Jurassic Lake Lodge

Welcome to Jurassic Lake Lodge – home to the world’s greatest Rainbow Trout fly fishing. Nestled on the remote shores of Argentina’s Lago Strobel, at the mouth of the Barrancoso River, Jurassic Lake Lodge offers anglers immediate entry to waters renowned for their abundance of massive, wild rainbow trout.
Guests enjoy exclusive access to the inlet of the Barrancoso River and the majority of the lower river. Within walking distance of the lodge, anglers can expect to encounter rainbow trout averaging over eight pounds, with frequent hookups on fish in the mid-teens and opportunities to surpass the 20-pound mark. Fifty- to 100- fish days are achievable at the right time of year, but when it comes to Jurassic Lake, even a slow day is mind-blowing. The combination of the lake’s unique ecosystem, rich food sources, and the lodge’s private access creates an unmatched fly-fishing experience.
Charter flights provide easy round-trip access, and recent renovations have significantly enhanced comfort at the lodge. With additional upgrades such as free use of new Sage rods and reels and Rio fly lines, Jurassic Lake Lodge continues to enhance a trout fishing experience that normally lives in fairy tales.

In the early days of Jurassic Lake Lodge, accommodations consisted of a cluster of dome tents. Today, guests enjoy a modern lodge with all comforts and conveniences, including new Sage rods and reel with Rio fly lines available free of charge. The guest quarters comfortably house 12 anglers in double or single rooms, equipped with fine beds, heat, 24-hour electricity, Wi-Fi, private baths and showers. The main lodge features a full bar and a living and dining area where guests gather for meals and cocktails.

On any given day, a guest enjoying the panoramic views of Lago Strobel in the lodge’s front room could watch another angler land the biggest rainbow trout of their life.

Even in this remote corner of Argentina, Jurassic Lake Lodge guests are pampered with professionally cooked meals and fine wines from Mendoza. Returning guests cannot wait for the weekly asados of Patagonian lamb, chorizo, and beef, along with several fresh salads.

Located within sight and walking distance of the Barrancoso River inlet, anglers can fish long hours and still access the lodge at any time during the day from the most productive beats.

At Jurassic Lake Lodge, two anglers are paired with one guide and rotate through the lodge’s exclusive, walk-and-wade beats on the lower, middle, and upper Barrancoso River, plus its confluence with Lago Strobel and Monster Bay, also known as the Bay of Pigs—just a short walk from the lodge and home to many of the lake’s largest fish. Anglers fish morning and afternoon sessions, with lunch at the lodge or packed lunches for those heading to the upper river.

The “best time to go” depends on the angler. From September through December, spring runoff fills the Barrancoso, creating high catch rates and excellent dry-fly opportunities on Moro Creek and nearby lagoons. In the midsummer months of January to March, river levels drop and anglers focus on the river mouth, sight-casting to cruising fish. While catch rates are lower, many still call it the best trout fishing of their lives.
In fall (mid-March to May), rains and snowmelt rejuvenate the river. After feeding in Strobel’s nutrient-rich waters all summer, these rainbows are at their peak strength and aggression.

Flies that consistently produce include skating dries, woolly buggers, zonkers, attractors in various styles, and especially nymphs—all tied on heavy-wire hooks. Despite wind-chopped water, anglers often sight-cast to trout in the river and to cruising pods along the lake’s shelf. Double-digit fish are common, and shots at 20-pound-plus trout are real—two over 24 pounds were landed in 2023.

Recently, Jurassic Lake Lodge became a Sage Experience Destination, meaning you can leave your gear at home and use their arsenal of the newest Sage rods and reels and Rio lines free of charge.

Read the History of Jurassic Lake

Anglers can choose a full week itinerary or half week itinerary.

JURASSIC LAKE LODGE –Full Week
(7 nights/6 days)

Friday:    Arrive Buenos Aires (EZE). Transfer to the domestic airport (AEP) and fly to El Calafate (FTE.) A Jurassic Lake representative will pick you up and transfer you to your hotel.

