Patagonia River Guides South

Rates
$9,400 for a 7 night 6 day package - contact us for pricing on longer trips

*This price includes: Accommodations; all meals; drinks including wine, beer, and liquor; local transportation; local airport shuttle; professional guide; fishing license; all flies, leaders, and tippet; and private water fees.
*This price does not include: Gratuity for guides and staff; phone calls; laundry; or personal shopping. It also doesn’t include transfers, hotel or food in Buenos
Aires or ground transfers to and from Bariloche airport if applicable (most guests fly into Esquel where transfers are included).

Deposit, Final Payment and Cancellation Policy
A 50% deposit is required within 10 days of the booking to secure and hold your reservation. Your reservation cannot be guaranteed without a deposit. The balance of the trip (full payment) is due 90 days prior to your departure. All deposits are nonrefundable unless client is replaced. Full payment is not refundable unless client is replaced. Full payment or deposit may be transferred to another client for the original dates. We the right to charge a minimum handling fee of $500 per person for date changes after the initial reservation has been made. It is highly recommended that you purchase trip insurance from your travel agent in the unforeseen event that you have to cancel. Receipt of deposit and/or final payment is acknowledgment that registrant/angler has read and accepts the DEPOSIT, FINAL PAYMENT AND CANCELLATION POLICY written above.

Fishing Program

Patagonia River Guides uses the straightforward philosophy to fish a different river daily with the best guides at the best times.  PRG South guests fly into Esquel and can fish two regions: Esquel and Rio Pico to the south in the Central Patagonia region. Each destination offers different rivers, scenery, lodging, and of coarse fishing. Because we offer fishing on so many rivers, we can match anglers with particular tastes to the rivers they will like the most. The same goes for lodging. Let us know what you like and what you're looking for and most likely, we will be able to set up the perfect trip for you! 

Two anglers fish together with a professional guide, and when wade fishing, an assistant guide to give each angler a one-on-one experience. Every guide has all of the equipment necessary (new truck, boats, fishing equipment, safety equipment, etc.) to execute incredible trips and PRG provides them with thousands of flies for every hatch and for every situation so guests don't have to carry or buy flies that might not work. In addition to providing every fly, PRG also has uncountable numbers of Winston Rods, Hatch Reels (with new lines on each one), Simms waders, Simms wading boots, and dry bags free for our guests to use if they choose not to bring their own. 

PRG's fishing programs are always set around guest's preferences, but normally departing the lodge around 8:30 a.m. after a healthy breakfast and assignment of guide and fishing destination. A delicious picnic lunch is provided for each trip and lunch is enjoyed streamside. Most fishing days end around 6:00 to 7:00 pm at which time, guests meet back at the lodge for a hot shower and a cool drink followed by a dinner complimented by a great bottle of Argentine wine. Anglers are treated to a blend of floating, walk wading, and a combination of both on area waters. And PRG can always arrange for more wading or floating depending on anglers' preference. Fishing techniques vary daily and the most successful anglers are flexible and able to adapt to each river and fishing conditions. Guides try to fish dry flies as much as possible but also use hopper-dropper combos, streamers, and sometimes even nymphs. It is not uncommon to sight fish because the waters are, more often than not, crystal clear. 

Sample Itineraries
Standard 7 nights / 6 days Esquel and Los Alerces Sample Itinerary: 
Arrive Esquel on a Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday
Day 1: Fish Rio Grande
Day 2: Fish Rio Rivadavia
Day 3: Fish Rio Corcovado
Day 4: Fish Rio Corintos / Nant Y Fall / Rio Percey
Day 5: Fish Rio Frey / Lago Menendez / Lago Kruger / Lago Amitui Quimey
Day 6: Fish Arroyo Pescado
Day 7: Depart

Popular Extended Stay - 9 nights / 8 days Esquel and Rio Pico Sample Itinerary:
Arrive Esquel on a Tuesday, Thursday, or Sunday
Day 1: Fish Rio Grande
Day 2: Fish Rio Rivadavia
Day 3: Fish Rio Arroyo Pescado
Day 4: Fish Rio Corintos 
Day 5: Fish Rio Corcovado and transfer to Rio Pico after fishing
Day 6: Fish Rio Pico
Day 7: Fish Lake #3
Day 8: Fish Lake #2 or Rio Las Pampas or other
Day 9: Depart Esquel back to Bs. As.

