Bella Sofia Lodge is located 98 kilometres from Rio Gallegos airport in Argentina, in an area of Patagonia famed across the world for its first-class freshwater fly fishing opportunities for Trout and Sea Trout. The lodge started operating in 1995 and was an original pioneer, successfully introducing sea-run trout into the surrounding rivers; they were an inspiration to other operations in the region. Unfortunately, however, the lodge closed for eleven years due to a series of unfortunate events. That was until now, as finally, we’re delighted to announce that for 2023, they’re able to open their doors once again and start welcoming travelling rods from around the globe.
The lodge is situated on the banks of the famous Rio Gallegos River, just one hour’s drive from the town of Rio Gallegos itself and is the main house in the Estancia. Anglers who visit and fish have an incredible amount of water in which to wet a line, as Bella Sofia controls more than 65 kilometres of the Rio Gallegos and 18 kilometres of its little brother, the Rio Gallegos Chico. Based on only six rods per week, it means that guests have more than 10 kilometres of water each, making it one of the most exclusive locations for fly fishing in Argentina.
This trip is also available as a hosted tour exclusive for Sportquest Holidays customers and is ideal for solo anglers, pairs of friends and even small groups. Our team of hosts are hugely experienced as both hosts and fishing guides and are well travelled, taking trips of customers around the world and fishing in a wide array of different environments. You can see the hosted tour here.
At Bella Sofia Lodge, visiting rods will have the opportunity to fish two different rivers, the world-famous Rio Gallegos and the Rio Gallegos Chico, a smaller tributary. With the length of both rivers combined, it works out that visiting anglers have over 10 kilometres of water each to wet a line.
The breathtaking Rio Gallegos River is one of the most sought after Sea Trout rivers found globally. Running for more than 360 kilometres through desolate pampa before finally merging into the raging Atlantic Ocean, it offers travelling rods the opportunity to experience some of the best freshwater fly fishing in the world. With more than 65 kilometres at each angler’s disposal, the fishing beats are exceptionally varied. The river has everything from classic, deep pools to long fast runs to high banks and large structures.
The Rio Gallegos Chico River is a tributary of the Rio Gallegos. Despite being known as its ‘little brother’, it’s an incredibly impressive waterway in its own right, flowing for around 300km and offering anglers even more fantastic fishing opportunities. Starting as a small spring creek on the Chilean border, it flows into the main Rio Gallegos and is filled with good sized Brown Trout, with an average size of around 3lb. Over its 18 kilometres of water, controlled by Bella Sofia, it provides some stunning sight fishing opportunities and a unique dry fly fishing experience.
To learn more about the excellent Sea Trout fishing on offer at Bella Sofia Lodge in Argentina, visit our YouTube channel.
Bella Sofia is the only fishing lodge in the region that can provide more than 10 kilometres of water per angler. The fishing weeks, based on only six rods per week, are incredibly personalised, and the lodge is committed to offering travelling rods a unique, memorable experience.
The fishing, as all Sea Trout fishing generally is, is known for being demanding and for requiring a reasonable degree of skill, and on the Rio Gallegos it’s no different. The fish average around 9lb in weight, which is impressive considering their natural habitat. The majority of the fishing is wading in generally shallow water, with an average depth of 40 to 45cm, although on some occasions, it might be a little deeper in some of the more famous pools.
Two-handed rods between 12 to 15ft in length are the norm, not only to allow longer casts, but also to allow you to control you fly lines, which will either be floating, intermediate or slow sinking. Single-handed and switch rods can be used in conjunction with dry flies or skaters when the wind drops in the evening and when fishing for the Brown Trout on the smaller Rio Gallegos Chico.
All the riverbanks on both rivers are very accessible, with roads that lead to a few metres away from the water, making them easy to access with the lodges 4 x 4 trucks.
All the staff at the new era of Bella Sofia are led by the host and mentor, Guy Soubra, who is well respected in Argentina and has worked and run some of the most fantastic fishing and hunting lodges in the country for more than a decade. All the guides at the lodge have also been guiding and fishing the waters of Patagonia for many years and are highly knowledgeable when it comes to chasing Sea Trout. They are also experts on casting techniques with single and double-handed rods and are there to ensure guests get the very most out of their stay.
