Fly Fishing the Carrileufú, Cholila, Patagonia
Wild brown and rainbow trout, float and wade, in a quiet corner of Patagonia. A five-room lodge that takes ten rods at a time.
The Trip at a Glance
- Season
- November through April
- Typical stay
- 7 nights and 6 guided fishing days. Shorter stays are possible
- Fishing
- Float and wade, on rivers, spring creeks and lakes
- Guides
- One guide for every two anglers
- Species
- Wild brown, rainbow and brook trout, and landlocked salmon
- Group size
- Five rooms, ten rods maximum
- Nearest airport
- Esquel (EQS), about 90 minutes from the lodge
- Transfers
- Round trip from Esquel, included in your week
- Included
- All meals and drinks, guiding, fishing licenses and park fees
- Rates
- Weeks from USD 4,600, fully customizable: fewer fishing days, more or fewer nights. We send exact rates with your dates
What a Week Includes
Seven nights and six guided fishing days is the base week, all inclusive and built around the fishing. Shorter stays are possible. It includes:
Included in your week
- Lodging in one of five rooms, ten guests maximum
- All meals, wine and drinks
- Six days of guided fishing, one guide for every two anglers
- Round trip transfers from Esquel
- Fishing licenses and park fees
- Starlink wifi at the lodge
Not included
- Flights to Esquel or Bariloche
- Fishing equipment and flies
- Gratuities
- Travel insurance
Also available
Private guide supplement, single room supplement, non-angling companion rate, and a horseback riding add-on. We will price these with your dates.
We keep groups small and tailor the days to water and weather. Single travelers, non-angling partners, and small groups all fit. Tell us what you have in mind and we will put together a plan.
Booking, payment and cancellation conditions are set out in our booking terms.
The Water and the Access
We fish the Carrileufú and the rivers and lakes around Los Alerces National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage area in the province of Chubut. It is wild brown and rainbow trout water, fished mostly by float and by wading, with good dry fly conditions when the season is right.
This is the rural side of Patagonia. It sees less fishing and tourist pressure than the better known corridor further north. Some days you will not see another boat.
Reaching the better water here takes local knowledge and relationships built over years with the people who live and work along these rivers. That is the part we take care of, so you fish instead of figuring out how to get there.
Species
Wild brown trout, rainbow trout, brook trout, and landlocked salmon.
A Sample Fishing Week
To give you a clearer picture of what a week looks like on the water, here is how we typically structure five days of guided fishing:
Río Rivadavia
One of Patagonia's most celebrated rivers, internationally known for both the quality of its fishing and the beauty of its surroundings.
Río Arrayanes
The day starts on the lake before dropping into the river. It is a shorter stretch, but a genuinely special one that we always recommend including.
Río Carrileufú
Our home river, with enough water to cover two to three different sections on separate days depending on conditions.
Fifth Day
Guests can choose between a spring creek for more technical, selective fishing, or Laguna Larga, particularly well suited for anglers targeting large brown trout.
Five Rooms. Ten Rods.
We are small on purpose. The lodge has five rooms and we take a maximum of ten rods on a fishing week. That means real attention, flexible days, and a guide to angler ratio that works in your favor.
You are not moving through a fishing factory. You are a guest in a house.
Dinner Is Part of the Trip
Iñaki, our chef, runs the kitchen, and the food is something our guests talk about as much as the fishing. Patagonian lamb, local produce, Argentine wine, cooked well and served at one table. After a day on the river it matters more than people expect.
Something for Everyone
Fishing is the main event, but it does not have to be everyone's. Horseback riding, kayak, and trekking around Los Alerces are all easy to arrange for non-angling partners and family who join the trip.
Cholila, Chubut
We are in Villa Lago Rivadavia, near Cholila, about 1:30 hours from Esquel airport (EQS). This is the country where Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid built their cabin and spent their last quiet years, and the original cabin still stands nearby.
Los Alerces National Park is at the door: ancient alerce forests, clear rivers, and lakes under the Andes. The gaucho and criollo character of this valley is its own thing, different from the resort feel further north.
Getting Here Is Easier Than You Think
Three steps from a US airport to the river. We handle the last one.
- 1
Fly to Buenos Aires
Overnight flights from Miami, New York, Houston, Atlanta and Dallas land at Ezeiza (EZE) early in the morning.
- 2
Sleep a night in Buenos Aires
We recommend it. It absorbs any delay on the international leg and it gives you a day in one of the great cities of South America. Here is our guide to the city. If you want a hand booking a hotel or a transfer there, ask us and we will sort it out for you.
- 3
Connect to Patagonia, and we take it from there
Aerolíneas Argentinas flies to Esquel (EQS) most days of the week, about two and a half hours, landing roughly 90 minutes from the lodge. Send us your flight and your driver will be waiting.
Two ways in, and the cheaper one is not always obvious
| How they compare | Esquel (EQS) | Bariloche (BRC) |
|---|---|---|
| Airlines | Aerolíneas Argentinas only | Aerolíneas Argentinas, Flybondi and JetSMART |
| Leaves from | Aeroparque (AEP), the downtown airport | Ezeiza (EZE) or Aeroparque |
| Airport change in Buenos Aires | Yes. Allow three to four hours | Not needed if you fly out of Ezeiza |
| Fares | Fewer seats, usually the higher fare | More flights and low cost carriers, usually cheaper |
| On to the lodge | About 90 minutes. Transfer included in your week | About two and a half hours. Transfer available year round for an additional fee, just ask |
Esquel is the shortest door to door and the transfer is already in your week. Bariloche often wins on airfare and skips the airport change in Buenos Aires. Tell us which one you are looking at and we will tell you honestly which works better for your dates.
What Guests Say
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
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the week include?+
Lodging in one of five rooms, all meals and drinks, guided fishing, transfers from Esquel airport (EQS), park entry fees, and fishing licenses. We keep the group small and tailor each day to conditions and what you want out of the week.
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.
What species will I be fishing for?+
Wild brown trout, rainbow trout, brook trout, and landlocked salmon. The Carrileufú 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.
How many anglers fish per week?+
We take a maximum of eight to ten rods. That is a deliberate limit. It keeps the guide ratio workable, reduces pressure on each piece of water, and means you are a guest in a house rather than one of forty people moving through a rotation.
What should I bring for gear?+
A 9-foot 5-weight or 6-weight is the right all-around rod. Bring a floating line and a sinking tip (200-grain or similar). For waders, bring what fits you well and what you trust. Any flies you want to bring in particular.
What is the weather like?+
Patagonia weather is unpredictable in the way that Montana weather is unpredictable. Pack layers: a rain jacket, fleece or wool, gloves, and a warm hat. Also bring sun protection, quick-dry shirts, and light pants for warm days. Be ready for both on any given trip.
My partner doesn't fish. Will they enjoy the week?+
Yes. Horseback riding, kayaking, and trekking around Los Alerces National Park are all easy to arrange. The lodge itself, the food, and the setting give non-anglers plenty to do and enjoy. We have had many non-fishing partners who say it was among the best weeks they have had in Patagonia.
Can I come as a solo traveler?+
Yes. Solo travelers book with us directly or through an outfitter. 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.
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, package pricing, and a sample itinerary built around the fishing you want.
Prefer we reach out to you? Send the details below.
Prefer to chat right away? Message us directly.
Message Us on WhatsAppCome Fish the Carrileufú
We run from November through April. Weeks fill from the inside out, and we hold the best dates for direct guests. If you are thinking about a Patagonia trip, get in touch and we will tell you honestly what is open and what the fishing looks like that month.