San Martin de los Andes & Junin
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. It has some delightful hotel options and several excellent restaurants. 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 region is scenic with numerous lakes and forests found within Lanin National Park. Accommodations can be found on the famous estancias or in lovely small hotels and hosterias. There are non-angling guided activities for horseback riding, birding, boating, and hiking in and around San Martin and Junin to keep one busy for days!!
There is much local color in this province with surrounding estancias and a favorite event is the annual rural held in the town of Junin. It is referred to as an “exposicion” where the ranches display their best livestock, venders show their wares, and many horsemanship games are played. It is a festive event and the local gauchos wear their best.
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 Swiebert, and 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 seeped in angling history and tradition and the names of the 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. 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, and they offer other activities such as horseback riding, birding opportunities and hiking in truly scenic landscapes.
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 and our outfitters with their qualified staffs, will co-ordinate all 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 at the time of your visit. The majority of the fishing is walk wading, and 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, Quillen, Filo Hua Hum, Alumine, Collon Cura, the Rio Limay and more including some great lake fishing opportunities.
We have included the top lodges and estancias that provide all inclusive packages with accommodations, wine, guided fishing, and related transfers. Please remember there is no added fee on booking these locations through Guided Connections, and we can walk you through your entire in-country trip with useful information and the right connections. So just ask us about what you would like to do for a trip to this area and we can arrange a trip of a lifetime for you.