20+ inches. Staying at Estancia San Huberto - the Olsen family´s ranch - you will be able to fish miles of private access with the best water and the best hatches in all the area of Patagonia. Matching the hatch becomes essential. PHOTO GALLERY »

Caleufu
The Caleufu is one of the prettiest rivers in the area, especially the first day of floating. It begins as a mountain stream running through a canyon with unique rock formations, and it gradually gives way to an open valley in a desert environment. From the beginning of the season thru early January the river is floatable and offers great quality fishing. The Caleufu is the only river in the region that holds more browns than rainbows. It can be floated spending one or two nights camping depending on the guest´s preference. PHOTO GALLERY »

Collon Cura
The rio Collon Cura is the largest river in the area and offers different types of fishing depending on the time of the season that you are there. It´s well known for the minnow runs, willow worms and pancora crabs, you can also have some really interesting mayfly hatches. Early in the season, streamer fishing can be super fun. With many different channels, riffles, deep pools and cut banks, the Collon Cura is highly populated with both rainbows and browns. The best way to fish is staying at Estancia Collon Cura, with the fastest and easiest access to the river.
PHOTO GALLERY »

Alumine
Rio Alumine begins at Lago Alumine and runs for more than 80 miles before turning into the Collon Cura. Streamer fishing can be a good choice early in the season with high water, but later in the season, dry fly fishing can be very productive. The inch worms falling from the willows become an important meal for the hungry trout, making it the perfect time to find rainbows and big browns cruising under the willows tight to the banks. PHOTO GALLERY »

Filo Hua Hum
The Filo Hua Hum river runs for 10 miles, one of the shortest rivers in the area, located between two lakes (Lago Nuevo and Lago Filo Hua Hum) inside the Estancia Tres Lagos. The Filo is a very scenic river to fish, mainly for big browns. Sight fishing with big dry flies, like attractors and terrestrials, is the best way to fish this river. It's highly recommended for experienced anglers that enjoy challenging fishing since the fish are spooky and fly presentation is very important. The best time to fish here is December to late January. PHOTO GALLERY »

Limay
The Limay river is one of the best rivers in the world, and offers unique fly-fishing opportunities. It´s a tail-water fishery that flows out of Pichi Picun Leufu Dam, guaranteeing consistent flow, temperature, clarity and cleanliness of the water at all times, resulting in a large insect population. This constant food source supports a large healthy population of resident browns and rainbows. This huge river provides excellent fishing on dries, nymphs and streamers, with the possibility of catching trophy brown trout over thirty inches. We offer the opportunity to do two or three nights camping or staying at the brand new luxury Limay Lodge. PHOTO GALLERY »

Traful
The Traful river is not a river for numerous fish but certainly a river to catch a fish of a lifetime. In its crystal clear water, surround by an amazing valley, you will have the possibility to sight fish for trophy rainbows, browns, and landlocked salmon. Not a river for guests with little fishing experience, but for sure for those who like challenging fishing. Wading is the only option.
PHOTO GALLERY »

SPRING
The fishing season officially opens in Patagonia on Nov 1st.

Spring time is a great time to be here for those who like all types of fishing. The water is high and clear; the Andes Mountains will still be covered in snow, and the green valleys filled with wild flowers. Streamer fishing is a good option; fishing with sinking tips can be very productive during the day. At certain times of the day, twitching big dry flies can make the fish angry and aggressive. You will find hungry fish that haven´t seen a fly for a while and will chase your fly out from under the banks. In certain rivers, you can find rainbows feeding below the willows, which are easy to catch on dries. Temperatures are usually in the 70´s.

SUMMER
The most popular and chosen months for fishing.

The rivers are at the best water level and dry fly fishing is great. You will be fishing mayfly and caddis hatches during the morning, and in the afternoon, hoppers, beetles, ants, and crickets will make for a fun fishing day. The size of the tippet starts to matter, so 3x to 5x will be used. Temperatures are usually between the 70 to 90.

FALL
Fall colors in Patagonia are amazing

Tourism starts to decrease in the fall, and it is a great time to be in Patagonia. The days get cooler, which brings good mayfly hatches and trout start feeding on the surface again. Foam lines get a bunch of trout lined up looking towards the surface. Browns start to migrate back to the rivers to spawn, so the chances of a trophy brown increase. Fall colors in Patagonia are amazing and you will also see herds of red stag after a good day of fishing. Those who have the chance to come at this time of year will really understand the tranquility and beauty that this place has to offer. Temperatures are usually in the low 60´s.

PROGRAMS
Staying in the Estancias you will get to fish the best waters at the best time of the day.

