The Fishing

El Encuentro Fly Fishing has spent nearly 40 years building relationships with local landowners and researching all the waters, big and small, in our region.

No matter the season, we strive to provide our guests with a diverse array of productive angling options for brown, rainbow, and brook trout in central Patagonia. Some of the featured and famed fisheries available to our anglers include the Futaleufu, Arrayanes, Rivadavia, Carrileufu, and Corcovado rivers, Kruger and Verde lakes, and a variety of smaller lakes and streams in the Rio Pico area.

But just as importantly, we know the best times to fish each, depending on hatches, conditions, and other variables — and that’s how we can craft a trip that is designed to fit with your individual tastes, skills, and preferences. On most trips, you will enjoy a combination of floating in rafts and boats, as well as walk-wading, and will sample a variety of our fisheries based on the itinerary we’ve crafted for you.

Guests fish one or two anglers per guide and employ a variety of fly fishing techniques depending on water and fishing conditions. Whether casting big terrestrials, throwing big streamers, or casting dry droppers, El Encuentro’s veteran guides have the experience to help you enjoy a great day on the water.

If you don’t want the hassles of bringing your own gear, we can provide loaner equipment upon request, including waders and boots, rods, and reels. Guides will supply you with leaders and tippet and flies to ensure that you have the right pattern for the right moment, or feel free to bring your own. Whether you’re a complete novice or skilled expert, you’re going to love fly fishing in Patagonia.

Where We Fish

We have spent nearly 40 years building relationships and learning the best waters in central Patagonia. The region in which we work encompasses dozens of superb fisheries, with a mix of public and private waters. We know when each fishes best and will tailor your itinerary to match your priorities and expectations so your trip is just as memorable as you imagined.

Video: Spring Fly Fishing

Big fish, dry flies, streamers — spring at El Encuentro has it all, with plenty of action on our rivers, streams, and lakes. It’s a fantastic time to be in Argentina!

Video: Fall Fly Fishing

Autumn is a unique time of year — between the changing scenery and the hungry fish, there’s always something to see or do here at the Lodge.

Uniquely Argentina: The El Encuentro Lodging Experience

El Encuentro features a robust, expansive fishing program with a wide variety of exciting options spread across a large swath of Patagonia. Our guests typically spend 7-10 nights with us, splitting their time between El Encuentro Lodge and Brook Trout Base Camp, with the option of also staying at our partner lodge, Valle del Carrileufu. By combining two or three locations into your visit we can craft a trip that’s individually suited to your fishing preferences.

  • “After many visits, it always feels like home and family, and of course the fishing is amazing, the team make it special, and always a special memory. Muchas gracias!!”

    — NINA F., VIRGINIA, USA

  • “Second year and a wonderful experience. The fishing is wonderful, but the staff is what makes this a special place!”

    — HENRY H., USA

  • “Throughout our trip, the food was delicious, the wine bottomless, and the lodges accommodating of every request. It was, we all agreed, the trip of a lifetime.”

    — ED SWIFT, THE ANGLING REPORT