Freshwater FISHING
Patagonia, Argentina » Tierra del Fuego
La Villa, Maria Behety Ranch
Rates from USD 8300
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Few destinations on earth compare with the sea-run fishing on the Rio Grande, where most fly fishermen rate the trophy sea-run brown trout as the ultimate angling experience. Located in the southern corner of Argentina, most of the Rio Grande is on the Chilean side of the border, although nearly 80% of the prime spawning habitat and all of the Rio Grande's best fishing is on the Argentina portion of the island, much of it in the first 45 miles above where the river enters the sea.
Trip Overview
Few destinations on earth compare with the sea-run fishing on the Rio Grande, where most fly fishermen rate the trophy sea-run brown trout as the ultimate angling experience.
Located in the southern corner of Argentina, most of the Rio Grande is on the Chilean side of the border, although nearly 80% of the prime spawning habitat and all of the Rio Grande's best fishing is on the Argentina portion of the island, much of it in the first 45 miles above where the river enters the sea. La Villa de Estancia Maria Behety is the most deluxe lodge on the Rio Grande. Guests share more than 102 pools with Estancia Maria Behety Lodge and enjoy old world charm in the beautifully restored, historic mansion.
Sea-run browns on the Rio Grande average 10 – 14 lbs, and experienced fly rodders usually hook about a half dozen per day. Trophy fish in excess of 20 pounds are not uncommon and about one in 50 is a monster pushing 30 pounds!
Resident brown and rainbow trout fishing in the tributaries and the Rio Grande headwaters is excellent.
The big sea-run brown trout start to return to the pools of the Rio Grande in significant numbers around Thanksgiving.
Less than a month later the river is loaded with fish and it is estimated that by the first day of each New Year, nearly 80% of the escapement has reached their annual family reunion. That translates into more than a thousand monster trout per river mile. The fish initially herd up in the best lower river pools, though hundreds more of the silver sea trout continue to pour into the Rio Grande on every high tide, twice a day until sometime in May. The most sought after dates are February and March.
While mid-season offers the most pleasant weather, the best weeks ever recorded have been the last weeks of the season. Early season fish are very aggressive, full of fight, and acrobatic. They move readily to dries, and three of the largest sea trout ever recorded were caught and released in January.
Package
Day 1) The program begins with the reception at the Rio Grande airport and transfer to the Villa where you are received by the Lodge manager. After settling in, the fishermen are invited with a welcome cocktail and the plan for the week.
Day 2 to day 6) After breakfast the fishermen are transferred in 4 x 4 trucks to the corresponding pools. At noon he has lunch in the Villa and after a while of relaxation, in the afternoon, he goes out again to fish in another pool until the magical last hour. Almost at night you return to the Villa for a comforting hot water bath and dinner.
On the 8th, transfer to the airport.
Accommodation
La Villa has to be considered one of the most luxurious fly fishing lodges in the Americas, accommodating 6 anglers per week in single occupancy rooms.
Amenities include a 9,000 bottle wine cellar, private rooms, Jacuzzi tubs and a very talented team of guides and exquisite dining. During non-angling times between double daily fishing secessions, guest will gather in one of two living areas where fishing tales are told, cocktails enjoyed and the next fishing sortie is anticipated with the warmth and comfort of a crackling fire burning in the fireplace.
Other amenities at La Villa include radiant floor heat, 24 hour internet service, wader/equipment room, designated fly tying areas and gift and tackle shop.
In addition to the Villa, the ranch offers the Maria Behety Lodge, which has excellent facilities and can accommodate up to 12 fishermen in its 8 rooms. From the Lodge there is access to the pools that it shares with the fishermen of the Villa and others further upstream.
Tackle and Flies
Rods
Single-handed rod #8 Wt or #9 Wt , 91/2 or 10 foot. Two handed rods are increasingly popular and allow anglers to cast a comfortable line with less effort, particularly on windy days.13 to 15 feet for a 9-11 Weight line.
Reels
With a strong, smooth drag is a must. Reels (and spare spools) should have capacity for the fly line and 100 yards of 20 pound backing.
Lines
Weight forward fly lines are generally used on the Rio Grande. Floating lines are typically most useful in low water conditions and during early morning and evening hours. Also a sinking shooting taper is very important. The Teeny T-200 and T-300 lines have proven to be excellent. For double hand rods a Skagit or Scandi lines (+@500 grains) are higly recommended.
Leaders
Sea trout aren't particularly leader shy. For floating lines it's good to have knotless tapered leaders from 9 to 12 feet with 0X tippets.
Flies
Basic working fly list:
Collie Dog tube flies (31/2 -41/2" long, both aluminum and copper bodies, with hard plastic tubing and #4 wide-gape hooks).
Bunny leech, Zonker, Woolly Bugger (black/olive), articulated string leech types, with electric blue flash, on #2-4 hooks.
