Patagonia Wingshooting 

Patagonia Cast & Blast at its finest — wild quail hunting over pointing dogs, world-class trout fishing on the Río Futaleufú, and early morning duck hunting from blinds, all in a single week without once changing lodges. Few programs anywhere combine all three, and Patagonia Wingshooting at El Encuentro Lodge in the province of Chubut, is the only one that we know of in Argentina that does.

Based on the banks of the Río Futaleufú near Esquel, the program runs April through late May, when quail coveys are at their largest, Brown Trout are in aggressive pre-spawn feeding mode, and Patagonian ducks are massing ahead of their northward migration.

Up to six hunters and ten guests total share exclusive access to more than 200,000 private acres of Andean foothills, guided by bilingual professionals who have spent their lives on these waters and in these hills.

Each day is yours to design. Part of your group may head into the hills after quail while others float the rivers for trout. Start the morning in a duck blind and spend the afternoon on the water. For fly anglers who have always wanted to add Argentina quail hunting or duck hunting to their Patagonia trip, El Encuentro Lodge makes it possible — backed by over 40 years of the Beale family’s legendary hospitality on the Futaleufú.

El Encuentro Lodge sits on a bluff above the Río Futaleufú, with sweeping views of the river and the snow-capped Andes rising toward the Chilean border. Built by the Beale family as a private gathering place for friends and family, the lodge has welcomed international sporting guests for over 40 years — and it shows in the warmth and ease of the place. With three rooms in the main house and two ensuite rooms in an adjacent cottage, the lodge accommodates up to ten guests in comfortable double-occupancy rooms, all with private bathrooms.

The common room and dining area overlook the river and serve as the natural gathering point for guests and guides at the end of each day — a fireplace, a well-stocked bar, and enough room for everyone without ever feeling crowded. Meals are a genuine highlight: organic vegetables from the lodge’s kitchen garden, eggs from their own chickens, locally sourced lamb and beef, and house-baked bread daily. Argentine wines accompany each dinner and lunch in the field.  Guests are also treated to at least one traditional Patagonian asado with the family and guides during their stay.

El Encuentro’s Patagonia Cast n Blast program welcomes non-hunting companions who have their own dedicated guide for outdoor adventures and cultural day-trips.

Whether you prefer to focus your week on quail, waterfowl, fly fishing, or all three, Patagonia Wingshooting offers fully customizable days on more than 200,000 private acres of central Patagonia.

Argentina Quail Hunting, April 1-May 31
California Quail were first introduced to Patagonia in the 1920s and have flourished ever since. On a typical day hunters encounter 10–15 coveys of 30–100 birds, shooting three to four boxes of shells to reach the daily limit of 15 birds/hunter. Up to four hunters per day work with bilingual guides and well-trained English Pointers, German Pointers, and Springer Spaniels through open, brushy Patagonian steppe country.

Patagonia Duck Hunting,  April 1 – June 15
Up to two hunters per day hunt from well-camouflaged blinds on private lagoons and irrigation trenches, accompanied by German Wirehaired Pointers and Labrador Retrievers. Daily limits are 12 ducks/hunter with the prominent species being Yellow-Billed Pintail and Speckled Teal, but Silver Teal and Chiloé Wigeon may also pitch into the decoys. After a morning duck hunt, the afternoons are open for quail or a float on the river.

Patagonia Trout Fishing, Nov 1-May 31
The Río Futaleufú flows right past the lodge — one of the most consistent tailwater fisheries in central Patagonia. Beyond the Futa, anglers have access to intimate spring creeks, mid-sized rivers within Los Alerces National Park, and private lakes holding rainbows in the 5 to 8 pound class. Full-day floats, afternoon sessions, streamers, nymphs, and dry flies keep the options fresh throughout the week.

Beyond the Hunt and the River
Non-hunting/non-fishing companions are welcomed and equally entertained at El Encuentro. Ask us about the many cultural and outdoor activities available.

Quality Beretta and Benelli shotguns in 12 and 20 gauge, shells, and top-quality fly-fishing gear are all provided at no extra charge.

Daily schedules are set by guest preferences and current conditions.

PATAGONIA WINGSHOOTING
(7 nights/6 days hunting and/or fishing)

Day 1:    Arrive Buenos Aires (EZE). Transfer to the domestic airport (AEP) and fly to Esquel (ESQ.) Guides will pick you up and transfer you 1 hour to El Encuentro Lodge.  Settle in and tour the grounds before welcome cocktails and dinner.

Day 2-7:    Six days quail hunting, duck hunting, trout fishing or non-sporting activities.
Each day is customized to guest preferences.

Day 8:    Check out, transfer back to the Esquel Airport for your flight to Buenos Aires and home.

Rate: $10,850/person
Included: Lodging, meals, open bar, 6 days guided hunting/fishing, rods, waders, flies, shotguns, shells and licenses, all non-hunting/fishing programs, laundry and transportation to/from the Esquel Airport and while in Patagonia.
Not Included: Flights, transfers to/from the Bariloche Airport, services in Buenos Aires.

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 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 Esquel (EQS.) An overnight in BA may be necessary. Four hours minimum is required between your international and domestic flights in Buenos Aires.
• Anglers are picked up at the Esquel Airport and driven 1 hour to El Encuentro Lodge.
• Anglers are dropped off at the Esquel Airport for their flight back to Buenos Aires and home.