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As the fly fishing season winds down for the northern hemisphere, things are just ramping up in Argentina. Many of the country’s lodges and outfitters operate from November through April, with some opening earlier and some later depending on conditions. We recently reached out to a handful of our Argentine lodge and outfitter partners to get a comprehensive outlook for the 2025 season. If you’ve been holding off on booking your Patagonia fishing trip, now is the time to make an informed decision based on current and projected conditions, and secure your preferred dates. Read along as we dive into several key regions of Argentina, including snowpack levels and when to expect the best fishing opportunities this season.

Northern Patagonia

The northern region of Patagonia comprises several legendary rivers such as the Limay, Chimehuin, Collon Cura, and the Malleo. It’s a diverse area that warrants touring the various fisheries with a seasoned outfitter, fishing a day or two on each River and staying at local lodges each evening. I recently spoke with Matias Aranguren of Chimehuin Safaris to get the inside scoop on Northern Patagonia and what we can expect for the 2025 fishing season.

This winter has brought heavy snowfall to the Limay River headwaters. Skiers are still able to access the Chapelco ski area as of this writing (ski areas typically close by September 20th). The weather around San Martin de los Andes has remained chilly, with high temperatures in the 50s and lows in the 30s Fahrenheit. Although the weather has been mostly sunny lately, heavy spring storms can further bolster the snowpack. Current fishing is limited to several beautiful lakes; the Lacar, the Nahuel Huapi, and the Huechulafquen, which opened to fishing on October 1st. Stillwater trout fishing has been a very productive game on subsurface leeches, streamers, and attractor nymphs.

Due to the healthy snowpack and relatively cool temps, Matias is expecting substantial runoff on the local freestones. October and November trips will largely be focused on the lakes and the middle and lower Limay tailwaters, which are less affected by swift, turbid flows. By mid-December flows will likely be receding throughout the region, opening up more river sections to productive fishing for hungry post-runoff trout. The latter half of December through January is expected to bring the best fishing conditions of 2025. With optimal water temperatures, abundant hatches, and flows conducive to floating and wading, January promises fantastic opportunities for anglers of all ages and ability - especially dry fly finatics.

Although it’s difficult to predict autumn conditions this early, a healthy snowpack generally bodes well for late season fishing in the Limay watershed. With the groundwater adequately charged from the spring melt, trout streams are supplemented by cool groundwater flows and natural springs. Diminished angling pressure leaves the rivers peacefully quiet, and lower flows make wade fishing more manageable.

A new regulation development this season is the ban of felt soles in Patagonia. As of last year, they were already banned in National Parks, but the ban now includes all state lands as well. If you’re unsure about the regulations for your fishing destination, reach out to us for more detailed information.

Overall, it's shaping up to be a fantastic fly fishing season in Northern Patagonia. Healthy snowpack and cooler spring temps mean a prolonged season of ideal trout fishing conditions. We expect the best hatches and dry fly fishing to fall between late December and the entire month of January, but this highly diverse region can offer solid fishing throughout the entire season.

Bariloche Region

Situated in Nahuel Huapi National Park, Rio Manso Lodge is a haven for stillwater anglers as well as non-angling companions. The region’s lakes are home to strong populations of wild Brook Trout and Rainbow Trout, with interconnected river sections which hold wiley Brown Trout. For groups or families who like to combine fishing with other adventure activities, the lodge offers horseback riding, bird watching, and trekking tours, allowing for further exploration of the lush mountainous terrain. We spoke with Francisco Mariani of Rio Manso Lodge for an update on the upcoming fishing season as well as recent happenings at the lodge.

The central and southern drainages of the Andes received considerable amounts of snow this winter, which was great news for the Bariloche region ski areas. Unlike other fisheries in Argentina, above average snowpack is less impactful on Rio Manso Lodge’s fishing operations due to a strong focus on the exceptional lake fishing in the area. Francisco anticipates a typical year in terms of water conditions and hatches. For dry fly aficionados, this means the early season is the time to go - November and December will offer the best Dragonfly hatches of the season. If you’ve never experienced a big early-season Brook Trout smashing a huge dry fly, it’s an experience not to be missed. 

By mid-season (January and February) Francisco expects to see prime river conditions, consistent lake fishing, and overall pleasant weather for non-angling excursions. This is a great time for families who want to experience the peak summertime scenery and escape the bitter cold of northern latitudes.

The fall months of March and April generally offer great streamer fishing throughout the drainage, especially for Brook and Brown Trout as they feed more aggressively in preparation for the long alpine winter. 

Repeat guests of Rio Manso Lodge will be delighted to find the operation in tip-top condition for opening week, including the addition of a new lake boat in their fleet. Francisco also shared news of a new lodge property that was recently acquired. Although it’s still in the initial stages of development, we’re excited to learn about what’s in store for Rio Manso and the potential for a new location in the coming months!

We’re looking forward to great conditions at Rio Manso this season, from early season dry fly sessions to throwing sinking lines for fat Brookies in the fall. The guides and staff are excited to greet friends old and new, and create new memories together in 2025. If you’ve been looking for a scenic Patagonian escape with a laid-back atmosphere and solid fly fishing opportunities, we’d encourage you to secure your week at Rio Manso Lodge while availability lasts. 

