When choosing an outfitter to book in Argentina, to be honest, there are many great options, but Ron and Diego of Chocolate Labs Expeditions are unique in their portfolio offerings. They and their crew are simply exceptional at making the most of your visit and fishing opportunities. Although their base operation, the Limay River Ranch (LRR) is a game changer for fishing the incredible Rio Limay, you also have options. While they would happily have you stay and fish at the LRR on the Limay, they work with a number of other noteworthy estancias in the area giving you the opportunity to fish a variety of incredible rivers with their knowledgeable team of guides ensuring you get the most from your Argentine fly fishing experience. Although the Rio Limay is this province’s crown jewel the other rivers in the area: the Malleo, Collun Cura, Chimehuin, Caleufu, and Filo Hua Hum are exceptional fisheries in their own right. Depending on the time of year, a selection of these rivers can be bundled into a custom itinerary catered to the experience and fishing styles you prefer. From large to small waters and everything in between you have options. With decades of experience working with Ron and Diego and our familiarity of the area, we can help personalize a custom Argentina fly fishing itinerary that few others can offer.
The fishing in this part of Patagonia is as diverse as the topography and the rivers that flow through the region's vast, raw and vacant landscape. One day you may be skating large dry flies for large browns that are known to rise from 10’ of the Limay’s emerald clear water to take your offering, the next being challenged to match one of the areas incredible hatches with long leaders and gossamer tippets. There is great fishing all over Argentina, even Chile, but we picked this area, and its rivers because there is excellent dry fly fishing, prolific hatches and incredible diversity of waters. Throughout the season you can experience good hatches of mayflies, caddis and in the heat of their summer good terrestrial fishing. When there aren‘t noses up, the nymph and streamer fishing will fill in the void quite adequately. You’ll find the guides who fish these rivers are adept at helping you get the most from what the river offers each day. They are personable, knowledgeable, and will go out of their way as only Argentine’s can to accommodate you.
Of all the rivers in Argentina the Limay river stands alone. That’s saying a lot considering the Malleo is regarded as one of the finest dry fly rivers in all of South America. Compared to the Malleo, the Limay’s size can be intimidating. Those new to this river are surprised by its clarity, and the vast arid sandstone landscape it flows through. It’s home to some of Argentina’s biggest browns. Ron and Diego have a little different approach to catching these fish, which sets them apart from others who fish this river. That being said, the river's large brown trout aren‘t the only prized possession in this river as it’s impressive rainbows can quickly empty your reel. The Limay also experiences some of the most intensive insect hatches you’ll witness on any Argentine river. It is truly an impressive fishery. That said, it can also hand your head to you as any river can.
As you move from the arid landscape of the Limay to the Malleo, rivers get smaller as you rise into the heart of the spectacular Andes. Due to the size of most of the waters in the area Chocolate Labs uses RO drift boats to take advantage of what the rivers offer. Many of its rivers are dense in willows, and the resident trout will frequently tuck in behind and under them to take advantage of what may drift by. That said, there are also smaller, more intimate rivers that are excellent walk and wade fisheries, the Malleo and Filo Hua Hum in particular.
When booking a trip through CLE you have a number of options of places to stay and rivers to fish. You can even throw in a camp trip, which is a great way to enjoy a number of the rivers in the area while being pampered by a very comfortable evening on the river under the stars. The Limay River Ranch is a relatively new casual lodge that is ideally situated to help you take advantage of what this significant and unique river offers. San Huberto is a much more refined and established estancia located on the Rio Malleo. The Olson family has catered to some of fly fishing's more notable characters; Lee, The Beck’s, Schweibert, and White to mention just a few. It’s one of the most respected estancias in all of Argentina nestled in the heart of the Andes.
On the Collon Cura and Filo Hua Hum you enjoy smaller estancias that take on only 8 anglers. Both of their respective estancias, similar to San Huberto, have a long and storied history. Although no one can control the fishing or the fishing conditions, what you will enjoy is very accommodating lodges, staff, guides, and some truly incredible food. All reasons why we’ll be continuing to make this trip as long as they will have us. Fly fishing in Argentina is truly an incredible experience and as mentioned the fishing is just one of the reasons we continue to return.
In general it takes several days to get to your fishing destination beginning with a flight into Buenos Aires. Most flights arrive fairly early in the morning giving you the most of the day and night to enjoy this amazing city before taking a domestic flight to where you’ll meet representatives from CLE to begin your trip. On your return flights, guests depart from Argentina arriving home the following day. Although it’s a long trek to fish this country, if it was closer and easier it would be far more crowded. Instead, on most days you’ll see few others, and it’s not rare to not see another person while enjoying some of Argentina’s best fishing.
