WHERE IS THE BEST PLACE/TIME TO TROUT FISH IN PATAGONIA?

Where is the best place to trout fish in Patagonia? When is the best time to go?

Two great questions with many different answers. Since these trips are aren’t cheap and life is short, it’s important to get it right.

Experienced anglers know that a fishery changes throughout the season and when you consider a region as large as Patagonia the best time to fish is relative to species, a specific area and even river. January could be peak time in one spot, but may not be optimal in another area just 50 miles away.  Your travel window will play the biggest roll in choosing a destination.

Seasons:

November – December:  Spring time, with cooler weather. Rivers will be higher, flowers blooming. Many rivers are at their peak while others aren’t quite ready. Expect fewer angler then in mid-summer and to use streamers, nymphs and dries.

January – early March:  Mid summer, with warm temps. Most popular time to be in Patagonia because this is when people prefer to get away from the cold back home. Almost all rivers are at perfect levels but some fish slower in the summer.   Streamers, nymphs and dries.

Mid-March – April:  Cooler fall temps with fewer people. Hopper season but also great time to target fall Browns with streamers.

BEFORE YOU START ANY RESEARCH.    Assist in finding the best Patagonia fishing destination for you by answering these simple questions. Take out pen and paper and be specific.

Go on. Grab that pen and paper and take 3-4 mins outlining your ideal trip.

• What is your preferred species to target in Chile or Argentina? Prioritize them on a piece of paper, such as #1 Brown Trout,  #2 Golden Dorado  #3 Dove shooting
• When are you able to travel during the Nov 1-May 1 fishing season? Be specific as possible, by writing down the time when you cannot travel, or prefer not to travel such as over Christmas or around a wedding. Remember, your travel window will determine which places you should be considering.
• Define your preferred style of fishing. Is it walk and wade only? Would you tolerate fishing from a boat? Is fishing a lake off the table? Do you looking for high catch rates or mainly focused on catching big fish? Are streamers ok or do you only want to cast dry flies to rising fish?  Do you want a day off midweek? What is too long of a drive to a river? What type of environment do you want to be in? Can you tolerate fishing in the wind?
• What’s your budget? A fully guided week with ground transportation, lodging, meals and booze included averages $1000/night/angler in double occupancy. Then you have to add your flights, tips and possible hotel night.
• How many days do you want to be actually fishing? How many days is too short/long?
• What parameters do you seek in a lodge? Do you normally prefer high end lodges? Is any kind of camping off the table? Do you need the lodge to have non-fishing programs as well?
• Consider who would join you. A fishing buddy? A non-angling partner? Write down activities that would add to their enjoyment?
• Anything else you wish to experience while in Chile or Argentina? A night in Buenos Aires? A few days visiting the glaciers?

With your “buy box” defined, the fun begins…

3 methods to uncovering where and when you should fish in Patagonia:

• Just book the lodge your friend recommended
• Research all lodges/outfitters online, booking directly with the one that seems the best.
• Using a fly-fishing travel agent

Use A Buddy – As buyers, we want a trusted source for information and a friend with experience provides that. Sometimes this turns out well and other times it turns out that same way as taking your friends advice on a hot stock he just bought. You call your broker and tell them to buy it. Statistically, this is not wise strategy. Your friends experience at the lodge is rarely the experience you will realize and there are probably a several other lodges that would offer better fishing had you considered them.

Pick An Outfitter Online – We all enjoy researching fishing destinations online.  With over a hundred places to fly fish in Patagonia, many of the great ones don’t show up in the first two pages of Google.  Websites showing great photography and big fish aren’t automatically the best ones for you or your group. If you plan to book direct through research online, talk with those lodges/outfitters personally to gage whether or not their operation will satisfy what you are looking for. Be extra careful if they say their waters fish great all season long and ensure they not just selling you on dates when they need to fill open spots.

Use A Specialized Agent – The last strategy for learning the best place and time to fish in Patagonia and is to use a travel agent who specializes in fly-fishing trips in Patagonia. The best ones won’t care what lodge they put you in so long as they are confident it will exceed your individual expectations.  Remember, you pay the same price as booking direct but you get the added benefit of an unbiased, problem-solving expert representing your best interests. Using a specialized agent is also the fastest way to, quickly narrow down your best options to land on target, while avoiding any unpleasant surprises during your dream trip.

Fly Fishing Patagonia is one of those fly-fishing travel agencies specializing in Chile and Argentina. In fact, it’s all we do, all day.  If you’d like to learn where’s the best place and time for you to fish in Patagonia or even northern Argentina, just drop us a line 434-249-1783 or email us at jcampa@flyfishingpatagonia.com.

We love talking fishing too.