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The town of San Martin is small and tourist friendly. It is a
destination ski area in the winter and reflects a Swiss influence,
much like Bariloche. San Martin has some delightful hosterias and
a number of excellent restaurants. It is an enjoyable town to visit or
to overnight upon arrival.
The town sits on the edge of Lago Lacar
and the transition zone from the forested hills of the Andes to
the drier steppe where the majority of the fishing rivers are
found. The area is scenic with numerous lakes and forests found
within Lanin National Park. Accommodations can be found on
the famous estancias or in lovely hosterias that are hosted and
operated by local Argentines. There are enough non-angling
activities such as horseback riding and hiking in and around San
Martin and Junin to keep one busy for days!! The
fishing area surrounding the towns of Junin de Los Andes and San
Martin de Los Andes has been aptly coined as the Northern Fishing
Zone of Patagonia by the author Bill Leitch in his 1991 book
Argentine Trout Fishing. This zone has been made famous in the
writings of Roderick Haig-Brown, Joe Brooks and Ernie Schwiebert,
and more recently, by numerous magazine articles written on
Patagonia fishing and adventure travel. It has been the favorite
fishing destination of Argentine fly fishermen who were the first
to introduce these fishing waters to North American anglers. This
area is steeped in angling history and tradition and the names of
its rivers and estancias color the angling literature on Argentina
fly fishing.
Many of the fishing waters in this zone are
found flowing through private estancias. These rivers and estancia
lodges are considered by many returning anglers as the best in
Patagonia for their ambience, comfort and fishing ease. You will
experience true Argentine hospitality on these ranches and gain a
feel for this special part of the country. Aside from the fishing,
they are known for serving excellent food and fine wines! These
properties are ideal for the non- angler because their comfort
level is so great. They offer other activities such as horseback
riding, birding opportunities and hiking in truly spectacular
country.
 A recommended visit to this area would be to
experience several rivers and lodges during a week or 10-day stay.
We will customize your trip to each location. Our fishing outfitters, with their qualified staffs,
will co-ordinate all estancia lodging, transportation and guiding to these
great fishing locations. These rivers allow the angler a variety
of fly fishing scenarios providing fishing with dry fly, nymph and
streamers, depending on the conditions. The majority of the
fishing is walk wading. Float trips and overnight camping trips
are available on several rivers. Like other Argentine rivers, this
zone is home to healthy McCloud rainbows, German browns, Brook
trout and even Sebago salmon.
Rivers to experience: Rio Malleo, Chimehuin,
Quilquihue, Quillen, Filo Hua Hum, Alumine and Collon
Cura, Caleufu, Rio Traful.
We have included the top lodges and estancias
that provide all inclusive packages with accommodations, wine,
guided fishing, taxes and related transfers. We can also arrange
stays at hosterias in this zone that allow for daily excursions
for other activities with some fishing. These stays are
considerably less in price then the exclusive estancias. So just
ask us about what you would like to do for a trip to this area!
Getting to the Junin/San Martin
Area
Three flights a week from Buenos Aires to San Martin airport, Chapelco.
Ground transportation from other cities like Bariloche, (2 hrs) or
from Chile via Paso Puyehue, can be arranged.
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