Glacier King – Rio Guanaco

Glacier King Rio Guanaco is a new trophy Atlantic King Salmon fishing operation in southern Patagonia, Argentina. Building on the success of their Glacier Kings program on the Rio Caterina, Tres Amigos Outfitters has partnered with Estancia La Sofía to provide a more intimate experience fishing the best sections of the Guanaco River. Guests enjoy exclusive access to over 10 miles of private water, targeting massive Chinook Salmon with single- and double-handed rods against a backdrop of Andes peaks within Los Glaciares National Park.

The King Salmon here are a remarkable Atlantic strain, originally introduced from the Pacific but now spawning annually in the Guanaco River. They average 30–40 pounds, regularly exceed 60, and occasionally tip the scales at 90 pounds. Landing one is a serious achievement—yet guests can expect to hook multiple fish per day and land several over the course of a week.

Back at Estancia La Sofía, anglers unwind in an ultra-comfortable, intimate setting, with warm Patagonian hospitality, well-appointed accommodations, and chef-prepared Argentine cuisine. This is a high-impact King Salmon fishing adventure set in one of the most remote and visually stunning corners of Patagonia.

We are now taking reservations for 2028. Contact Fly Fishing Patagonia to reserve a good week today!

Anglers of Tres Amigos Outfitters’ Río Guanaco program stay at Estancia La Sofía, a historic property dating back to the late 19th century, recently renovated by its current owners. Located about 90 miles from El Calafate, the lodge offers four comfortable double-occupancy rooms, each with a private bathroom. Single-occupancy accommodations are also available. Thanks to an on-site turbine, guests enjoy 24-hour electricity and internet access.

Inside the lodge, a beautiful dining area with panoramic views of the Patagonian Andes sets the tone for a relaxed and scenic experience. An in-house chef prepares all meals, featuring exquisite regional cuisine paired with fine Argentine wines. Breakfast is typically served around 8:00 a.m., followed by a morning fishing session. Lunch is enjoyed back at the estancia, with time for a siesta before guests head out again for the afternoon and evening session around 4:00 p.m.

The lodge sits along the southern bank of the Río Guanaco and also welcomes horseback riders, hikers, and birders—making it a great option for active couples. Within a short drive is a rarely used entrance to Los Glaciares National Park, which sees practically no one except lodge guests.

The giant King Salmon of Río Guanaco are pursued using traditional down-and-across swing techniques. Most anglers use 8- or 9-weight Spey rods in the 12- to 13-foot range, rigged with Skagit heads with intermediate tips or sink tips ranging from T-11 to T-14. Single-hand rods are also effective, especially in narrower pools.

Productive flies are the classics: intruders, articulated leeches, tube flies, and other large streamers in bright, bold colors like black, blue, fuchsia, and chartreuse. Given the power of these fish, anglers should use tippets in the 20- to 35-pound range. Spin fisherman are welcome on select weeks only.

The season runs from mid-November through mid-February, with peak fishing from mid-December to mid-January, when the highest numbers of chrome-bright kings enter the system. While the river holds plenty of fish, anglers typically experience 1–5 hookups per day and average about one landed fish daily.

Compared to most king salmon rivers, the Río Guanaco is relatively small—often narrow enough that stepping into the river is unnecessary to reach the far bank. Of the 10+ miles of private water available, most productive pools lie close to the lodge and are accessed by foot or 4×4 vehicle.

Glacier King Rio Guanaco offers full week and half week programs and we can help you seamlessly pair it with another lodge in the area.

GLACIER KING – RIO GUANACO  
(6 nights/5 days fishing)

Saturday:    Arrive Buenos Aires (EZE). Transfer to the domestic airport (AEP) and fly to El Calafate (FTE.) The staff will pick you up and transfer you 15 mins to your elected hotel at 5pm. If you miss the 5pm transfer you will take a taxi to your hotel and receive a call to your hotel confirming tomorrows pick up time.

Sunday:    10am pick up at your El Calafate hotel. Transfer 3 hours to Estancia La Sofía. Settle in, and warm-up session on the home pool. Cocktails and dinner.

Mon-Fri:   Five full days King Salmon fishing on the Guanaco River

Saturday:    Morning check out and ground transfer back to El Calafate Airport, arriving by 12:30pm. Fly to Buenos Aires or your next destination.

Rate: $6,900/angler in double, $7,900 in single
$4,500/nonfishing guest
Included: Lodging at Estancia La Sofia, guided fishing, meals, snacks and drinks, house wine and beer, 5pm transfer from El Calafate Airport to your hotel, ground transfers between the lodge and El Calafate.
Not included: Flights, fishing gear, license, gratuities, hotels in El Calafate, services in Buenos Aires.

Rio Guanaco Half Week Itinerary  (Sun – Wed or Wed – Sat)
(3 nights/3 days fishing)

Day 1:    Arrive Buenos Aires (EZE). Transfer to domestic airport (AEP) and fly to El Calafate (FTE). Pick up at the airport or at your El Calafate hotel. Transfer 3 hours to Estancia La Sofía. Settle in, and warm-up session on the home pool. Cocktails and dinner.

Day 2-3:    2 full days King Salmon fishing on the Guanaco River

Day 4:     Morning fishing session, lunch and ground transfer back to El Calafate Airport, arriving by 4pm. Fly to Buenos Aires or your next destination.

Rate: $4,400/angler in double, $4,900 in single
$2700/nonfishing guest
Included: Lodging at Estancia La Sofia, guided fishing, meals, snacks and drinks, house wine and beer, 5pm transfer from El Calafate Airport to your hotel, ground transfers between the lodge and El Calafate.
Not included: Flights, fishing gear, license, gratuities, hotels in El Calafate, 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 2.5 hours south to El Calafate (FTE.)  (Four hours minimum is required between your international and domestic flights in Buenos Aires.)
• The staff will pick you up at the airport or your El Calafate hotel and transfer you 3 hours to the lodge in 4×4 vehicles.
• Anglers are dropped off at the El Calafate Airport for their flight back to Buenos Aires and home.