PATAGONIA ON THE FLY will give guests the opportunity to plan their trip depending on the type of fishing they like most and their fishing experience. The variety of water is so extensive; rivers like the Chimehuin, Alumine, Collon Cura, Malleo, Caleufue and Limay offer some of the finest fishing in all of Patagonia, with great hatches of mayflies, caddis, stoneflies and incredible minnow runs, willow worms, terrestrials and pancora crabs. Guests can choose to spend their days fishing from drift boats or wading the productive waters. Staying in the Estancias, they will get to fish the best waters at the best time of the day, have short drives, which gives guests the opportunity to get back to the lodge if it´s necessary, and non-fishermen can enjoy the beauty these Estancias have combining days with hiking, horseback riding, bird watching, and more.

4 NIGHTS

3 1/2 days fishing

Day 1
Arrive at Chapelco Airport drive to Estancia
Fish the afternoon.
Day 2
Fish the river from Estancia access.
Day 3
Fish different section river from Estancia access.
Day 4
Fish different river from Estancia.
Day 5
Depart Chapelco Airport.

5 NIGHTS

4 1/2 days fishing

Day 1
Arrive at Chapelco Airport drive to Estancia 1.
Fish the afternoon.
Day 2
Fish the river from Estancia access.
Day 3
Check out and fish different section river from Estancia 1.
After fishing check in Estancia 2.
Day 4
Fish different river Estancia 2.
Day 5
Fish different section from Estancia 2.
Day 6
Depart Chapelco Airport.

6 NIGHTS

5 1/2 days fishing

Day 1
Arrive at Chapelco Airport drive to Estancia 1.
Fish the afternoon.
Day 2
Fish the river from Estancia access.
Day 2
Fish the river from Estancia access.
Day 4
Check out and fish different section river from Estancia 1.
After fishing check in Estancia 2.
Day 5
Fish different river Estancia 2.
Day 6 Fish different section from Estancia 2.
Day 7 Depart Chapelco Airport.

7 NIGHTS

6 1/2 days fishing

Day 1
Arrive at Chapelco Airport drive to Estancia 1.
Fish the afternoon.
Day 2
Fish the river from Estancia access.
Day 3
Check out and fish different section river from Estancia 1.
After fishing check in Estancia 2.
Day 4
Fish different river Estancia 2.
Day 5 Fish different section from Estancia 2.
Day 6 Fish different river Estancia 2.
Day 7 Depart Chapelco Airport.

8 NIGHTS

7 1/2 days fishing

Day 1 Arrive at Chapelco Airport drive to Estancia 1.
Fish the afternoon.
Day 2 Fish from Estancia access.
Day 3 Check out / Fish different section river Estancia 1.
Check in Estancia 2.
Day 4 Fish different river Est. 2
Day 5 Fish different section Est. 2
Day 6 Check out Estancia 2 and fish different river Est. 3.
Day 7 Fish different river Estancia 3.
Day 8 Fish different section Est.ancia 3.
Day 9 Depart from Chapelco Airport.

COMBO

Day 1 Arrive at Chapelco Airport and stay in San Martin de los Andes for one night.
Day 2 Overnight camp / fish on the Chimehuin river.
Day 3 Fish the lower Chimehuin. Drive 20 minutes to Collon Cura Lodge.
Day 4 Fish Collon Cura river from Estancia.
Day 5 Idem day 4
Day 6 Check out and drive to Limay River.
Night at Eagle Rock town.
Day 7 Fish Limay River. Drive back to SM. de los Andes.
Day 8 Depart from Chapelco Airport.

We also work with a top of the line team that makes travel as seamless as possible for guests.

Between flights, transportation and accommodations before arriving to San Martin de los Andes, guests will be taken care of from the moment they leave their home. Our team also has extensive knowledge about other destinations in Argentina if guests wish to travel beyond their time with us in Patagonia.

CONTACT • BOOK YOUR TRIP

USA OFFICE

RAINBOW VALLEY LODGE
4781 US Highway 287 North
Ennis, Montana 59729
Phone: 406-682-4264

ARGENTINA

SAN MARTIN DE LOS ANDES
Neuquen
Phone: +54 2944399830

mail us

get support via email
info@patagoniaonthefly.com

SOCIAL NETWORKS

Travel Requirements and Updates
Starting November 1st

• Travelers must be fully vaccinated at least 14 days prior to departure.
• Travelers must show a negative PCR test taken within 72hs prior to departure.
• COVID-19 insurance needs to be purchased prior departure. Available here, and with other providers.
• Argentine immigration authorities require that all travelers entering or exiting Argentina submit an electronic sworn statement within 48 hours before their arrival/departure.
The form is available here»
• Our team will assist guests in scheduling their PCR tests for return travel either at the lodge, or at a nearby test site.
• Quarantine will NOT be required for vaccinated travelers.
• All Patagonia On The Fly team members will be fully vaccinated.