Estancia Quemquemtreu

Estancia Quemquemtreu Lodge offers one of Patagonia’s most authentic and rewarding experiences—combining a historic working ranch, warm hospitality, and access to exceptional trout water. From this 173,000-acre property of classic Patagonia steppe country, anglers float prime stretches of the famed Collón Curá River and wade the more intimate Quemquemtreu Creek and Caleufu River.

South of Junín de los Andes, this century-old estancia is still worked by gauchos and overseen by the gracious Zimmermann family—Luisa, Paula, and Martin—whose hospitality balances rustic charm with quiet sophistication. Meals, lodging, and service reflect the rhythms of ranch life, skipping the formalities of polished fishing lodges.

At Fly Fishing Patagonia, we’ve had a personal connection to Quemquemtreu since 2002. Our co-founder’s ashes are scattered here—a testament to the bond this place creates. For first-time visitors or seasoned anglers, Quemquemtreu delivers a deep sense of place, outstanding fishing, and a kind of welcome that’s hard to leave behind.

Set on 173,000 acres of Patagonian steppe, Estancia Quemquemtreu’s guest facilities blend seamlessly into ranch life. Anglers stay in the fishing lodge, which features five spacious double rooms, each with an en suite bathroom. An adjacent lodge, typically used for Patagonia red stag hunters in March and April, offers four additional guest rooms for larger groups or single occupancy.

A unique feature of Quemquemtreu is its 100-year-old hydroelectric turbine—an extraordinary piece of English engineering that still powers the entire compound. Water from the Quemquemtreu Creek is diverted through the system, then flows past the lodge before rejoining the creek and irrigating the ranch gardens.

Evening cocktails are often enjoyed in a self-serve bar housed in the same building as the quincho, where traditional asados are held. Most evenings, meals are served family-style in the fishing lodge, featuring homemade dishes from the estancia’s organic meats and garden produce. Non-angling guests can explore the ranch via truck or on foot looking for Red Deer and birds or perhaps watch a polo match in season.

It’s a rare place where tradition, comfort, and authenticity come together effortlessly.

The Collón Curá River is the crown jewel of northern Patagonia Argentina’s trout fishery.
This large, clear river meanders south through a broad valley lined with rolling hills, cliffs, native grasses, and willows. Many anglers say it’s similar to Montana’s Yellowstone River. The stretches flowing along Quemquemtreu’s private property down to the Piedra del Águila Reservoir are particularly productive, where anglers regularly enjoy 40-plus-fish days targeting strong 16- to 18-inch rainbows and browns. Larger browns—some over 24 inches—hold in the deeper pools, cliff banks, and beneath submerged willow branches.

The Collón Curá’s varied water types—from riffles and long runs to slow-moving channels and backwaters—invite a full range of tactics: dries, dry-droppers, streamers, and sight fishing for sipping trout are all in play.

From mid-January through February, the annual minnow migration from the Piedra del Águila Reservoir ignites a feeding frenzy, with trout crushing bait in shallow riffles. Come fall, the roar of rutting red stags fills the air, and large migratory browns push upstream to spawn, providing a shot at 5- to 15-pound fish. It’s one of the most visually and viscerally exciting times to fish in Patagonia.

Anglers preferring to walk and wade can fish the midsized Caleufu River that borders the ranch to the south or cast dry flies on the intimate Quemquemtreu stream meandering by the lodge

If Quemquemtreu is right for your group, we’ll discuss whether a full- or half-week stay is most appropriate.

ESTANCIA QUEMQUEMTREU 
(5 nights; 4 days fishing)

Day 1:    Arrive in Buenos Aires (EZE). Transfer about 50 minutes to the domestic airport (AEP) and fly approximately 2 hours south to San Martín de los Andes (CPC). Your guides will pick you up and transfer you about 1 hour 20 minutes to Estancia Quemquemtreu. Fish the afternoon.

Day 2-5:    Four days float fishing the lower Collon Cura River

Day 6:    Check out, transfer back to the San Martin Airport for your flight to Buenos Aires and home.

Rate: $6,250/angler
Included: Lodging and guided fishing in double occupancy, meals, open bar, transportation to/from the San Martín de los Andes Airport.
Not included: Flights, license, gear, activities off the property, gratuities, transfers to/from the Bariloche Airport and services in Buenos Aires.

With over 26 years organizing trips in exclusively 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 in Buenos Aires meet you when you land.

• 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 hours south to San Martin (CPC.) Four hours minimum is required between your international and domestic flights in Buenos Aires.
• Anglers are picked up at the San Martin Airport and driven an hour and 20 minutes to Estancia Quemquemtreu.
• Anglers are dropped off at the San Martin Airport for their flight back to Buenos Aires and home.