Jurassic Lake

There’s no place on earth quite like Jurassic Lake for consistently producing large, high-quality Rainbow Trout. 10 pound fish are the norm, with 15 to 20 pound specimens landed with regularity. Jurassic Lake Lodge boasts the best access to the 27,000-acre lake and its primary tributary, Rio Barrancoso. Lodge guests have unparalleled access to the most productive bays, points, and lower river sections, oftentimes only a short walk or drive from the lodge. I recently spoke with lodge owner Carlos Casanello to get his insights on snowpack conditions and new developments for 2025 at Jurassic Lake Lodge.

Like much of Patagonia, the Rio Barrancoso watershed received significant snowfall this winter. Carlos expects a heavy runoff in the river, beginning late in October and continuing through November and into December. Contrary to conventional thinking, higher flows are actually beneficial on the lower Rio Barrancoso, bringing hoardes of trophy-sized Rainbow Trout into the river system from the lake to feed. Guests in the early season (October through January) can expect to find abundant concentrations of trout in the river, the mouth, and the surrounding bays.

As the season progresses into February and March, rainfall and an adequately charged aquifer should continue to provide above average flows for the river. Large, hungry rainbows can still be successfully targeted in the Barrancoso and in several named bays and points of Jurassic Lake.

Although it's one of the most remote fishing destinations in South America, getting to Jurassic Lake Lodge is getting easier this year. The charter flight service has resumed for 2025, operating weekly from El Calafate. This service significantly reduces travel time, offering a quick 1-hour flight directly to the lodge. Guests can opt for the flight at a fixed rate of $410 per guest per flight every Saturday, which aligns with the lodge’s regular full-week program. The flight is also available by request on other days at a fixed rate of $4,190 per flight, to be split among passengers who opt in. For guests who prefer ground travel, the road to Jurassic Lake Lodge has seen continued improvements this year, with the trip from El Calafate now taking about 5-6 hours. The ground transfer is included in package rates.

Another exciting development is the expansion of the lodge structure. By November of 2024, the main living room area will be doubled in size, and a new fly shop and restroom will be added. There are plans in motion to add additional guest rooms in the future, with the goal of making private room accommodations the standard option. Lastly, the lodge recently installed Starlink internet, and it has been working very well so far. This is great news for guests who need to stay in touch with family or colleagues throughout the week.

The 2025 season outlook is very positive for Jurassic Lake Lodge. With an abundant snowpack to provide healthy river flows all season, fishing for world-class trophy Rainbow Trout is expected to be outstanding. With improved transfer logistics and several lodge upgrades, the controllable details are being handled with guest satisfaction in mind.

Tierra Del Fuego

For spey fishermen who live to chase big anadromous salmonids, Tierra del Fuego in Southern Argentina is the promised land. The Rio Grande River is home to a remarkable return of trophy Sea Run Brown Trout, offering a veritable playground for traveling anglers from November through April. Estancia Maria Behety Lodge and La Villa de Maria Behety Lodge are the two premier lodges on the Rio Grande. With private access to 32 miles of the river and a rotating beat system, everyday promises opportunities for fish over 10 pounds, with behemoths weighing over 25 pounds caught throughout the season. We reached out to lodge manager Ropo Gimenez Zapiola for his seasonal outlook to find out what we can expect from this amazing fishery in 2025.

The Rio Grande River drainage has experienced substantial snow accumulation this winter, similar to other regions of Patagonia and western Argentina. This above-average snowfall bodes well for water levels later in the fishing season and could lead to a longer period of productive dry fly fishing.

Opening week in early November will likely bring high, swift flows. Ropo explains that the early season presents a unique challenge for anglers, requiring heavier lines and longer casts than usual. It’s a more rigorous experience for those seeking a true test of skill, however the rewards are equally more gratifying. There is also the exciting possibility of landing a Chinook Salmon in November, adding to the allure of fishing in the spring.

By late December, flows are expected to subside and give way to the beginning of dry fly season. Surface fly techniques should be in full effect by January, with flows stabilized at a medium level. This is widely considered one of the best opportunities in the world to witness a massive Brown Trout slurp a skating dry fly. If conditions are windy or fish aren’t looking up, swinging and dead-drifting nymphs can be extremely productive in January and February.

Ropo expects excellent conditions to extend into the late season as well, offering great flows for accessing the named pools and runs in the lower and middle Rio Grande. Autumn is arguably the most underrated part of the season, but it can deliver some of the biggest fish of the year.

We’re anticipating solid conditions for Tierra Del Fuego in 2025. With above average flows providing excellent habitat for returning fish, anglers will have more opportunities to encounter the fish of a lifetime. The guides and staff at Estancia Maria Behety are prepared to welcome back their cherished guests, and introduce new faces to their historic lodge and remarkable fishery.

More Resources

The Ultimate Argentina Fly Fishing Guide

Questions?

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