What to Bring.

Fishing Equipment:

Patagonia offers a wide variety of fishing opportunities ranging from small creeks and ponds to large rivers and lakes, therefore a 5 or 6 weight and a 7 or 8 weight rod with floating and sinking or sink tip lines are recommended. Teeny "T" series lines are also sometimes used for large, deep lakes and the deeper sections of rivers with swift currents. Weight forward lines and/or shooting heads are used when the wind blows, which can be often in Patagonia , especially in the afternoons.

Flies:

The Esquel area is very similar to the waters of the Rocky Mountain States in the U.S. in that they feature abundant insect and crustacean life. Mayfly and caddis imitations, including nymphs and emergers work well during hatches, and streamers, wooly buggers, and pancora crabs(the Patagonian equivalent of crayfish) are used at other times with great success. Ants, beetles, and other terrestrials are found in these waters, as well as a huge population of grasshoppers in the late summer/early fall.

Fly Patterns:

Standard dry flies- Adams , Elk Hair Caddis, Dave's Hopper, Royal Wulffs

Nymphs- Pheasant Tail, Prince Nymph, Hair's Ear, Stonefly Nymph

Terrestrials and Attractors- Dave's Hopper, Madam X, Chernobyl Ant, Stimulator

Streamers- Wooly Buggers, Muddler Minnows, Black Ghost, Mickey Finn

The above patterns are only a suggestion, please bring your personal favorite flies and your tying equipment. Feel free to experiment, as the trout found here can sometimes be selective and the knowledgeable angler will be ready for this situation. Locally tied and imported flies can be purchased in Esquel for those who don't tie and the guides will be quick to offer their knowledge and even their flies when the situation is warranted.

Clothing:

Even though most of the fishing season is in summer and early fall, it can be cold and raining at times, and the wind can come up in the afternoons, so the wise angler should be prepared for any conditions. Good pair of breathable waders, wading shoes, a comfortable fishing shirt, fleece pullover and a rain jacket are necessities. Shorts and /or wet wading can be used when it is hot, although the temperature rarely gets above 85 degrees. A well stocked vest, including floatant, tippets, leaders, nippers, etc. is needed, although some of these things are available in local stores for those items that are forgotten. Biting insects are usually not a problem, but occasionally there are a few mosquitos so insect repellant should be included.

Other Items:

Camera, laptop computer, books, etc. The lodge presently has a dial up internet connection and will have broadband access when that becomes available, so you can use a laptop. There are some books and a VCR and DVD player, as well as Southern satellite tv which has some English channels and movies, but there is usually little time for those activities after a full day of fishing. There is a well stocked bar and the lodge is located close enough to town that it is possible to go to a bar or restaurant if that is your preference.

How to get to La Patagonia Lodge

Alicia's Travel
A good source for well priced airline tickets to Argentina and within.
email: alicias_travel@yahoo.com
ph: 626-683-1301

Sample airlines to Buenos Aires (EZE)*

Aerolineas Argentinas, www.aerolineas.com.ar ,

Lan Chile , www.lanchile.com

Delta, www.delta.com

American Airlines, www.aa.com

Copa, www.copaair.com

Varig, www.varig.com

Air Canada , www.aircanada.com

*Alternative routing available through Santiago , Chile to Bariloche with Lan Chile , for Sundays and Thursdays

Buenos Aires has an international airport (EZE) and a domestic airport (Aeroparque). Upon arrival in Buenos Aires there is a money exchange just before you leave the secure area. Immediately upon leaving the secure area there are multiple mini-bus and taxi services to choose from for the transfer (they all speak english at the booths). Transfer times are easily three hours or less to Aeroparque.

Flights from Buenos Aires (Aeroparque) to Esquel

Two Airlines:

Aerolineas Argentinas, www.aerolineas.com.ar , 0810-222-86527

L.A.D.E., www.lade.com.ar , 011-5129-9000, 0810-810-5233 info

These three days work for international transfers in both directions.

Monday Wednesday Friday

Aerolineas Argentinas Aerolineas Argentinas Aerolineas Argentinas

Fl 1808 FL 1800 FL 1800

Leave Buenos Aires : 12:50 Leave Buenos Aires : 12:45 Leave Buenos Aires : 12:45

Arrive Esquel: 16:15 Arrive Esquel: 16:25 Arrive Esquel: 16:25

Leave Esquel: 16:40 Leave Esquel: 16:50 Leave Esquel: 16:50

Arrive Buenos Aires : 19:53 Arrive Buenos Aires : 20:08 Arrive Buenos Aires : 20:08

If spending the night in Buenos Aires these flights work as well.

Sunday Tuesday (every other) Thursday

Lade Lade Lade

FL 28 F28 F28

Leave Buenos Aires : 9:00 Leave Buenos Aires : 9:30 Leave Buenos Aires : 10:30

Arrive Esquel: 12:00 Arrive Esquel: 13:30 Arrive Esquel: 14:15

Leave Esquel: 13:30 Leave Esquel: 15:45 Leave Esquel; 14:45

Arrive Buenos Aires : 16:45 Arrive Buenos Aires : 19:45 Arrive Buenos Aires : 17:45

Additionally, there are several flights every day from Buenos Aires to Bariloche. Requiring a a four hour bus transfer to Esquel (which we can provide)

Southern winds, www.sw.com.ar , Aerolineas Argentinas, Lade

In Argentina : Cauquen Travel, Buenos Aires , contact Mercedes or Alejandra

email: cauquen@cuidad.com.ar

In the U.]S.: Pino Welcome Travel 1-800-247-6578, specializes in travel to Argentina .