Argentina
Estancia Maria Behety Lodge
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Trip Summary
Estancia Maria Behety Lodge offers dedicated anglers extensive private access to the middle and lower Rio Grande, one of the world’s most established fisheries for large sea-run brown trout. Located on a historic working estancia in Tierra del Fuego, the program accommodates just 12 anglers and rotates pairs through more than 100 named pools with experienced, English-speaking guides. Long morning and evening fishing sessions are complemented by comfortable accommodations, traditional Argentine cuisine, and a relaxed lodge atmosphere overlooking the surrounding pampas.
Who's It For?
Private access to the middle and lower Rio Grande
Maria Behety gives anglers access to an extensive stretch of the Rio Grande containing more than 100 named pools. The lodge’s location provides convenient reach to varied water throughout the middle and lower river, with private beat rotations designed to prevent crowding.
Proven sea-run brown trout fishing
The Rio Grande is one of the world’s most established fisheries for large sea-run brown trout. Anglers encounter a broad range of fish throughout the season, including powerful trout in the teens and the legitimate possibility of fish exceeding 20 pounds.
Structured days around prime fishing periods
Each fishing day is divided into morning and evening sessions, allowing anglers to focus their efforts during productive periods while resting through the afternoon. Pairs rotate through different pools with experienced, English-speaking guides, providing exposure to a wide variety of water over the course of the week.
Comfortable lodge experience on the estancia
The 12-angler lodge combines a serious fishing program with comfortable en suite rooms, hearty Argentine cuisine, and inviting common spaces overlooking the pampas. A heated wader room, central fireplace, and open bar make it easy to relax and prepare between long sessions on the river.
CHOOSE YOUR ADVENTURE
WHY BOOK WITH TRIDENT
- No Credit Card Fees
- Same Price as Booking Direct
- Earn Trident Rewards
Trident Travel’s expert planning service is free of charge. The rates below are the same as you would pay by booking directly with the lodge.
Rates are listed in USD per person and are subject to change. Contact us for current availability and pricing.
2027
Double Occupancy / Shared Guide
7 Nights / 6 Days of Fishing
January 2–9: $7,900
January 9–16: $8,500
January 16–23: $9,000
January 23–30: $9,500
January 30–March 13: $10,300
March 13–20: $9,000
March 20–27: $8,300
March 27–April 3: $8,000
Private Room: Add $700 per person, subject to availability
What’s Included:
- Six days of guided fishing based on two anglers per guide
- Seven nights of double-occupancy accommodations
- All meals at Maria Behety Lodge
- Beer, wine, spirits, and nonalcoholic beverages
- Round-trip ground transfers between Rio Grande Airport and the lodge
- Complimentary WiFi
- Limited laundry service
What’s Not Included:
- International or domestic airfare
- Hotels, meals, and ground transfers in Buenos Aires
- Fishing license: $300 per person
- Private room supplement
- Transfers to or from Ushuaia
- Fishing equipment, flies, and personal tackle
- Gratuities for guides and lodge staff
- Travel insurance or emergency evacuation coverage
- Personal expenses
Gallery
Seasonal Fishing
Calendar
January opens the season with long daylight hours and a strong presence of bright, recently arrived sea-run brown trout. River levels and weather can vary, but fish are often active throughout the system. Floating and intermediate lines may be used when conditions allow, while Skagit heads, sink tips, nymphs, and streamers provide additional flexibility.
By February, increasing numbers of sea-run brown trout are typically distributed throughout the river’s pools. Water can become lower and clearer, favoring smaller flies, longer leaders, and lighter presentations, although changing weather may require heavier sink tips. February remains windy, but favorable conditions can create opportunities to fish floating lines and surface-oriented presentations.
Late season brings cooler temperatures, shorter days, and a mixture of bright fish and trout that have spent more time in freshwater. Conditions can range from low and clear to high and discolored following rainfall, making versatility especially important. Anglers may use small nymphs and lighter tips in clear water or larger streamers and heavier sinking lines when flows rise.
Lodging & Accommodations
Accommodations
Estancia Maria Behety Lodge accommodates up to 12 anglers in eight comfortable, en suite guest rooms configured for double occupancy. The additional rooms allow a limited number of guests to reserve private accommodations for an added fee. The lodge’s spacious great room features high ceilings, a central fireplace, an open bar, and broad views across the surrounding pampas. A heated wader room provides space for drying gear between fishing sessions, while the main lounge and dining areas offer a relaxed setting for unwinding after long days on the river.
Food
Meals are built around the lodge’s split fishing schedule and highlight traditional Argentine ingredients and hospitality. Breakfast is served before the morning session, followed by a substantial midday meal with wine and dessert before the afternoon siesta. Traditional grilled meats and asados are an important part of the experience, alongside fresh vegetables, regional dishes, and Argentine wines. After the evening session, guests return to the lodge for hors d’oeuvres and a late dinner.
Connectivity
Complimentary WiFi is available at the lodge and is generally sufficient for email and basic communication. Because Maria Behety is located in a remote area, service may slow or become unavailable during adverse weather. Cellular coverage is limited and should not be relied upon during the trip.
Target Species
Sea Run Brown Trout
11-Day Itinerary
Each day is carefully planned to maximize your fishing success while experiencing the best of what this destination has to offer. Itineraries are flexible based on conditions and guest preferences.
