Argentina Waters

Nestled on the shores of Laguna Larga, Le Fario Lodge is the home base for Argentina Waters, offering anglers easy access to a variety of fisheries around Esquel and within Los Alerces National Park. Argentina Waters runs two programs: one based entirely at Le Fario and another, “Brookiland,” that pairs time at the lodge with remote waters in the Río Pico region.

We began guiding this region in 1999, and Esquel and Los Alerces remain one of Argentina’s most rewarding fly-fishing destinations. Aside from a few walk-and-wade creeks, most waters are fished from a raft or drift boat. Each day, anglers and guides decide together where to fish—there’s no fixed schedule, and repeating water is never required.

Guests are hosted by Laura and Gonzalo in their private home at Le Fario Lodge. Both are professional chefs, offering a warm, personalized alternative to traditional lodge experiences, with excellent service and comfort throughout. Non-anglers can horseback ride, hike, birdwatch, raft, take cooking classes, or join cultural excursions and guided visits to Los Alerces. The food and wines are exceptional, but the heart of Argentina Waters is the fishing and the Patagonia experience that keeps guests coming back.

Le Fario Lodge is a handcrafted retreat tucked along the secluded shores of Laguna Larga, just outside Los Alerces National Park—a UNESCO World Heritage site. This intimate lodge hosts up to eight guests in four spacious bedrooms, each with en suite bathrooms and views of the lake and Andes. Two rooms are on the ground floor, while the two upstairs feature private balconies with sweeping mountain vistas. A large living room with a wood-burning fireplace and generous windows offers a cozy place to unwind and take in the scenery.
Your hosts, Gonzalo and Laura—both trained chefs—deliver a warm, personal experience. Meals are thoughtfully prepared using fresh, local ingredients (many from their own garden) and paired with excellent Argentine wines. Le Fario Lodge feels more like a welcoming home than a traditional fishing lodge.
Non-anglers can enjoy horseback riding, hiking, birdwatching, rafting, cooking classes, and cultural excursions. Guests also have access to an outdoor jacuzzi, sauna, and the property’s flower and vegetable gardens.
With exceptional service, outstanding cuisine, and access to some of Patagonia’s most diverse trout fisheries, Le Fario Lodge offers an authentic and unforgettable experience for all guests.

Argentina Waters’ fishing program spans three distinct areas—Los Alerces National Park, Esquel, and Río Pico—and anglers can choose a 7- or 14-night itinerary.

One weekly program is based out of Le Fario Lodge, fishing around Esquel and Los Alerces National Park, which is known for its glacial lakes, turquoise rivers, and ancient forests. From there, anglers can fish scenic waters such as the Rivadavia, Lago Verde, Río Frey, Río Arrayanes, Correntoso, the Futaleufu (also called Río Grande), and various lakes.

The second weekly program is Brookiland and splits the week between Le Fario Lodge and the Río Pico region from their new lodge located between three rivers and several lakes. Brookiland is ideal for those seeking trophy rainbows and prolific brook trout fishing.

Argentina Waters also offers a 14-night trip which includes a week at Le Fario Lodge and a week in Río Pico. Regardless of program, all guests will get a chance to fish their spectacular home water, Laguna Larga, where the fishing is relatively forgiving and fish over 23 inches are no surprise.

Anglers should bring at least two rods: one 6-wt rod with both a floating and sink-tip line and one 5-wt rod with a floating line. Most of the flies used are attractor patterns, and all booked guests receive a full list of recommended flies and gear.

Argentina Waters employs a small team of bilingual, patient, and professional guides, each often paired with an assistant guide to help load boats and run shuttles.

Argentina Waters offers two weekly programs, one solely based out of Le Fario Lodge and the other called Bookiland, is a combo of Le Fario Lodge and the Rio Pico Region. Their 14-night program is simply a full week in both areas.

LE FARIO LODGE
(7 nights; 6 days fishing)

Day 1        Arrive Buenos Aires (EZE). Transfer to the domestic airport (AEP) and fly to Esquel (ESQ.) The lodge staff will pick you up and transfer you 50 minutes to the lodge. Assemble gear and fish the lake if you have time.

Day 2-7     Six days fishing waters such as the Rivadavia, Arrayanes, and Frey Rivers in the Alerces National Park and the Rio Grande, Laguna Larga and more waters in Esquel.

Day 8       Fish the morning on Laguna Larga. Check out, transfer back to the Esquel Airport for your flight to Buenos Aires and home.

Rate:  $6,900/angler
Included: Lodging in double occupancy, meals, open bar, transfers to/from Esquel,
license and guided fishing.
Not included: Flights, travel insurance, laundry, services in Buenos Aires, gear and gratuities

BROOKIELANDIA – Le Fario Lodge + Rio Pico
(14 nights; 13 days fishing)

Continuing from the above itinerary…

Day 7     Early departure for Corvocado, fishing Lago Engano for trophy Brook Trout. Overnight in the town of Corcovado.

Day 8     Depending on conditions, fish either Lago Engano, Lago Vinter, Los Ninos, Nanty Fall or Rio Nilson.

Day 9     Fishing Rio Las Pampas, transfer to Rio Pico, overnight in the casa de campo.

Day 10-12     Fish the Terremoto spring creek, Lago 2 and/or Rio Nilson

Day 13     Fish Lago 3. Depart back to El Fario Lodge.

Day 14     Fish the morning on Laguna Larga. Check out, transfer back to the Esquel Airport for your flight to Buenos Aires and home.

Rate:  Call us for rate
Included: Lodging in double occupancy, meals, open bar, transfers to/from Esquel,
license and guided fishing.
Not included: Flights, travel insurance, laundry, services in Buenos Aires, gear and gratuities

With over 26 years organizing trips in Chile and Argentina, we make travel planning efficient and worry free. We’ll give you the domestic flights you need for your lodge dates and our travel team ensures your international flights connect smoothly. If preferred, we’ll even have our team meet you when you land in Buenos Aires.

• After an easy overnight flight, anglers land at the Buenos Aires Ezeiza International Airport (EZE), transfer 45 minutes to the Buenos Aires Jorge Newbery Domestic Airport (AEP) and fly 2.5 hours south to Esquel (EQS.)  Four hours minimum is required between your international and domestic flights in Buenos Aires. An overnight in BA may be necessary.
• Anglers are picked up at the Esquel Airport and driven 50 minutes to La Fario Lodge.
• Anglers are dropped off at the Esquel Airport for their flight back to Buenos Aires and home.