There is no doubt that Patagonia is one of the premier freshwater fly fishing destinations globally—a productive and unique region in South America that hosts dozens of lodges, experienced guides, and professionals, along with more rivers, streams, and lakes than one could fish in a lifetime. The options and choices are endless, making the decision of where, when, and how to fish in Patagonia sometimes overwhelming. This is especially true when planning or researching a trip to the region for the first time.
Here at Na Patagonia, we receive a steady stream of inquiries from anglers interested in fishing in South America, and the conversation often begins with "Should I be looking in Argentina or Chile?" and "Can you tell me the differences between the two?"
The good news? There's no wrong answer; if you're fishing with a proven operation and a legitimate program, you'll likely have an overall great experience. However, there are many options, and narrowing down the list to find the perfect location can be a challenge if you're trying to do it on your own.
A quick web search produces a long list of destinations spread across Chile and Argentina, each claiming to be the best and all showcasing appealing photos of happy anglers holding trophy fish. With so many choices, how do you cut through the noise, narrow down the list, and ultimately choose the lodge or fishing operation that fits what you're looking for?
Chile
As close as the two countries are, Chile can take the lead when it comes to the overall diversity of species and fishing opportunities. With chances to catch sea-migrating brown trout, steelhead, Pacific and Atlantic salmon, resident trout, rainbow trout, and stream-bred trout of all sizes, both novice and experienced anglers are catered to by Chilean lodges and guides in a wide array of situations and scenarios.
While some hatches may be present throughout the season, it's worth noting that the hatch situation is much more prolific in neighboring Argentina. What Chile offers is the chance to throw big things: mice, dragonflies, large streamers, giant beetles, and large foam surface attractors.
In terms of species diversity, the increasing populations of "wild" steelhead, king salmon, and Atlantic salmon have recently earned Chile recognition among anglers as a legitimate destination to pursue anadromous species. Chilean Patagonia is largely composed of temperate forests, long fjords, and narrow valleys meeting the imposing Andes Mountains along the east side of this narrow country like a ribbon. This rapid and steep descent in altitude from the Andes to the coastal areas creates a wild and isolated landscape that is both rugged and largely untouched.
For years, many of Chile's most productive rivers were extremely challenging to access without long hikes, horseback adventures, or helicopter rides. With the recent construction of new roads and bridges, as well as an overall improvement in Chile's infrastructure, access to incredible waters has substantially opened up.
The climate and landscape of Chilean Patagonia closely resemble the rugged coastal zones of Oregon and Washington, where short, high-gradient rivers, regular precipitation, and cooler temperatures are the norm. Fly-fishing towns like Puerto Montt, Chaiten, La Junta, and Coyhaique are home to Na Patagonia's favorite fishing operations in Chile, all of which serve as gateways to some of the country's finest waters.
Argentina
Argentina is often described as "Montana 75 years ago," mainly due to similar arid landscapes, an abundance of productive water, and overall light fishing pressure. Where Argentina stands out compared to Chile is in the rich river biomass and insect hatches that are heavier, more diverse, and seasonally longer than those in Chile.
This means that in most Argentine rivers, anglers can almost always "fish the hatches" and cast dry flies in addition to finding good action on streamers, nymphs, and large attractive patterns. Established fishing infrastructure in areas like San Martin de los Andes, Esquel, Junin, and Rio Pico makes it a great choice for anglers dedicated to dry fly fishing, as well as those new to trout fishing.
The vast mountainous and open landscapes of Argentina create a stark contrast with the lush tropical forest environment found in many parts of Chile. Argentina is in the rain shadow of the Andes on the east side of the imposing mountain range, with dry, open, and endless terrain that gradually descends in altitude as it stretches eastward to the Atlantic.
Argentina boasts a wonderful culture, friendly people, an abundance of excellent food (think giant steaks), amazing Malbec wines, and wild, strong, and fast fish. Additions for golden dorado in the northern part of the country or anadromous brown trout in the southern Tierra del Fuego can also be arranged, allowing anglers the opportunity to experience various areas and different types of fishing on the same trip.
Making the Final Decision: The fact is, wherever you choose to go in Patagonia, you'll find great fishing opportunities, friendly people, a unique culture, and beautiful landscapes on both sides of the border. And for those who simply can't decide, Na Patagonia can arrange packages that allow fishing in both countries on the same trip—something that is logistically easier than it may seem. Fishing seasons are similar on both sides of the border and generally occur from early November to mid-April.
Despite the fact that Patagonia is far from home for visitors from Brazil, traveling to Argentina or Chile is quite easy. However, there are some notable differences in travel logistics between the two countries that can play a role in overall trip planning. For example, in most cases, anglers heading to Chile may need to overnight in Santiago (Chile's international hub). Travel to Argentina usually requires a night in a hotel in Buenos Aires before flying to the final destination at the lodge. As Buenos Aires is such an amazing city, most anglers welcome the opportunity to visit and explore Argentina's interesting and colorful capital gladly.
The Na Patagonia team has extensive experience throughout Patagonia, and we work hard to build strong relationships with the best fly fishing operations in Argentina and Chile. Contact us today, and allow us to provide you with details for each destination, as well as the best information on the season, hatches, water conditions, recommended equipment, and travel logistics.