A week at Estancia Maria Behety Lodge runs from Saturday to Saturday. Most travelers depart home on Thursday evening and arrive at Ezeiza International Airport (EZE) on Friday morning. After transferring to a pre-arranged hotel in Buenos Aires, you will have the remainder of the day to rest or explore the city. Some guests choose to arrive earlier and spend additional time in Buenos Aires before continuing south.
On Saturday, you will transfer from your hotel to the appropriate Buenos Aires airport, most commonly Jorge Newbery Airport (AEP), for your flight to Rio Grande (RGA). Upon arrival, a lodge representative will meet you and provide the approximately 45-minute transfer to Maria Behety Lodge. After settling in, you will attend an orientation, meet the guide team, and prepare your equipment for the week. Fishing begins the following morning.
Each fishing day includes separate morning and evening sessions. After breakfast, pairs of anglers depart with their guide to fish a private rotation of pools before returning to the lodge for the main midday meal, Argentine wines, and an afternoon siesta. Anglers head back to the river later in the day and often fish until sunset. Following the evening session, you will return to the lodge for hors d’oeuvres, dinner, and time to relax at the bar. The days are long and fishing-focused, but the split schedule provides time to rest between sessions.
After breakfast on Saturday morning, you will transfer approximately 45 minutes to Rio Grande Airport (RGA) for your flight to Buenos Aires. Depending on your domestic and international flight schedules, you may connect home that evening or transfer to a pre-arranged hotel for one final night in the city. An overnight is often the more comfortable option and provides additional protection against schedule changes.
After breakfast, you will transfer to Ezeiza International Airport (EZE) for your return flight home. Travelers departing on an overnight flight may instead arrive home on the following morning.
Frequently Asked Questions
GET IN TOUCHEstancia Maria Behety combines extensive private access, more than 100 named pools, an experienced guide team, and a fishing schedule built around the productive morning and evening periods. Its location on the middle and lower Rio Grande gives anglers access to varied water and one of the world’s most established populations of large sea-run brown trout.
Estancia Maria Behety Lodge is located on a historic working estancia near Río Grande in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina. The lodge overlooks the Rio Grande and is positioned near the center of the estancia’s extensive river frontage, providing convenient access to both the middle and lower beats.
The Maria Behety fishing season generally runs from early January through early April. January often brings long days and newly arriving fish, while February and early March typically find greater numbers distributed throughout the river. Late March and early April bring cooler weather and shorter days. Every period can produce exceptional fish, and weekly conditions depend heavily on river level, water clarity, temperature, and wind.
The Rio Grande supports sea-run brown trout of many sizes, including fish exceeding 20 pounds. Trout in the teens are a major draw, but no particular size or catch rate can be guaranteed. Recent lodge reports demonstrate both the trophy potential of the river and the considerable week-to-week variation created by changing water and weather conditions.
Each day includes separate morning and evening fishing sessions. After breakfast, pairs of anglers fish a private rotation of pools before returning to the lodge for a substantial midday meal and an afternoon siesta. The evening session frequently continues until sunset, followed by hors d’oeuvres, dinner, and time to relax at the lodge.
Anglers primarily target sea-run brown trout by swinging streamers or dead-drifting nymphs with two-handed rods. Skagit and Scandi systems, floating and multidensity heads, and various sink tips may all be used depending on river conditions. When water levels, temperatures, and fish behavior align, skated flies and other surface presentations may also be effective.
Most anglers bring two switch or Spey rods in approximately the 7- to 9-weight range, along with reels carrying ample backing. A versatile selection of floating, intermediate, and sinking presentations is more useful than relying on one line system. Trident provides guests with a detailed destination-specific packing list covering rods, lines, sink tips, leaders, flies, clothing, and other essential equipment.
Maria Behety can accommodate anglers with different experience levels, but some preparation will make the trip considerably more enjoyable. Practicing two-handed casting, line management, and casting in windy conditions is strongly recommended. Steelhead and Atlantic salmon anglers will find many of the techniques familiar, while first-time Spey anglers should consider taking a casting lesson before traveling.
Fishing is conducted on foot, and the Rio Grande is generally considered relatively manageable for a river of its size. Many pools feature gradual banks and firm gravel bottoms, although depth and current vary with river conditions. Anglers should still be comfortable walking over uneven terrain and standing in moving water for extended periods.
Maria Behety Lodge accommodates a maximum of 12 anglers per week. Fishing is based on two anglers sharing an English-speaking guide and vehicle. Each pair receives a private pool rotation, with guides and beats changing throughout the week to provide exposure to different sections of the Rio Grande.
Tierra del Fuego is known for cool, windy, and rapidly changing weather. Summer days can be long and relatively mild, but anglers may experience sunshine, rain, cold temperatures, and strong wind during the same week or even the same day. Waterproof outerwear, insulating layers, gloves, and clothing that can be adjusted throughout the day are essential.
Most international travelers fly to Buenos Aires and spend at least one night in the city before taking a domestic flight to Río Grande Airport. Lodge staff meet guests in Río Grande on Saturday and provide the approximately 45-minute transfer to Maria Behety. The six fishing days run from Sunday through Friday, with guests returning to Río Grande Airport the following Saturday.
Medical emergencies and evacuations can happen in remote destinations, which is why we strongly recommend enrolling with Global Rescue before your trip. Global Rescue provides industry-leading medical and security evacuation services, and they also offer comprehensive travel insurance plans serviced through IMG. This all-in-one solution allows anglers to secure both emergency evacuation coverage and travel insurance through a single provider, helping ensure you’re protected if something unexpected occurs before or during your trip.
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