5 rooms, 10 rods
We're small on purpose, and the owners and guides are here all week. Service is personal, and the plan bends to the water and the weather.
Fly Fishing in Patagonia, ArgentinaA week on the Carrileufú River
Wild browns and rainbows, float and wade, and never more than 10 rods at the lodge. A chef cooks for you every night.
- Season
- November to April
- The week
- 7 nights, 6 days on the water
- Guides
- One guide for every 2 anglers
- Group
- 10 rods at most
Your hosts
We're brothers Tristán and Iñaki, who grew up in Patagonia, and our cousin Tomás, who everyone calls Toto.
In 2024 we traded our home in Villa La Angostura for this lodge on the Carrileufú River, and plenty of people told us it was a wild idea. But La Pilarica was founded in 2009 by a fisherman who wanted his guests to feel at home, and the first time we walked through the door, that's exactly how we felt. So we stayed.
The lodge was built for anglers, and it still runs on an angler's clock. Early coffee, a packed lunch for the boat, a glass of wine by the fire when you get back. Our guides are a small team led by Diego, our head guide. They know these rivers and the people who live along them, and we take care of everything off the water: the drive from Esquel, the licenses, the room and the table.
Iñaki is a trained chef and runs the kitchen with Toto. Tristán is a mechanical engineer, and he's the reason everything else just works. We're there with you all week. And by the second dinner, most guests are in the kitchen with a glass of wine, asking what we're cooking.
On the water and at the lodge
Why fish with us
Quieter water
This is the rural side of Patagonia, with less pressure than the better-known rivers up north. Some days you won't see another boat.
A chef at the end of the day
Patagonian lamb, vegetables from our garden, Argentine wine. After ten hours on the river, dinner matters more than people expect.
Nothing to organize
Transfers from Esquel, licenses and park fees are part of the week. You bring your rod and get on the plane.
What a week includes
7 nights and 6 guided days on the water is our base week, all inclusive. Shorter stays work too.
From USD 4,600 per person for the full week, 2026/27 season.
Fewer fishing days, more nights, a partner who'd rather ride? Tell us, and we'll build the week around you.
Included
- One of 5 rooms at the lodge
- All meals, wine and drinks
- 6 days of guided fishing, one guide for every 2 anglers
- Round trip transfers from Esquel
- Fishing licenses and park fees
- Starlink Wi-Fi at the lodge
Not included
- Flights to Esquel or Bariloche
- Fishing equipment and flies
- Gratuities
- Travel insurance
Also available
Private guide, single room, a lower rate for partners who don't fish, and horseback rides. We'll price them with your dates.
The water
We fish the Carrileufú River and the rivers and lakes around Los Alerces National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Wild brown and rainbow trout, brook trout and landlocked salmon, mostly from the boat and on foot, with good dry fly days when the season's right.
The better water here takes local knowledge and years of friendships with the people who live along these rivers. That part's on us. You just fish.
A sample week
Every week is planned around water and weather, but it usually looks something like this.
Rivadavia River
A short river between two lakes, known well beyond Argentina for its fishing and for the color of its water.
Arrayanes River
You start on the lake and drop into the river. It's a short stretch, and we always try to fit it in.
Carrileufú River
Our home river. There's enough of it for two or three days, each on a different section.
Your pick
A spring creek for selective, technical fishing, or Laguna Larga if you're after a big brown.
In our guests' words
I spent 12 days at La Pilarica Lodge. The setting with the beautiful mountains as a backdrop was incredible. The food was wonderful and as good as any great restaurant I visited in Paris or in my home town of Los Angeles. I expect great fishing in Argentina, however, I was pleasantly surprised to discover La Pilarica. Frankly, it made my fishing trip very memorable.Such a gem! Hosts are 5 star, food is fantastic, location is difficult to beat, and fishing was fantastic. If you want to experience the Patagonia region in a relaxing way, while being treated like royalty, look no further than la Pilarica!Cannot recommend highly enough. This lodge sits in the most quaint and magical area of Patagonia, and is operated by the nearest brother duo, Tristan and Inaki. They filled our mornings with hearty breakfast, lovely coffees and our days with riding to nearby lakes and overlooks with a neighbor gaucho. Our evenings were spent enjoying the tastiest cuisine (Inaki is a world class chef!) and live guitar music sung by Argentine neighbors. The only complaint would be we didnt stay long enough. Don’t delay in booking your stay here. Enjoy!!Fantastic experience. Thank you to Iñaki and Toto for your hospitality, the nice pause from life, and showing me this beautiful region through your eyes. Excellent cooking, comfortable rooms with stunning views, and overall excellent hospitality.
I can’t suggest this lodge enough to anyone who wishes to see this region, ride horses, fish, and experience the great outdoors of Patagonia and the Andes.An unbeatable experience at La Pilarica. A place where you feel at home the moment you arrive: the way they treat you, the atmosphere... The lodge is spectacular and very welcoming. The views are incredible too. But the best part is the trip itself. Iñaki, Tristán and Totó made us feel at home, they are extremely attentive, and they helped us organise every activity: horseback riding, fishing... Something else worth pointing out is the food, different every day, carefully prepared and delicious. An incredible experience and a place I am already longing to go back to.Translated from Spanish
Coming with someone who doesn't fish?