After breakfast each morning, anglers leave with their guide in the lodges 4 x 4s to fish some of the combined 80+ kilometres of water on offer, and a typical day on the water consists of two fishing sessions.
Daily Schedule:
7:30 am – Breakfast
8:30 am – Depart for the river
12:30 pm – Back to the lodge for lunch and a siesta
6:00 pm – Return to the river to fish until evening
The fishing times may vary slightly each day depending on the time of year and conditions, but there’ll always be at least seven to eight hours of fishing every day.
Bella Sofia Lodge features four single occupancy bedrooms and one large double occupancy bedroom, all with en-suite bathrooms to provide a comfortable, homely experience. The living room has a fireplace, a cosy seating area and an array of beautiful bookcases and the dining room, again with a fireplace, can seat ten guests. The adjacent sunroom has a stunning view over the gardens and accommodates the piano bar, where draught beer and drinks get served every evening after a busy day on the water. There’s also a heated wader room where anglers can leave their wet gear to dry out before the next fishing session.
The lodge prides itself on fresh, delicious food and the evening meals consist of quality steaks, lamb and venison, with starters of warming soup of fresh salad. Lighter meals such as chicken, fish and seafood get served for supper, and in the mornings, for breakfast, there’s a range of homemade bread and local marmalades and an array of egg options.
A selection of fine wines from different parts of Argentina completes their gourmet dining experience.
Board: Full board
Meals: 3 meals per day, including alcohol
Internet: Free WiFi
Cash Accepted: US Dollars
Power: 220 volt generated
The new era of Bella Sofia Lodge is committed to environmentally-friendly sustainability and is striving to reduce fossil fuels. It will be the first lodge in South America to use a wood-pellet furnace as a heating system. All vegetables served in the restaurant are grown in their greenhouses, the Estancia provides the lamb, and the lodge values local and organic produce.
Although the fishing days are fixed, the below itinerary is still flexible should you require additional free days to explore at the beginning or end of your holiday; we can tailor this itinerary to suit you personally. Feel free to talk to our travel consultants who can explain all options available.
Please note that depending on what international airport you depart from, travel to this destination may involve an overnight flight and/or an overnight hotel.
Once flights are available, your itinerary will be finalised.
Depart Any international Airport (See Details)
Arrive Buenos Aires
Transfer from the airport to Buenos Aires Hotel
On arrival in Buenos Aires, take a taxi (Not Included) to your hotel.
The remainder of the day is free to relax and explore this beautiful city.
Overnight Accommodation: Buenos Aires Standard Hotel in a single room on a bed & breakfast basis
Transfer from Buenos Aires Hotel to Internal Airport
Subject to your domestic flight times, allow enough time to take a taxi (Not Included) to the internal airport for your domestic flights.
Aim to arrive at the airport no later than 2 hours before departure.
Depart Buenos Aires
Arrive El Calafate
Transfer from El Calafate Airport to Bella Sofia Lodge
On arrival at El Calafate airport, you will be met and transferred to the lodge (around 4 hours drive).
Once at the lodge, you will be shown to your rooms, and the rest of the day is yours to either relax or, if you prefer, set up all your rods ready for the week ahead.
Overnight Accommodation: Bella Sofia Lodge in a single room on a full board basis
On your first two fishing days, you’ll be paired up with your fishing partner and will fish together throughout the trip, wetting a fly on the mighty Rio Gallegos – one of the most exclusive fisheries in South America. The lodge controls over 65 kilometres of the Rio Gallegos and 18 kilometres of its little brother, the Rio Gallegos Chico. Based on only six rods per week, you have more than 10 kilometres of water each to wet a fly.
A typical day at Bella Sofia consists of:
7:30 am – Breakfast
8:30 am – Depart for the river
12:30 pm – Back to the lodge for lunch and a siesta
6:00 pm – Return to the river to fish until evening
Overnight Accommodation: Bella Sofia Lodge in a single room on a full board basis
On your third and fourth fishing day, you’ll enjoy more fishing on the famous Rio Gallegos River for the hard-fighting Sea Trout that reside within it. The fishing on the river is either with double-handed or single-handed rods, depending on the conditions, like the wind, water levels, and clarity. The wind can be fierce in this region of Patagonia, but believe it or not, this is a good thing. The prevailing wind is westerly and blows down the river, allowing huge casts; it also helps ripple the water’s surface, making the Sea Trout less wary.
