DESTINATION: North Patagonia - Junin de los Andes area
, Junín de los Andes, Neuquén
» General Information:
Strategically located, Junin de los Andes is very close to the rivers Chimehuin, Malleo, Quilquihue, Caleufu, Aluminé, Collon Cura and Limay and the amazing lakes Huechulafquen, Tromen, Paimún, among others. These well-known rivers and lakes are home to a great number of Rainbow, Brown and Fontinalis Trout and Land Locked Salmon, weighing up to 8 pounds. The waters are crystal clear and offer dozens of miles for wading or floating without other anglers around. Our fishing program can be tailor-made to fit the needs and wishes of each angler. Our head guide, with his long career and vast experience as fishing guide, is able to combine the rivers and the lakes so that you can wade and/or float them in search of the best results. The accommodation is at a modern and comfortable Lodge, which offers many facilities and amenities to make your stay memorable.
» Package:
The program includes accommodation in comfortable rooms with private bathroom, breakfast served "country" style, transfer to the different rivers and lakes in the area by 4x4 vehicles, one-night camping. Lunch and dinner. Typical program:
Day 1 - Reception at the airport in Chapelco and transfer to the Lodge. In the afternoon, wading the low section of the Malleo river. Dinner at the lodge.
Day 2 - Fishing the upper section of the Malleo river. Shore lunch and dinner at the Lodge.
Days 3 & 4 - Float trip and night-over. Fishing the Caleufu river or the Chimehuin and Collon Cura rivers, depending on the conditions of the first river. Shore lunch and dinner at the campsite. Accommodation in comfortable tents.
Day 5 - Fishing the Lake Huechulafquen. Rainbow trout are caught on dry fly. Shore lunch and dinner at the Lodge.
» Accommodation:
Lodge in Junin de los Andes: built with wood and rock obtained from the nearby mountains, the Lodge offers excellent bedrooms with private bathroom, lobby and fine tasteful decoration. All the bedrooms are provided with Internet wireless connection, telephone, and mini-fridge. The Lodge serves a country-style breakfast. It also has a Fly Shop with accessories and equipment necessary for fishing the area, swimming pool and solarium.
Optional: Luxury Lodge in San Martin de los Andes is a log home made with huge coihue, roble pellin and lenga beams from nearby forests. Set on twenty acres of private land, the lodge offers diverse flora and a beatiful stream that crosses the estate from north to south.
The lodge offers the perfect atmosphere for all kinds of meetings. The living room has a massive stone fireplace, a nice log bar and welcoming sofas to curl up with a good book and a drink. The dining table sits fourteen diners comfortably. There is also a playing-card and reading room where everything is ready for the guest to relax and take in the tranquility of this corner of the world.
» Tackle and Equipment:
The number of the rod depends on the size of the river, the conditions of each spot and, of course, the personal tastes. To fish little streams or medium rivers, the average would be from #3 with floating line to a #6, with floating line plus Shooting IV or a Teeny line. In bigger rivers carrying more water, such as the Limay or the Collon Cura, you should add a #7 or 8 with a good Shooting Head lV.
Flies: Wooky Bugger, black and olive (from size # 4 to 10); Rabbits, cinnamon and black (size #2 to 8); Matukas, green and olive (size #8 to 12); Blonde, white (size #2 to 6); Cone Head Marabou Muddler, brown and white (size #2 to 8)
Nymphs: Prince (size # 10 to 14); Hare´s Ear, natural and black (size #10 to 16); Soft Hackle, cinnamon and black (size # 8 to 14); Kauffman´s Stone black (size # 6 to 10); Montana (size # 8 to 14).
Dry Flies: Adams (size # 10 to 16), Elk Hair Cádiz, natural and black (from sizes # 10 to16); Red Humpy (sizes # 10 to 14), Blak Gnat (size # 12 to16), Goddard Cáddis, natural (size # 10 to 14) and Irresistible (size # 12 to 16).
