Villa Maria Lodge

Villa Maria Lodge is an intimate, high-end Sea Run Brown Trout lodge on the lower Río Grande in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina. Set within historic Estancia José Menéndez on the south bank of the river just a few miles above tidal water, it gives six anglers private access to roughly 20 km of prime lower-river water and first crack at chrome-bright fish fresh from the sea. On many pools you’ll fish among seagulls and practically taste the salt in the air.

This is classic lower Río Grande water—long, wide pools that reward good spey casting. Each beat holds multiple pools with a healthy mix of 8–25 lb Sea Run Browns, and Villa Maria’s veteran guides rotate anglers through all the beats over the week, offering expert advice on angles, sink tips, and fly choice. A convenient river house on a bluff above the river shortens drive times and provides a proper lunch and welcomed siesta between sessions.

Villa Maria Lodge is a renovated ranch house designed for international anglers who prefer refined and private accommodations. It is one of many buildings that make up the quaint Estancia José Menéndez village complex, located about 30 minutes from the Rio Grande Airport and the Atlantic Ocean. This historic ranch still runs 40,000 sheep and 1,500 head of cattle on its 120,000 acres.

The exterior of Villa Maria Lodge reflects its historic past; however, the interior is now a modern and cozy fishing lodge. All six guests have their own private en-suite bedroom, each with high-end bedding and tasteful décor. A spacious living room with a wood-burning fireplace and a well-stocked bar becomes the social heart of the lodge, while the elegant dining room showcases multi-course meals prepared by Villa Maria’s dedicated chef, paired with excellent Argentine wines from Catena Zapata.

To maximize time on the water, Villa Maria also uses a modern river house perched on a high bluff overlooking the lower Río Grande. Here anglers gather midday for a warm lunch with a view, hot showers, and a quiet siesta before returning to pursue fresh Sea Run Browns during the evening fishing session.

Villa Maria Lodge sits on the lower Río Grande in Tierra del Fuego, giving anglers private access to roughly 20 km of prime double-bank water where fresh Sea Run Brown Trout first enter the system from the Atlantic. This stretch is broader and more powerful than the upper river, with long, even pools and classic swing water that consistently produces fish from 8–15 pounds and even yields a few fish over 25 each season.

Fishing is structured around two sessions each day. After a hearty breakfast, anglers head to the river around mid-morning and fish a dedicated beat with two anglers per guide, working through three to seven pools. Around midday everyone regroups at the river house for lunch and a siesta before returning to a different beat for the long evening session, when some of the largest fish are often hooked. Beats and guides rotate throughout the week, so guests are continually learning new water while keeping pools rested.

The lower river’s width and steady winds make it ideal for 12–15 ft two-handed rods and modern shooting heads, though confident casters can fish effectively with single-handers. Line and fly choices range from floating heads and small flies in mild conditions to sink tips and larger patterns when the water is higher or colder, creating a dynamic, technical Sea Run Brown Trout program tailored to experienced anglers.

Learn more about the Rio Grande and it’s Sea Run Brown Trout fishing…

VILLA MARIA LODGE
(7 nights/6 days fishing)

Friday:    Arrive Buenos Aires (EZE). Transfer to the domestic airport (AEP) and fly to Rio Grande (RGA) or Ushuaia (USH.) Villa Maria Lodge guides will pick you up and transfer you 25 mins – 3 hours to the lodge. Cocktails and dinner.

Sat-Thu:    Six days fly fishing in Tierra del Fuego at Villa Maria Lodge.

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

Rate:    $11,655 – $14,950
Included: Lodging in single rooms, meals, open bar, guided fishing, loaner rod, transfers to/from
the Rio Grande Airport and 1 night/1 day Golden Dorado fishing at Delta Eco Lodge.
Not included: Flights, license ($550), terminal tackle, transfers to/from the Ushuaia (~$250/passenger/leg, paid onsite) and services in Buenos Aires depending on your package.

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 Thursday and transfer 45 mins to their hotel.
• On Friday, 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 Villa Maria Lodge are picked up at either the Rio Grande or Ushuaia Airport and driven 30 min or 3 hours to the lodge.
• Hotel and transfers in Buenos Aires may be included in your package.
• Villa Maria Lodge will transfer you back to the regional airport for your flight to Buenos Aires and home.