Overnight Accommodation: Bella Sofia Lodge in a single room on a full board basis
On your final two days of fishing, if you’ve been lucky enough to land a few Sea Trout throughout your week, it may be the time to try for a trophy-sized specimen. The fish in the Rio Gallegos average around 10lb, but with every cast, there is the opportunity to hook one of Patagonia’s explosive Sea Trout that reaches sizes of over 30lbs. A fish of a lifetime if only ever one cast away.
Overnight Accommodation: Bella Sofia Lodge in a single room on a full board basis
Transfer from Bella Sofia Lodge to El Calafate Airport
Early morning, you will be transferred back to El Calafate airport for your return internal flights. (around 4 hours drive)
Depart El Calafate
Arrive Buenos Aires
Transfer from the airport to Buenos Aires Hotel
On arrival in Buenos Aires, take a taxi (Not Included) to your hotel.
The remainder of the day is free to relax and explore this beautiful city.
Overnight Accommodation: Buenos Aires Standard Hotel in a single room on a bed & breakfast basis
Transfer from Buenos Aires Hotel to International Airport
Subject to your international flight times, allow enough time to take a taxi (Not Included) to the international airport for your return flights.
Aim to arrive at the airport no later than 3 hours before departure.
Depart Buenos Aires
Arrive Home
Please note that depending on what international airport you wish to return to, travel from this destination may involve an overnight flight and/or an overnight hotel. Once flights are available, your itinerary will be finalised.
The season runs from November to March.
Season: November to April
Peak: January to February
Weight: 4lb to 30lb
Average Weight: 9lb
Season: November to April
Peak: January to March
Weight: 1lb to 7lb
Average Weight: 3lb
Remember that Sportquest Holidays' services are completely FREE! When you book a trip with Sportquest Holidays, you never pay more than when you book directly with the lodge and flights independently.
| From | To | Duration | Price | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 02/01/2026 | 11/01/2026 | 10 | £9,817 | Enquire Now |
| 09/01/2026 | 18/01/2026 | 10 | £9,817 | Enquire Now |
| 16/01/2026 | 25/01/2026 | 10 | £9,817 | Enquire Now |
| 23/01/2026 | 01/02/2026 | 10 | £9,817 | Enquire Now |
| 30/01/2026 | 08/02/2026 | 10 | £9,817 | Enquire Now |
| 06/02/2026 | 15/02/2026 | 10 | £9,817 | Enquire Now |
| 13/02/2026 | 22/02/2026 | 10 | £9,817 | Enquire Now |
| 20/02/2026 | 01/03/2026 | 10 | £9,817 | Enquire Now |
| 27/02/2026 | 08/03/2026 | 10 | £9,817 | Enquire Now |
| 06/03/2026 | 15/03/2026 | 10 | £9,817 | Enquire Now |
| 13/03/2026 | 22/03/2026 | 10 | £9,817 | Enquire Now |
| 20/03/2026 | 29/03/2026 | 10 | £9,817 | Enquire Now |
| 27/03/2026 | 05/04/2026 | 10 | £9,817 | Enquire Now |
Prices are based on one adult (unless otherwise stated), staying in a single room with a shared guide and are correct at the time of going to press. Subject to time of year or date and currency fluctuations, these prices may fluctuate slightly due to flight price increases or fuel surcharge.
World`s End Lodge
My third visit to this magical place.Fishing,guides,accomodation and food first rate again.The water could have been higher but with the added bonus of the sea pool and the River Melanguela not a day was lost.
This lodge and river are unique for fishing in Tierra del Fuego and should be on everyone`s bucket list.
Bella Sofia
Again a great weeks fishing with a lot of Sea Trout and big Brownies in the system despite low water.
Guides very helpful and friendly.
Lodge brand new and refurbished to a high standard
Food excellent and facilities very good
Great dry fly fishing on the Rio Gallegos Chico,don`t forget your lighter weight rod !!
Repeat visit in 2024 Can`t wait.
My third visit and another great trip, in spite of the very low water conditions (due to an exceptionally dry Spring) The fishing was challenging, but there were good numbers of fish in the river. I landed a few very decent sea trout (by UK standards) and hooked into, and lost, two monsters - without doubt the biggest I've had on the end of my line in over 50 years pursuing these fantastic fish. But hat's fishing!
