THE LAST GOOD COUNTRY: FLY FISHING PATAGONIA
Every angler has a destination that takes hold of his imagination and for me that’s Patagonia. Montana is first in my heart, but more attainable (I’m driving there in a few weeks!). Patagonia is a different level of commitment, a trip to another hemisphere, a pilgrimage to some of the greatest landscapes on earth. I wrote about a trip I took there for the new issue of Robb Report. (You can read it here.) I fished the incredibly productive Collon Cura river which has sleek, silver rainbow trout that are the strongest I’ve ever seen.
A good day on the Collon Cura.
Then we went further west to the wonderful new Aluminé Lodge, which is an absolute delight. The Aluminé is a smaller river, but even more scenic, in my opinion. The water is a little more varied, with more riffles. Probably fewer trout (to be honest), but still very active. And then there’s access to the Mallalco, a spring creek that’s incredibly technical. You’ll have to read the story to find out what happened there. But it was very dramatic and probably one too many plot turns for my taste.
On the Limay. Photo: Limay River Lodge
Lunch is cold beef, a tomato salad and a bottle of Mendoza, served on a red and white tablecloth. You can finish with the strong, sweet coffee that Argentinians love. It’s very civilized, nobody’s in a rush. The hospitality is great, the lodge manager is outside when you arrive and hands you a glass of wine and a warm empanada.
The walk to Mallalco, where I had my fateful experience.
I got so into the whole situation (including a stay in Buenos Aires, one of my favorite cities), that I decided to to host a trip with the great Frontiers outfitter next January. It will be at the Aluminé Lodge and the Limay River Lodge. There are still a few slots left if you’ve wanted to go to one of the great fishing destinations anywhere. I think it will be a truly memorable trip, with terrific fishing in the day and gilled asado at night. Salut!
For more information, please write contact@thecontender.co.
On the Limay, with Nestor, an all-time guide.
Grilling life is the good life in Argentina.