In the Malleo, Collon Cura and Traful rivers
Patagonia's northern fishing zone lies on the foothills of the Andes in the Neuquen Province, including great lakes and rivers which have proved to be excellent areas for the spawning of trout, due to an unique combination of abundant food and water qualities, set in a wonderful environment.
This region is responsible for making Argentine trout fishing famous around the world, which main feature is the number of rivers, tributaries and lakes plentiful in animal life and of special interest for the fly-cast fisherman.
Fishing season lasts from beginnings of November to ends of April, (some areas open till the 31st of May, when only catch & release is permitted). Best options are November and December or March and April, while January and February, (warmest period), guarantee very nice fishing, too.
There are some rivers and lakes where a certain number of fishes can be kept and regulations allow fly fishing, spinning & trolling modalities. Nevertheless, SYC SPORTING strongly encourages fly fishing and adheres to the principle of catch & release. The organization offers not only fishing trips by the Malleo and its surroundings, but also all around this magnificent region, including the Aluminé, Collón Cura or Traful rivers, or lakes as Tromen
MALLE RIVER
Fishing season lasts from beginnings of November to ends of April, (some areas open till the 31st of May, when only catch & release is permitted). Best options are November and December or March and April, while January and February, (warmest period), guarantee very nice fishing, too.
There are some rivers and lakes where a certain number of fishes can be kept and regulations allow fly fishing, spinning & trolling modalities. Nevertheless, SYC SPORTING strongly encourages fly fishing and adheres to the principle of catch & release.
The organization offers not only fishing trips by the Malleo and its surroundings, but also all around this magnificent region, including the Aluminé, Collón Cura or Traful rivers, or lakes as Tromen
COLLON CURA RIVER
The biggest of the trout rivers in the area… that is the Collon Cura, called “the fish factory of northern Patagonia”. Wet wading the broad open riffles provides a good balance to float fishing the tall cliffs and willow lined banks.
Dry fly fishing can be excelent in December and particularly in mid-January, during the green inch worm "hatch" in the streamside willows.
The streamer fishing from February to April can be amazing with very usual 40 to 60 fish-a-day. Fall is a wonderful time to hunt for trophy browns that start moving upstream in search of their birthplace, to spawn.
The valley is well populated with wild red stag and russian boar often being able to see while driving to and from the river. Sunsets in the valley can be spectacular and the Collon Cura is a definite “must” for any angler traveling to Patagonia.
SYC SPORTING use to start making ¨floating trips¨ at Collón Cura from mid December and up to the end of the season. It is advisable to make arrangements for two or three days, staying overnight at Collon Cura Lodge. Besides, full fishing journeys at the river are well escorted by gourmet meals and best red & white wines of Argentina. On our floating trips, some fishermen prefer to fish from the boat, but we provide wading as well.
The Collon Cura Lodge, located at the lower part of same named river, as said above, is SYC SPORTING s´ choice for lodging their anglers in the area. Surrounded by wildlife and beauty, accomodation as well as other features are superb, ensuring outstanding services to our guests.
TRAFUL RIVER
The Traful is a beautiful glacier blue river running through a dramatic valley of incredible rock formations. Legendary among international anglers for years, it boasts one of the best Landlocked Salmon fisheries in all of Argentina. Famous for holding trophy rainbows, browns and Landlocked Salmon, it is not quantity but quality of fish that the Traful produces, with trout between 20 and 30 inches.
This “River of the Spirits" as it is known, is rich in tradition and fishing lore. The Traful lake and river is the only water system in South America where salmon actually prosper. The presence of landlocked salmon in its waters is told to have been a result of an accident.
Legend talks about a shipment of Landlocked Atlantic Salmon (Salmon Salar Sebago) from US stock sent vía Europe that was planted arround 1903 in the Traful by an observant driver of the ox-cart in which they were being transported to a hatchery elsewhere in Patagonia. He noticed that the eggs were starting to hatch and wouldn´t reach their destination alive. Then, he decided to place them in the Traful, maybe as a desperate decision. The best Landlocked Salmon waters in Argentina were probably born out of this matter of destiny.
Dry flies are not the preferred ones here. Most effective are supposed to be brown or green woolly buggers (imitating the pelican crab which is prevalent in most of the rivers in the area), as well as large nymphs.
Nevertheless, almost same number of trophy trout have been taken on dry flies, nymphs and streamers and it is quite an experience to watch one of these huge trout rise up from the deepness and sniff your Royal Wulf or Madam X.
As an excellent destination for fisherman and non-fisherman alike, the beautiful and stylish Arroyo Verde Lodge offers wonderful service, being the choice of SYC Sporting for its clients, in the area. Well located near the salmon pools of the upper river, the entire 10 miles of river coast bordered with the estancia are accessible by short 10-15 minute drive. Food is also gorgeous and landscape, outstanding.
TROMEN LAKE
Nestled in the Andes and at the base of Lanin Volcano, chasing the big trout of Lago Tromen is an experience not to be missed.
Actually, among lakes of all Patagonia, Tromen Lake has made many a fisherman's whole trip. Specially good in the early season, from November through early February, sight casting dries and streamers to 20-28 inch cruising trophy trout is a highlight.
Huge rainbow, brown, and brook trout are easily spotted in the clear waters as they move and feed along the tree lined shore. With good hatches of mayflies, caddis and periodic falls of green beetles, Tromen Lake has changed many river fishermen´s preference to the still waters of Patagonia.
Tromen Lake is located just neighbouring the back side of the ranch which San Huberto belongs to, being the source of the Malleo River and the home of record sized brook trout that can be fished wading from the shallow or from our boats. The lake belongs to the Lanín National Park district and distance from San Huberto (our choice for guests lodging) is extremely convenient (about 40-minute drive).
SYC SPORTING fish on this lake by motor boats, casting large rainbow, brown and brook trout. It is possible to cast from modern motor boats to the shore (fly fishing, of course) using both streamers and dry flies over rising fish. The best and funiest option is dry fly and nymph fishing, being able to expect about 10 to15 catches a day per boat (two fishermen each).
Fishing journeys usually combine a special gourmet lunch at the shore, provided by San Huberto´s welknown kitchen, or also a wonderful Argentinean asado with empanadas & fresh salads.
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