Saturday:    7:30am hotel pick up. Guest opting for the charter flight will be transferred to the El Calafate Airport. Those opting to drive will have a 6-hour ground transfer to Jurassic Lake Lodge. Fish the rest of the day.

Sun-Fri:    Six full days fishing Jurassic Lake and the Barrancoso River.

Saturday:   Check out. Drive or fly back to the El Calafate Airport to connect with your flight to Buenos Aires and home. (Please do not book outbound flights before 3pm.)

Rate: $8000/angler
Included: Lodging, meals, open bar, Sage Rods/Reels, ground transfers between El Calafate and Jurassic Lake Lodge, license, guided fishing, airport transfers within El Calafate.
Not included: Commercial flights, charter flights ($500/leg/person), flies ($3/fly), single rooms ($700) and hotels/meals in El Calafate and services in Buenos Aires

4 Night Program
(4 nights/3 days – available mid Jan-Apr only)

Monday:    Arrive Buenos Aires (EZE). Transfer to the domestic airport (AEP), fly to El Calafate (FTE.) A lodge representative will pick you up and transfer you to your elected hotel.

Tuesday:    A lodge representative will pick you up around 7:30am and drive you 6 hours to Jurassic Lake Lodge. Fish the rest of the day.

Wed-Fri:    Three full days fishing Jurassic Lake.

Saturday:    Check out. Drive or fly back to the El Calafate Airport to connect with your flight to Buenos Aires and home. (Please do not book outbound flights before 3pm.)

Rate: $5,200/angler

Included: Lodging, meals, open bar, Sage rods & reels, ground transfers between El Calafate and Jurassic Lake Lodge, license, guided fishing, airport transfers within El Calafate.
Not included: Commercial flights, charter flights ($500/leg/person), flies ($3/fly), single rooms ($700) and hotels/meals in El Calafate and services in Buenos Aires

3 Night Program
(3 nights/2.5 days – available mid Jan-May only)
This short program run Saturday to Tuesday is $4,200/angler and could be extended to Wednesday depending on availability.

With over 26 years of organizing trips in Chile and Argentina, we make travel planning efficient and worry-free. Our specialized travel agent ensures your international flights connect smoothly with the exact domestic flights you need for your lodge dates. 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) and transfer 45 minutes to the Buenos Aires Jorge Newbery Domestic Airport (AEP**).** Anglers will then fly to El Calafate depending on their itinerary. A minimum of four hours is required between your international and domestic flights in Buenos Aires.
• Full Week Programs, Saturday – Saturday
On Friday, anglers will fly from Buenos Aires to El Calafate where they are met by a lodge representative who will transfer them to their hotel. The representative will return on Saturday morning at 7:30–7:45 a.m. and either drive them 6 hours to the lodge or guests can elect to take the 1.5-hour charter flight to the lodge. The following Saturday**,** anglers will be transferred back to El Calafate Airport via charter or truck. (Please do not book outbound flights before 3pm.)
• 4 Night Programs, Tuesday to Saturday 
On Tuesday, anglers will fly from Buenos Aires to El Calafate where they are met by a lodge representative who will transfer them to their preferred hotel. The representative will return on Wednesday morning at 7:30–7:45 a.m. and drive them 6 hours to the lodge. On Saturday morning, anglers will return to El Calafate via charter flight or truck. (Please do not book outbound flights before 3pm.)
• 3 Night Programs, Saturday to Tuesday
On Friday, anglers will fly from Buenos Aires to El Calafate where they are met by a lodge representative who will transfer them to their preferred hotel. The representative will return on Saturday morning at 7:30–7:45 a.m. and either drive them 6 hours to the lodge or guests can elect to take the 1.5-hour charter flight to the lodge. On Tuesday morning, anglers will be driven 6 hours back to their chosen hotel or to the El Calafate Airport for their flight back to Buenos Aires and home. (Please do not book outbound flights before 3pm.) This half-week could be extended to Wednesday depending on availability.