Futalaufquen Lake

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

River · Fished from Cholila Lodge

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. Rainbow and brown trout.