Howenh Lodge

Shortly after our first visit in 1999, the rustic farm house, called Toon Ken, was renovated but then closed for many years. Today, the recently reopened and upgraded Howenh Lodge offers traveling anglers once again easy access to 20-plus spectacular kilometers of world-class Sea Run Brown Trout water on Argentina’s Río Grande. The defining features of Howenh Lodge are its exceptional quantity of holding pools, the magnificent setting overlooking the river, and an experienced staff determined to deliver a trip of a lifetime for all guests.

Howenh Lodge offers a warm environment where guests are immersed in the vast Río Grande valley with distant views of the river and Andes Mountains. No other lodge on the river offers panoramic views like Howenh. Each week, only six anglers share the lodge and all fishing pools are carefully rotated and rested.

Traveling to Howenh Lodge requires a domestic flight to the Río Grande or Ushuaia Airport. From there, the lodge is a scenic 90-minute or four-hour overland journey, respectively.

Howenh Lodge provides six bedrooms, all with private bathrooms and views of the river. Four singles and two doubles are common but can be arranged in any configuration needed. The expansive living room features a stone fireplace, and there’s a common dining area with a fully stocked bar. Step onto the back deck and you’re met with panoramic views of the Río Grande valley. There is also an outdoor barbecue area where a traditional lamb asado is served weekly.

Cuisine at Howenh Lodge is prepared by an experienced team of a master chef and a sous chef. Dinners consist primarily of Argentine beef, lamb, and seafood, accompanied by vegetables and a variety of fresh salads. Between the morning and evening fishing sessions, lunch is served at the lodge and followed by a siesta. Prior to the evening session, coffee and light snacks are available.

While Howenh Lodge does not have a formal rod rental program, a small selection of loaner rods is available when needed. Next to their dedicated gear and wader-drying room, Howenh Lodge has a small tackle shop with flies, terminal tackle, and rods for sale. Other amenities include an outdoor hot tub and sauna, 24-hour power, Wi-Fi, and laundry services.

Fishing at Howenh Lodge takes place on Argentina’s Río Grande, targeting bright sea-run Brown Trout from early January to late April. A maximum of six anglers fish over 20 km of water encompassing approximately 40 named pools. Two anglers and a bilingual guide rotate beats daily via 4×4 trucks. Some river sections are shared with Kau Tapen and Aurelia, with coordinated rotation to keep the water rested.

Anglers use single and double-handed rods, employing tactics like swinging, skating, and nymphing. Two rods are recommended — one with a floating or intermediate line, and another with a Skagit head and sink tip. One fish per day is considered good during tough conditions, though average catch rates run 2–3 fish per rod daily and skilled anglers may land up to six. Fish average 10 lbs, with chances for 20–25 lb specimens.

The river’s low gradient and fine sandy bottom make wading easy. Pools vary in width and often feature productive cut banks. Wind is common, but anglers can often find sheltered stretches.

Fishing follows a split schedule: 8:30am–1:30pm and approximately 5:00pm to dark, targeting the peak low-light periods when trout are most active. Prime fishing is mid-January through March, though fresh fish enter through April.

More on the Rio Grande and Sea Run Brown Trout fishing…

HOWENH LODGE
(7 nights/6 days)

Friday:    Arrive Buenos Aires (EZE). Transfer to the domestic airport (AEP) and fly to Rio Grande (RGA) or Ushuaia (USH.) Guides will pick you up and transfer you 1.5-4 hrs to Howenh Lodge. Cocktails and dinner.

Sat-Thu:    Six days sea run brown trout fishing the middle Rio Grande

Friday:    Check out, transfer back to the region airport for your flight to Buenos Aires.

Rate: $7950/rod
Included: Lodging, meals, open bar, Wi-Fi, guided fishing, some flies, transportation to/from the Rio Grande Airport
Not included: Flights, license (estimated $300/rod), fishing gear, transfers to/from Ushuaia (~$250/passenger/leg, paid directly to driver) and services in Buenos Aires, Ushuaia and Rio Grande.

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) on Friday and transfer 45 minutes to their hotel. If you have at least four hours between your international and domestic flights in Buenos Aires a hotel overnight is unnecessary.
• Anglers will transfer to the Buenos Aires Jorge Newbery Domestic Airport (AEP) and fly 3 hours south to Rio Grande (RGA) or Ushuaia (USH) depending on flight schedules.
• Anglers staying at Howenh Lodge are picked up at either the Rio Grande or Ushuaia Airport and driven 1.5-4 hours to the lodge.
• Howenh Lodge will transfer you back the the regional airport for your flight back to Buenos Aires and home.