An Introduction to Patagonia's Le Fario Lodge

During your stay at Le Fario Lodge, you will have the chance to explore many of the region’s best trout fishing waters. The Rivadavia, Arrayanes, Futaleufu, Lago Verde, Laguna Larga, Krugger, and Frey each offer distinct fishing experiences, and all offer incredible scenery. Over your five days of fishing, expert guides will help you navigate rivers, streams, and lakes in pursuit of trophy wild brown, rainbow, and brook trout. Patagonia’s peak trout fishing season runs from November to May. The first months of the fishing season offer excellent dry fly fishing, while the second half of the season is better suited for hopper-dropper rigs, streamers, and other subsurface offerings.

All of the fly fishing guides at Le Fario Lodge are authorized by Chubut Province and National Parks and have expert knowledge of the region’s waters. One guide will accompany every two anglers and will curate the day’s fishing to meet your skill level and goals, no matter if you are an experienced angler or first-time fly fisher.

Río Rivadavia

The Río Rivadavia, located entirely within the Alerces National Park, is a river which offers excellent opportunities to fish for rising trout. The river features a variety of trout habitats, from calm pools to fast-flowing currents, and its clear waters provide excellent visibility. You and your guide will spot trout feeding among the rocks and undercut banks of the Río Rivadavia, and you’ll quickly understand why it is one of the premier sight fishing destinations in all of Argentina.

Río Arrayanes

The Río Arrayanes flows between beautiful Lago Verde and the vast Futalaufquen Lake. This slow and deep river stretches about four miles and offers excellent fishing from November to January. The Río Arrayanes is named for the trees which line its banks, recognizable by their orange bark and tangled branches. This bug- and bait-rich ecosystem is home to trophy brown and rainbow trout, eager to sip dry flies or attack streamers.

Río Futaleufu

The swift rapids of the Río Futaleufu are famous for their white water rafting opportunities; however, this river also features slower stretches of runs and pools that hold healthy populations of brown and rainbow trout. The Futaleufu is a large river and is best fished from a drift boat or raft. Floating the river with one of Le Fario Lodge’s expert guides allows access to miles of pristine, crystal-clear trout water.

Lago Verde

Lago Verde offers excellent sight fishing opportunities for large brown and rainbow trout. The lake is renowned for its striking turquoise waters, which are fed by glacial runoff, and is surrounded by a breathtaking backdrop of rugged mountains and dense forest. This idyllic setting provides excellent fishing opportunities, and also offers a chance to witness the region’s diverse wildlife. Keep an eye out for muscular huemul and smaller pudú, two endangered Patagonian deer species that frequent the region’s lakes. 

Laguna Larga

Laguna Larga, just steps from Le Fario Lodge, offers a chance at trophy brown trout. Caddis hatches along the banks most evenings during peak season allow anglers to fish for rising trout from shore. You can take advantage of this evening hatch before sitting down to an exquisite dinner each night.

Río Frey

The Río Frey is another excellent fishing destination in Los Alerces National Park. This river flows from Lake Futalaufquen to the south and is known for its fast, clear waters. Brown trout and rainbow trout thrive in The Frey’s faster riffles and deep, slow-moving pools. This river offers a varied and exciting fishing experience, surrounded by impressive snow-capped mountains and forested vistas.

After exploring many of the incredible fisheries Patagonia has to offer, Laura and Gonzalo Martinez settled on Los Alerces National Park to establish their fly fishing haven. The Park is located in the Andes of northern Patagonia, with its western boundary adjacent to the Chilean border. The region's landscape was shaped by successive glaciations, resulting in notable features such as moraines, glacial cirques, and glacial lakes— dominated by dense temperate forests, the vegetation transitions to magnificent alpine meadows at higher elevations beneath the rocky Andean peaks.

The park gets its name from its vast forest which contains the globally threatened Alerce tree, recognized as the second longest-living tree species in the world, with some specimens exceeding 3,600 years in age. This alerce forest is well-preserved, and the park plays an important role in protecting one of the last contiguous stretches of Patagonian forest in near-pristine condition. The entire area offers habitat for various endemic and threatened species of Patagonian flora and fauna — including huemul, pudú, pumas, and the huillín, a native otter. 

Each of the four rooms at Le Fario Lodge features a king-sized bed and a spacious private bathroom, as well as stunning views of Laguna Larga and the Andes mountains. The lodge includes a comfortable living room with a central wood fireplace and large windows that showcase the breathtaking landscape. Guests can also enjoy the view from the lodge’s outdoor hot tub, available any time. The wood-paneled waders room provides a comfortable space for changing before and after fishing, along with access to the adjacent sauna. A well-stocked wine cave next to the lodge offers an extensive selection of carefully curated Argentine wines for you to choose from.

A standout feature of Le Fario Lodge is its exceptional cuisine. Both Laura and Gonzalo are professional chefs with extensive experience, having worked in professional kitchens across the globe. Every meal is its own culinary adventure, thoughtfully crafted using local and fresh ingredients — many of the dishes are sourced from the Martinez’s own garden and other surrounding farms. A diverse selection of local Argentine wines chosen from their wine cave is carefully paired to enhance each dining experience, making for truly fine wine-and-dining.

Day 1

Your adventure begins the moment you touch down in Esquel, Argentina, where a warm welcome awaits you from a dedicated member of the Le Fario Lodge team. The drive from Esquel to Le Fario Lodge offers remarkable scenery, setting the stage for your stay. Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted by Laura, Gonzalo, and the rest of the staff — and will get a chance to settle in before dinner is served.

Days 2-6

Teams of two anglers will head out each morning with one of Le Fario Lodge’s skilled fly fishing guides. Over the course of the week, you will have the chance to fish six different waters around Los Alerces National Park, Trevelin, and Esquel. Whether you choose to fish one of the region’s many rivers, lakes, streams, or spring creeks, you will experience stunning scenery and world-class trout fishing.

Day 7

Following a delicious breakfast of hot and cold meal offerings, you will have the chance to spend the morning fishing Laguna Larga for beautiful brown trout. After lunch, bid farewell to Le Fario Lodge and make the scenic drive back to Esquel. There, you’ll catch a return flight to Buenos Aires, bringing with you memories and stories that will last a lifetime.

To make this trip a truly unique experience, AnyCreek partners with avid angler, former pro soccer player, and international travel host, Ben Sweat. Ben’s soccer career included stints with Major League Soccer’s New England Revolution, Columbus Crew, NYCFC, Inter Miami CF, Austin FC, and Sporting Kansas City, and he has represented Team USA’s men’s soccer team on the global stage. Ben has always balanced his soccer career with a passion for fishing and exploration. He is a wonderful person to fish with and learn from, and he’s thrilled to travel to Argentina in December, 2024 to experience this once-in-a-lifetime trip. To learn more about fishing with Ben Sweat at Le Fario Lodge, click here.