Locations
PRG South trips start near the town of Esquel in Central Patagonia. This beautiful region sees fewer visitors than farther north and the latitude is the same distance south of the equator as Montana is north so it should be no surprise that the scenery will be reminiscent of the Northern Rockies (but with far fewer people!).

Patagonia River Guides Esquel and Los Alerces Fishing Lodge 
Up to twelve guests per week can enjoy all the comforts of our beautiful Lodge located near the town of Trevelin ten miles south of Esquel. Located in a stunning mountain valley, PRG's Lodge at Trevelin has stunning 365-degree views of the area and four mountain ranges. The lodge has unbeatable access to both Los Alerces National Park and the Esquel Area's best rivers. The main lodge features nine rooms each with private bathroom. Six spacious bedrooms are located upstairs and three are on the main floor. Each of the main level rooms has a door extending to deck. Two of the downstairs bedrooms are configured in a suite with a connecting door perfect for friends that want to have a shared room concept. The lodge also includes a cabin, which contains three large bedrooms each with private bath. Each room in the cabin opens to a deck overlooking the Rio Percey and its valley. The rooms in the cabin are completely independent of each other and this unit is perfect for a group of friends. Each of the twelve rooms--all with private baths--are tastefully appointed with everything guests would expect at the finest hotels, and because we never accommodate more than twelve guests at a time, every guest will enjoy SINGLE OCCUPANCY COMPLIMENTARY! There are few lodges that offer such a luxury without an upgrade charge. The lodge is ideal for couples and for non-fishing guests. For complete river descriptions and non-fishing activities, please browse those sections on our website. 

PRG's Rio Pico Lodge 
When fishing the Rio Pico Region, guests stay at the area's best flyfishing lodge offering comfortable accommodations, welcoming ambiance and perfect central location. PRG leases the lodge exclusively and have spent years improving not only the comforts of the lodge, but also the service, food, and beverage. Agustin Fox, their talented chef and lodge manager, runs the program, and he makes you feel at home the second you arrive. His great English and sense of humor are unforgettable. The lodge features four double rooms with private baths, including what may just be the best showers in Patagonia. The focal point of the lodge is it's central fireplace in the great room of the main lodge, which allows guests to gather after fishing and have a few cocktails before dinner. Each guest room opens to a covered porch with a spectacular view of Cerro Desnudo. 

Meals are delicious (especially considering the remote location and three-hour drive to the store) and prepared with local ingredients. Many of the vegetables come from the local school's greenhouse and the lodge's signature tenderloin with local morel mushroom sauce is always a favorite. Apart from exquisite dinners, you will also enjoy a hearty breakfast before your fishing departure and then a very nice streamside lunch with wine.

The area is as remote as you can find in Patagonia and the vistas are incredible. From the lodge, fishermen have access to dozens of lakes holding some of the largest fish in all of Patagonia, small spring creeks to test guests accuracy and rivers with miles and miles to walk and explore. The Rio Pico area is rugged and there are few signs that things have changed here for decades. Guests love the solitude and the "unconnected" experience that you can only get by being so far removed. And did we mention big fish? 

Dining
PRG programs are all inclusive and all food and beverages are provided during your stay. Breakfast is hearty and consists of eggs to order, toast, jams, cereals, meats, fruits, juices, tea and coffee. Lunch is culinary delight and is normally served streamside. Our picnic lunches includes a nice combination of area meats, cheeses, vegetables, wine, and dessert making this an experience that you'll be looking forward to daily and one of the highlights of the trip. Dinner is typically served around 9:00 pm and after cocktail hour, giving guests a chance for some downtime and to tell others about their day For those who choose to fish later, a late dinner gives them more time to get back to the lodge for dinner. Dinner is typically three courses and features regional dishes including Patagonia's famous beef, lamb, pork, chicken, rabbit, fish, pasta and vegetables. A different Malbec wine is served nightly with dinner allowing guests to sample several throughout their stay.