They won't be bored. A day on horseback with local gauchos, a kayak down the Carrileufú River, a walk into Los Alerces, or a book by the fire until the boats come back.
Getting here is easier than you think
- 1
Fly to Buenos Aires
Overnight flights from Miami, New York, Houston, Atlanta and Dallas land early in the morning.
- 2
Spend a night in the city
It covers any delay and gives you a day in Buenos Aires. Here's our guide, and we're happy to help with a hotel.
- 3
Fly to Esquel, and we take it from there
About two and a half hours on Aerolíneas Argentinas. Your driver will be waiting, and the lodge is 90 minutes away.
Before you book
What is included in a fly fishing week on the Carrileufú River?+
7 nights in one of 5 rooms, all meals and drinks, 6 days of guided fishing, transfers from Esquel airport (EQS), park fees and fishing licenses. Flights, gear and gratuities aren't included.
How do I get there?+
The closest airport is Esquel (EQS), about one and a half hours from the lodge. Most guests fly into Buenos Aires (EZE or AEP) and connect to Esquel. We handle transfers from Esquel in both directions.
Should I fly into Esquel or Bariloche?+
Esquel (EQS) is the shortest trip: about 90 minutes to the lodge, and the transfer is part of your week. But only Aerolíneas flies there, from Aeroparque, so you may have to change airports in Buenos Aires. Bariloche (BRC) has more flights and usually cheaper fares, some straight from Ezeiza, and it's about two and a half hours away, with a transfer at an extra cost. Tell us which you're looking at, and we'll tell you honestly which works better for your dates.
What species will I be fishing for?+
Wild brown trout, rainbow trout, brook trout, and landlocked salmon. The Carrileufú River and the surrounding rivers in the Los Alerces area hold good populations of all four, with brown trout being the most sought after.
When is the best time to come?+
We run November through April. January and February are our peak months for volume and size, with reliable dry fly conditions when the weather cooperates. November and December fish well and the rivers are less crowded. March and early April can be exceptional for large brown trout. The honest answer is: the best time is when you can come.
Show all 14 questions
How many anglers fish per week?+
10 rods at most. It's a deliberate limit: it keeps the guide ratio right, takes pressure off the water and means you're a guest in a house, not one of forty people in a rotation.
What rod and line should I bring?+
If you're bringing one rod, make it a 6-weight. It's the best all-around rod for the water we fish: it handles a floating line for dries and nymphs, or a 200 or 250-grain sinking tip for streamers. If you prefer lighter tackle for dries and nymphs, a 5 or 4-weight will do, but we mostly fish big attractor patterns and windy days are common. For streamers, a 7-weight is just right. For waders, bring what fits you well and what you trust.
Which flies should I bring?+
Dry flies: Chubby Chernobyls, Stimulators and PMX in sizes 8 to 10; Royal Coachman, Parachute Adams and Black Gnats in sizes 14 to 20. Nymphs: Pat's Rubber Legs in sizes 8 to 10; Pheasant Tail, Prince, WD-40 and Bird's Nest in sizes 12 to 20. Streamers: Woolly Buggers, Sparkle Minnows, Kreelex and Rabbit Zonkers in black, white and olive, sizes 8 or 10.
What is the weather like?+
Weather in the mountains changes quickly: a cold morning can turn into a hot, sunny afternoon, and the wind can show up at any time. Pack layers: a rain jacket, fleece or wool, gloves and a warm hat, plus sun protection, quick-dry shirts and light pants for the warm hours.
My partner doesn't fish. Will they enjoy the week?+
Yes. Horseback riding, kayaking and walks in Los Alerces are easy to arrange, and there's a lower rate for partners who don't fish.
Can I come as a solo traveler?+
Yes. A single supplement applies. Get in touch and we will tell you what dates have open spots and whether there is a group you would join well.
Do you have Wi-Fi and cell service?+
There is Starlink Wi-Fi at the lodge. Cell service in Villa Lago Rivadavia and along the road is limited and carrier-dependent. Most guests treat that as part of the appeal.
What about gratuities?+
Tipping is customary and appreciated. A general reference: USD 50 to 100 per angler per day for guides, and USD 50 to 100 per day for lodge staff, depending on your experience. This is a guideline, not a rule.
Do you accept beginners?+
We work with anglers of all levels. If you have never fly fished, let us know in advance and we will set expectations and structure your days accordingly.
Booking, payment and cancellation conditions are in our booking terms.
Get in touch
Tell us the month you have in mind and how many anglers. We reply within one business day with the weeks that are open, pricing, and a sample itinerary built around the fishing you want.
From USD 4,600 per person for the full week, 2026/27 season.
Sending this is an inquiry, not a booking. We reply to confirm availability for your dates.
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Prefer to chat right away? Message us directly.
Message Us on WhatsAppCome fish the Carrileufú River
We only have 5 rooms, and some weeks are already taken by hosted groups. Tell us roughly when you'd like to come, and we'll tell you honestly what's open and how the fishing looks that month.