Other important accessories to bring are: polarized sunglasses, a cap, sunblock, neck handkerchief, wading jacket, waders and polar clothes.
» Additional Information:
Alumine River: In the northern part of the province of Neuquen, the Alumine River flows out of the Alumine Lake for 100 miles until it joins with the Chimehuin River. Together these two rivers form the famous Collon Cura River. The ratio of rainbows to browns is about 1:1 with average size being about 17 inches. Trout up to 9 pounds are also caught every year. The river cuts through the dry Patagonia steppe with rocky and willow lined shores. Our longer floats of 5-6 nights are done on the Alumine.
Collon Cura : The Collon Cura is actually an extension of the Alumine River and runs along route 40 south of Junin de los Andes and north of Bariloche. The river is famous for its hard fighting rainbows and browns which average 2.5 lbs. and reach up to 15 pounds. Fish hold under branches and along the banks of this slow, deep river. Streamers tend to be only slightly more effective then large dries or nymph. Wild boar, condors and deer are common sights in the early and late hours. Coming across puma dens or tracks is also common. Perhaps its finest tributary is the Quemquemtreu stream which flows though the Quemquemtreu Ranch. This river offers exceptional dry fly fishing in the early season.
Chimehuin River: The "Chime" is one of the many famed rivers in Argentina. In fact, this is considered the first river that gave northern Patagonia its renowned trout fishing reputation. Years before Joe Brooks´s arrival, legendary Argentine angler Bebe was pulling huge trout from the river. It has produced the largest landlocked brown trout in all of Patagonia, and still today anglers gather at the boca of the Huechulafquen Lake looking to hook into one of its prized browns that migrate from the lake to the river during the fall spawning run. From its source, the Chimehuin runs 53 kilometers through several miles of private estancias, public lands and the town of Junin de los Andes. One of the Chimehuins finest tributaries is the Quilquihue River. Both the Chimehuin and the Quilquihue are known for their great dry fishing. Nymphs and streamers are also popular to coax the large brown trout out from under submerged rocks or the willow lined bank.
The Malleo: In the upper reaches of the river the waters are slow and meandering providing a challenging and equally rewarding experience. This section is well loved by spring creek enthusiasts. The middle canyon section has faster current with more difficult wading and accessibility, however, it is a favorite for those who like to venture on the road less traveled and reap the benefits. The lower portions of the Malleo offer great fishing in pools, riffles and along willow lined banks. Although the Malleo is fished all season long, the higher waters levels in the spring months make a opportunity for great rainbow fishing on the tributary, Huaca Mamuil. In the summer months hatches are prevalent making dry fly action unsurpassed anywhere in Patagonia. The catching is fly fishing only, catch and release and all wading. The browns and rainbows average from 1.5 to 3 pounds although an occasional 6 pounder shakes up the days average.
» Rates / 2011
U$S 2,300.-
Per person double basis.
Rates include:
Transfer Chapelco airport/Lodge/airport. 5-night accommodation in Junin de los Andes Lodge with all meals in double basis; 1-night accommodation in tents with all meals; 5 days fishing with 1 guide each 2 anglers.
Rates do not include:
Airfare BsAs/Chapelco/BsAs. Personal health insurance; hard drinks; fishing equipment and flies; fishing licence; gratuities; other personal expenses.
Notes:
Ask for other lodges or Estancias available.
» Rates / 2011
U$S 3,250.-
Per person double basis
Rates include:
Reception in Chapelco airport and transfer in/out Lodge. 7-night accommodation in exclusive Lodge in San Martin de los Andes with all meals and open bar. 6 fishing days. Fishing licence.
Rates do not include:
Airfare BsAs/Chapelco/BsAs. Fishing equipment and flies. Personal insurance. Gratuities and other personal expenses.
Notes:
Ask for other lodges or Estancias available.
» Fishing
Report
2010 fishing season is over; 2011 season starts next November.