World's End Lodge is in a wild and remote location as far down the Atlantic coast of Tierra Del Fuego as is accessible by wheeled vehicle. As well as the spectacular scenery there is an abundance of wildlife, including wild cattle and horses, foxes, beavers and many birds. No light pollution, so amazing night skies.
Very comfortable accommodation, exceptional food and great guides and lodge staff.
The Irigoyen is a very different river to the well-known Argentinian sea trout rivers such as the Rio Grande or Rio Gallagos. It is therefore more important than ever to take the guide's advice. It is a technical river with the need for accurate casting. In most cases you will be fishing very close to structure, in the form of log "jams". So you will really need the recommended minimum 20lbs tippet strength and when a fish is hooked, do not give it line! This is not a river for anglers who like to play their fish - with the exception of the Sea Pool, that is.
Bella Sofia Lodge staff were very welcoming, approachable, professional in their approach and made my stay enjoyable.
I must give a special mention to Carlos who guided me and Guy who managed the whole week.
The fishing was challenging at times but having caught a number of sizeable sea trout and countless brownies from the Chico, overall it was a good fishing week.
If you’re considering a trip to the Rio Gallegos, I’d recommend the Bella Sofia Lodge.
Bella Sofia is a fantastic lodge with first class guides and excellent facilities. The service, food and drinks are all to a great standard and it really feels like a home from home. Nothing is too much trouble and you want for nothing.
Although the fishing conditions can be challenging, the rewards are hugely satisfying and the world class guides do everything in their power to make your fishing experience as memorable as possible. The one to one sessions with the guides are a fantastic masterclass in learning how to make the most of your seatrout fishing and are massively informative and enjoyable.
I would also recommend upgrading to premium comfort on the long haul flights of the journey as the extras make a huge difference to the travel experience and is well worth the extra cost.
Hi,
Thanks for coming back and for your kind words! Glad to hear the fishing, lodge, and guides didn’t disappoint. Hope to see you again!
Harrison
Once again an enjoyable trip to Bella Sofia with faultless arrangements by Sportquest.
Although the winds were exceptionally strong this year the fishing was good and I was very pleased with my catches.
The Guides were outstanding with their excellent advice and choice of fly.
A special thanks to Marcela for her help and instruction,a real pleasure to fish with her.
Also Diego for keeping me upright in the strong winds !!
I must also thank Guy (Lodge Manager) for his invaluable assistance in the recovery and delivery to the Lodge of my delayed main bag.
Looking forward to my future trips with Sportquest.
Hi,
Thanks for coming back and for your kind words!
Harrison
If you've ever dreamt of casting your fly into wild, untouched waters where Atlantic Salmon and Sea Trout run free, then the beautiful Horstad Gård Lodge, on the banks of the stunning Åelva River, allows you to do precisely that. Tucked away in the pristine wilderness of Arctic Norway, this fly-fishing gem is considered one of the country's best-kept secrets.
Exclusive to Sportquest Holidays, Howenh Lodge, based on the incredible Rio Grande, offers travelling rods the opportunity to wet a fly across over 30 kilometres of water. With just four to six rods per week, it provides some of the best Sea Trout fishing in the world, both in terms of the number of fish and excellent average size.
Worlds’ End Lodge and the Irigoyen River offer the most unique and otherworldly fishery in Patagonia. No other Tierra del Fuego fishing lodge or river offers 10-20 lb Sea Run Brown Trout in small water that is laden with logs, surrounded by dense forests and protected from the heavy Austral winds.
Las Buitreras Lodge on the Rio Gallegos in Argentina offers an unparalleled Sea Trout fishing program. Catch statistics for size and numbers on the Rio Gallegos and the Rio Grande are similar, however, many anglers remain loyal to the Rio Gallegos River for it’s a dream to fish with its low gradient, technical characteristics, exclusivity, outstanding guides and the vast number of pools you get to fish each day always providing well-rested water.
Hosted by our CEO Peter Collingsworth, this exclusive trip to Worlds End Lodge in Argentina offers travelling rods the chance to enjoy some of the finest Sea Trout sport on the planet. The fishing, based on the famous Irigoyen and Malenguena rivers, regularly produces specimens of over 20lb.
