Chubut River
Rio Chubut · River
Our Waters
River · Fished from Cholila Lodge · Rainbow and brown trout
Chubut Province's namesake river rises in the Andes of Río Negro Province and runs about 800 kilometers, south and then east across the Patagonian steppe, to the Atlantic. Low, gravel-bottomed water, rich in trout.
The Chubut gives its province its name. Its upper course, about 130 kilometers long, runs from north to south through the northwest of Chubut Province, joined along the way by the Leleque and Ñorquincó streams and by the Rio Tecka (also called the Gualjaina). The river then turns east and crosses the Patagonian steppe to reach the Atlantic at Engaño Bay, near Rawson: about 800 kilometers in all.
Across the steppe the Chubut runs low over a gravel bottom and is rich in fish, with rainbow and brown trout the quarry, and it is a popular trout-fishing destination in its own right. Far downstream, its lower valley is where Welsh settlers made their home from 1865, and towns such as Gaiman remain centers of Welsh-Argentine culture.
The Chubut is one of the waters fished from Cholila Lodge. Which stretch is on the plan depends on conditions on your dates, so ask the lodge.
Photo credit — Chubut River: Gastón Cuello, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons; resized and compressed.
Our Waters
Our Waters
Tecka
Small Stream · Named for Caridad's original site
A small wade-fishing stream carrying the same name Caridad was long known by. Rainbow and brown trout.
Corcovado
River · Closer to Caridad
Runs over sixty miles before crossing into Chile, where it becomes the legendary Palena. Lower stretches near Corcovado town, in the same corridor as Tecka. Mammoth brown trout, vibrant rainbows.
Arroyo Pescado Spring Creek
Spring Creek · 30 min east of Esquel
One of the world's best spring creeks: crystal-clear, shallow, technical sight-fishing. Open January 1 through May 1 only. Trout to 16–22+ inches.
Nant Y Fall
Small Spring-Fed Stream · Central Patagonia region
A petite, lake-fed stream with the elegant demeanor of a spring creek: a private angling haven with the Andes on the horizon. Rainbows to 18+ inches.
Cholila Lake
Lake · Close to Cholila Lodge, on the same shore
A clear Andean lake with mountains on every side, where trout cruise the shoreline. Fished from shore, wading, or by boat. Multiple trout species.
Carrileufu River
River · Closer to Rivadavia: also fished by Cholila
Flows from Lago Cholila through the historic Cholila Valley (once Butch Cassidy's territory) into Lago Rivadavia, becoming the source of the Rivadavia River. Described by the source lodge as among the clearest water they fish. Best floated November–January. Also fished by Cholila Lodge, the separate lodge on the same lake: same word, different thing. Early-season landlocked Atlantic salmon, hard-fighting browns and rainbows.
Rivadavia River
River · Central Patagonia: also fished by Trevelin
Flows from Lago Rivadavia to Lago Verde. Not to be confused with Rivadavia Lodge: same word, different thing. Rainbow, brown, and brook trout, landlocked salmon (18+ inch average).
Rio Futaleufú
River · Los Alerces area: fished by both Futaleufu and Trevelin
Originates at Lago Futalaufquen in Parque Nacional Los Alerces. Trout run large here. Trout averaging 16–20 inches.
Percy
River · Los Alerces area, near Futaleufu
Weaves from the heart of Los Alerces National Park and Esquel, joining the Rio Corintos on its course to the Rio Futaleufú.
Corintos
River · Los Alerces area: fished by both Futaleufu and Trevelin
Meanders roughly 30 miles before merging with the Rio Futaleufú, alternating between freestone and spring-creek character. Trout to 18 inches.
Arrayanes
River · Los Alerces area: fished by both Futaleufu and Trevelin
Connects Lago Verde and Lago Futalaufquen along a four-mile run, named for the orange-barked arrayán trees on its banks. Best in early season (November–January). Rainbow and brown trout.
Frey
River · Los Alerces area, near Futaleufu
The largest river in Parque Nacional Los Alerces: remote and float-only, reached by traversing two lakes. Untouched by the usual fishing pressure.
Verde and Kruger Lakes
Small Lakes · Los Alerces area: fished by both Futaleufu and Trevelin
Hidden gems in the Los Alerces lake system, backed by ten-thousand-foot peaks: sizable fish eager to rise to large dry flies.
Futalaufquen Lake
Lake · Los Alerces area: fished by both Futaleufu and Trevelin
The lake at the heart of Parque Nacional Los Alerces, fed by the Rio Arrayanes and the source of the Rio Futaleufú. Boat or shore fishing. Rainbow and brown trout.
Photo credit — Verde and Kruger Lakes: Gagea, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons; resized and compressed.
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