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Chimehuin

The Chimehuin river put Argentina on the international fly-fishing map when Joe Brooks and friends first fished Patagonia.

This is a classic big freestone river with brown trout large enough to deserve the shaded deep willow lined banks. It is similar to the Madison River with true pools and runs. In places the river braids into a maze of willow lined channels with the feel of small water and the ever present possibility of big fish. Average rainbows and browns range between 15-20 inches with good numbers of fish up to 24 inches and some well beyond. All methods of fishing can be effective- prospecting with streamers, nymphs, and large attractor dry flies, spot fishing, or matching the sometimes prolific hatches.  The caddis kick off the hatches in early December,  peaking later in the month and through early January.  They typically run through January with scattered cahill mayflies with the hatches tailing off in early February.  During this same timeframe a large size 8 & 10 yellow drake hatches most evenings and can bring out some big browns.  Afternoon terrestrial fishing is effective throughout the summer with the best time falling between late January through early March.  With the cooler temp of the fall, the mayfly hatches start up again with mahoganies, a speckled winged grey, and BWOs keeping the fish tuned to the surface.  Streamer fishing is effected on the larger fish throughout the season with the spring and fall the best timeframes for stripping for big browns.  Every year a few fall browns in the 10 lbs range are landed.

Day floats from the town of San Martin are available on the upper half of the river and we offer 2 day/1 night overnight camp trips to access the more productive lower half of the river.  Also located on this lower half of the river is one of the nicer estancias in the area, offering 25 miles of floating via private access.