Peacock (now a staple on Rio Grande, tied on #2-4 hooks)
Girdle or Yuk Bug rubber legs (#4-12)
Bitch Creek nymphs (orange and black for preference, #4-12)
Bead head nymphs (Prince, Hare's Ear, etc. #10-14)
Traditional Atlantic Salmon Flies
Bombers or other waking dry flies (natural deer hair, black& green on #4-8 hooks), for use drifted or with a Portland hitch
Include 11/2 2 inch tube flies if you have them, as tubes can be very effective on the Rio Grande.
Note: Larger streamers should be weighted and all should be tied on heavy hooks with good gapes. Treble & Double hooks are not allowed on the Rio Grande.
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Rates
DECEMBER 2025- APRIL 2026 From U$S 8,300 up to U$S 9,500*
~ Per angler in single basis accommodation and sharing fishing with another angler. ~
Rates include:
Reception in Rio Grande airport and transfer in/out Lodge. 7 night accommodation, all meals and beverages, Open Bar, 6 days fishing with bilingual guide.
Rates do not include:
International and local flights, personal health insurance, fishing equipment and flies, fishing license and gratuities.
Notes:
* Rate in Maria Behety Lodge.
Fishing report
Report by Diego Motter - Head Guide La Villa
We had an excellent group of anglers fishing with us this past week. At the beginning of the week the fishing was difficult, but it improved the last 3 days and we ended up having a very good week, great fishing! Using a green machine as a nymph was the best fly of the week. We landed 89 fish 25 over 15 pounds, 2 over 20 pounds. Top rod of the week was Pierre with 30 fish landed.
Water Conditions:
Water color and visibility: clear
Water temperature: 8ºC to 14ºC (46ºF to 57ºF)
Water level: low water
Weather Conditions:
Wind speed ranges: The wind wasn’t that strong
Air temperature ranges through the week: 4ºC to 21º (39ºF to 70ºF)
Weather observations): We enjoyed nice weather all week
Fishing Conditions:
Flies that are working the best: Different sizes of sunray shadows, small salmon flies, nymphs (scuds, red tail, embs, prince, pheasant tail), green machine and for the last hour (intruder, leech, sunray shadow).
Scandi heads with poly-leaders drifting or striping according to the speed of the water.
In deeper pools, sinking lines with nymphs dead drifting, and green machine.
The Green machine was the best fly of the week, always move it, with floating and sinking lines.
Fly lines (tips, heads, lengths, densities) that are producing the best: Skagit heads with different lengths of T-20, T-17, T-14 & T-11, Scandi with poly-leader. We recommend bringing two rods, one to use with Scandi and another with a Skagit. Also bring a single handed rod or switch rod or the upper part of the river. Length and strength of tippet and leaders: 7 to 12 feet. 15 to 20 pounds. The middle and upper part of the river is fishing the best. We started to see some darker fish.
FISH CATCH STATISTICS:
NUMBER OF ANGLERS: 6
TOTAL NUMBER OF FISH LANDED: 89
WEIGHT OF THE BIGGEST FISH: 21 POUNDS.
NUMBER OF FISH OVER 15 POUNDS: 25
NUMBER OF FISH OVER 20 POUNDS:2
AVERAGE WEIGHT: 8.5 POUNDS.
NOTABLE CATCHES: PIERRE LANDED 7 FISH IN ONE SESSION.
**********************************
February 21 - 28, 2026
Report by Genaro Molinolo – Head guide Lodge EMB
A very good week, fun and with good fishing. The river maintained its conditions of good visibility and was somewhat low but with a good current in most of the pools. The heaviest rainfall of the entire month was recorded without affecting the river.
Water Conditions:
Water color and visibility: good flow in most pools, water clear, good visibility.
The level of water is lower than normal for this time of the season.
Water temperature: 9.5Cº/11.5Cº (º49F/53ºF)
Weather Conditions:
Air temperatures: 3ºC/16Cº (37ºF/61ºF)
Wind speed ranges from 7 to 55 km/h
Rain during the week: 7.9 mm
Fishing Conditions:
Condition of the river is good. Water color is clear with good visibility.
Most productive flies: EMB, sunray shadow, san juan worm, yuk bug, salmon flies, Rio Grande Queen,. Leeches at dark.
Fly lines (tips, heads, lengths, densities, etc.) mostly used:
Skagit heads (most used) : floating and multi density head (game changer, pickpocket, 3 D, FIST)
Scandi Heads (less used due to windy conditions)
Set of tips from 3 ips sink rate up to T20
MOW tips set T8 to T20: 10/12/15ft
Floating tips type 3-6-8 etc.
Length and strength of tippet and tapered leaders: 9 to 12 feet (tapered). 12 to 20 pounds (tippet)
FISH CATCH STASTICS:
TOTAL CATCHES OF THE WEEK: 108
FISH OVER 15 POUNDS 24
TOP ROD: ERIC B. (18)
WEEK´S RECORD FISH: ERIC B. (23 POUNDS)
WEEK´S FISH AVERAGE WEIGHT: 8.8 POUNDS
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